Concluding Day of the G20 Environment and Climate in South Africa

Cape town: The second and final day of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministerial Meeting, chaired by South Africa, has concluded.

According to Ansa News Agency, the proceedings resulted in the adoption of two landmark documents: the “Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment” and the “Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Air Quality,” along with a Chair’s Summary summarizing progress on the six thematic priorities identified by the Chair.

The meeting reaffirmed the common will to integrate environmental protection into development policies, promoting an approach based on solidarity, equity, and sustainability. In its speech, Italy expressed full appreciation for the South African leadership and the inclusive spirit of the negotiations.

The Head of the Italian Delegation, Undersecretary Claudio Barbaro, emphasized that the two ministerial declarations on environmental crimes-with the identification of well-defined perimeters of action-and air quality represent a concrete step in the establishment of common standards and a shared operational framework on environmental protection and public health. The Italian delegation also included the Italian Ambassador to South Africa, Alberto Vecchi, who took part in the ministerial proceedings.

The Cape Town Declarations mark a turning point for multilateral cooperation: the one on crimes against the environment recognizes that the protection of ecosystems is inextricably linked to justice and the rule of law, while the one on air quality affirms that the right to breathe clean air is a fundamental human right.

The outcomes of the work will now be forwarded to the G20 Leaders, who will meet in Johannesburg on Nov. 22-23, to incorporate the conclusions into the South African presidency’s outcome document, with the transition to the United States, which will hold the presidency of the next G20.