Brussels, 26/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - In Johannesburg this week, the Party of European Socialists (PES) is to present its proposals on sustainable development. The proposals are compiled in a document drawn up by a PES working group on sustainable development under the chairmanship of Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson so that the Johannesburg Summit is able to adopt a constructive action plan in this field (see EUROPE of 6 March, p.13). PES Spokesman Tony Robinson recalled that the agenda was endorsed by the Socialist International in Casablanca.
The European Socialists' aim is to transform society in one generation in order to safeguard growth of prosperity while putting an end to the destructive consequences that modern life has on the world, says Tony Robinson in a press release. He adds that the PES has designated as priority action the new tax systems, subsidies, investments and regulations that affect all sectors of human activity, as well as transport, energy, natural reserves, housing, fishing and agriculture.
Goran Persson will present the position of the PES in Johannesburg. We recall that, among those who took part in this work, there is Dutch Development Minister Jan Pronk, British Environment Minister Michael Meacher and Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström In its press release, the PES recalls the five essential aims of the document to: (1) reach stable economic development with good growth, full employment, low inflation and strong public finance entailing a reduction in the burden of the debt; (2) reach a level of full employment of 70% (60% for women) by 2010; (3) guarantee a high level of public health; (4) be determined to prevent social exclusion; (5) and successfully bring about sustainable ecological development in one generation with the implementation of the 6th action programme on environment. The document is strongly focused on the fight against poverty throughout the world and calls for a new universal situation that will restore trust between North and South. This is available in English on website http://www.pes.org