African mayors invited to attend Sustainability Forum

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Mongezi Mtati

The executive mayor of the City of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, has extended an invitation to the mayors of African capital cities to attend the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum to engage in the opportunity to champion urban sustainability in respective countries.

The Forum, which will take place from 23-25 June 2015 during Sustainability Week, will explore various opportunities to address the sustainability imperative arising from the current and numerous challenges African cities face on a daily basis.

"Sustainable development and the green economy are key policy foundations for the City of Tshwane and a means to stimulate economic growth," said Ramokgopa during his address to the heads of African Missions. "The City of Tshwane's Vision 2055 is to become a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient city," he added.

Sustainability goals

Some of the city's sustainability goals are energy security, green buildings, energy efficiency which includes investment in electric vehicles and solar water heaters in low-income households, food security and sustainable public transport services. Other exciting items are free wi-fi services throughout the city and waste separation at source.

Ramokgopa highlighted the efforts of the city within collaborative national and international structures and emphasised that the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum is an important new strategic component of these endeavours.

Sustainability Week takes place at the CSIR International Conference Centre in Pretoria from 23-28 June 2015.