The Johannesburg World Summit on Wednesday moves its attention to two of the issues central to sustainable development and arguably the most important for the poorest of the poor; water and sanitation, and energy.
The issue of sanitation targets has been a point of contention, with the United States being severely criticised for resisting defined goals.
South Africa, as part of the G77 developing nations negotiating block, is calling for the adoption of the Millennium sanitation target of halving the number of people in the world without access to adequate sanitation facilities by the year 2015.
This call is likely to feature prominently during the morning plenary session, while the afternoon programme will focus on energy supply.
Officials, however, will continue their negotiations behind closed doors to hammer out a global blueprint to diminish poverty without destroying the environment.
South African and United Nations officials are upbeat about reaching consensus on a conference declaration and implementation plan by the time heads of state start arriving in the city next week.
However, the battle between rich and poor nations raged-on on Tuesday around the agricultural subsidies developed countries, and in particular the European Union and the United States, give their farmers.
A total of 190 countries out of a possible 195 have sent delegations to take part in the UN’s World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), that hopes to set up a comprehensive action plan for the future of the planet. – Sapa
For more on the summit visit the Mail&Guardian Online Jo’burg World Summit Special Report