The Daily Summit - Instant news and comments from the World Summit on Sustainable Development: Summit Life Archives

David Steven | 11:01 AM | | Comments (0)

September 6, 2002

While one of the huge CNN team flew back to London business class, the Daily Telegraph's only reporter at the summit joined the hoi polloi in economy. Is this a print/TV or UK/US hierarchy?

David Steven | 03:25 PM | | Comments (1)

September 5, 2002

Our intrepid correspondent is making his weary way home. Tomorrow we will begin to evaluate some of the important outcomes of these last hectic 10 days. In the meantime the Daily Summit will continue to bring you updates on the main news stories and commentary as they come in.

Mick Fealty | 06:37 PM | | Comments (0)

An interesting discussion continues on the role of NGOs, public servants and business at the summit. Read the original post and join the discussion here...

David Steven | 03:08 PM | | Comments (3)

Even at 1 a.m. this morning the security had melted away from Sandton. Your correspondent is now having to adjust to a life without photo IDs, x-ray machines, and a Kafkan system of one way systems, no-go areas, and VIP-only entrances.

This afternoon, the work crews are packing up the summit. Sandton is, once again, a free zone – as its concrete wall is winched, piece by piece, onto trucks.

Within the Convention Centre, itself, the scene is of the aftermath of some bizarre party, to which the guests bought paper rather than alcohol. A few tonnes of outdated press releases, newspapers, announcements, invitations, speeches and draft agreements are strewn across every surface.

Even the special edition of "Positive News" doesn't look so cheerful this morning. "An acute State of Emergency exists on earth, imperiling its climate, its life support systems and the lives of billions of people," opens its leading article.

Sounds serious. But can I go home now?

David Steven | 02:47 PM | | Comments (1)

September 3, 2002

The UN renamed the 'cradle of mankind' to the 'cradle of human kind' ahead of UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan's visit to this World Heritage Site.

David Steven | 05:46 PM | | Comments (0)

The journalist next to me has writer's block. He's been staring at his screen for half an hour - and now he's busy trying to book a trout-fishing holiday for the end of the month...

David Steven | 04:48 PM | | Comments (2)

Volunteers were also disgruntled because they had not been given one of the Summit bags (see their worries over money below). A noisy scrum formed outside Sandton library and soon 30 or 40 police were in attendance and the Canadians had been forced to cancel their press briefing which was supposed to be taking place inside.

While there were no bags for the volunteers, there were some for the police, with a Commander walking away with a box of twenty that he proceeded to distribute to his men...

David Steven | 04:21 PM | | Comments (0)

September 2, 2002

As the world's leaders begin their speeches (strictly 5 minutes only, at pain of having their mikes cut off by the Chair), negotiations have stalled - though Daily Summit suspects this is only a minor hiccup.

The stumbling block, at present, is renewable energy - as Ministers argue about what energy source should be considered renewable. Water and sanitation, and corporate accountability have squeaked through - the latter a major coup for civil society. Controversial language on the WTO has also been excised as reported last night.

Talks resume at 11.00 - with no air of panic discernible, at least as yet.

David Steven | 10:07 AM | | Comments (0)

August 31, 2002

Ronald Bailey is also rather good on the weirdness of UN summits...

David Steven | 09:11 PM | | Comments (2)

"Fatigue and the International Political System" - would make a good doctoral thesis, especially as negotiators are the most sleep deprived.

Off marching now, but keep the comments coming in...

David Steven | 09:01 AM | | Comments (1)

August 28, 2002

The media has obviously failed to perform to standard. We work here in Sandton, in a vast (and at this time of night, rather chilly) warehouse, with seating for 1000 or so.

Currently, only a hundred or so are still working, and the organisers are taking the opportunity to collect up all the chairs. Why? They are to be replaced by plastic ones. Ours are needed by "the VIPs".

David Steven | 09:26 PM | | Comments (4)

The South African press conference has been dominated by questions about who is allowed into the convention centre and which entrance they should be allowed to use.

Silly and trivial, sure. But gripping stuff for those who are here.

Apparently, civil society delegates nearly walked out of this summit yesterday because of this issue. And today, your correspondent was forced to walk along a dual carriageway after being barred from an entrance he has been using without problem over the past few days.

More scary than being fired on with concussion grenades? Probably not. But it was a close run thing...

David Steven | 01:00 PM | | Comments (0)

August 27, 2002

And finally for tonight, two delegates have been drugged and robbed by prostitutes they had picked up. We did warn them this could happen.

Update: "I wasn't sure whether to be amused or impressed by the SABC television coverage of the incident, which warned delegates to "practice safe sex," says reader, Andie Miller. We're nothing if not a pragmatic nation!"

David Steven | 11:16 PM | | Comments (2)

The media is getting somewhat restless, with 2932 and journalists all scrabbling after a big story.

As a result, we're about to pass into the "summit is a damp squib" phase.

Expect also to appear plenty about fire regulations here at the main convention centre.

There are now 7118 delegates here and 5802 business and civil society delegates (this is in addition to those attending other events - such as the Civil Society Forum - most of whom are now accredited for the main summit).

Fire regs, however, dictate that only 7000 people be allowed into the building at any one time - so as capacity reaches 6000, only bigwigs are going to be allowed through security.

NGO reps are horrified with many muttering darkly about conspiracy. Media were none too please either, but have now been told by the summit spokeswoman that they're exempt. Bonfire of the vanities, anyone?

David Steven | 12:33 PM | | Comments (0)

190 countries are now represented out of a possible 195 - which is, the UN says, a record.

So who's missing? Nauru, St Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Turkmenistan and Chad.

David Steven | 12:26 PM | | Comments (0)

A particularly good background piece from UP ends "for the moment it's fun to be at the WSSD and most people seem determined to enjoy it."

It's true!

So far, even the people who are angry come across as remarkably good tempered...

David Steven | 12:27 AM | | Comments (0)

August 26, 2002

It's busy, but not that busy here - so far 5730 government delegates are registered at the main summit, along with 4335 representatives from the major groups (basically NGOs), and 2560 media.

The NGO forum only registered 3000 delegates on the first day - but by Friday 13,000 had arrived (many more by now, I expect).

One story: 540 NGO delegates paid for by the European Union were delayed because the money only arrived two days after the NGO forum opened.

Believe me, this is typical. It is to the EU's shame that it never ever pays its bills on time (and small businesses often go bust while waiting).

David Steven | 06:52 PM | | Comments (0)

"Huge crop circle forming in Sandton," writes South African investment website, Moneyweb. "Okay, it's not a crop circle in the traditional sense, but the Johannesburg Summit is a reasonable facsimile for one – an artful, yet mostly meaningless gathering that can't resist reality's combine harvester."

"For ten days, South Africans will experience first-hand the sort of stultifying political correctness the UN wishes on the world. Much of the trash talking will be to scare up more environmental doom and gloom, with Greenpeace in characteristically high dudgeon as the self appointed guardian of planet earth."

Thanks to reader, Trevor Germyn, for pointing this one out...

David Steven | 09:02 AM | | Comments (0)

August 25, 2002

The summit has been quiet this morning.

The Civil Society Forum is being held at NASREC - a vast and somewhat shabby exhibition centre on the outskirts of town. Huge halls cluster around a central square, which holds what looks like a fun fair, closed for the season.

The fast food outlets are open though (Kentucky Fried Chicken has a special World Summit menu) - and the square is festooned with their hoardings. One imagines whoever chose to send the NGOs here had a particularly dry sense of humour.

Sandton - home of the main summit - has been quiet too, but is just beginning to come to life. A prosperous suburb to the north of the city, it looks like any rich world business quarter.

It's now been officially handed over to the UN - and only those with a precious summit pass are allowed through the tight security (I was asked to drink from my bottle of water to show the contents were nothing sinister).

The plushest hotels are those closest to the convention centre itself - and there are probably plenty of senior delegates who will never set foot outside the restricted zone.

Early this afternoon, a seemingly endless stream of identical white Mercedes converged on Sandton - all with flashing lights and the power to make my taxi driver pull over.

Gratifyingly, they became stuck in a traffic jam (the only one-car jam I have ever seen) trying to drive into Sandton itself, while I - forced to walk - sauntered by.

Ah - the joys of a green life style...

David Steven | 02:24 PM | | Comments (1)

August 22, 2002

"Many times we are told, you won't see the tree by its leaves, but you will see it by its fruits. Some of us are now enjoying these fruits," says summit driver Tladi John Ndlovu.

"When you look at what the government is coming up with now, it creates self-confidence in us, it drives away the fear. We used to worry about how risk would work out, but now we are not scared to take a risk."

John is upbeat about Mbeki ("a leader called to lead people"), working with white South Africans ("there is no way we could perform to the highest level if we can't work with the people who have the expertise"), and the summit ("we have been told our visitors will make commitments to end our current poverty.")

An optimist! Whatever next? Read the full interview here…

David Steven | 05:40 PM | |

August 21, 2002

Globalise Resistance won't be in Joburg, because the flights are too expensive. The group will be demonstrating in London instead.

Meanwhile an extraordinary security operation is about to start in Sandton...

David Steven | 07:45 PM | |

August 19, 2002

One topic of conversation among delegates from Northern hemisphere countries has been how to fit in a holiday before the summit.

Daily Summit solved the problem via the wonders of GPRS - technology that allowed this site to be put together via a laptop and mobile phone over the last week.

We're back on the case full time today however - as the site officially launches.

So welcome if you're visiting us for the first time.

The Daily Summit is a weblog, bringing you news and comments from the World Summit.

The site is updated throughout the day and we'll be live from Joburg from Thursday onwards.

If you like site, spread the word!

And keep us to agree and disagree, comment and complain, and share your news, tips and gossip...

David Steven | 11:23 AM | |

August 15, 2002

If you're thinking of smoking at the summit, think again...

David Steven | 10:18 AM | |

August 14, 2002

"The thousands of delegates flocking to Johannesburg in two weeks' time," writes the Guardian today, "could emit roughly 500,000 tonnes of CO2."

This sounds painful.

David Steven | 12:25 PM | |

August 13, 2002

Should Daily Summit be worried? Mohammed Haffejee, IT executive of the Johannesburg World Summit Company (Jowsco), believes the World Summit may face electronic attack from protestors.

"We are expecting people to try to hack us to make a name for themselves. Some could be malicious and some will be thrillseekers, but we are preparing for both," he said today.

David Steven | 08:40 PM | |

The British papers are tireless in their determination to squeeze every last drop from the junketing story - now the Daily Mail (not online) is outraged that the BBC is spending £120,000, "sending up to 70 staff to the controversial Earth Summit."

"When it comes to squandering public money, the BBC takes some beating," it editorializes, dismissing the summit as a "hot air jamboree."

David Steven | 11:20 AM | |

August 10, 2002

As predicted, a few weeks ago, the summit is now confirmed as starting a few days early with informal discussions on 24th and 25th. Regional discussions will take place on the 23rd.

The official website hasn't caught up yet...

David Steven | 05:54 PM | |

August 8, 2002

5000 volunteers - 97% of whom are unemployed - will staff the summit.

"I saw the advert for volunteers in the media and jumped at the opportunity to serve my country, despite the fact that I would rather work for pay," says 30-year old Dan Monyayne. "I will gain useful experience and it will hopefully open doors for me. The worst part of my unemployed life, is the fact that my walk down the street to buy a newspaper is the highlight of my day."

Of course, UN bureacracy insists that volunteers receive their US$7 daily allowance by cheque - and few of the volunteers have bank accounts. So summit organisers have had to ask Standard Bank to make special arrangements...

David Steven | 10:28 AM | |

August 7, 2002

Way back when (in our very first post) the Daily Summit reported that the summit was likely to start early.

Although the official summit website still shows 26 August as a starting date, South African environmental affairs minister, Valli Moosa, is tomorrow expected to explain to the South African that a 24 August start will allow time for the so-called Friends of the Chair to debate outstanding issues.

David Steven | 07:13 PM | |

Summit event organisers might want to list their events online with new events database, ReadIt.

David Steven | 06:18 PM | |

An event this big gets its own call centre - and one that speaks in French, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic and English. It's staffed by volunteers - most of whom probably hope the training will help them get a better job in the future.

So, if you're lost in Joburg, call 083-141.

David Steven | 05:43 PM | |

August 5, 2002

Numbers: According to Reuters, 40,000 delegates and media are now booked in for the summit, and the number is still rising!

David Steven | 07:35 PM | |

August 3, 2002

Short of money Apparently the summit is still looking for donations - it has 70 percent of the money it needs.

The Daily Summit picks up conflicting signals on the summit's state of readiness. While many are predicting chaos, one source tells us that a British reconnaissance party was impressed with what it saw. If you are already on the ground or have some inside info - then to tell us what you think...

David Steven | 05:43 PM | |

July 26, 2002

Sex trade Joburg: One European tourist has died and two others ended up unconscious, allegedly after being doped with Rohypnol, the date-rape drug, by sex workers they had engaged - and then robbed.

"We just want to make the public aware of this especially before the World Summit," said Vicky Nash, at Sandton Medi-Clinic.

David Steven | 10:59 AM | |

July 24, 2002

Summit Impact Following on from yesterday’s post on the summit’s own ecological impact, news reaches us that the summit has just received a nice present – 1050 luxury cars from German motor giant, Daimler Chrysler. The fleet includes 50 S-class limousines, 150 E-class, 700 C-class sedans, 100 sprinter 22-seater busses and 100 Vito panel vans.

Meanwhile, Joburg’s refuse strike is over – though conditions are reportedly pretty grim. "I've has always been believed that there were no flies in winter but this winter is different,” says Soweto’s Phumzile Ntuli. “For weeks, flies have been buzzing all over."

Thandi Davids, from the summit organisers, claims that Joburg residents will co-operate in cleaning the city up: “we are organising a big Johannesburg clean-up day at the beginning of August", which will involve residents as well. "We are confident that all the mess created during the strike will be cleared on time.”

David Steven | 01:34 PM | |

July 23, 2002

Greener than before Summit organisers have clearly been awaiting the junket accusations - and have got their retaliation in first. The Greening the WSSD project aims to leave Joburg "cleaner and greener," ensuring that "minimal waste" is generated by the 60,000 delegates expected to attend the summit. Every day, the Consumption Barometer will provide delegates with an "update on how much water, paper, energy and other natural resources they have used as well as how much waste they have generated." More on how all this will be calculated when I arrive in Joburg...

The UK government is also getting in on the act - reportedly planning to plant trees to offset the carbon dioxide generated by the British delegation's flights to Joburg. More on that as details emerge...

David Steven | 07:51 PM | |

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