Siemens partners with the Sustain Our Africa Summit to help drive sustainable development on the continent
Johannesburg, South Africa, June 29, 2012
The world's largest provider of environmental technologies, Siemens, is one of the founding sponsors of the Sustain Our Africa Summit taking place in Cape Town, South Africa from the 24th to the 26th of October 2012. The event will bring together thought leaders and experts from Africa and around the world to discuss and find answers to challenges posed by major issues like climate change and urbanisation, amongst others. In areas such as energy, water, transportation, industry, health as well as rural and urban development, Africa needs sustainable solutions that support the continent's continued economic growth while protecting the environment. "The technologies to make development more sustainable - ecologically and economically - are available today and we have the responsibility to use the power of technology to make a positive impact on society", says Alex Mathole, the Executive Director of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs of Siemens Africa.
Scientific evidence shows that Africa is likely to be hardest hit by climate change and with approximately 760 million Africans expected to be living in cities by 2030, the rate of urbanisation on the continent is faster than anywhere else in the world. These challenges are creating an urgent demand for more efficient and sustainable infrastructure. "In areas such as energy, industry and urban infrastructure, African countries can leap-frog to more efficient technologies and avoid some of the mistakes made by other developed countries", says Mathole. Siemens is partnering with the Sustain Our Africa Summit to help bring these topics to the fore and drive the sustainability agenda on the continent. "We need to talk about the environmental and social issues that Africa faces and take action to overcome the challenges presented by climate change. That is why we need a platform like the Sustain Our Africa Summit, a credible forum where we can all come together to discuss the issues that we face and develop the right, local solutions", adds Mathole.
Rewarding African journalists who excel in science and technology reporting
The ceremony for the Profile Awards, the annual pan-African competition which honours journalists who excel in the fields of science and technology reporting, will take place at the Sustain Our Africa Summit on the evening of the 26th of October. Advancements in science and technology can help to create safer and healthier societies, a cleaner environment and prosperous knowledge-driven economies across Africa. The media plays a vital role in demystifying these important subjects and sharing the stories that are driving change and helping create a more sustainable future. "Journalists who report on science and technology issues are influential agents of change, so the Sustain our Africa Summit is a perfect fit for the Profile Awards", says Mathole. The Profile Awards competition is sponsored by Siemens and supported by the South African Department of Science and Technology.
To learn more about the Profile Awards visit www.profileawards.co.za
Further information about the Sustain Our Africa Summit is available on www.sustainourafrica.org