South Africa is committed to a better tomorrow by ending the practice of open defecation in SA by 2030 or sooner, the Presidency’s planning minister, Jeff Radebe said on Saturday.

Radebe, who spoke at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival in New York, focused his address on South Africa’s role in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving water and sanitation for all. He said the country’s 2030 National Development Plan is a “master plan” to get citizens to a country that is significantly better off than its current state.

The minister added that through initiatives such as the SDGs, Agenda 2063 and SA’s national development plan, the country “stands for employment, global water and sanitation, and a brighter future for our youth.

“Our government also commits today to ensure the panel champions proper sanitation and waste management services in cities around the world,” he said.

“We support a world in which children thrive instead of suffering from disease, malnutrition, and stunting. A world in which everyone has the opportunity for a dignified and full life,” Radebe added.

The festival’s central theme was water, sanitation and hygiene and was a part of the United Nation’s (UN) SDGs. According to reports, thus far, over 1.3 million health actions have been taken by global citizens.

Radebe also attended the UN General Assembly and the Continental Business Network High Level Panel where initiatives on how to get institutional asset owners to invest in African infrastructure were discussed.