Sustainable Development Minister Leo Brincat has spelt out the government’s determination to support sustainable development, not least by increasing funds and human resources for the commission known as the Guardian of Future Generations.

He was answering Charlò Bonnici (PN) who said that members of the commission had resigned for lack of government backing.

Mr Brincat pointed out that in 2012, when the Sustainable Development Act was enacted under the previous administration and the commission’s board had been set up and started to function, the then government had not even voted a single euro for a sustainable development strategy. The same had happened the following year.

The members of the commission had known about the present government’s plan to enhance its financial re-sources since April 13 of this year, through a communication that Minister Brincat had sent them on behalf of the government. The government’s intention remained unchanged, even with regard to a revision of legislation in favour of making the commission more effective.

The minister said that contrary to the erroneous information that had reached certain quarters, the Sustainable Development Network had continued to function regularly, meeting regularly as per its statutory obligations.

Well before the government had received the commission members’ resignation, administrative steps had already been taken towards the appointment of a Director of Sustainable Development, a newly created post.

To continue to enhance the necessary capacity building within this specialised sector, a call for expressions of interest had been issued for all those who could offer support services to the ministry in sustainable development.