ABSTRACT
We consider regional governments, from the point of view of proximity, efficiency and spatial dimension, to be strategically located as a necessary and crucial sphere of government for the development of policy for and implementation of sustainable development. By reason of scale, we are in many circumstances best placed to address specific sustainability issues and in other circumstances we are essential partners in solidarity with other spheres of government and civil society for integrated and co-coordinated policy and implementation. In co-operative relationships with other spheres of government, the principle of subsidiary should be applied.
