POVERTY eradication, improved sanitation, land reform, land degradation and employment creation are among the key issues to be tabled for discussion by the Namibian delegation at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development.

The summit takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 26 to September 4.

Co-ordinator of Namibia's preparatory committee, Anna Matroos, said yesterday that her committee had also developed a national assessment report on challenges in achieving sustainable development.

"The report has been finalised and has been submitted to Cabinet," she said.

Namibia's slogan for the summit is 'Namibians Acting and Striving with Vision for a Sustainable Future'.

Members of Namibia's preparatory committee are drawn from the Desert Research Foundation, which is the secretariat, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, which is the leading agency, and Namibia Non-governmental Organisation (Nangof).

The summit will bring together heads of state, leaders from NGOs, businesses and other major groups to focus the world's attention on actions to achieve sustainable development.