Welcome

 MESSAGE FROM CEO OF SOUTH AFRICAN BUREAU OF STANDARDS (SABS)

The SABS has a very long and happy association with ISO and we are therefore very proud to be part of the organisation of the ISO General Assembly in Cape Town in September 2009.

It is fitting that South Africa should host this event, as the country was a founder member of ISO and has been a significant contributor to international standardization efforts for more than a century. This effort is spearheaded by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). Founded in the days following the end of World War Two, the SABS has become the leading standardization body on the continent of Africa.

The soccer fans among you will know that South Africa is currently gearing up to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, even if those preparations are not yet complete, we still assure you of an unforgettable travel experience.

South Africa is one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world, and Cape Town represents the jewel in the crown of the country's tourism attractions. Located on the southernmost tip of the continent where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, the Fairest Cape offers unmatched flora and fauna biodiversity, along with breathtaking vistas of natural beauty.

Cape Town has also rapidly developed as a destination of choice for business travellers attending international conventions and other business gatherings. So we can confidently offer you a "conventional new standard" in the comfort, convenience and excellence of the Cape Town International Convention Centre facilities and nearby hotels.

Join us in Cape Town during October 2009 for the 32nd ISO General Assembly. It may have taken a long time for the GA to finally reach African shores. But the wait will have been worth it.



Mr Martin Kuscus
CEO: South African Bureau of Standards

 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ISO

As President of ISO, I am pleased and proud to welcome the representatives of our 159 members from all over the world to the 32nd ISO General Assembly in South Africa - the first ever held on the African continent!

This year's General Assembly and related events are hosted by the South African Bureau of Standards, SABS, in Cape Town, a wonderful city at the southern tip of the continent. SABS, a founding member of ISO, sees its mission as improving the quality of life of all South Africans through the process of standardization, be it national or international. This explains its extensive involvement in ISO's activities, both at the governance and technical levels, as well as its profound commitment to the core business of the Organization.

As humanity faces the growing problem of climate change, exacerbated by the current use of energy resources, ISO's work is increasingly focused on how best to tackle this challenge and meet future energy needs in a more sustainable manner. Not surprisingly, SABS has been keen to support energy as the theme of the workshop that we, ISO and SABS, will hold within the framework of the General Assembly. The challenges related to energy are high on ISO's agenda. They are also on the agenda of our host country where energy is a key driver of the economy (15% of GDP) and the energy industry is a major employer. The South African Energy-Efficiency Strategy sets a national target for improving energy efficiency by 12% by 2015.

2009 is a challenging year as we respond to the expanding scope of standardization to help meet the many global challenges and as we launch the update of our current strategy. The coming General Assembly will give our stakeholders the opportunity to discuss and review ISO's latest achievements and progress, and your contributions to the various debates in Cape Town will be vital in helping set our future direction.

We thank our friends at SABS for their warm welcome and for the opportunity they are providing for us to contribute responses to the above challenges. I wish you a most fruitful stay in South Africa and encourage you to enjoy the scenic beauty and kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions offered by our host country.



Dr Alan Morrison
President: ISO