The announcement is a major success for WWF Northern Ireland as the organisation has been lobbying for some time to secure the First Minister's attendance at the Summit. Meeting Mr Trimble in Johannesburg will be 10 year-old Ballymena Primary School pupil Peter Burton, Northern Ireland winner of the WWF Our World Schools Challenge. As one of only four youth representatives from across the UK, Peter will be communicating the views of young people on a global political platform. Peter will also visit Ivory Park, an eco-village built as a showcase for sustainable homes.

Commenting on the First Minister's announcement, Jim Kitchen, Head of WWF Northern Ireland said: "At the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro ten years ago, world leaders committed themselves to the principles of sustainable development. In Johannesburg, timescales will be set to ensure that the countries involved remain dedicated to achieving agreed sustainable development targets. The First Minister's attendance will be a vital step forward in the completion of a sustainable development strategy for Northern Ireland."

Sustainability is key to WWF's objectives. It focuses upon the sustainable use of the world's finite natural resources, such as timber, to ensure that they can be used to meet current and future needs. Supplies of natural resources are limited. Growing human populations and increasing consumption levels by people means there are more and more demands for food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security. The Living Planet report, recently published by WWF, revealed that if levels of consumption continue at current rates then two more planets will be required to support our future needs.

Jim Kitchen added: "With Northern Ireland represented at the highest level, we are in an excellent position to engage in worldwide action for sustainable development on a local level. Northern Ireland has a special responsibility as a developed country because our rates of consumption, energy use and pollution can create problems globally. I am delighted that the First Minister has found time in his schedule to meet with our youth representative Peter, as the meeting indicates a recognition of the importance of involving young people in discussing the future of our planet."