|
Note on
the outcome of the second meeting of the Bureau of CSD-10 1. The second meeting of the Bureau took place in Geneva on 16-18 July 2001. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Emil Salim, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee. The following Vice-Chairs participated in the meeting: H.E. Mr. Kiyotaka Akasaka (Japan), Mr. Ositadinma Anaedu (Nigeria), Mr. Richard Ballhorn (Canada), H.E. Mr. Lars-Göran Engfeldt (Sweden), Mr. Ahmed Ihab Gamaleldin (Egypt), Mr. Jan Kära (Czech Republic), Ms. Diane Marie Quarless (Jamaica), and Ms. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti (Brazil), H.E Mr. Alexandru Niculescu (Romania) as well as Ms.Jeanette Ndhlovu, the ex officio representative on the Bureau from South Africa. Ms. JoAnne DiSano, Director of the Division for Sustainable Development, staff from the WSSD Secretariat and officials from Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Africa and Sweden also attended. 2. The objectives
of the second meeting of the Bureau were to: State of regional and sub-regional preparations3. Members of the Bureau discussed the results of regional Roundtables of Eminent Persons organized by the WSSD Secretariat (Europe and North America (Vail, Colorado, 6-8 June 2002); Latin America and Caribbean (Barbados, 18-20 June 2002); Africa (Cairo, 25-27 June 2002) and East Asia and Pacific (9-11 July, 2002). 4. Members of the Bureau agreed that the Roundtables, which brought together a broad range of eminent persons and experts from various non-governmental constituencies, including science, private sector, trade unions, NGOs, indigenous peoples and other major groups, have made a significant contribution to the preparatory process for the Summit. It was felt that the wealth of ideas and proposals for action contained in the Roundtables’ reports provide a substantive input to the formulation of regional assessments and regional platforms, and thus should be carefully examined by Governments as they prepare for regional and sub-regional preparatory meetings. 5.
Members of the Bureau felt that a number of common key issues had emanated
from the four Roundtables, which took place so far. These issues represent
particular challenges for the 2002 Summit and its preparatory process,
and include the following: 6. The Bureau agreed that after all of the five Roundtables take place, in addition to forwarding their reports to respective regional intergovernmental preparatory meetings, it would be useful to synthesise their outcomes so that it can be presented to the global preparatory process. In this context the Bureau supported the initiative to organize on the margins of the 56th session of the UN General Assembly a joint panel or a side event that will bring together the Chairpersons of all Regional Roundtables. The results of this meeting would then be forwarded to the second session of the Preparatory Committee. 7. Members of the Bureau noted that since only few of the sub-regional intergovernmental meetings for the Summit have taken place so far it is difficult to assess the overall state of intergovernmental preparations at the regional and sub-regional levels. Members of the Bureau who attended sub-regional meetings also felt that there is a need to improve substantive preparations for such meetings. At the same time, a concern was expressed that regional and sub-regional preparations would seem to be in a more advanced stage that national preparations. For example, many countries are still at very early stages of their national assessments. It was agreed that members of the Bureau would strongly encourage countries to expedite this work. 8. Members of the
Bureau also underscored the importance of active involvement of all
stakeholders in national and regional preparations for the Summit. Further activities of the Bureau9. The Bureau agreed
on the following activities for the period leading to the second session
of the Preparatory Committee:
Programme of work during the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the WSSD (28 January – 8 February 2002), including proposals with regard to multi-stakeholder dialogues. 10. The Bureau considered proposals on the programme of activities during the second session of the Preparatory Committee prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of relevant decisions taken by the Preparatory Committee at its first session (New York 30 April – 2 May 2001). The Bureau generally supported these proposals (see Attachment ) and decided to work out specific organizational modalities during the second session at one of its following meetings after consulting members of respective regional groups. 11. As for the Multi-Stakeholder
Dialogues during the forthcoming session of the Preparatory Committee,
the Bureau underscored the need for: Meeting with the World Bank12. Representative from the World Bank briefed the Bureau regarding the its main on-going and planned activities related to the preparations for the Summit, including the preparation of the World Development Report which will be dedicated to sustainable development. 13. The Bureau invited the World Bank to present the outline of the World Development report and its preliminary contents and conclusions to the Bureau as soon as possible so that the Preparatory Committee can fully benefit from this information. It was agreed that during (or in conjunction with) the October or November 2001 meeting of the Bureau a special meeting with representatives of the World Bank and other financial institutions would take place. 14. Member of the Bureau expressed their appreciation for active co-operation of the Bank with WSSD Secretariat and other international organizations in the lead to the Summit. In this context they highlighted the need for more effective links between preparatory work for the Summit and preparations for the upcoming Conference on Financing for Development. Meeting with the International Labour Organization (ILO)15. Representatives of ILO briefed the Bureau on the work carried out by this organization individually and in collaboration with other UN organizations in preparation for the Summit. 16. It was felt that ILO, bearing in mind its important mandate in social aspects of sustainable development (health, employment, workplace environment and safety, etc.), as well as the unique nature of its structure which brings together governments, employer and workers, has an important contribution to make to the Summit’s preparations. 17. The Bureau expressed its appreciation for active involvement of ILO in the work of the UN system’s Task Managers on the preparation of the secretariat’s reports for consideration by the Preparatory Committee. It also invited ILO to finalize its policy papers and other analytical documents relevant to the Summit as soon as possible, so that delegations would be informed on the results of this work at early stages of the preparatory process. Meeting with the Secretary-General of UNCTAD18. The Secretary-General of UNCTAD briefed the Bureau on the work in his organization in support of the CSD and preparations for the Johannesburg Summit. He also informed the Bureau on UNCTAD’s joint work with UNEP and WTO on trade and environment issues, as well as organization’s activities in such areas as capacity-building, improving market access, further trade liberalization, innovative financial mechanisms and studies related to potential tradable emission permits. 19. The Secretary-General of UNCTAD and members of the Bureau exchanged their views regarding links between the outcomes of the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries and the preparations for the Conference on Financing for Development and for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. 20. It was agreed that UNCTAD as a forum for inter-governmental deliberations on trade and development, and an organization providing assistance to developing countries on trade and investment issues, has a crucial role to play in the area of sustainable development and its expected contribution to the preparation for the Johannesburg Summit would be of particular significance. Meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 21. The Director-General of WTO stressed the importance of the upcoming Douha Ministerial Conference which may launch a new round of trade negotiations. He is expecting trade and environment to be an important issue on the Douha agenda. Answering questions of Bureau members with regard to trade and environment, the Director-General expressed the view that WTO as a trade organization cannot act on compliance and enforcement in the environmental area. However, when matters affect the issue of trade, it will fall into the authority of WTO. He also explained that such issues as subsidies in agriculture and fisheries are regarded differently in different parts of the world and that the reduction of subsidies through the next round of trade negotiations may be beneficial not only for improving market access for developing countries, but also for the environment. 22. The Director-General stated that WTO is prepared to contribute a factual paper on sustainable development to the preparations for the Summit, but it is up to Governments to present new ideas in the areas of trade, investment and market access. 23. In responding to questions of Bureau members, the Director-General explained that WTO has set up a special framework to assist least developed countries in improving their market access. Meeting with the Director-General of World Meteorological Organization (WMO)24. The Director-General briefed the Bureau on the mandate and activities of WMO which is mainly a technical and scientific organization with a worldwide network of meteorological observatory stations. As for preparations for the Summit, in addition to its contributions as the Task Manager, WMO is actively involved in inter-agency work on World Water Assessment Programme and the World Water Development Report. While the Water Development Report will be published only in 2003, its comprehensive draft will be made available as an input to the WSSD process. WMO underlined some key issues, such as the need to work on implementable commitments, food security, water supply, poverty and global climate change. 25. WMO is also playing an important role in support of the IPCC and in climate change discussions generally. In this context, the Director-General expressed his wish for an enhanced monitoring system for global climate observations. 26. In response to questions from members of the Bureau, the Director-General noted that WMO has a specific training programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of developing countries with respect to climate change. Meeting with the Executive Director of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Europe (UNEP/ROE). 27. The Bureau was briefed on regional preparations for the Summit in the ECE region, including the results of recent consultative preparatory meeting for the High-Level Special Session of the UNECE which will be the Regional Preparatory Committee for the Summit, as well as the Regional Assessment Report prepared jointly by UNECE and UNEP/ROE with inputs from UNDP and other institutions. Active joint collaboration of UNECE and UNEP/ROE with the WSSD Secretariat was also highlighted. 28. The specific nature of the ECE region, which combines both recipient and donor countries from Europe and North America represents specific challenges for regional preparations for the Summit. Another challenge is to ensure that ECE regional process effectively addresses not only region-specific issues, but also sustainable development concerns of other regions. 29. Members of the Bureau welcomed preparatory work undertaken so far and highlighted the need for the preparatory process to address, in an integrated way, economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development. A view was expressed that to date more emphasis was placed on the environmental issues. In this context it was felt that greater interest in the Summit preparations needs to be mobilized in ministries of economic and social affairs. 30. Members of the Bureau welcomed the intention to address in context of the ECE regional preparations the linkages between poverty eradication with unsustainable consumption and production patterns, as well as decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressures. It was also noted that issues of financing, linking science with decision-making, and better governance would be specifically addressed in the context of regional preparations. 31. The participants noted that several ministerial-level processes related to environment are taking place in the ECE region. An expectation was expressed that the on-going International Environment Governance process would facilitate co-ordination among such processes. Meeting with representatives of WHO 32. Representatives of WHO briefed the Bureau on activities of their organization that contribute to international work in the area of sustainable development, and specifically preparations for the Johannesburg Summit. They underscored that they regard health as one of key components of poverty eradication in the broader context of sustainable development. It was pointed out that there are poverty indicators related to health like the infant mortality rate and access to sanitation. Without adequate health standards a country can not develop economically. WHO is also looking at new ways of development assistance, like the new global funding mechanism to combat HIV/AIDS. 33. It was felt that health is likely to become a potential area for specific actions and commitments to be made at the Summit. Health should be looked upon in Johannesburg as a cross-sectoral issue. 34. WHO will publish a report on macroeconomics and health at the end of the 2001. There will also be a special meeting on health and sustainable development sponsored by WHO in South Africa later this year. In order to raise awareness regarding WHO’s work in support of the Summit, plans are underway to organize a briefing in New York for delegations and other interested parties. 35. Members of the Bureau expressed their gratitude to WHO for providing transportation to the Bureau during its meetings in Geneva. Meetings with representatives of Geneva-based and European non-governmental organizations and major groups. 36. The Bureau had in-depth discussions with representatives from IUCN, WBCSD, WWF and had a joint meeting with a several European non-governmental organizations and coalitions. 37. Discussions focused on the involvement of major groups in the preparatory process, as well as specific contributions stakeholders’ groups are planning to bring to the Preparatory Committee and the Summit itself. Representatives of major groups reconfirmed their active interest in the Summit and readiness to make a tangible contribution to its success. They expressed their concerns regarding the lack of real action towards sustainable development on the part of some governments, as well as the slowness of progress in various intergovernmental negotiations on environmental and sustainable development issues. A feeling was expressed that often there an apparent disconnect between political positions countries take in international forums and the actual activities they undertake in their own countries. In this context they underscored the importance of governments achieving tangible practical results at the Summit and making specific commitments to action. The need for early identification of key issues for Johannesburg Summit, particularly those related to the means of implementation, was also highlighted. A wide range of important sectoral and cross-sectoral issues were highlighted including climate change, water, biodiversity, health, population, poverty, consumption and production patterns, financial resources and mechanisms, as well as capacity building that are crucially important in ensuring the implementation of sustainable development. 38. The Bureau briefed the representatives of major groups on the results of its own work, as well as the overall progress in the preparations for the Summit. The need for active involvement of major groups at all stages of the process leading to the Summit was specifically underscored. A particular emphasis was placed on fostering new partnerships aimed at implementation of sustainable development, which would involve governments and various stakeholders, as well as among various stakeholders’ groups. Representatives from major groups were encouraged to elaborate their common platforms and circulate them broadly well in advance of the second session of the Preparatory Committee. It was agreed that the Secretariat would further facilitate communication and exchange of information between the Bureau and representatives of major groups. 39. The need to mobilise
awareness and to encourage participation at the highest level was also
discussed. In this connection, both the Bureau and representatives of
major groups trough their respective constituencies will do their utmost
to ensure active engagement and participation by Heads of States and/or
Governments. The important role of the media was also highlighted. The final Roundtable of this series for Southern and Central Asia region will be held in Bishkek at the end of July 2002.
|