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Under-Secretary-General
for Economic and Social Affaris Nitin Desai with PrepCom Chair
Elim Salim (Indonesia)
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On
the second day of its work, the Commission on Sustainable Development
(CSD-10), acting as the preparatory committee (PrepCom) for the
World Summit on Sustainable Development, discussed the draft rules
of procedure for the Summit and its preparatory process and heard
presentations by South Africa on preparatory work for the Summit
and by Indonesia on the preparatory work for the third preparatory
session, thus concluding consideration of the agenda items on progress
in preparatory activities and on the process for setting the agenda
and determining themes of the Summit. To allow G-77/China consultations
in the early afternoon, Plenary reconvened at 5:00 pm and began
consideration of the draft decision on progress in the preparatory
activities at the local, national, regional and international levels,
as well as by major groups.Five draft decisions were proposed by
the Chair, and discussions began late in the afternoon. The proposed
draft decisions address: Progress in the preparatory activities
at the local, national and international levels as well as by major
groups; Specific modalities of future sessions of the Preparatory
Committee; Tentative organization of work during the World Summit
on Sustainable Development; Rules of Procedure of the World Summit
for Sustainable Development; and Arrangements for accreditation
and participation in the preparatory process and in the Summit of
relevant NGOs and other major groups.
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General Discussion
on Stakeholder participation and Draft rules of procedure for the
Summit
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JoAnne
DiSano, Director, UN Division for Sustainable Development, presented
the Secretary-General's Report on suggested arrangements for involving
NGOs and other major groups in the Summit and its preparatory process
(E/CN.17/2001/PC/22), noting that it builds on the experience of
stakeholder participation in the CSD process.
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On
the accreditation criteria and procedures, the, Iran for the
G-77/China, proposed text underlining the role of the PrepCom
in the accreditation of NGOs and major groups, and requested that
the Secretariat submit its recommendations to the PrepCom two
weeks, rather than one week, before each committee meeting. He
proposed the establishment of a trust fund, called on the Secretariat
to evaluate the outcome of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues, and
cautioned against a proliferation of Dialogues.
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 The
G-77/China proposed textual amendments on the secretariat providing
simultaneous interpretation of speeches at the meetings, and proposed
including a footnote listing the associate members of regional commissions
who may participate as observers. On identifying the Summit themes,
he said that note should be taken of the statements of member states,
outputs of regional and subregional intergovernmental processes, and
outputs of national preparatory committees. With the Russian Federation
(left), he underlined that all processes relevant to the summit
should be integrated into the PrepCom. He also proposed that the Secretariat
prepare reports on: trends in the implementation of Agenda 21 based
on national reports; evaluating actions undertaken by the UN system
in providing assistance to developing countries; evaluating contributions
made by major groups in implementing Agenda 21; and evaluating implementation
of the mandates of CSD since CSD-1. |
Hungary
advised that Agenda 21 should not be renegotiated and delegates
should not strive to repeat the Rio Summit, and emphasized realistic,
achievable and short-term goals.
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The
UNED Forum stressed that the CSD must address issues of legitimacy
and that the process should be facilitated in constructive and creative
way that leads to sense of engagement and enthusiasm. |
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A
representative from the Education Caucus called for recognition
and reaffirmation of the vital role that education plays in building
sustainable development.
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The
Intergovernmental Panel on Chemical Safety highlighted bilateral
and multilateral initiatives related to, inter alia, responsible chemical
management. |
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The
Economic and Social Council of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
described preparatory activities in the region.
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| Preparatory
activities and process for setting the agenda for the World Summit
on Sustainable Development |
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South
Africa
gave a presentation on the status of preparations for the Summit,
noting inter alia that: the conference venue has been secured,
including three satellite centers; provision has been made for accommodation
at appropriate rates; national structures are being led at the highest
levels in cabinet; a national preparatory committee has been established
with participation of major stakeholders; an environmental management
plan and standards will be implemented; a major exhibition on leading
industrial and environmental technologies will be held; and that
the summit company will launch its website in July 2001. An initial
proposal of the conference logo was presented.
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Sipho
M. Pityana, Department of Foreign Affairs, South Africa
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Crispian
Olver, Department of Environmental Affaris and Tourism,
South Africa
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Indonesia
outlined logistical details for the final PrepCom to be held
in Bali from 27 May - 7 June, 2002.
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| Consideration
of the Draft Decisions |
PrepCom Chair Emil Salim |
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Regarding
documentation for submission to the PrepCom at its next session,
Hungary suggested an integrated assessment of the recent
social, economic and environmental trends and their scenarios for
the next decade.
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Argentina
and Brazil
Brazil
noted that it while the Secretariat should produce a summary
of the trends, it is the Commission's responsibility to evaluate
progress, while EGYPT emphasized that the purpose of the exercise
was to have the salient trends identified.
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Regarding
documentation for submission to the PrepCom at its next session,
Iceland, opposed by the G-77/China, proposed information
on options to improve the CSD's effectiveness and input to the evaluation
and definition of its role and programme of work.
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On
inputs from other processes, the G-77/China noted that unlike
other processes, the International Environmental Governance (IEG)
seeks to capture the environmental agenda and due to the need to
balance the three pillars of sustainable development, he emphasized
that the IEG outputs should be submitted to the first substantive
meeting of the PrepCom, but the EU preferred that it be done "as
soon as possible." Canada (left) noted that as the IEG results
should be submitted to UNEP's Governing Council before submission
to the PrepCom. It was agreed that the matter be discussed by an
informal group.
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Regarding documentation for submission to the PrepCom at its next
session, Iran, for the G-77/China (right), proposed
submissions by the UN system and Bretton Woods institutions on their
implementation action of Agenda 21, and the US, opposed by
the G-77/China, suggested adding reviews of the domestic
and international obstacles to implementation. In response to the
G-77/China concern that Hungary's proposal is ambitious
and Iceland's proposal exceeds the mandate given to the Commission,
Hungary emphasized the need to ensure the need for synergy
and linkage with other processes, and Iceland suggested confining
action to the mandate as stipulated in the GA resolution 55/199.
The issue was left for further consultations.
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Regarding
the goal of mobilizing high-level national political leadership for
effective Summit preparations, input from the G-77/China,
US (left) and EU suggested that these preparations result
in a strengthened global partnership and further implementation of
Agenda 21, although exact text was not agreed upon. |
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In
addition to mobilizing political support, Sweden, for the
EU (right) supported by the G-77/CHINA, proposed that the role
of the Bureau include pursing the support of international financial
institutions.
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Haiti
John
Ashe, Angitgua and Barbuda, speaks with ENB writer Wagaki
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ENB
writer Wendy Jackson (right) speaks with Vicki Berry and Andrew
Kneyon from Canada
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The
delegation of Belgium
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Jan
Kara (Czech Republic), Lars-Göran Engfeldt (Sweden) and Emil Salim
(Indonesia)
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Kiyo
Akasaka (Japan) and Ahmed Ihab Gamaleldin (Egypt) and Ositadinma
Anaedu (Nigeria) for Africa
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Diane
Marie Quarless (Jamaica) |
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Side
Event: Invitation to Find Earth Champions in Each Nation
Organized by the Australian Conservation Fund
in collaboration with Athena Foundation
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Fiona
Mathews, Athena Foundation, organized this event to highlight the
"Earth Champions" - a global competition supported by organizations
such as UNEP, IUCN, the Nobel Foundation, and the Australian Government,
to find and promote environmental champions. Earth Champions are meant
to provide hope and leadership to today's youth and to future generations
by the integrity of their actions which contribute to sustainable
development. The presentation provided an overview of the organization,
categories of qualification for Earth Champions, assessment methods,
and outputs. The official invitation to all nations and the start
of the search for Earth Champions will take place at the 2002 World
Summit for Sustainable Development. The first global announcement
of Earth Champions will be at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. |
Students
from Columbia University (photo above) sing for the side event,
reminding delegates that this process is about providing for future
generations.
Fiona
Mathews (standing, photo right)
presents alongside children from
the United Nations International School
in New York (photos below).
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