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 WSSD.INFO NEWS

 

 

WSSD Info. News

ISSUE # 10 (B)
"A SNAP-SHOT OF THE SUMMIT" – GOVERNMENTS

Issue # 10 (A) ~ Issue # 10 (B) ~ Issue # 10 (C) ~ Issue # 10 (D) ~ Issue # 10 (E)

Compiled by Richard Sherman

Edited by Kimo Goree 

Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Distributed exclusively to the 2002SUMMIT-L list by IISD Reporting Services

For more information on the WSSD, visit IISD's Linkages Portal at http://wssd.info

Editor's note: Welcome to the tenth and final issue of WSSD.Info News, compiled by Richard Sherman. WSSD.Info News is an exclusive publication of IISD for the 2002SUMMIT-L list and should not be reposted or republished to other lists/websites without the permission of IISD (you can write Kimo for permission.) If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to subscribe to 2002SUMMIT-L, please visit http://iisd.ca/scripts/lyris.pl?join=2002summit-l.

Funding for the production of WSSD.Info News (part of the IISD Reporting Services annual program) has been provided by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Canada (through CIDA), the United States (through USAID), the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), the United Kingdom (through the Department for International Development - DFID), the European Commission (DG-ENV), the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Germany (through German Federal Ministry of Environment - BMU, and the German Federal Ministry of Development Cooperation - BMZ). General Support for the Bulletin during 2002 is provided by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Finland, the Government of Australia, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Norway, Swan International, and the Japanese Ministry of Environment (through the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies – IGES). If you like WSSD.Info News, please thank them for their support.

SOUTH AFRICA

  1. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT GENERATES MORE THAN R8BN FOR SA ECONOMY MOOSA HAILS IMPACT OF WSSD 14 September 2002

  2. SUMMIT SETS NEW AGENDA FOR PRACTICAL ACTION A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO FIGHT POVERTY 5 September 2002

  3. CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE BY SOUTH AFRICA'S PRESIDENT 4 September 2002

  4. MINISTER SKWEYIYA INFORMS GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY THAT THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WAS A SUCCESS South African Ministry of Social Development 4 September 2002

  5. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RELIES ON CO-OPERATION BY ALL: SHILOWA Office of the Premier, Gauteng 4 September 2002

  6. ENERGY, SANITATION AND RESOURCES ARE MAJOR FOCUS AT JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT Ministry of Trade and Industry 1 September 2002

  7. AGREEMENT REACHED ON MAJORITY OF SUMMIT'S PLAN OF IMPLEMENTATION Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism 3 September 2002

     DANISH PRESIDECY OF THE EU

  1. DANISH EU PRESIDENCY: WSSD IS A SOUND AND SOLID SPRINGBOARD 4 September 2002

  2. EUROPEAN UNION: NOW WE MUST TURN WORLD SUMMIT AGREEMENT INTO CONCRETE RESULTS 4 September 2002

  3. EUROPEAN UNION IS FULLY COMMITTED TO REDUCING TRADE-DISTORTING FARM SUBSIDIES 28 August 2002

  4. EUROPEAN UNION: €22 BILLION EXTRA ODA UP TO 2006 27 August 2002

     EUROPEAN COMMISSION

  1. THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 16 September 2002

  2. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT ROMANO PRODI MET US SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL DURING THE WORLD SUMMIT IN JOHANNESBURG 4 September 2002

  3. EUROPEAN UNION: NOW WE MUST TURN WORLD SUMMIT AGREEMENT INTO CONCRETE RESULTS 4 September 2002

  4. EUROPEAN UNION REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO REACHING GLOBAL DEAL AT WORLD SUMMIT 2 September 2002

  5. "WATER FOR LIFE": EUROPEAN UNION LAUNCHES GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO ACHIEVE WORLD SUMMIT GOALS 3 September 2002

  6. EUROPEAN UNION LAUNCHES COALITION OF LIKE-MINDED STATES TO DELIVER WORLD SUMMIT RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS 3 September 2002

  7. EUROPEAN COMMISSION STRESSES COMMITMENT TO COMBAT ILLEGAL LOGGING 31 August 2002 

     UNITED KINGDOM

  1. TONY BLAIR SAYS: WE'RE BACKING RENEWABLE ENERGY WITH £50 MILLION EXPORT SUPPORT 2 September 2002

  2. £7m BOOST FOR UK GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMME 2 September 2002

  3. FOLLOW UP NOTE ON THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE   DEVELOPMENT, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 26 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2002 DFID

     UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  1. POWELL SAYS SUMMIT OFFERS NEW VISION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTDELEGATES ADOPT PLAN OF ACTION AIMED AT FIGHTING POVERTY Washington File 4 September 2002

  2. POWELL EMPHASIZES TRAINING AT DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT EPA'S WHITMAN SEES PROMISE IN PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4 September 2002

  3. WORLD SUMMIT PLAN REFLECTS COMMON VISION, SAYS DOBRIANSKY TIME NOW FOR ACTION TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A REALITY by Closing Statement by Paula Dobriansky Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs 4 September 2002

  4. CLEAN WATER FOR POOR Washington File 4 September 2002

  5. U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS SUMMIT HAS RAISED AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE MINISTERS REACH AGREEMENT ON ALL MAJOR ISSUES Washington File 3 September 2002

  6. WORLD SUMMIT MAY PRODUCE AGREEMENT ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, U.S. MAKES STRONG GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL AT JOHANNESBURG MEETING Washington File 30 August 2002

  7. U.S. DELEGATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUMMIT PROGRESS SAYS DELEGATIONS NEGOTIATING "HARD AND IN GOOD FAITH"

     CANADA

  1. A STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE DAVID ANDERSON, P.C., M.P. MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT, GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4 September 4, 2002

  2. COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS SUSTAINABLE MINING Natural Resources Canada 3 September 2002

  3. CANADA'S POSITION ON HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS 2 September 2002

  4. CANADA JOINS INTERNATIONAL TREATY CONTROLLING TRADE IN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES 29 August 2002

  5. GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INCREASES FUNDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME AND ITS WATER QUALITY PROGRAM 29 August 2002

  6. CANADA SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA 31 August 2002

     JAPAN

  1. OPENING STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER JUNICHIRO KOIZUMI AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 3 September 2002

  2. STATEMENT BY MR. KAORU ISHIKAWA, AMBASSADOR FOR CIVIL SOCIETY, JAPAN IN THE 6TH PLENARY MEETING ON THE THEME OF WATER AND SANITATION, INCLUDING AN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION World Summit on Sustainable Development 28 August 2002

  3. PRESS CONFERENCE, AUGUST 26, 2002 AT WSSD BY KAORU ISHIKAWA

  4. KOIZUMI INITIATIVE (CONCRETE ACTIONS OF JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO BE TAKEN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - TOWARDS GLOBAL SHARING) 21 August 2002

     GERMANY

  1. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT ADOPTS NEW GOALS AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMMES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND POVERTY ERADICATION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD September 2002

  2. JÜRGEN TRITTIN: RENEWABLE ENERGIES THE KEY FOR A FUTURE-ORIENTED GLOBAL ENERGY SUPPLY 3. September 2002

  3. BREAKTHROUGH: DRINKING WATER AND BASIC SANITATION 2 September 2002

  4. GERMAN PARTICIPANTS ARRANGE A CO2-NEUTRAL TRIP TO JOHANNESBURG 26 August 2002

     NETHERLANDS

  1. STATE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SATISFIED WITH RESULTS OF JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT September 2002

  2. INTERVENTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, DR. JAN PETER BALKENENDE, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 3 September 2002

  3. EXTRA DUTCH MONEY FOR GLOBAL ECO-FUND 2 September 2002

  4. CALL TO ROLL UP SLEEVES AFTER JOHANNESBURG 26 August 2002

  5. DUTCH INTENTIONS FOR JOHANNESBURG 22 August 2002

     SWITZERLAND

  1. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT: FEDERAL COUNCILLOR JOSEPH DEISS REPORTS MIXED RESULTS 5 September 2002

  2. SWITZERLAND SUPPORTS THE PROGRAMME FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL LABOUR STANDARDS IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES (KMU) 4 September 2002

  3. FEDERAL MINISTER DEISS OPENS THE CLEANER PRODUCTION CENTRE IN SOUTH AFRICA 4 September 2002

  4. JOHANNESBURG 2002: FEDERAL COUNCILLOR JOSEPH DEISS SAYS SWITZERLAND IS PULLING ITS WEIGHT IN NEGOTIATIONS 2 September 2002

  5. JOHANNESBURG: BREAKTHROUGH ON "PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS" 31 August 2002

  6. WSSD IN JOHANNESBURG: WHAT SWITZERLAND IS SEEKING TO ACHIEVE 22 August 2002

     AUSTRALIA

  1. AUSTRALIA HIGHLIGHTS GLOBAL ISSUES AT WORLD SUMMIT 5 September 2002

  2. WSSD FROM TALK TO ACTION 4 September2002

  3. US, AUSTRALIA JOIN ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS 2 September 2002

  4. AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS PACIFIC ISLAND NEIGHBOURS 1 September 2002

  5. AUSTRALIA'S PARTNERSHIPS PUT PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE 1 September 2002

     SWEDEN

  1. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT: SWEDEN PRESENTS PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENT Ministry for Foreign Affairs 30 August 2002

  2. SWEDEN LAUNCHES INT ERNATIONAL TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL PUBLIC GOODS Ministry for Foreign Affairs 29 August 2002

     NEW ZEALAND

  1. SUMMARY OF THE WSSD September 2002

     NORWAY

  1. THE WORLD SUMMIT IN JOHANNESBURG: PROGRESS FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 5 September 2002

  2. NORWAY GIVES NOK 375 MILLION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION 3 September 2002

  3. WSSD PLENARY SESSION - BIODIVERSITY, Statement by the Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Børge Brende 26 August 2002

     FIJI

  1. PM CALLS FOR OCEAN PROTECTION AT WSSD 3 September 2002

     CHINA

  1. SPEECH BY H.E. ZHU RONGJI, PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AT ROUND TABLE OF WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 3 September 2002

  2. PREMIER ZHU RONGJI OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ANNOUNCED CHINA'S APPROVAL OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL 3 September 2002

     MEXICO

  1. VICENTE FOX PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4 September 2002

  2. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT BEGINS 26 September 2002

     RUSSAIN FEDERATION

  1. ON OUTCOME OF WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN JOHANNESBURG 6 September 2002

  2. ON THE SPEECH MADE BY RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER MIKHAIL KASYANOV AT THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN JOHANNESBURG 4 September 2002

  3. ON THE PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER MIKHAIL KASYANOV IN THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA 2 September 2002

ON THE WEB

ARGENTINA WSSD WEB PAGE
PAKISTAN WSSD WEB PAGE
INDIAN WSSD WEB PAGE


GOVERNMENTS

SOUTH AFRICA

Government of South Africa http://www.gov.za
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism http://www.environment.gov.za
Department of Foreign Affairs: WSSD Web page: http://www.dfa.gov.za/events/wssd.htm and http://www.dfa.gov.za/events/wssd/docs.htm

1. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT GENERATES MORE THAN R8BN FOR SA ECONOMY MOOSA HAILS IMPACT OF WSSD

14 September 2002

Internet: http://www.environment.gov.za/NewsMedia/MedStat/2002sept14/report_14092002.htm

SATURDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2002: The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa, today announced that more than R8 billion was generated by the World Summit on Sustainable Development for the South African economy. This is based on an interim research report conducted to estimate the impact of the Summit on the country's economy. The research, which was commissioned by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, was conducted by a team of professional consultants from the Bureau for Market Research based at Unisa, Iklwa Structured Financial Products and economists from UrbanEcon. More than 400 delegates attending the Summit were interviewed about their expenditure in the country. The 500 parallel events that were held throughout the country as part of the Summit were also analysed in terms of their impact. Welcoming the findings, Moosa indicated that the "results exceeded all expectations. Over and above the applause we received from the international community for the excellent manner in which we, as South Africa, organised this massive event, the study confirms the fact that the Summit generated a good return on investment for the country." The 37 000 international delegates who attended the Summit spent an average of between R27 000 and R39 000 in South Africa. This money was spent mainly on accommodation, transport, food and beverages, and other consumable products purchased within the country.

Government's investment in this event amounted to about R449 million. This includes funding from all three spheres of government. The leverage effect of government's contribution from the private sector amounted to about R620 million, of which about 60% came from international sponsors and donor agencies. Based on delegates' expenditure of R1,53 billion, and the investment leveraged from the private sector, it is estimated that more than R8 billion was generated for the SA economy. This means that new business sales worth more than R8 billion was generated by the Summit. "Based on these results, we can conclude that the short and long-term effects of the Summit on South Africa as a tourist destination of choice will be significant. The fact that the interim results indicate that delegates gave a positive rating to our hospitality and friendliness (84%), personal service (70%) and accommodation quality (60%), means that we can expect more international tourists to visit our country. Furthermore, the significance of the revenue generated by the Summit is that whereas the contribution of tourism to the SA economy annually is about R24 billion, this event, which lasted for just two weeks, generated more than R8 billion." The report concludes by declaring "the economic impact of the WSSD on the economy of South Africa was positive". A detailed final report will be available by the end of November 2002. http://www.environment.gov.za/NewsMedia/MedStat/2002sept14/report_14092002.htm

Download the full interim report (MS Word document | 205KB).
http://www.environment.gov.za/Documents/Documents/word_documents/interim_final_14092002.doc

2. SUMMIT SETS NEW AGENDA FOR PRACTICAL ACTION A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO FIGHT POVERTY

5 September 2002

Internet: http://www.environment.gov.za/NewsMedia/MedStat/2002sept5/outcomes_05092002.htm

THURSDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2002: The Ministers of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Foreign Affairs have hailed the Johannesburg Summit as an outstanding success. Speaking at the end of the summit yesterday the ministers, in a joint statement, said the World Summit on Sustainable Development had opened the way for the world to take new strides in the foremost challenge of our time -- the eradication of poverty and closing the gap between rich and poor, combined with protection of the environment. The ministers' statement continued: "What mattered as representatives of over 180 countries grappled with a whole range of complex and interrelated issues was that there should, at the end of it all, be a critical mass of agreement on a new agenda for practical action that could decisively alter the global framework for sustainable development. "Critical in managing Summit preparations and discussions, and in implementing its decisions, is the active participation of civil society. Partnerships between governments and civil society organisations, including NGOs, CBOs and business, will be strengthened. "We set ourselves the task of ensuring a balance of the three pillars of sustainable development -- economic, social and environmental -- and a focus on poverty eradication. It was essential to mobilise new resources and new energy behind a practical implementation plan. "In the give and take of negotiations not all that everyone might have wanted on particular issues was possible. But that critical mass of global agreement and commitment has been won and with it far-reaching practical programmes, new resources and strengthened means of implementation."

MAJOR NEW AGREEMENTS

It is the view of government that the biggest success of the Summit has been in getting the world to turn the ambitious development goals of the Millennium Declaration to halve world poverty by 2015 into a concrete set of programmes, and to mobilise funds for those programmes. The Summit brought to the fore the need to pay particular attention to the most marginalised sectors of society, including women, youth, indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. The Summit implementation plan includes programmes to deliver water, energy, health care, agricultural development and a better environment for the world's poor.

New targets will have enormous impact on the global agenda.

  • In addition to the already agreed target of halving the number of people unable to access safe drinking water by 2015, it was agreed also to halve the number of people without basic sanitation by 2015.
     

  • Countries agreed to reverse the trend in biodiversity loss by 2010 and to restore collapsed fish stocks by 2015.
     

  • Chemicals with a detrimental health impact will be phased out by 2020.
     

  • Energy services will be extended to 35% of African households over the next 10 years.

Making it happen to improve the lives of the poor

In a departure from previous global conferences and summits, the Johannesburg Summit shifted the focus of world leaders from policy debates to the real task of making it happen and achieving high-level commitments by heads of state and leaders from business and civil society to meet the goals set. As testimony to this many concrete actions, partnerships and funding targets were announced by countries and stakeholders. Over 300 partnerships were launched, including 32 energy initiatives, 21 water programmes and 32 programmes for biodiversity and eco-system management.

SOUTH AFRICA AND JOHANNESBURG A PROUD HOST

Concluding the statement, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa, stated that we are proud as South Africans that we were able to host one of the largest gatherings of the United Nations and the world's peoples, in pursuit of objectives that are profoundly relevant to our own programme of reconstruction and development. Some of our own programmes already surpass targets and time frames set by the Johannesburg Summit. But our own reality of stark poverty and inequality demands that we intensify all our programmes.

South Africa can be sure that, as our guests return home, they will take with them special memories of a warm people and a country alive with possibilities. The country is also proud of those whose peaceful marches and other activities not only highlighted the strong views they hold on global matters, but also showed the practical meaning of our constitutional right to free expression. Congratulations to all South Africans, the citizens of Johannesburg, the security services and airport staff, employees of Jowsco and government, the media, employers and employees in the hospitality and other industries, and all who worked together to make the Summit a success. Special thanks and congratulations to the thousands of volunteers, the performers and those whose arts and crafts brought home to every visitor a graphic presentation of who we are as a people. Finally, South Africa and other developing countries may not have got everything they wanted. Nor can anyone be totally satisfied with the outcome. But the most critical issue is that out of Africa and out of Johannesburg has emerged a new agenda for practical action. 

3. CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE BY SOUTH AFRICA'S PRESIDENT

4 September 2002
Internet: http://www.un.org/events/wssd/pressconf/020904conf2.htm

The critical test of whether Johannesburg succeeded or not would be what happened from here, South African President Thabo Mbeki told correspondents tonight at the final Summit press conference. He said he was very pleased that the Summit had been able to reach agreement. That was a big meeting, the biggest ever tried, and everyone from world leaders to civil society, business and trade union representatives had interracted in such a positive way. Even his ministers, joining him at the press conference tonight, had become better ministers for having engaged in that process. The conference had focused specifically on making things happen, which was why matters such as targets had become so important. He would interact with the United Nations closely to ensure that decisions were implemented. Obviously, not everyone was happy with the outcome, but a plan of implementation, with deadlines, targets and time frames had been agreed. It was essential now to act on those. But, what had been agreed upon should not be treated as a ceiling.  Responding to a question about the reasons for his satisfaction, he said one critical matter of importance had been the clarification of the concept of sustainable development. There was a much better understanding by the people across the globe of the three pillars of sustainable development -- social development, economic development and environmental protection -- and their integration. After Rio, there had been correct attention to environmental issues, but insufficient attention to those other pillars. The view now was much more balanced.  To a series of questions about how to achieve sustainable development without peace, he said the Summit had taken the position that issues of peace and stability were critical to development. So, the matter of peace and stability and related matters of good governance were examined together. Asked about the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and how successful the United Nations might be in getting the United States to join it, he said he could not answer the question about United States' accession to the Kyoto Protocol. He was encouraged, however, at the forward movement towards its coming into force. He certainly hoped that process would be accelerated.  In that world of globalization, the corporate world had an increasing impact on humankind and the environment, he replied, to a question about corporate accountability, as written into the outcome text. The business sector was a major player with regard to all issues on the Summit's agenda. It was important, therefore, to have a system by which accountability was strengthened. The United Nations would have to look at that important matter to see how to implement that decision.  Asked about the omission of a reference to human rights in the political declaration, after it had appeared in an early draft, he said delegations decided it was better to handle the declaration in a way that did not repeat the detail in the plan of implementation. Thus, it was made more general and shorter in length. He stressed that the declaration, which had placed emphasis on human dignity and human solidarity and the rights that flowed from that, should be read with the implementation plan. On monitoring implementation, he said a United Nations conference had an obligation to monitor its outcome. At the same time, various regions would also discuss the outcome. In Africa, for example, he was quite certain that the African Union would look at that and consider what steps it could take to implement it. The institutional responsibility flowing from the Summit must be United Nations-led, but it might suggest that others join in that monitoring process, he added. Replying to a question about the different levels of commitment between nations, he said the participants were taking the commitments made here very seriously. He would want to insist that everyone was obligated to implement what had been agreed. It was critical that the United Nations moved as quickly as possible to determine what mechanisms should be established to oversee implementation. And, it would be very useful if the media "kept an eye on this".  "For us on the African continent, those were very much matters of life and death," he added. There was no choice but to address those as soon as possible. Africa did not have the resources of the developed world, but certain decisions, such as about official development assistance (ODA), had sought to bridge that divide. The African continent would do as much as possible and the United Nations would do its part. There was no guarantee about how other countries would act.  Asked whether the outcome had met Africa's expectations, he said, "I think so". It was important that the conference come out in a straight and forthright manner in support of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as the comprehensive programme on the African continent with regard to development and the environment. Indeed, the Summit had supported NEPAD, the process through which the continent would communicate.  To a related question, he said that Africa had never treated the matter of good governance in partnership with the developed world as a quid pro quo. The idea for the African partnership had begun with everything that was wrong on the continent and the realization that those things had to be addressed as Africans, and not to please anybody else. NEPAD was born of the idea that Africans needed a mechanism to ensure that the decisions made about political and economic governance were implemented. That was where the notion of a peer review mechanism had originated.  "So, we want to define ourselves, we want to rate ourselves, we want to be able to correct ourselves, he asserted." In the context of the Group of 8, they had accepted that that was an African decision, which they would respect.  Hopefully, the inclusion of indigenous peoples in the outcome text had meant that their voice had been heard, he said to a correspondent who noted that, for the first time in more than 30 years, the United Nations had a document that used the term "indigenous people" without qualification.  Not everyone was happy with the outcome, he said to a further question. And, that meant some governments as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It was not necessary to set up a dichotomy that did not exist. He would not want to say that governments thought with their heads and NGOs with their hearts -- both thought with their heads and their hearts. A necessary element of negotiation was to go in with all of one's demands, and be prepared that the result might not live up to expectations.

4. MINISTER SKWEYIYA INFORMS GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY THAT THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WAS A SUCCESS

South African Ministry of Social Development
4 September 2002
Internet: http://www.gov.za/search97cgi/s97_cgi?action=View&VdkVgwKey=%2E%2E%2Fdata%2Fspeech02%2F02090415461004%2Etxt&
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The South African Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya today (September 4, 2002) informed the Global Civil Society Forum that the World Summit on Sustainable Development was a success because it was able to deal with the most pertinent issues facing the majority of the World populace, particularly poverty, water and sanitation as well as food and nutrition.  "The World Summit on Sustainable Development was indeed a major success in ensuring that pertinent issues facing the poorest of the poor in the World are dealt with, but most importantly targets to solve them are agreed upon as part of the implementation programme. These issues are poverty, water and sanitation, food security and corporate accountability," said the Minister. Dr Skweyiya was addressing the closing plenary session of representatives of the steering group on the Global Civil Society, which included NGO's and other civil society structures from across the globe. The Minister reiterated the commitment of the South African Government to strengthen and work closely with civil society in South Africa and indeed the entire African continent in ensuring that the political declaration agreed upon and the Implementation Plan are realized. During the question period most of the participants expressed support including a commitment to ensure that decisions taken are implemented and they commended the South African Government for the hospitality and assistance it gave to the civil society delegates especially those from the African continent and the South.

5. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RELIES ON CO-OPERATION BY ALL: SHILOWA

Office of the Premier, Gauteng

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.gov.za/search97cgi/s97_cgi?action=View&VdkVgwKey=%2E%2E%2Fdata%2Fspeech02%2F02090415461001%2Etxt&
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The dire situation of poverty, underdevelopment, inequality among and within nations, the degradation of the environment and the continued wastage of resources called for more action by governments, business, civil society and communities to act with more urgency to implement a programme for the achievement of the goals of sustainable development, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, said on Tuesday night.  "There is a ray of hope that the Johannesburg Summit will live up to the expectations of billions of people all over the world by adopting a time-focused practical programme of action for the full implementation of past global agreements on sustainable development," He told guests at the Heads of delegations to the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. This year's summit, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, ends on Wednesday, September 4. Shilowa said there was reason to believe that Johannesburg would witness history Wednesday when the Heads of State and Heads of government adopt and commit their governments to the programme of action for sustainable development.  "When future generations read about the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development they must say this is the summit that changed the world for the better. They must say this is the summit that saved the earth from humankind. "  Noting the comments by the Secretary of Summit Nitin Desai that action plans with targets and timeframes had been agreed upon, the premier said, "We look forward to the announcements of projects and funding mechanisms that have been agreed on".  He, however stressed the adoption of the programme only was not enough, adding that: "Evidence abounds to show that world leaders are capable of breaking their promises and not fulfilling their commitments. So, to ensure that we do not regress to the pre-Rio period, we must identify the factors that led to the failure to implement past agreements and put in place mechanisms to eliminate them.  "The success of this programme will also depend on the forging of strong partnerships by all role-players as well as identifying specific functions relevant to each of the role players. There must also be acceptance by all role players of their responsibilities in the implementation of the programme and that if they fail to fulfil them the whole programme would collapse." Shilowa said he had also noted a series of partnerships announced by a number of developed countries during the course of the summit and called on others who had not done so to make available resources to assist poor countries as well as open their markets to developing countries.  "Your Excellencies, Johannesburg cannot afford to fail. It must not be just another one of the global gatherings that are held, where agreements are made and as soon as we leave the venue we file them away only to retrieve them when we are asked why there has not been any progress.  "I have no doubt that gathered in this house are leaders of integrity, who will do everything in their power to ensure that Johannesburg does not go down in history as one of the talk shows that produced nothing but nicely written resolutions which were not implemented," said the premier. He added: "We all look forward to the adoption of the political statement as well as the Johannesburg programme of action on sustainable development tomorrow." 

6. ENERGY, SANITATION AND RESOURCES ARE MAJOR FOCUS AT JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT

Ministry of Trade and Industry

1 September 2002

Internet: http://www.gov.za/search97cgi/s97_cgi?action=View&VdkVgwKey=%2E%2E%2Fdata%2Fspeech02%2F02090212461006%2Etxt&
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South Africa's Trade and Industry Minister, Alec Erwin, has reaffirmed that energy, sanitation and natural resources are the primary focus points for the Johannesburg Summit. Speaking at a media briefing at the Sandton Convention Centre earlier today, Erwin said the Summit had afforded an opportunity for representatives from countries and groups to come together and discuss linkages between themselves. He said among the issues under discussion over the past few days have been principles related to the Johannesburg text. As a country, he said, the country has met some critical challenges in organising the Summit. As the Summit leaders, it was a major challenge for South Africa to facilitate discussions between the various groups and managing discussions between them. On the substance of the discussions, Erwin said that 33 issues had been agreed to in the text around sustainable development. Importantly, one of these was that agreements attained Doha would not form part of discussions at the 2002 WSSD.  Erwin said that the negotiations at Doha were complete and intact, and therefore it was unnecessary and unwise to open discussions around the matter at the WSSD.  The minister was upbeat about the outcome of the Summit: "My understanding is that there is no delegation that would want Johannesburg to be a failure." "We need to be realistic and understand that everyone will have issues they would want to push very hard. Realistically, no one will be able to say that they have gained everything," Erwin said.

7. AGREEMENT REACHED ON MAJORITY OF SUMMIT'S PLAN OF IMPLEMENTATION

Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

3 September 2002

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TUESDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2002: Agreement has been reached on virtually all of the World Summit on Sustainable Development's Plan of Implementation, with the notable exception of several key provisions on energy. Among the provisions that were agreed upon in the ministerial negotiating session last night (September 2nd) was a commitment to set a goal for reducing by half the proportion of people who lack access to proper sanitation by 2015. Also agreed to were efforts to reduce the loss of biodiversity as well as good governance, the promotion of corporate responsibility, and the reaffirming of the Rio Principles, including the precautionary principle and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The remaining unresolved points involve energy issues, including setting a target for achieving a certain level of renewable energy use and whether countries should establish programmes to improve access to reliable and affordable energy services. There is also an outstanding paragraph concerning health care services. "The Summit has made some very significant advances," commented the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa. "In some areas, it has made seminal advances." Minister Moosa said the breakthroughs in the negotiations came during three days of round-the-clock ministerial meetings. He described the idea of ministers sitting for days dealing with the "nitty-gritty" of the issues involved, as a surprise. "It represents the seriousness of which the WSSD is taken by developing and developed countries." The high-level negotiations (which have been taking place this week) were necessary, he said, because the remaining issues needed to be resolved at the political -- not technical -- level.

Countries have agreed to establish a voluntary world solidarity fund to eradicate poverty and to promote social and human development that, without duplicating existing UN funds, would encourage the role of the private sector and individual citizens. Also agreed to was a provision that encourages countries to develop a 10-year framework of programmes to accelerate the shift toward sustainable consumption and production pattern. This essentially asks countries to live within the means of the supporting ecosystems. Another provision calls for policies to improve products and services that reduce environmental and health impacts using approaches such as life-cycle analysis. On Kyoto, countries agreed that States that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol "strongly urge States that have not already done so to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in a timely manner". A target of 2010 was set for significantly reducing the current rate of biodiversity loss, with an acknowledgement that additional financial and technical resources would be necessary. Countries agreed to promote corporate responsibility and accountability and exchange best practices through multi-stakeholder dialogue such as in the Commission on Sustainable Development, the UN body established to pursue implementation of sustainable development. 

DANISH PRESIDECY OF THE EU

WSSD Web page: http://www.um.dk/english/wssd/indexuk.asp

8. DANISH EU PRESIDENCY: WSSD IS A SOUND AND SOLID SPRINGBOARD

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21931

On 4 September the World Summit for Sustainable Development comes to an end. After ten days of intense negotiations the world has a sound and solid springboard for the jump from boardroom talks to concrete actions in the streets and fields. The EU is satisfied with the outcome of the Summit.  Minister for the Environment Hans Christian Schmidt of the Danish EU Presidency said: "The World Summit was a kickoff. A lot of things have been set into motion, and now no more talks are needed. Of course, the EU aimed even higher in certain areas, but in order to make results you have to be flexible. And it doesn't change the fact that we now have strong agreements and realistic timetables on crucial issues. The future challenge will be to manoeuvre the development in a sustainable direction. Just as the major EU Water Initiative and the EU Energy Initiative aim to do."  Mr. Schmidt continued: "The results from Johannesburg are part of a package with the trade round that started in Doha and the commitments on additional development aid from the EU and USA undertaken in Monterrey. It is without doubt that countries with this package of agreements have committed themselves to making substantial changes. To fight poverty and diseases, the world needs clean water and safe sanitation. We need to provide access to energy. We need democracy and free trade. And in these areas the world is now far more ambitious than ever. Since we have made sure that it will be easy to monitor our progress, I suggest that we get started."  The main new results of the Johannesburg Summit were the following:

  • Water and sanitation: The Millennium Goal on water was confirmed, and the countries agreed to halve the proportion of people that live without access to sanitation by 2015.
     

  • Delinking: The establishment of a ten-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production was decided.
     

  • Chemicals: Countries are aiming to achieve that chemicals are used and produced without significant adverse effects on humans or the environment by 2020.
     

  • Energy: The use and production of renewable energy must be substantially increased. Furthermore a regular review of this was agreed upon. Finally, the EU launched a coalition of like-minded countries that wish to go even further and establish specific targets and timetables for the increase of renewable energy.
     

  • Climate: Countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol strongly urge countries that have not to do so in a timely manner.
     

  • Biodiversity: Depleted fish stocks will be secured and rebalanced by 2015. By 2010 the loss of biodiversity must be substantially reduced.
     

  • Partnerships: Partnerships involving business and civil society will help the implementation of the political agreement at the Summit.

The Political Declaration of the World Summit has yet to be finalised, but the EU strongly believes that it will support the focus from the Plan of Implementation. 

9. EUROPEAN UNION: NOW WE MUST TURN WORLD SUMMIT AGREEMENT INTO CONCRETE RESULTS

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21972

The European Union (EU) today welcomed the results of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSSD) in Johannesburg as a success and underlined Europe's determination to lead the way in turning the Summit's action plan into concrete results on the ground.

Danish Prime Minister and EU President Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "I believe we can be satisfied with the result. We have agreed an action plan and a set of principles for sustainable development. We have concluded a global deal and partnership recommending free trade and increased market access, increased development assistance, a commitment to good governance and commitments to a better environment. The EU has played a leading role in this."  European Commission President Romano Prodi said: "We came to Johannesburg to launch a North-South pact which also encompasses the results of the Doha and Monterrey conferences. I welcome this relaunch of multilateralism which puts sustainable development firmly on the global agenda. Naturally we cannot be happy with everything we achieved but the results take us in the right direction. Reaching agreement is important but without implementation it means nothing. The EU will take the lead in implementing the outcome of Johannesburg because we are strongly committed to fighting poverty through trade and aid while protecting the environment. We owe it to the world to deliver."  The EU has consistently worked for an ambitious, realistic, action-orientated outcome with clear, measurable and time-bound targets directed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The key targets include the following:

  • Halving by 2015 the number of people lacking access to basic sanitation, complementing the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people without access to fresh water by the same date.
     

  • A commitment to minimize the harmful effects on human health and the environment from the production and use of all chemicals by 2020.
     

  • A commitment to halt the decline in fish stocks and restore them to sustainable levels no later than 2015.
     

  • A commitment by all parties to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
     

  • A commitment to set up a 10-year framework for programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

The Summit also agreed to increase urgently and substantially the global share of renewable energy sources.

In support of the Summit's goals, the EU has launched major partnership initiatives to bring clean water, sanitation and clean energy to people in developing countries. Yesterday it also launched a coalition of like-minded countries committed to increasing their use of renewable energies through quantified, time-bound targets.  President Prodi said this 'coalition of the willing' would create a strong force to go beyond the Summit agreement on renewable energy.  The EU welcomed the summit's acknowledgement that good governance is essential for sustainable development. Experience has shown that lack of democracy, openness and respect for human rights contributes to keeping countries in poverty.  Climate change again played a prominent role in the Summit with China, South Africa and Poland announcing their ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. There were also strong signals from Canada that it would ratify before the end of the year. Following an appeal by President Prodi to President Putin for Russia to ratify the Protocol so that it can enter into force, the Russia Government made a positive statement about its ongoing ratification process.  Mr Rasmussen said: "The 1990s were the decade of mega-summits. We should make the next 10 years the decade of action. We must secure effective implementation through an effective monitoring mechanism. We should ask the UN General Assembly to monitor implementation of the Johannesburg targets and the Johannesburg agenda. We have the goals - now the promises must be kept. We want results." 

10. EUROPEAN UNION IS FULLY COMMITTED TO REDUCING TRADE-DISTORTING FARM SUBSIDIES

28 August 2002

Internet: http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21759

The European Union (EU) is fully committed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) process for reducing trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson underlined in Johannesburg today. The EU also attaches great importance to promoting sustainable energy, including concrete, time-bound targets on renewable energy, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) under way in the South African city.  The achievement of the Millennium Development Goals on energy is among the EU's top priorities. Energy is a key component of any poverty eradication and sustainable development strategy. This was underlined by Danish Minister for the Environment and head of the EU Presidency Hans Christian Schmidt at a press briefing in Johannesburg today.  Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt said "More than two billion people live without access to proper energy services. They are 'energy poor'. The lack of energy is often a limiting factor in poor people's struggle for prosperity. Farmers and business need energy for pumping water. Schools need light. Families need to be relieved from dangerous smoke from wood when they are preparing food. Energy is a vital part of poverty eradication. And renewable energy is a vital part of sustainable poverty eradication. Governments and other stakeholders must focus their efforts on these goals."  Minister Schmidt continued: "Energy efficiency must be enhanced. Cleaner and more efficient fossil fuel technologies must be developed. And the contribution of renewable energies to the overall energy mix must be increased. The EU as a whole is allocating around €700 million per year in Official Development Assistance for energy-related activities.  He added: "The EU wants the WSSD to send a clear signal to the world community on the need to promote renewable energy. This is why we attach high priority to reaching agreement on achievable targets and timetables as well as the implementation of these targets. The targets should be to increase renewable energy sources' share of global primary energy supply to at least 15% by 2010. Industrialized countries should also increase renewables' share at national level by two percentage points by the same date."

Turning to the issue of agricultural subsidies, Commissioner Poul Nielson told the briefing that current WTO rules already set limits on trade-distorting farm subsidies.  "At Doha an agenda for new negotiations was agreed, which sets a target of substantial reductions in trade-distorting farm subsidies. Negotiations to fulfill this commitment and to establish how big the cuts should be have to be completed in time for new commitments to be tabled before the Fifth WTO Ministerial in September 2003. This is a challenging timetable and it would be in no one's interest to confuse the agreed mandate at this stage. Everyone agreed in the run-up to the WSSD that the aim of the Summit was to support but not to renegotiate Doha. Doha is the foundation stone for action on subsidies."  Commissioner Poul Nielson added: "Reforming agricultural policy has to be done progressively, as current WTO rules recognize. Big leaps forward may lead to major reverses. The EU has pursued a consistent policy of reforms since 1992, leading most recently to last month's Commission proposal for a mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy."

11. EUROPEAN UNION: €22 BILLION EXTRA ODA UP TO 2006

27 August 2002

Internet: http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21717

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson underlined at a press briefing today that the European Union (EU) has committed itself to make available around €22 billion in extra official development assistance (ODA) between now and 2006. The EU is already the developing world's biggest trade partner and aid donor. The EU also wants economic and social development to be accompanied by changes in consumption patterns in order to make development sustainable. Waste and transport are two examples of areas where it is becoming clear that trends must be broken.  Danish Minister for the Environment and head of the EU Presidency Hans Christian Schmidt said: "Decoupling is a necessity, not just a possibility. The wealthy countries must take the lead and show how consumption and production patterns can be changed. The developing countries must be allowed more time. But it is extremely important that Johannesburg heralds the transition from words to action, including on this subject. We must put things into practice."  Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt continued: "We are facing urgent problems which we must solve if economic growth is not to burden the environment even more. We have to encourage efficient use of resources. We have to optimise material flows. And not least, we must cut the consumption of dangerous chemicals. This is why we must prepare a very specific plan for initiatives over the next ten years. In order to achieve the existing goals in this area our efforts have to be focused. Existing international organisations should collaborate in developing a ten year work programme."  the EU, the world's biggest trade partner and aid donor to the developing world  Commissioner Poul Nielson set out how the EU committed itself at the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development in March to bringing its average ODA level up to 0.39 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2006, as a significant first step towards reaching the UN target of 0.7 per cent. This commitment should result in additional funding of around €22 billion up to 2006, and an extra €9 billion a year from 2006 onwards. The EU already contributes more than half of the developed world's ODA - €26 billion in 2001 - making it the biggest donor to developing countries.

Commissioner Poul Nielson said: "With the Doha Development Agenda, the Monterrey Consensus, the Global Environment Facility, the UN Environment Programme and other international agreements the world has an organized agenda. This is why it would be especially useful here in Johannesburg to reach agreements on adding specific targets with timetables. Implementation of these commitments will be better secured if we have timetables to accompany them".  

EU STATEMENTS ON ILLEGAL LOGGING, DELIVERED AT WSSD SIDE-EVENT ON FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT, GOVERNANCE AND TRADE by Ambassador Dan Nielsen 02/09/2002 http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21863

WSSD - THE DANISH PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRESENTATION OF EU ENERGY INITIATIVE 1 September 2002 http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21861

EU INTERVENTION ON WATER AND SANITATION, delivered by Minister for the Environment Hans Chr. Schmidt at WSSD on 28 August 2002 http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21765

EU INTERVENTION ON ENERGY by Minister for the Environment Hans Chr. Schmidt, delivered at WSSD 28/08/2002 http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21762

EU-INTERVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS AT WSSD, delivered by Minister of the Environment Hans Chr. Schmidt on 26 August 2002 http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21705

EU-INTERVENTION ON HEALTH AT WSSD, delivered by Ambassador Dan Nielsen on 26 August 2002
http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21703

SPEECH BY MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT HANS CHR. SCHMIDT ON SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION, DELIVERED AT A WSSD SIDE-EVENT 27/08/2002 http://www.eu2002.dk/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=21733

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

WSSD Web page:  http://europa.eu.int/comm/press_room/presspacks/joburg/pp_joburg_en.html

12. THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

16 September 2002

Internet: http://europa-eu-un.org/article.asp?id=1611

The EU considers the results of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg an overall success, and it has underscored Europe's determination to lead the way in turning the Summit's action plan into concrete results on the ground.  Danish Prime Minister and current EU President Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "I believe we can be satisfied with the result. We have agreed an action plan and a set of principles for sustainable development. We have concluded a global deal and partnership recommending free trade and increased market access, increased development assistance, a commitment to good governance and commitments to a better environment. The EU has played a leading role in this."  Commented European Commission President Romano Prodi: "We came to Johannesburg to launch a North-South pact which also encompasses the results of the Doha and Monterrey conferences. I welcome this relaunch of multilateralism, which puts sustainable development firmly on the global agenda...The EU will take the lead in implementing the outcome of Johannesburg because we are strongly committed to fighting poverty through trade and aid while protecting the environment. We owe it to the world to deliver."  The EU has consistently worked for an ambitious, realistic, action-oriented outcome with clear, measurable and time-bound targets to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The key targets include:

Halving by 2015 the number of people lacking access to basic sanitation, complementing the MDG of halving the number of people without access to fresh water by the same date.

A commitment to minimize the harmful effects on human health and the environment from the production and use of all chemicals by 2020.

A commitment to halt the decline in fish stocks and to restore them to sustainable levels by no later than 2015.

A commitment by all parties to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.

A commitment to set up a 10-year framework for programs on sustainable consumption and production.

The Summit also agreed to increase urgently and substantially the global share of renewable energy sources. In support of the Summit's goals, the EU has pledged major partnership initiatives to bring clean water, sanitation and clean energy to people in developing countries. And it has also launched a coalition of like-minded countries committed to increasing their use of renewable energies through quantified, time-bound targets. Further, the EU welcomed the summit's acknowledgement that good governance is essential for sustainable development. Experience has shown that lack of democracy, openness and respect for human rights contributes to keeping countries in poverty.  Climate change played a prominent role in Johannesburg, too, with China, South Africa and Poland all announcing their ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Canada also gave strong signals that it would ratify before the end of the year, and the Russian government made a positive statement about its ongoing ratification process. (Once Russia ratifies, it is expected that the Protocol will enter into force.) 

13. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT ROMANO PRODI MET US SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL DURING THE WORLD SUMMIT IN JOHANNESBURG

4 September
Internet: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1269|0|RAPID&lg=EN

European Commission President Romano Prodi met US Secretary of State Colin Powell during the World Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday 4 September They welcomed the results achieved at the Summit and agreed on the need to implement Johannesburg Plan of Implementation fully and without delay.  President Prodi expressed his concern over the increasing divide between North and South. He agreed with Secretary Powell that this must be a matter of common concern and that the answer must be found through resolute implementation of a multilateral agenda. President Prodi stressed that the old approach (Trade not Aid) must be abandoned and replaced by Trade and Aid.  They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Iraq. On the Middle East they shared their concerns about standstill in the Peace Process and stressed the importance of international cooperation. They agreed that Iraq must comply with relevant UN resolutions and must allow the disarmament inspectors to operate without any restriction. Secretary Powell agreed with President Prodi that this is a multilateral problem.  On The International Criminal Court there was common understanding on the need to continue working together to find a solution to American concerns without undermining the principles and objectives of the Court.

14. EUROPEAN UNION: NOW WE MUST TURN WORLD SUMMIT AGREEMENT INTO CONCRETE RESULTS

4 September 2002
Internet: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1268|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

The European Union (EU) today welcomed the results of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSSD) in Johannesburg as a success and underlined Europe's determination to lead the way in turning the Summit's action plan into concrete results on the ground.

Danish Prime Minister and EU President Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "I believe we can be satisfied with the result. We have agreed an action plan and a set of principles for sustainable development. We have concluded a global deal and partnership recommending free trade and increased market access, increased development assistance, a commitment to good governance and commitments to a better environment. The EU has played a leading role in this."  European Commission President Romano Prodi said: "We came to Johannesburg to launch a North-South pact which also encompasses the results of the Doha and Monterrey conferences. I welcome this relaunch of multilateralism, which puts sustainable development firmly on the global agenda. Naturally we cannot be happy with everything we achieved but the results take us in the right direction. Reaching agreement is important but without implementation it means nothing. The EU will take the lead in implementing the outcome of Johannesburg because we are strongly committed to fighting poverty through trade and aid while protecting the environment. We owe it to the world to deliver."  The EU has consistently worked for an ambitious, realistic, action-orientated outcome with clear, measurable and time-bound targets directed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The key targets include the following:

  • Halving by 2015 the number of people lacking access to basic sanitation, complementing the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people without access to fresh water by the same date.
     

  • A commitment to minimize the harmful effects on human health and the environment from the production and use of all chemicals by 2020.
     

  • A commitment to halt the decline in fish stocks and restore them to sustainable levels no later than 2015.
     

  • A commitment by all parties to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
     

  • A commitment to set up a 10-year framework for programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

The Summit also agreed to increase urgently and substantially the global share of renewable energy sources.

In support of the Summit's goals, the EU has launched major partnership initiatives to bring clean water, sanitation and clean energy to people in developing countries. Yesterday it also launched a coalition of like-minded countries committed to increasing their use of renewable energies through quantified, time-bound targets.  President Prodi said this 'coalition of the willing' would create a strong force to go beyond the summit agreement on renewable energy.  The EU welcomed the summit's acknowledgement that good governance is essential for sustainable development. Experience has shown that lack of democracy, openness and respect for human rights contributes to keeping countries in poverty.  Climate change again played a prominent role in the summit with China, South Africa and Poland announcing their ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. There were also strong signals from Canada that it would ratify before the end of the year. Following an appeal by President Prodi to President Putin for Russia to ratify the Protocol so that it can enter into force, the Russia government made a positive statement about its ongoing ratification process.  Mr Rasmussen said: "The 1990s was the decade of mega-summits. We should make the next 10 years the decade of action. We must secure effective implementation through an effective monitoring mechanism. We should ask the UN General Assembly to monitor implementation of the Johannesburg targets and the Johannesburg agenda. We have the goals now the promises must be kept. We want results."

15. EUROPEAN UNION REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO REACHING GLOBAL DEAL AT WORLD SUMMIT

2 September 2002

Internet: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1259|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

The European Union (EU) today welcomed the progress achieved at the World Sustainable Development Summit in Johannesburg towards a global deal between North and South to eradicate poverty and protect the environment, and reaffirmed its commitment to reach an overall agreement.  Danish Prime Minister and current EU President Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "The documents coming out of Johannesburg will have a lot of targets and good intentions, although we still have to resolve the issue of making energy more sustainable. The EU has been driving the issues and we can be satisfied. But the most important thing to stress is that now is the time to act. Johannesburg should be remembered as the summit of action."  European Commission President Romano Prodi said: "We are here in Johannesburg to forge a fresh pact between North and South on the basis of trust and our shared goal of sustainable development. This pact is about growth, development, sustainability and solidarity. The increasing divide between North and South must become our new frontier, our new challenge. We got rid of a wall in Europe. We cannot accept another wall which cuts the world in two."  Mr Prodi also issued a solemn appeal to President Putin for Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change as soon as possible so that the Protocol can enter into force.  Prime Minister Rasmussen said the key elements of the EU's call for a global deal were increasing aid and trade between the developed and the developing world, good governance and improving the environment.  He added: "Let us make a deal which provides the developing countries with better opportunities and our environment with a better protection. Let us make a deal which could replace despair and darkness with hope and light for hundreds of millions of people. "

16.  "WATER FOR LIFE": EUROPEAN UNION LAUNCHES GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO ACHIEVE WORLD SUMMIT GOALS

3 September 2002

Internet: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1265|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

In Johannesburg the European Union today formally launched a major global Water Initiative aimed at creating strategic partnerships to achieve the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) goals on clean water and sanitation. Within this new framework the EU has already reached "Water for Life" agreements with Africa and with eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia.  Water is essential for human health, eradicating poverty, protecting the environment and economic development. Currently, over one billion people lack access to safe drinking water and over 2.4 billion people do not have adequate sanitation. More than 2.2 million people, mostly children, die each year from water-related diseases.  The EU Water Initiative has been developed in a multi-stakeholder process and is open to all partners and regions. It aims to improve the efficiency of existing financing mechanisms through better coordination. EU funding should attract additional financial resources. A priority is to increase the transfer of knowledge through institutional capacity building, targeted research and scientific cooperation.  Danish Prime Minister and EU President Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Water and sanitation are key to sustainable development, health, regional stability and economic stability. I believe we have the moral obligation to do the right thing: to provide clean drinking water and sanitation for every village, town and city on the planet. By doing so, every year we can save many millions of lives and prevent hundreds of millions of people from suffering from serious diseases."  European Commission President Romano Prodi said: "The global water crisis is a major threat for our planet and the future of our children. Together with our partners we are fully committed to achieving the WSSD's now-agreed targets to halve the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation by 2015. The EU is already investing €1.4 billion a year in water-related development aid and scientific cooperation. We are ready to increase financial resources over the coming years, in response to the priorities developing countries set themselves."  The EU-Africa "Water for Life" agreement was signed yesterday in Johannesburg between Nigerian President Obasanjo and South African Water and Forestry Minister Ronny Kasrils, on behalf of Africa, and Danish Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt and President Prodi for the EU. The agreement with eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia will be signed soon. Mediterranean and South American countries have signalled their intention to participate in the near future.  The global initiative promotes cooperation between countries sharing an international river basin in managing their water resources. Europe's experience shows that such cooperation stimulates economic development and regional integration as well as preventing conflict over water. Africa alone has 60 transboundary rivers.  Through the initiative the EU will help its partners to develop integrated water resources management plans by 2005 - another WSSD goal and achieve a sustainable balance between human water needs and those of the environment.  All partners are committed to ensuring that clean water and sanitation are given appropriate priority in future. The creation of the African Ministers Council of Water is a historical step in this respect.  Mr Fogh Rasmussen said: "The water crisis is a crisis of governance. This initiative promotes better water governance arrangements and transparency, building stronger partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector. Effective public services are a basis for sustainable water governance."  Water is already a focal sector for the EU's assistance programmes in many African countries and an important component of EU cooperation with South Africa and in the SADC region.  President Prodi concluded: "Together with President Mbeki I am proud of what we have already achieved to bring water and sanitation to the people of South Africa. We are committed to giving our full political support to all those who are working hard every day to achieve water security, in quantity and quality, for everyone on Earth, today and for future generations."

17. EUROPEAN UNION LAUNCHES COALITION OF LIKE-MINDED STATES TO DELIVER WORLD SUMMIT RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS

3 September 2002

Internet: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1264|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

The European Union today announced that it is forming a coalition of like-minded countries and regions committed to increasing their use of renewable energies through quantified, time-bound targets. The initiative was announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Develoment in Johannesburg by European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström and the EU Presidency, Mr Hans Christian Schmidt, Environment Minister of Denmark as a key means of implementing yesterday's Summit agreement that the global share of renewable energy sources should urgently be substantially increased.  Minister Schmidt and Commissioner Wallström said: "The World Summit has shown that energy, like water, is at the very core of the development agenda, but for development to be sustainable that energy needs to be clean. Increasing the use of clean renewable energy will have multiple benefits for rich and poor countries alike, from cutting the emissions that are changing the global climate to improving the health of millions in the developing world who have to breathe the smoke of their wood-fired stoves."  They continued: "Setting time-bound targets for boosting the share of renewable energy, as the European Union and others have done, will give us a clearer timeframe for delivering the substantial increase to which the international community has committed itself here in Johannesburg."  They added: "The initial response to our initiative from those with whom we have already discussed it has been extremely positive. African, Latin American, Caribbean and other European countries have all shown interest, and we will be talking to others in the coming days. I am extremely pleased to see that so many are interested in forming a 'coalition of the willing' to translate the Summit's commitment into firm targets."  The renewable energy initiative announced today is in addition to a major EU partnership initiative on energy, launched on 1 September, aimed at improving access for people in developing countries to adequate, affordable and sustainable energy services.  

See Also:

EU RALLIES "LIKE-MINDED" NATIONS TO AGREE ON TIME-BOUND RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS
3 September 2002 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020903/ap_wo_en_po/eu_energy_1

JOINT DECLARATION BY EU, OTHERS: THE WAY FORWARD ON RENEWABLE ENERGY. IN RESPONSE TO INACTION BY THE EARTH SUMMIT, A "COALITION OF THE WILLING" IS BEING FORMED TO CARVE A PATH FORWARD TOWARD A
RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE.
http://a520.g.akamai.net/7/520/1534/release1.0/www.greenpeace.org/multimedia/download/1/25097/0/Eujointdeclaration.pdf

18. EUROPEAN COMMISSION STRESSES COMMITMENT TO COMBAT ILLEGAL LOGGING

31 August 2002

Internet: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/02/1254|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=

At a side event held today at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the European Commission underlined its commitment to combating illegal logging and trade in illicitly produced timber.  Illegal logging and the international trade in illegal timber are prominent among factors driving the rapid rate of forest loss. Illegal logging also deprives governments of vital revenues to spend on poverty reduction programmes.  Every year more than 12 million hectares of natural forest are lost, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This rate of destruction adversely affects many of the world's poorest people, who depend on forest resources for a living.  Poul Nielson, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, called on wood-consuming countries to recognize the vital role they must play in closing down the international trade in illegal timber.  Commissioner Nielson said: "The European Commission is committed to combating illegal logging, by helping to improve law enforcement and governance in wood-producing countries, and by working to stop the trade in illegally procured wood and wood products."  Margot Wallström, European Commissioner for Environment, said: "We need to agree in Johannesburg on clear and ambitious targets to halt and reverse the current loss of natural resources and biological diversity. The European Union is strongly committed to playing its part, including through implementing internationally agreed actions."  The European Commission is currently preparing an Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, which aims to combat illegal logging and related trade.  Measures under discussion include instruments to verify the legality of wood products and to address illegal wood product imports into the EU market; co-operation and exchange of data between customs authorities; promotion of EU consumption of legally produced products; improving due diligence, transparency and standards for finance and export credit institutions; and support to timber-producing countries to combat illegal logging and help meet these new requirements.

UNITED KINGDOM

WSSD Web page: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/wssd/updates/index.htm

19. TONY BLAIR SAYS: WE'RE BACKING RENEWABLE ENERGY WITH £50 MILLION EXPORT SUPPORT

2 September 2002

Internet: http://213.38.88.195/coi/coipress.nsf/23937f532ce72424802566fa004a6ca5/469681b2b1e89ee780256c280056e04b?OpenDocument

The UK Government's Export Credits Guarantee Department will help developing countries limit greenhouse gas emissions by making available at least £50 million of cover for creditworthy exports from next year in the renewable energy sector, Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced. Speaking in Mozambique on his way to the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr Blair said: "From next April, the UK's Export Credits Guarantee Department will give developing countries better access to renewable energy technology by making available at least £50 million of cover each year for exports in the sector." The UK Government will also be working in partnership with exporters, investors and overseas buyers to identify and support new renewable energy opportunities as part of a Government-wide drive to encourage the development of power generation from renewable resources both in the UK and abroad.

Notes to Editors:

1. From April 2003, ECGD will:

  • make available support for at least £50m of exports each year that meets its normal project and country underwriting criteria; and,
     

  • participate in an outreach programme, run by DTI's Trade Promoters and the private sector, to stimulate exports of renewable energy goods to emerging markets to help overcome the low level of renewables applications.

2. This initiative announced by the Prime Minister today will: - encourage UK entrepreneurs to develop and then export renewable energy goods and services and to offer them insurance against the risks of non-payment;

  • assist more overseas countries to meet their power generation requirements in a sustainable way by providing finance at attractive commercial rates linked to UK involvement;
     

  • slow down the onset of, and possibly reduce the impact of, climate change resulting from greenhouse gas generation; and

3. The UK Government's commitment to the promotion of sustainable development is reflected in ECGD's operations. ECGD looks for social and economic development combined with protection of the environment

in all the projects to which it provides cover. Provided that emissions are controlled, ECGD believes that the economic and social benefits resulting from the availability of electrical power are usually sufficient to outweigh the potential environmental impact of the associated greenhouse gas emissions, but ECGD considers each case on its own merits.

4. The Government has produced a guide to UK companies entitled "Exporting Sustainable Energy Products and Services" which details how to get help with: market and technology information, financial assistance; marketing support; advice on markets abroad, and introductions into overseas markets. Copies of this guide are available by clicking on the Department of Trade and Industry's website www.dti.gov.uk/renewable

5. ECGD, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, is the UK's export credit agency. We are a separate Government Department reporting to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. We have more than 80

years' experience of working closely with exporters, project sponsors, banks and buyers to help UK exporters of capital equipment and project-related goods and services. We do this by providing:

  • Insurance against non-payment to UK exporters, and
     

  • Help in arranging finance packages for buyers of UK goods by guaranteeing bank loans, and
     

  • Overseas Investment Insurance - a facility that gives UK investors up to 15 years' insurance against political risks.

20. £7m BOOST FOR UK GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMME

2 September 2002

Internet: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2002/darwin.htm

The Prime Minister's announcement that the Darwin Initiative - which supports biodiversity projects around the world - will receive an extra £7m during the next three years, was welcomed today by the chairman of the Darwin Advisory Committee, Professor David Ingram.

Professor Ingram, Master of St Catherine's College, Cambridge, said: "The Darwin Initiative has had a major impact on the conservation of biological diversity during the last ten years. This additional funding will enable us to achieve even more in the future."

Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the additional funding in yesterday's speech about the World Summit on Sustainable Development to business leaders in Maputo, Mozambique.  Mr Blair said: "Environmental protection also means protecting biodiversity, the ultimate source of our food, most of our medicines and much else besides. This was the reason, for example, why the UK launched the Darwin Initiative at Rio. "This innovative biodiversity grants programme puts UK expertise together with local partners to improve the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in countries poor in resources.  "It has delivered impacts well beyond the £27 million we have put into it, with over 270 projects in 100 countries funded to date. We will more than double the money for Darwin over the next three years, to £7 million a year from 2005/6." The current £3m annual budget will be boosted by £1m next year, £2m the following year, and £4m in 2005.

Projects are selected which would not take place without this funding and which will continue to benefit the region after the UK contribution, which, typically, runs for three years, has been completed. The UK provides not only financial resources, but also skills and expertise.

Darwin projects have focussed on countries, which have faced major problems of species and habitat loss - half have been Asia and Africa, and several have been established in South America and eastern Europe. They range from a penguin-monitoring project off Cape Town, South Africa, to a snail survey in Sri Lanka, the conservation of Colombian rainforest and preservation of critically endangered vultures in India. Between 20 and 35 applications are successful each year from organisations such as the Natural History Museum, the Royal Geographical Society, the Eden Project, specialist units within university departments, and Non-Governmental Organisations, such as WWF.  These organisations work closely with local Governmental and non-governmental groups in the host country, and most projects include a substantial training and education element to enable the work to continue after its conclusion. The Darwin Initiative has already provided £27m funding for 270 biodiversity projects in 100 countries since its inception at the Rio Summit a decade ago. 110 projects are ongoing.  

DFID

21. FOLLOW UP NOTE ON THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE   DEVELOPMENT, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

26 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2002

DFID

Internet: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Pubs/files/follow_up_note_wssd.htm

"Development for us is a priority. Africa for me is a passion. Proud of our leadership on debt relief, we know there is more to do; proud of the extra resources we are giving to aid and development, we want to give more in the future and we will; proud that we will meet, indeed exceed, our Kyoto targets, we know we must do more."  Speech by the Prime Minister at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2 September 2002

1. The World Summit on Sustainable Development took place in Johannesburg from 26 August - 4 September. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett, led the UK delegation. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair; the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott; Secretary of State for International Development, Clare Short; Minister of State (Environment), Michael Meacher; and the leaders of the Devolved Administrations also spent time at the Summit. Over 100 national leaders came, as did strong contingents from Parliament, local government, business and NGOs.

2. The Summit produced many things: a short political declaration; a detailed Plan of Implementation; a range of new partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector. This note sets out the key achievements as they relate to DFID's agenda. More information can be found at www.johannesburgsummit.org .

DOHA, MONTERREY AND NOW JOHANNESBURG

3. Taken together, the series of recent international summits provide a strong basis for action:

The Millennium Summit (September 2000) gave us the Millennium Development Goals, internationally-agreed targets against which progress can be measured.  The Doha meeting of the World Trade Organisation (November 2001) gave us an agenda for a development-focused trade round.  The Financing for Development Conference (March 202) recognised the need to galvanise all sources of finance - domestic savings, foreign direct investment, export earnings, debt relief and aid - in order to eradicate poverty, achieve sustained economic growth and promote sustainable development.

4. The World Summit reaffirmed these commitments and integrated environment and a commitment to sustainability into the agendas agreed at Doha and Monterrey, adding access to sanitation to the Millennium Development Goals, and emphasising the importance of implementation.

THE NEED TO FOCUS ON IMPLEMENTATION

5. There is now near universal acknowledgement that we do not need more summits, more targets, and more initiatives. Instead the international community needs to deliver on the agenda that has been agreed.

6. Speaking at the conclusion of the Summit, Clare Short said: "We do not need more big multilateral agenda-setting conferences, we need a real period of intensive implementation."

THE ENVIRONMENT, POVERTY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: BRINGING THEM TOGETHER

7. Clare Short consistently highlighted the Summit as an opportunity "to bring the development and environment movements together in a systematic effort to both reduce poverty and pursue sustainable development". This is very much what happened in Johannesburg - Environment Ministers from developed countries took on board the need to guarantee development to the poor if we were to achieve sustainability. Northern environmental NGOs started to argue for more action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Whilst Rio in 1992 focused on environmental issues, Johannesburg brought together the commitment to poverty eradication and sustainability.

8. The Summit provided an opportunity to highlight the links between environmental issues and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. DFID's contribution to this was the publication - jointly with the World Bank, UNDP and the EC - of a paper entitled Linking Poverty Reduction and Environmental Management: Policy Challenges and Opportunities. This was the source of lively debate at a number of side events in Johannesburg.

BUILDING ON AND REINFORCING EXISTING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

9. The Plan of Implementation agreed at the Summit contained important sections on trade and finance. These sections repeated the agreements made in Doha last November (at the meeting of the World Trade Organisation) and in Monterrey in March (at the Financing for Development conference). Some argued that the commitments made at Doha and Monterrey should be exceeded at Johannesburg. But this was never realistic. Delivering the Doha agenda will be a massive gain for developing countries. Delivering Monterrey means a growth in aid resources of $12 billion per annum and a development agenda based on partnership and developing countries taking the lead in setting their development path.

NEW TARGETS

10. The Summit agreed a new target to halve the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. This is an important achievement. The Summit process - and the fact that we had to fight to gain agreement to this target - highlighted the importance of sanitation to the lives of the poor. 2.4 billion people currently lack access to sanitation. The challenge for now is to ensure that the political momentum generated by this new target leads to action on the ground.

11. The Plan of Implementation agreed in Johannesburg is some 54 pages in length. Some sections are more relevant to DFID's agenda than others.

BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Agreement to take joint action to provide affordable energy services for the poor, sufficient to achieve the MDGs.

Commitment to restore depleted fish stocks urgently and, where possible, no later than 2015, with enhanced action against illegal fishing. Commitment to establish a network of marine protected areas.

Agreement to elaborate a 10 year global framework to make patterns of consumption and production more sustainable, and to bring development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems. Focus on delinking economic growth from environmental degradation. Action needed by all countries, but rich countries will lead.

Commitment to national (including regulatory) and international action to encourage accountable and responsible corporate behaviour.

Reaffirmation of existing commitments on human rights and good national governance as a cornerstone of sustainable development, with expansion of Rio commitments on public participation and access to justice.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WSSD Web Page: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/sus/wssd/

22. POWELL SAYS SUMMIT OFFERS NEW VISION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTDELEGATES ADOPT PLAN OF ACTION AIMED AT FIGHTING POVERTY

Washington File

4 September 2002

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02090403.htm

Johannesburg - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) has cemented a new vision of sustainable development - one in which action-oriented partnerships will help unleash the talents and resources of developed and developing countries, civil society and the private sector. In remarks delivered September 4 to more than 9,000 delegates on the final day of the Johannesburg summit, Powell reiterated that reducing poverty and preserving the environment require commitments to action.

Powell said that the Johannesburg plan of action - adopted September 4 by summit delegates following several days of nearly round-the-clock negotiations - provides a common agenda that includes the best thinking on sustainable development. "Plans are good," he added. "But (only) actions can put clean water in the mouths of thirsty girls and boys, prevent the transmission of a deadly virus from mother to child, and preserve the biodiversity of a fragile African ecosystem." Powell said the United States is taking action by creating effective partnerships, such as the South African Housing Initiative which will help private contractors build 90,000 houses for a half million people over the next five years. "We have unveiled at this conference four new 'signature' partnerships in water, energy, agriculture and forests," he said. "These programs will expand access to clean water and affordable energy, reduce pollution, provide jobs and improve food supplies for millions." He invited other countries to join in these partnerships and in 15 others that the U.S. delegation announced during the 10-day summit. Despite these U.S. commitments, activists protesting U.S. policies interrupted Powell's speech a number of times.  Powell said that the Johannesburg summit is also an important milestone on the road from the Doha World Trade Organization ministerial that took place in November 2001, and the Monterrey Summit on Financing for Development held last March. In Monterrey, Mexico, President Bush announced the Millennium Challenge Account, which calls for an increase in U.S. development assistance by $5,000 million per year within three years. This new type of assistance will be offered only to developing nations that are governed wisely and fairly, and are strongly committed to investing in health and education. Powell said that developing countries are already stepping up to the challenge of good governance, citing as an example the New Partnership for Africa's Development, or NEPAD, in which African leaders have pledged to promote peace, security and people-oriented development. Powell also stressed that drought, wasteful land use and economic mismanagement threaten to create famine, and that in one country, Zimbabwe, "the lack of respect for human rights and rule of law has exacerbated these factors to push millions of people toward the brink of starvation." Among the heads of state who addressed delegates at the summit was Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, who defended his government's seizure of farms owned by whites for redistribution to black Zimbabweans.  The plan of action adopted at the summit contains specific commitments aimed at fighting poverty and protecting the environment. The delegates also adopted a political declaration by world leaders reaffirming their commitment to achieving sustainable development.  The 10-chapter action plan calls for halving the proportion of people without access to sanitation by 2015, restoring fisheries to their maximum sustainable yields by 2015, establishing a representative network of marine protected areas by 2012, reducing the loss of endangered plants and animals by 2010, and reversing the current trend in natural resource degradation. The new commitment to sanitation comes as a companion target to the already agreed upon goal of halving the proportion of people who lack access to clean water, which was one of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals and which has been reaffirmed in Johannesburg. More than 1,000 million people currently lack access to clean drinking water, 4,000 million people lack access to proper sanitation, and more than 7 million children die every year - 6,000 a day - due to diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery. The action plan also calls for countries to act "with a sense of urgency" to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower. Klaus Toepfer, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program, told delegates that while there will be disappointment that nations failed to agree on global time tables and targets for boosting the level of renewable energy, parties to the accord did agree that regional and national targets for renewable energy are needed. The U.S. delegation, among others, opposed global targets for renewable energy, arguing that such targets are unrealistic and arbitrary. Toepfer said agreements in the area of chemicals are also successes. He said governments have accepted the need for a new, international approach for the management of chemicals and the harmonization of labeling and classification of chemicals, which will be operational by 2008. Governments also aim, by 2020, to produce and use chemicals in such a way that they do not adversely affect human health. "This should benefit all people and especially those in developing countries and regions like the Arctic where chemical pollution is a real threat to the health of humans and wildlife," he said. Summit Secretary-General Nitin Desai said the summit had achieved its main objectives of putting sustainable development back on the world agenda and creating a sense of urgency to protect the planet. He said that many of the commitments made in the action plan are supported by more 100 partnership initiatives between governments, civil society and industry. For example, he said, the United States announced $970 million in investments over the next three years on water and sanitation projects, and the European Union announced the "Water for Life" initiative that will engage partners to meet water and sanitation goals, primarily in Africa and Central Asia. On energy, Desai said that the E-7 - the world's nine major energy companies - signed a range of agreements with the United Nations to facilitate technical cooperation for sustainable energy projects in developing countries, the European Union announced a $700 million initiative on energy, and the United States announced that it would invest up to $43 million in 2003. Other governments, nongovernmental organizations and corporate entities announced similar partnerships in the areas of health, agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystem management, among others. "It's impossible to know just how many resources the summit has mobilized," Desai said, "but we know they are substantial. Furthermore, many of the new resources will attract additional resources that will greatly enhance our efforts to take sustainable development to the next level, where it will benefit more people and protect more of our environment."

23. POWELL EMPHASIZES TRAINING AT DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT EPA'S WHITMAN SEES PROMISE IN PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

4 September 2002

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02090404.htm

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says that education and training are critical for the world to achieve sustainable development and asserts that the process will take many years. As the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg was winding down September 4, Powell and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman delivered remarks at a training center set up especially for the meeting by the U.S. government with some partners. "We will not achieve sustainable development through meetings alone," Powell said, "but only through sustained activity by committed, empowered and educated individuals." Whitman said that partnerships among governments, businesses and nongovernmental organizations are essential for spreading the benefits of sustainable development widely. She said she was pleased with the outcome of the Johannesburg summit in that it would lead to real action to improve people's lives. "We are going to see action because we have partnerships with the people who actually make things happen," Whitman said.

24. WORLD SUMMIT PLAN REFLECTS COMMON VISION, SAYS DOBRIANSKY TIME NOW FOR ACTION TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A REALITY

by Closing Statement by Paula Dobriansky Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs

4 September 2002

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02090701.htm

Following is the transcript of the closing statement to the World Summit on Sustainable Development by Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky:

Delegation of the United States of America to the World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg, South Africa

Mr. President,

We are now completing a long road, part of a journey that will continue, that has gone through virtually every continent - from Stockholm, to Rio, to Doha, to Monterrey, to Bali, to Johannesburg. This journey is appropriate, because what we have approved today is truly a global document. It reflects our common vision to come together in defense of basic principles of assisting our fellow men and women; protecting our earth's natural resources and habitats; upholding human rights, fundamental freedoms and gender equality; and ensuring basic human needs through economic development, or in the visionary words of our South African host: People, Planet and Prosperity.

So far, these are words. Words are good - actions are better. Only concrete actions can:

  • Prevent children from contracting water-borne diseases;
     

  • Allow families to cook meals indoors without risking fatal respiratory illnesses;
     

  • Protect delicate African ecosystems;
     

  • Empower small-hold farmers with the capacity to feed their families; and
     

  • Prevent the transmission of deadly virus to children from HIV-positive mothers.

Mr. President, you have brought us to the brink of a new era of sustainable development. The world is in your debt. Let us move now from Rio to Johannesburg to the future. Thank you.

25. CLEAN WATER FOR POOR

Washington File

4 September 2002

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02090504.htm

The governments of Japan and the United States today launched the Clean Water for People initiative -- a partnership to improve sustainable management of fresh water resources. The initiative, announced jointly by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, will accelerate and expand international efforts to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goal, which aims to cut in half by 2015 the proportion of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water and who lack access to improved sanitation. Water is one of the main topics of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the focus of the Third World Water Forum and the International Ministerial Conference, to be held in Japan next March. Today, nearly one-third of the World's population lives with chronic shortages of water that directly threaten human health, agriculture and economic development. More than 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, more than 2 billion to adequate sanitation. Some 6,000 children die every day from water related diseases. By 2025, nearly two-thirds of the World's population will experience some form of water-related stress. "Water is the key to life," Secretary Powell said in remarks at today's rollout ceremony. "Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is essential to life, dignity and well being." Foreign Minister Kawaguchi said, "Rising from Johannesburg, I am confident that this stream of partnership will become a big river, as it runs through Asia and Europe next year." In June 2002, Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush jointly announced the "Partnership for Security and Prosperity," in which they pledged to expand bilateral cooperation to tackle global challenges. Beginning today, Japan and the United States will strengthen their joint efforts to tackle the water issue. The U.S. will provide more than $970 million over the next three years to improve access to water and sanitation, promote watershed management and proper hygiene practices, and increase the productivity of water. In addition to grant support, the U.S. will provide local currency investment guarantees to encourage private investment in water services. Examples of activities include the "West Africa Water Initiative," the "Urban Water Initiative," and the "Clean Water Investment Guarantee" program. Japan has provided more than 40 million people access to safe drinking water and sanitation in the past five years. These efforts will continue with Japan's initiative to improve access to safe and stable water and sanitary sewage systems. Japan will implement its grant and loan aid as well as technical cooperation for this purpose in close cooperation with local municipalities, NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and the business sector. Japan and the U.S. plan to strengthen their cooperation and pursue joint or parallel projects whenever possible. To facilitate these efforts, the governments will establish a working group to discuss next steps and to formulate concrete proposals towards the Third World Water Forum and the Forum's International Ministerial Conference. Japan and the United States encourage other governments, international organizations, NGOs and private industries to join as partners in this initiative.

26. U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS SUMMIT HAS RAISED AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE MINISTERS REACH AGREEMENT ON ALL MAJOR ISSUES

Washington File

3 September 2002

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02090308.htm

Johannesburg -- The top U.S. environmental official says the World Summit on Sustainable Development has helped to raise the awareness of people around the world to the importance of taking action to alleviate poverty and protect the world environment.

Christie Whitman, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a delegate at the summit, told reporters September 3 that the focus on these issues would not have been the same "if there had not been a world summit -- if you hadn't gotten world leaders, if you hadn't gotten delegates from around the world here to hammer out" an agreement. Whitman's remarks came after an agreement was reached September 2 by high-level ministers -- following several around-the-clock meetings -- on all the outstanding issues in the summit's 71-page plan of action. The plan of action is a non-binding text that is expected to shape the environmental agenda for the next decade.

The plan of action is expected to be formally approved at the end of the 10-day summit on September 4, along with a statement of commitment by world leaders to the principles of sustainable development. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to arrive in Johannesburg on September 3 and to address the summit early on September 4, as well as to meet with leaders attending the summit.

The ministers attending the summit agreed on action plan programs to halve the number of people who do not have access to clean water and proper sanitation, to come up with better trade and aid deals for developing countries, to maintain the world's biodiversity and protect the global environment, and to emphasize the need for good governance to achieve sustainable development, among other steps.

"It may seem on the surface that the text doesn't do as much as some people would have liked, but it is very significant ... and it does help focus people and raise awareness," Whitman said. Assistant Secretary of State John Turner called the plan of action "a very positive statement and a message of hope to impoverished areas of the world." He added that agreement on the action plan reinforces the important work begun at the Doha trade ministerial in November 2001, which among other things launched a new round on agricultural trade liberalization, and at the financing for development conference in Monterrey, Mexico, in March of this year, where heads of states and governments from developed and developing countries vowed to work in partnership to boost financial flows. Turner said the U.S. delegation was also pleased that negotiators in Johannesburg agreed to emphasize the role of good governance in achieving sustainable development. He called this agreement a new compact, for both developing and developed countries, which recognizes that economic development assistance can be successful only if linked to sound policies in developing countries. "It's the realization that we can't have sustainability if we have violence, if we have corruption, if we don't have rule of law, and if the public doesn't participate in the decisionmaking process. That recognition has been a real breakthrough," he said. Summit negotiators have also reached agreement on renewable energy sources, one of the major stumbling blocks in the action plan. The agreed text includes a commitment to "urgently" increase the global share of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, with the objective of increasing their contribution to total energy supply. It sets no percentage target or target date. The European Union had been pushing for a target of 15 percent of global energy coming from renewable sources by 2015. The United States opposed the setting of targets, judging them unrealistic and arbitrary.

Turner said the U.S. delegation was very pleased with the final energy package. "The United States has worked very hard in molding that package, which I think is an excellent statement underlying that energy is an absolute essential component for lifting people out of poverty," he said. "The energy package ... recognizes that different countries will have to build energy security based on different strategies and different fuels to meet their needs, rather than demanding one narrow technological approach." Summit delegates have also agreed that partnerships are the best way to implement the plan of action. The United Nations has received about 220 proposals for development, poverty alleviation and environmental protection projects calling for partnerships between governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations. The United States announced several proposed partnerships during the summit, including one that pledges $970 million from the U.S. government over three years that would leverage another $1,600 million from the private sector to expand access to clean water and sanitation services, and another proposing a U.S. government investment of $43 million in 2003 to leverage about $400 million from government and private sources to provide millions of people with new access to energy services and reduce respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution. Calling the present model of development "fruitful for the few, but flawed for the many," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he hoped the world summit would mark the opening to a new approach that includes responsibility, partnerships and implementation. In remarks delivered September 2 at the opening meeting of more than 100 world leaders attending the summit, Annan said that action starts with governments. "But governments cannot do it alone," he said. "Civil society groups have a critical role, as partners, advocates and watchdogs. So do commercial enterprises. Without the private sector, sustainable development will remain only a distant dream."

27. WORLD SUMMIT MAY PRODUCE AGREEMENT ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, U.S. MAKES STRONG GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL AT JOHANNESBURG MEETING

Washington File

30 August 2002

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02083002.htm

Johannesburg, South Africa -- The G-77 bloc of developing countries and China are showing signs they will agree to U.S.-proposed language for an international plan of implementation on good domestic governance, a member of the U.S. delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) said. In a meeting with reporters August 30 in Johannesburg, Kelly Johnson, deputy assistant attorney general for environmental and natural resources at the Department of Justice, said the United States hopes these countries can agree to "strong and clear language" that calls on countries to strengthen their laws, institutions and enforcement, fight corruption, ensure transparency, and promote public access to information, decision-making and justice. "The bulk of the responsibility for good governance is with national governments," particularly those that wish to receive more foreign aid, said Sichan Siv, U.S. representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council at the same meeting. Good governance requires cooperation at all levels of government -- local, state and national, added John Garner, mayor of Hempstead, New York, and vice president of the United States Conference of Mayors, at the meeting. Following is the text of Johnson's prepared remarks:

Opening Remarks of  Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kelly Johnson Environment and Natural Resources Division

U.S. Department of Justice World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg, South Africa August 30, 2002

The United States firmly believes that good domestic governance is key to achieving sustainable development. By domestic governance, we refer to a broad range of issues that support the ability of governments and the public to make sound decisions about and act in the interest of promoting sustainable development at the national level. These include:

  • Effective institutions
     

  • Education, science and technology for decision-making
     

  • Public access to information about laws, policies and environmental releases
     

  • Stakeholder participation in governmental decisions
     

  • Public access to justice

The United States has proposed strong and clear language in a draft Plan of Implementation which would call on all parties to strengthen their laws, institutions and enforcement, fight corruption, ensure transparency, and promote public access to information, decision-making and justice. This position directly supports principles agreed in 1992 at [the first World Summit in] Rio [in 1992], is consistent with consensus reached at [the March 2002 UN Financing for Development conference in] Monterrey, and is reflected in a wide variety of U.S. laws, programs and institutions. We continue to press for inclusion of language on good governance and are hopeful of securing positive language in the finally agreed test. (The G-77 [bloc of developing countries] /China has recently shown some signs of being willing to accept such text, even though they have traditionally opposed it. Therefore, success is not guaranteed.) Outside the negotiations the U.S. has been pressing its positions on good domestic governance throughout the summit. We have participated in a number of side events sponsored by nongovernmental organizations and countries on good domestic governance. Prior to the WSSD, we also participated in judicial and enforcement capacity building events sponsored by UNEP [United Nations Environment Program] and other partners. There events were designed to create further opportunities to build capacity for good domestic governance throughout the world after the Summit.

We will continue to press our message on good governance and our positions in the WSSD [World Summit on Sustainable Development] and beyond.

28. U.S. DELEGATION ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUMMIT PROGRESS SAYS DELEGATIONS NEGOTIATING "HARD AND IN GOOD FAITH"

August 27, 2002

Washington File

Internet: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/develop/02082901.htm

The U.S. delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) meeting now through September 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa, issued the following statement August 27 regarding the progress of the summit's negotiations:

Update; Millennium Declaration Goals

Question: How is the World Summit in Johannesburg proceeding? Have there been any preliminary agreements regarding agricultural subsidies, greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, or other environmental concerns?

Answer [by a Senior Member of the U.S. Delegation]: The summit opened officially yesterday. Serious negotiations have begun on outstanding issues in the text of a summit document. Our assessment at this point is that delegations are negotiating hard and in good faith.

We are hopeful that agreement can be reached on a text as early as possible so that delegations can turn their attention to the results-oriented partnerships that we and others are bringing to the summit and that will make a real difference in peoples' lives.

Q: Can you elaborate on Under Secretary Dobriansky's [Paula Dobrianski, under secretary of state] reference to the UN Millennium Declaration goals?

A: The internationally agreed 2000 US Millennium Declaration contains key development goals drawn from UN development conferences of the 1990s.

The United States supports the Millennium Declaration's broad political and economic aspirations and the critical development goals set forth in that agreed document.

We expect these goals will be a focus of the Johannesburg summit. Some of these goals are:

  • On poverty: Halve by 2015 the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 per day;
     

  • On hunger: Halve by 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger; and
     

  • On safe drinking water: Halve by 2015 the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water.

CANADA

WSSD Web page: http://www.canada2002earthsummit.gc.ca/wssd/index_e.cfm
Press Releases: http://www.canada2002earthsummit.gc.ca/media_room/news_releases_e.cfm

29. A STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE DAVID ANDERSON, P.C., M.P. MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT, GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
4 September 4, 2002
Internet: http://www.canada2002earthsummit.gc.ca/media_room/speech_020904_e.cfm

To summarize the major results of the Summit, I want to put the whole event in context. Why did the world come here? Why did Canada come here? Because the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 set visionary goals, not the implementation roadmap to achieve those goals.

Rio gave us key framework conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification. It set out the concept of sustainable development in Agenda 21. But Rio couldn't give us a detailed roadmap.  So, we needed to focus on implementation - how to achieve those goals. We needed to focus on integration - how to get everyone in our societies and economies and in our international institutions working together to achieve those goals. The emphasis on implementation and integration meant a different Summit than Rio. Certainly, we addressed issues of sustainable development in the Plan of Implementation and the Summit Declaration. For example, we set new targets for access to sanitation, the production and use of toxic chemicals and on biological diversity. We also made sure that existing commitments were reinforced. Canada stood up successfully for human rights as an essential part of the sustainable development equation. I know that many people went into this Summit wondering about Canada's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and to action on climate change. The Prime Minister made our view clear when he told the Summit that we will ask Parliament to vote on ratification before the end of the year. Our approach to implementing our Kyoto commitments will be based on our extensive consultations over the past five years with provinces and stakeholders. But those elements were only part of the outcome. Implementation and integration also were the point of the official side events like the local government session. They were the point of so many of the innovations and examples on display at the Ubuntu Village and the WaterDome. Many Canadians came here to show how we are helping to create the roadmap I talked about, piece by piece. We had a strong presence from Canadian businesses that are using innovative ideas and investing in a cleaner, healthier future. We had provinces and territories, Aboriginal leaders, municipalities, community-based organizations and many others who demonstrated their own contributions. They came to learn from others and to build partnerships, so we can all fill in more pieces of the roadmap to the future. The Government of Canada came to WSSD with our own specific objectives. The Prime Minister pointed out in his address to the plenary that our goal was, "to achieve a global consensus on the concrete steps we must take together to fulfill our most fundamental shared duty: creating a cleaner and healthier world for our children and for generations to come." Those three elements: "Concrete steps", a "shared duty" and a "cleaner and healthier world" drove our efforts here in Johannesburg.

WSSD achieved what we hoped it would. WSSD was a success. Now I should turn to some of the highlights of the Summit.

ADDRESSING THE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

I want to begin with the international development aspects the WSSD agenda. I want to pay particular attention to a new and crucially important factor that has emerged in the past two years - the visionary leadership of key African heads of state, with our host, President Mbeki, central to this effort. These leaders have demonstrated a commitment to one of the keys to sustainable development - good domestic governance and respect for the rule of law. Prime Minister Chrétien, as you know, is devoting his year as G8 chair to support this effort and ensure it becomes broadly entrenched as a pillar of development and poverty eradication. I say poverty eradication because it has been a fundamental theme to this conference. A focus on good governance, partnerships and country-driven approaches that respond to local priorities and perspectives are at the heart of the work we have been engaged in over the past 10 days. So has the focus on impediments to development, particularly agricultural subsidies. We took a step forward in agreeing on the need for action in the Doha round of talks through the World Trade Organization.

MAKING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A REALITY ON THE GROUND

A major element in our expectations for WSSD was making sustainable development a reality on the ground. And that often means partnerships, as I said that the beginning of my remarks. There are still people who see every issue in terms of what governments should do and what government should make others do. They want governments way out in front, dragging others along - like it or not.

The truth is governments are part of a dynamic trio with the private sector and the non-governmental sector. Everyone in this trio has good, innovative ideas, energy, commitment and financial and human resources to put to the task. For example, the strong involvement of Canadian businesses here shows how much they have become part of the solution through innovations, investments and partnerships.

Indeed, so much of what we accomplished was in the new partnerships that were launched and the experiences and innovations that people shared. The Prime Minister announced that Canada will extend our Sustainable Cities Initiative. Canadian partners will expand their work with partners in cities in developing countries and Central and Eastern Europe to identify and act on local sustainability priorities.

My colleague, Minister Whelan announced that Canada would contribute to a number of partnerships, especially in Africa, aimed at sustainable development and poverty reduction. She pledged our support for sustainable development initiatives in the Nile Basin on for agricultural projects, for example. I helped to announce a partnership with the United States, other developed countries, a number of developing countries and other partners for improved air quality in developing countries. And if you went to the Ubuntu Village or the WaterDome, you had a chance to see an incredible range of projects. For example, there was a children's playground ride, the kind that kids push to get going then they jump on as it spins, that also pumps water. Kids playing can pump the same amount of water it would take a woman half a day to get. Canadian municipalities were here showing how they are moving to cleaner energy. We had people showing innovative approaches to natural resources.

INTEGRATING HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

I want to underline that many of the practical results of WSSD integrated actions on the environment with actions to improve the health of people. But those commitments only work if we have the science and the tools to deliver. So, we saw a range of partnerships that will put the tools in place to deliver on those commitments. We agreed on tools to help countries and communities deal with their health and environment priorities. For example, Canada provided $3 million to launch a new partnership to improve knowledge and understanding about the links between the health of the environment and the health of people. The impact will be better policies and more effective actions.

Canada also increased support for the UNEP Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) water program, headquartered in Burlington, Ontario by $1.5 million over three years. The result will be improved water quality monitoring and assessment in many countries.

These and other outcomes built on the work Canada helped to lead well before the Summit such as the meeting of the Health and Environment Ministers of the Americas in Ottawa in March and the G8 Environment Ministers meeting in Banff in April.

STRENGTHENING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The third area of results that I want to mention was our work to strengthen the environmental pillar of sustainable development.

We have seen growing attention to the need to take the environment into account in development. African leaders specifically highlighted this in their New Partnership for Africa's Development last year, because they recognize the price to be paid for environmental degradation for their peoples. We addressed a long-standing issue when Canada played a major role in working out a deal on biological diversity. The first part is to start work towards an international regime on how to ensure an appropriate sharing of the benefits of the genetic diversity of the world's plants and how to ensure access to that diversity. The second part was a target of 2010 to get a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss. We are very pleased with these outcomes. That decision fits with the Prime Minister's announcement in his WSSD address that we will add new national parks and new marine conservation areas as we work to complete our national park system and meet our commitments on protected areas. We also got agreement on how to build a stronger voice for the environment in the United Nations system - including a stronger United Nations Environment Programme. For our part, Canada more than doubled our annual contribution to UNEP to help it play the role our environment needs.

HUMAN RIGHTS

There was much more that the Government of Canada did here and that Canadians did here. But I want to close with one last item - respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Canada faced stiff opposition and procedural game-playing on this issue until early on the final morning of the Summit. But we succeeded. Human rights are a cornerstone of the UN Charter. As the Prime Minister said in his plenary address, they are a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. This applies across the board. In the case of access to health services, there was a particular poignancy to getting it right. We were determined that this Summit would not become the one where the rollback of human rights began. I am proud of the role Canada played in ensuring all the nations of the world, in the end, were able to mobilize around a consensus protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. That consensus is a foundation of all our efforts to implement and integrate sustainable development through concrete actions. It was the right note to end our negotiations and finalize the work of a successful Summit.  

30. COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS SUSTAINABLE MINING

Natural Resources Canada

3 September 2002

Internet: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/css/imb/hqlib/2002102e.htm

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - The Government of Canada, in partnership with South Africa, today announced a Global Dialogue on sustainable development in the minerals and metals sector as follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). This is the first time that governments have agreed to discuss, at the global level, environmental, social and economic issues relevant to the minerals and metals sector. "The sustainable development of minerals and metals can contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation in both developed and developing countries," said the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "Canada has worked hard to put this critical aspect of sustainable development on the world agenda, and we are pleased with the interest in this global dialogue." Governments with an interest in mining will address a range of issues covering the entire life cycle of minerals and metals, including building capacity, encouraging transparent taxation and investment policies, developing sustainable communities, contributing to poverty alleviation, and protecting the environment. Stakeholders will be encouraged to participate. A global, high-level meeting is planned for 2003, at which time governments will determine the format of the Dialogue. The Global Dialogue will complement processes taking place at the regional level in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa. It will also take into account industry-based activities such as the Global Mining Initiative, which was a project undertaken by the mining industry to examine how it could best contribute to the transition to sustainable patterns of economic development, as well as work by other stakeholders. As one of his first acts as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister Dhaliwal promoted the Global Dialogue with his African counterparts during his visit to South Africa in February 2002. In addition to Canada and South Africa, the following countries are founding partners: Namibia, other members of the Southern African Development Community (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe), Mexico, Morocco, Peru and the Philippines. Indonesia and the Dominican Republic also declared at the WSSD that they wish to be acknowledged as supporters. Also today, the Government of Canada launched a new Web site - http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/sociprac - that catalogues social practices in the Canadian minerals and metals industry. The Web site will contribute to the understanding and implementation of the social dimension of sustainable development. The announcement of the Global Dialogue and the Web site launch are part of a series of events held to mark the "Sustainable Development of Natural Resources" theme day at the Canadian pavilion at the Ubuntu Village in Johannesburg.  The Government of Canada's participation builds on its commitments to ensuring a clean, healthy environment and supporting research and development, which are essential elements of quality of life.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is leading Canada's delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development during the High-Level Session. He is being supported by Environment Minister David Anderson, International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie) Denis Paradis. At WSSD, Canada is focusing on four key areas: health and environment; partnerships; African development; and international sustainable development governance.

31. CANADA'S POSITION ON HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS

2 September 2002
Internet: http://www.canada2002earthsummit.gc.ca/media_room/backgrounder_020902_b_e.cfm

Canada is determined that human rights have a full place in the decisions made at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). In particular, Canada is working to ensure the WSSD agreement on health and sustainable development in the Draft Plan of Implementation (Paragraph 47) includes an explicit reference to the need for countries to take action "in conformity with all human rights and fundamental freedoms". Although other countries support Canada's position on this issue, it is being claimed this matter cannot be addressed because the text was supposedly agreed upon and it is contrary to UN procedures to "re-open the text", despite the fact the Canadian wording or similar wording is widely used in international agreements. Canada sees this as a broad and fundamental matter of strong and unwavering international commitment to human rights. Canada will continue to press strongly for the inclusion of human rights wording in WSSD decisions.

32. CANADA JOINS INTERNATIONAL TREATY CONTROLLING TRADE IN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES

29 August 2002

Internet: http://www.canada2002earthsummit.gc.ca/media_room/news_releases_020829-2_e.cfm

JOHANNESBURG, August 29, 2002 - Environment Minister David Anderson today announced Canada's accession to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.

With accession, a process similar to ratification, Canada is implementing new regulations effective December 2002 that place tighter controls on exports of designated hazardous chemicals and pesticides. In particular, exports will require the prior informed consent of the countries destined to receive them as well as federal government agreement. "This decision is an excellent example of practical action and cooperation between industrialized and developing countries," said Minister Anderson. "Canada will be more readily able to safely manage and refuse exports of hazardous industrial chemicals and pesticides. The Convention is an important tool, particularly for developing nations, so that they may decide which chemicals they want to receive and to exclude those that they cannot manage safely." Canada's accession represents another example of the government's successful partnership with industry to set up processes that allow economic progress and ensure respect for the environment. "Most Canadian chemical manufacturers have been voluntarily following the prior informed consent procedure since it was first drafted," said Minister Anderson. "Now we have a legally-binding procedure to show our commitment to the world." Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is leading Canada's delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) during the High-Level Session. He is being supported by Environment Minister Anderson, International Cooperation Minister Whelan and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie) Denis Paradis. At WSSD, Canada is focusing on four key areas: health and environment; partnerships; African development; and international sustainable development governance.

33. GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INCREASES FUNDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME AND ITS WATER QUALITY PROGRAM

29 August 2002

Internet: http://www.canada2002earthsummit.gc.ca/media_room/news_releases_020829_e.cfm

JOHANNESBURG, August 29, 2002 - Canadian Environment Minister David Anderson and Canadian Minister of International Cooperation Susan Whelan today announced Government of Canada funding to strengthen international environmental protection. Canada is increasing its contribution to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) by $5.7 million over four years, more than double its current contribution, to influence environmental governance. Canada is also increasing its support for UNEP's Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) Water Program in Burlington, Ontario by $1.5 million over three years. "Over the past year and a half, as President of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council, I have led work with environment ministers from around the world," said Minister Anderson. "We determined how we can achieve more results from the international environmental agreements, programs and activities that already exist. We agreed that a stronger UNEP has to be one part of the answer; more support for science and knowledge has to be another. Canada is backing that up with investments in both." "Canada recognizes that a sustainable way of life for all nations must be based on the effective and environmentally responsible use of natural, human and economic resources," International Cooperation Minister Whelan said. "Canada's support for UNEP will help developing countries address global environmental challenges such as wildlife conservation, the impacts of global warming, protecting water resources and coping with land degradation." Minister Anderson and UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer, who joined Minister Anderson for today's announcement, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining Canada's increased contribution of $500,000 annually for three years for the GEMS/Water Program. The GEMS/Water Program improves water quality monitoring and assessment capabilities in participating countries. It determines water quality status and trends internationally. The additional funding more than doubles Canada's current contribution of $450,000 per year to GEMS/Water. This reflects Canada's commitment to building the science and knowledge necessary for effective policies. Dr. Toepfer expressed his appreciation for the additional commitment from the Government of Canada. "We believe that UNEP is going to have an increasingly important role in turning the decisions made here at WSSD into action. This new support from Canada will play a valuable role in generating results."

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is leading Canada's delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) during the High-Level Session. He is being supported by Environment Minister Anderson, International Cooperation Minister Whelan and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie) Denis Paradis. At WSSD, Canada is focusing on four key areas: health and environment; partnerships; African development; and international sustainable development governance.

34. CANADA SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

31 August 2002

Internet: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/dccfe1952450f552852568db00555b47/29086221b3fd99cf85256c2500635600?OpenDocument

Johannesburg (South Africa) - Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced that Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will contribute $28.5 million to help Africans improve their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities. Today's announcement will help to boost agricultural production in Ghana and Ethiopia, improve social housing in South Africa, and foster economic growth and employment in the Southern Africa region.  "Having a job, food to eat, and a place to live - these are all key to reducing poverty and improving the well-being of people in Africa," Minister Whelan said. "People in developing countries need the experience and expertise to carry out initiatives that will create jobs and economic growth. They need to improve their agricultural resources and technologies to increase their food security. They also need their governments and communities to recognize shelter as a human right. Canada is helping the governments and populations of African countries to gain the skills and technology they need to make development in Africa sustainable."  Minister Whelan is in South Africa to participate in the World Summit for Sustainable Development, being held in Johannesburg from August 26 to September 4, 2002. Sustainable development is about balancing human, economic, and environmental priorities, an approach that brings about a higher quality of life and better access to life's necessities for more individuals and communities all over the planet. Agriculture has been identified by the United Nations as a priority at the Summit talk.  "Improving skills and sharing knowledge will help African countries better use and conserve their natural and economic resources," Minister Whelan said. "Well-managed and productive agricultural and economic activities and social services are essential to sustainable development practices and key to providing for the needs of people today and in the future."  Funding for initiatives such as these was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

The funding announced today will support the following initiatives:

  • $12 million over 6.5 years to help three key Amhara National Regional State government institutions (Ethiopia) - the Commission for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Rehabilitation Amhara Region, the Bureau of Agriculture, and the Amhara Region Agricultural Research Institute - as well as local farmer associations to develop and promote the sustainable use of water for irrigation. This initiative will train government technical staff and officials in technical and organizational skills - how to plan, design, build, and manage water harvesting and irrigation schemes. It will improve the facilities and provide equipment for the Amhara institutions. Agricultural techniques and technologies will be developed and taught to farmers, and water users associations will be set up and their members trained in water conservation and irrigation methods.
     

  • $10 million to Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as key national research institutes working in the north of Ghana through PARTNERS in Rural Development and Agriteam Canada Consulting Ltd. to improve access to and use of agricultural information and technology by local low-income and resource-poor farm households, agro-processors, marketers and communities. This initiative will help local farmers and farming communities to integrate their needs into Ghanaian institutional agendas and priorities - making sure that the farmers themselves participate in identifying, developing and adopting more diversified, sustainable, and appropriate agricultural technologies to help improve farm and household management.
     

  • $4.2 million to the South Africa Banking Council to help stimulate private sector investment in the Southern Africa region to foster economic growth and employment. The Banking Council will work to strengthen the capacity of Southern African governments, development agencies, and financial institutions to design, assess, market and carry out public-private partnership investment initiatives. This initiative will also help to develop public-private partnership training programs that will be taught in local institutions throughout the region. In Southern Africa, public-private partnerships are an important part of encouraging foreign investment in the region and promoting greater social and economic equity.
     

  • $2.3 million to Rooftops Canada to help deliver subsidized housing to low-income groups in South Africa. This initiative will provide Canadian technical assistance to a number of local authorities, non-governmental organizations, and trade unions that are innovators in social housing delivery in South Africa. They will be better able to develop and manage an increasing number of housing units. Other key stakeholders will have access to technical assistance to integrate social, economic and environmental sustainability, gender equality, youth engagement and HIV/AIDS prevention and responses into social housing projects. This assistance will include: local, regional and international exchanges and training placements; the expertise of local consultants; and, Canadian technical know-how.

JAPAN

Ministry of Foreign Affairs WSSD Web page: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/wssd/index.html

35. OPENING STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER JUNICHIRO KOIZUMI AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3 September 2002

Internet: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/wssd/2002/kinitiative5.html

I came to this Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), to join other distinguished world leaders in addressing the challenge of defining what must be done in order to ensure sustainable development for all. We had our consultations under the strong leadership of President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mmbeki of the Republic of South Africa and I trust that tomorrow afternoon, with the formal adoption of the relevant documents, the meeting will conclude successfully. I am most gratified that such results are being achieved.

At this Summit I strongly and repeatedly appealed to the gathering that the greatest cause for Japan's development to date, although the country does not have much natural resources, is due to human resource development. Japan, also in the process of its growth, suffered serious pollutions. So, behind the successful history of growth and development, we also cannot disregard this experience in mistakes of serious pollution. How are we to overcome such serious environmental pollution and achieve both environmental protection and development? This is a question that is not just for Japan, not just for developing countries and not just for the developed world. It is a challenge for all peoples around the world, for all countries on all continents of this globe.  Cognizant of this, Japan wishes to share both the examples of successes as well as failures of Japan's own experience, so that peoples in developing countries will not again repeat the mistakes that Japan committed in the past. This is another point that I stressed. Japan, also, throughout has exercised its leadership in drawing up and concluding the Kyoto Protocol because of this philosophy. Building on this philosophy, at the gathering I also appealed strongly for the early conclusion of the Kyoto Protocol and stepped-up efforts against global warming.  To reduce poverty, in the first instance, the developing countries themselves must achieve good governance, promote the liberalization and promotion of trade and investment and act on development with ownership. The international community also needs to extend its helping as an equal partner. In doing this, we must recognize that there are ways that are suitable for each country, ways that may not be suitable in other countries that might be suitable in a particular country. We should respect the ownership of each country, each recipient of assistance, and provide assistance. This is Japan's assistance philosophy. In general I believe that Japan's philosophy has gained the understanding and the concurrence of other countries. As a result, these views will be reflected in the result of the Summit meeting and I am most gratified.

Johannesburg should also be oriented, before anything else, towards concrete action. That is why Japan is determined to provide US$2 billion in education assistance and also human resource development in the environmental protection area for 5,000 people over a five-year period. These items constitute the so-called Koizumi Initiative.  Also, on the occasion of the Summit meeting, in the wings of the meeting I also had bilateral meetings, one-on-one meetings, with President Thabo Mmbeki, as well as Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations, and engaged in very useful exchanges of views on the questions related with environment and development.  There will be no world stability and prosperity in the 21st century without the resolution of the problems in Africa, where poverty in particular, is particularly acute. This is a matter that my predecessor Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori stressed from time-to-time, and I also wish to stress this point. Japan should like to make use of its ability as much as possible in the interest of sustainable development on our planet. And through cooperation with the various countries concerned, we should like to see to it that each country will play its part in making in this a reality.

I would like to express my gratitude to President Thabo Mbeki and to the people of South Africa, as well as all of the people involved in organizing this Summit meeting for all of their efforts. Thank you very much.

36. STATEMENT BY MR. KAORU ISHIKAWA, AMBASSADOR FOR CIVIL SOCIETY, JAPAN IN THE 6TH PLENARY MEETING ON THE THEME OF WATER AND SANITATION, INCLUDING AN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION

World Summit on Sustainable Development

28 August 2002

Internet: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/wssd/2002/press/0828.html

Thank you, Madame Chair, Japan came to Johannesburg for solidarity. I am going to share with you, Japanese experiences on Water and Sanitation. In doing so, I will talk not only on successes but also mainly on failures, because failures give us more lessons than successes. Let me start from three success stories.  First, Japan is an archipelago, two thirds of which is covered by steep mountains. Terrible typhoons, or cyclones, attack every year in summer and early autumn, before the arrival of harsh snowy winter. These natural conditions obliged us to be wise in how to ensure regular distribution of water. Rice paddy terrace fields have been an answer to this question. Since thousand years ago, through the work of paddy terrace fields, community-based consensus building mechanism established rules on water right among stakeholders.  Second, typhoon also causes flood, and flood causes not only material damages but also infectious diseases. Flood control works need to be examined from this view point as well.  Third, after the defeat of the World War II, the first two things we did on the ashes were to rebuild schools and to build simplified yet quickly realizable water distribution system in rural areas. This simple and quick system enhanced public health and also gave more free time to women, which led to women's participation in socio-economic and political activities.  Now, let me talk on the other side of coin. Indeed, between mid 1950's and early 70's, Japan suffered from terrible water pollution. Minamata disease caused by mercury, Itai-itai disease by cadmium. These horrible diseases were caused by discharge of heavy metals from a chemical factory and a mining company. Fortunately, now clear water and blue sea are back. But, imagine high cost we spent to repair all this, including human life.  Dear Delegates,  Please come to Ubuntu Village tomorrow at 10:30 in Japan Pavilion. Seminar on the Japanese experiences of pollution will be held. Documentary video will be shown, followed by discussion, to share with you what was wrong and what should have been done instead. Japan, as a true friend, certainly will continue to extend hand of solidarity to developing partners and friends, not to repeat our mistakes.  In fact, these experiences gave us conviction that Japan must lead the way in water and sanitation sectors. Based on this conviction, we have been extending huge development assistance in water and sanitation sectors. For example, more than 1.8 billion US dollars in water and sanitation sectors were afforded from Japan in year 2000 alone. These Japanese 1.8 billion US dollars represented 54% of the total assistance extended by DAC member countries. It is obvious, Madame Chair, that Japan alone cannot fulfill all the needs of the world. That is why we support 3 partnerships.  First, among stakeholders, government, private sector, NGOs, civil society, etc. with concrete action and clear role of each of them. Second, partnership between the water sector and other sectors: water is multifaceted; water is closely related to poverty, growth, food supply, biodiversity, health, education, etc. I cannot cite all. Third, cooperation between countries and here I would like to reiterate the importance of sharing each others' experiences.  Madame Chair, The Third World Water Forum will be held in Kyoto, Shiga and Osaka in Japan next March. It is an important opportunity to follow up Johannesburg. I, together with Govenor Kunimatsu sitting next to me here, sincerely hope that we can meet you again there and to see concrete actions.  Thank you, Madame Chair.

37. PRESS CONFERENCE, AUGUST 26, 2002 AT WSSD BY KAORU ISHIKAWA

Deputy Director-General, Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

26 August 2002

Internet: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/wssd/2002/press/0826.html

Introduction Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Thank you very much indeed for your coming to my press conference in spite of your busy schedule..  I would like to share with you today Japanese strategy to realize nation building and sustainable development, and her concrete actions in the context of international solidarity.

1. BASIC STRATEGY FOR NATION BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

(1) HOPE

In my country, there is an old saying as follows: "People is the stone wall of castle, in fact people is castle itself." As you may have heard of, my country has no natural resources and built our nation based on human resources. This is why we are optimistic about nation building of many of our partners.  I may draw your attention to the flow chart on the screen. As you see here, to build a nation, peace and security are the basic starting point to build a better future. At the same time, people should not go to jail unless he or she breached law, and there should be no confiscation of goods without rule of law. In such a society, ordinary people will be able to think about the next day or next year, because predictability is there. Ordinary people will realize political and economic participation, which means free election and entrepreneurship.  Thus, ordinary people can have hope. He and she may think that 'Tomorrow can be better than today'. Indeed, this HOPE is the strongest motivation for life.  Ordinary people motivated by hope may invest in future that is education, take care of their own and other's health, respect their partner that is gender, and will speak using modern technology as necessary. This will lead to materialize people's empowerment and ownership.  BUT, here we must remind ourselves of the sad historical facts that I call historical handicap, imposed by external factors during centuries especially in this continent. Most unfortunately, there are also geographical handicaps, if I may call so, such as tropical diseases. These are the reasons among others why we must extend hand of solidarity to developing countries. It is especially so in Africa, where countries decided to launch NEPAD, based on ownership and partnership.  My country highly appreciate the courageous decision and will support NEPAD. In fact, the spirit of NEPAD is in line with TICAD, Tokyo International Conference on African Development launched in early 1990's, when western countries were talking about aid fatigue.  Indeed since Rio Summit, Japan alone has been supporting one fifth of total world ODA. Some years it was one fifth, the others more than one fourth..  In this context, I personally welcome that those countries which reduced ODA since Rio Summit talking and justifying themselves by a notion of 'aid fatigue', are now coming back to the scene.. 

(2) CONCRETE ACTIONS

Japan is also an action-oriented country. With no natural resources, the only way to build our nation was concrete actions led by people, as I said earlier.  Now, if you could look at the upper row of the conceptual flow chart, you will see the importance we put on water and science. You may be aware that in March next year, Japan will host the 3rd Water Forum and related ministerial meeting in Kyoto. We all know that the four largest ancient civilizations were all born thanks to water, and modern civilization is based on science. In Ubuntu village you can see concrete projects on science. We are also launching an energy education campaign following WSSD.  Economic sectors in the flow chart reflect the reality, for example 70% of labor force is in agriculture. We have been supporting since several years a development experiment of hybrid rice between Asian rice and African rice, and now we have successful result. WARDA, West Africa Rice Development Association in Cote d'Ivoire is promoting the New Rice for Africa or NERICA with Japanese support both in terms of finance and technology. Some of the main characteristics of NERICA are: high yield (three times more than African rice), dry resistant, resistant to insects and weed competitive, quick growth (30-50 days) giving crops in Western Africa in August. August is the most difficult month for the local farmers in Western Africa. We are now moving forward to a new stage of expanding the new rice together with local farmers. Needless to mention, NERICA is not a GMO.  Forest certainly is another sector, which we will push forward concrete actions, in this case with Indonesians.

Transportation sector is important infrastructure, not only for farmers but also for the whole economy. It is also an important sector for environment, and you can visit Japan Pavilion in Ubuntu Village to see environmentally friendly cars, which is very well sold in Japanese market. This is to show that environmentally friendly technology is not a dream but a reality.  I will not mention all of the sectors because of the time constraint, but I would like to emphasize that our actions are based on this kind of strategic approach.  Thus we will be able to realize recycling society, and also robust growth with equity.

2. KOIZUMI INITIATIVES

Prime Minister Koizumi in his inauguration speech mentioned a historical episode in Japan about hundred barrels of rice. A defeated clan in Meiji revolution war was starving and received hundred barrels of rice from their supporters. Instead of eating, they sold them and with the money gained they built a school from which many legendary leaders later graduated.  Three pillars of KOIZUMI initiatives are all centered around human capacity building, based on our conviction that ordinary people is the treasure of a nation and in fact they are the protagonists of sustainable development.  They are: (i) People and Hope: we propose "the decade of education for sustainable development" to be declared in the United Nations so that each and every child of the world become sustainable development conscious. We will further continue our 3 billion dollars 5 year health initiatives launched in Okinawa two years ago, to fight back HIV, TB and malaria.

(ii) Ownership and Solidarity: we will train thousands of trade samurai in developing countries. We will extend training plan for AU integration.  (iii) Today's complacency, Tomorrow's plight: this is to enhance environmental preservation through human capacity building of 5000 persons. Of course we will continue to pursue diplomatic leadership for the entry into force of Kyoto Protocol.

In other words, we also believe in the African wisdom saying that "To learn how to catch fish is more important than to receive fish." 

Please refer to the paper on KOIZUMI initiatives, which I distributed for you.   One emergency is the starvation in Southern Africa. Japan offers 30 million US Dollars to seven affected countries.  My last comment is about the sharing of experiences. Japan had nothing left in August 1945, because almost all cities and town were in ashes because of carpet bombing. We had to rebuild our nation in a great hurry, and the first thing we did was to reconstruct schools. That was a good decision. Wrong side of the coin of the economic miracle was pollution. In the mid 1950's, through 1960's and early 70's, our once beautiful archipelago became a kind of collection of pollution of water, air and soil. We paid very high price including human life. We will show all these mistakes and lessons learnt in a seminar to be held in Ubuntu village Japan Pavilion, on Thursday 29th at 10:30. After the seminar, video will be continuously shown there all day long until the end of WSSD. This is to tell our developing friend: Dear friend, do not repeat our mistakes. We will help you as necessary to chose another way to realize growth, i.e. sustainable development where environmental objectives and development goals can be both realized.

This is the real friendship. We are happy to be the real friend of the developing world. 

Thank you for your attention.

38. KOIZUMI INITIATIVE (CONCRETE ACTIONS OF JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO BE TAKEN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - TOWARDS GLOBAL SHARING)

21 August 2002

Internet: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/environment/wssd/2002/kinitiative.html

1. BASIC CONCEPT

In order to realize sustainable development, simultaneous achievement of development and environmental protection is indispensable.

All governments, organizations and stakeholders should share their understanding, strategies, responsibility, experiences, and information. "Global Sharing" (Equal Partnership) It is important to pursue concrete action in order to implement the existing agreements based on Doha, Monterrey, etc. towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  Japan will implement the following concrete measures in order to assist the self-help efforts of developing countries (ownership), while seeking to expand partnership within the international community.

2. IMPORTANT AREAS AND CONCRETE MEASURES

Japan's Own Initiative (New)

Japan's Own Initiative (Continued)

Initiatives based on partnership (New)

1) PEOPLE AND HOPE (HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT) -

In order to realize sustainable development, it is indispensable that the ordinary people of the world are motivated with hope to make full use of their ability under good governance.

- To that end, human resources development (in the fields of education, health and gender) is an area of the greatest importance. In other words, investing in people and sharing knowledge and technology are the keys to sustainable development.

A) INVESTING IN PEOPLE: "HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IS THE BASIS OF NATION BUILDING"

EDUCATION

Propose " the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development"

Provide assistance totaling more than 250 billion yen (approx. $2 billion) over the next five years for education in low income countries. Promote "Basic Education for Growth Initiative (BEGIN)" (assistance for girl's education, for teacher training, and for science and mathematics education, etc.)

HEALTH

Reinforce efforts to combat infectious and parasitic diseases with the target of allocating a total of $3 billion over a five-year period beginning in FY2000 (Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative)

B) KNOWLEDGE

Share Japan's experiences on tragic pollution and its recovery therefrom as well as its successful experience of cooperation with other Asian countries, with Africa and other regions

Promote the Initiative for Development in East Asia (IDEA) and share East Asia's successful experience of development with other countries and regions

C) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: AS A BREAKTHROUGH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Promote Global Environment Monitoring through the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership and Global Mapping

Implement environmental science & technology cooperation

2) OWNERSHIP AND SOLIDARITY - DEVELOPMENT -

-  Mobilization of various resources (Solidarity) is essential in order for developing countries to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction through self-driven economic growth (Ownership).

A) TRADE & FOREIGN INVESTMENT: Promote trade and private investment to realize sustainable development. (Japan's imports from developing countries amount to about $150 billion per year.)

Expand support for trade-related technical assistance and capacity building by JICA and other bodies

(Hold Japan-WTO Joint Seminars in Geneva. Expand Japan's initiative, announced at UNCTAD X, to provide 2,500 persons from developing countries with trade- related capacity building training in the five-year period from FY2000, to cover 4,500 persons for the same period (2,000 persons added). (including capacity building by AOTS))

Work towards the objective of duty-free and quota-free market access for all least developed countries' products

(Immediately examine to expand coverage under duty-free and quota-free treatment for LDC's products by the revisions of tariff-related laws for the next fiscal year which begins on 1 April 2003.)

Make efforts toward establishing multilateral investment rules

(Establishing multilateral investment rules is crucial for creating an international environment in which investment in developing countries can increase. Japan will take a leading role in establishing such rules.)

Encourage African countries to participate in multilateral trading systems (WTO)

(Welcome the announcement of the intention of African countries to promote the regional integration through the African Union (AU), support such integration by such means as capacity building support, and encourage Africa's further participation in multilateral trading systems (WTO).)

B) ENERGY: Promote efficient and environment-friendly use of limited energy resources, which forms the very basis of economic activities.

Host the 8th International Energy Forum in Osaka towards the end of September (to promote dialogue between energy-producing and consuming countries)

Propose and promote the Energy Literacy Initiative

C) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD: Contribute to improving food security through Green Technology Innovation

Promote the development and dissemination of NERICA (New Rice for Africa)

Extend approx. $30 million grant aid to tackle the food crisis in the southern Africa

D) DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE: Over the past ten years, Japan, as the largest donor country, has provided approximately $120 billion - one fifth of the total ODA contributions of all DAC countries. Japan has extended $4.8 billion - one fourth of the G8 contributions to the enhanced HIPC initiative. Japan continues to play a positive role as a leading donor, while ensuring effective and efficient implementation of ODA.

(It is worth noting that East and Southeast Asian countries, which were poorer than African countries in the 1960's, have experienced rapid growth since then.)

E) AFRICA: "There will be no stability and prosperity in the world in the 21st century, unless the problems of Africa are resolved." Support NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) as a clear indication of Africa's Ownership.

Steadily implement "Solidarity between Japan and Africa - Concrete Actions" -and endeavor to follow up the "G8 Africa Action Plan"

Further strengthen support for Africa through TICAD III

3) TODAY'S COMPLACENCY, TOMORROW'S PLIGHT - ENVIRONMENT -

  • The 21st century will be a time of apocalypse unless the issues of global environmental degradation, which are serious threats to the continued existence of humankind, are tackled now.

A) ENVIRONMENT-RELATED ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: In addressing environmental issues, further enhance environmental cooperations, mainly through ODA, including capacity building in the field of environment.

Establish and announce "Environmental Conservation Initiative for Sustainable Development (EcoISD)"

Implement environment-related human resources development for 5,000 persons in the five-year period beginning in FY 2002

Host "the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan", which has as its theme "Nature's Wisdom"

B) CLIMATE CHANGE: For effective action against global warming, it is important to seek a set of common rules for the future by which all countries, including developing countries, will abide.

Take a leading role for the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol (Japan became a party to the Kyoto Protocol on 4 June 2002.)

Aid capacity building in human resources and sharing of information to promote Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

C) FOREST: Promote sustainable forest management, including tackling illegal logging, in recognition of the many benefits of forests (e.g. preservation of ecology, prevention of global warming, conservation of water, provision of forest products)

Propose and promote Asia Forest Partnership (AFP)

Cooperate on forest conservation and other activities in the Congo Basin area

D) BIODIVERSITY: Contribute to full enjoyment of gifts from natural environment through protection of living organisms in danger of extinction as well as conservation of "hotspots" in various regions.

Intensify the initiative towards conservation of "hotspots"

Work towards early ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity

E) WATER: Progressively work on the issue of water resources from various viewpoints such as drinking water, public health, agriculture, economic activities, natural environment protection and disaster prevention.

Assist in creating safe and stable water supply and development of hygienic facilities

(Japan which has provided safe and stable supply of drinking water and access to hygienic sewage for more than 40 million people in the past five years, continues such efforts. Moreover, promote model projects exploiting water resources, including ground water supplies, and promote the transfer of technology to neighboring countries.

Strengthen co-operation with NGOs and Women

(Support the capacity building for appropriate water resource management (management in cooperation with NGOs, establishment of the management systems by local people, promotion of technical cooperation taking women's role into considerations, etc.)

Convene "the Third World Water Forum" and its International Ministerial Conference in March 2003

F) ENVIRONMENT-RELATED TREATIES: Take a leading role for the early entry into force of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Work toward early ratification of the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.

GERMANY

WSSD Web Pages: http://www.weltgipfel2002.de/ and http://www.bmu.de/english/sustainability/fset800.php

39. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT ADOPTS NEW GOALS AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMMES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND POVERTY ERADICATION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

September 2002

Internet: http://www.bmu.de/english/topics/sustainability/index_johannesburg.php

Commenting on the results of the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin said: "The outcome of the World Summit is a respectable one, even if as expected, we have not achieved all our objectives. Important environmental and development goals were laid down and the route towards implementation mapped out. The decisions are important steps forward, particularly those regarding preservation of biological diversity, chemicals safety and wastewater management. Heavy opposition, particularly from the USA, Japan and the OPEC countries, prevented the setting of specific targets for the consistent development of renewable energies. However, for the first time the international community reached agreement on clearly increasing the global share of renewables and on taking concrete and coordinated measures for improving access to energy and thus reducing of poverty. Regular reviews will be carried out to ensure compliance with the agreement to increase the share of renewables. The Johannesburg Summit corroborates the multilateral approach of environmental and development policy."

The main results of the World Summit include the following:

DRINKING WATER / BASIC SANITATION

The proportion of the world population without access to basic sanitation, especially wastewater management and to safe drinking water will be halved by the year 2015. A specific action programme will implement this objective. This will, for example, prevent the continued daily occurrence of 6000 deaths from the effects of polluted drinking water.

RENEWABLE ENERGIES / ACCESS TO ENERGY

The global share of renewable energies in the total energy supply will be clearly increased and regular reviews carried out in coming years to ensure implementation of this objective. Specific targets could not be set for this due to opposition primarily from the USA, Japan and the OPEC countries. It was agreed to facilitate access to energy especially for people in developing countries. Around two billion people currently have no connection to an electricity supply, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Access to energy is one of the most important prerequisites for economic and social development. In the final phase of the conference, the European Union submitted a declaration of like-minded countries on increasing the share of renewable energies. In this declaration, the signatory states commit themselves to ambitious objectives at global, regional and national level, with clear schedules, for the increased use of renewable energies. Besides the European Union, supporters include a large number of other countries such as Egypt, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic and the group of island states particularly affected by climate change. The international conference on renewable energies, which was announced by federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in Johannesburg, can play an important part in the implementation of this initiative.

CLIMATE PROTECTION

Those countries which have ratified the Kyoto Protocol call expressly on the remaining states to ratify the Protocol too. The USA and Australia reject the Protocol. China, Canada and Russia, however, announced in Johannesburg their intention to ratify. The Protocol can enter into force when Russia has ratified.

TRADE AND GLOBALISATION

Environmentally harmful subsidies will be phased out. It was prevented that international environmental agreements are subordinate to WTO rules. Furthermore, calls were made for effective implementation of inter-state agreements, international initiatives and national regulations with regard to company responsibility.

Closed cycle economy / eco-efficiency

A ten-year framework programme for sustainable consumption and production patterns (eco-efficiency, closed cycle economy, eco-labels, etc.) will be set up.

CHEMICALS

Achieving, by the year 2020, a minimization of the adverse effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.

Biological diversity Aim to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the rate of loss of biological diversity. Furthermore, the Summit decided to commence negotiations aiming at implementing an international regulation for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits in the use of genetic resources.

NATURAL RESOURCES

The loss of natural resources will be stopped as soon as possible.

FISHERIES

Aim to reverse the decline in fish stocks by 2015. This however, could only carried with the addition of a weakening phrase ("where possible, not later than by 2015").

HEALTH SERVICES

The health-care sector should be strengthened. This made it clear that human rights have priority over cultural and religious values.

40. JÜRGEN TRITTIN: RENEWABLE ENERGIES THE KEY FOR A FUTURE-ORIENTED GLOBAL ENERGY SUPPLY

3. September 2002

Internet: http://www.bmu.de/english/topics/sustainability/index_johannesburg.php

Two billion people in the world are not connected to an electricity supply and are thus cut off from any economic development. A drastic development of renewables is imperative in order to solve our energy problems and give energy supply a viable basis for the future. Solar thermal power is one element of this strategy. Countries with high solar radiation have very favourable conditions for the use of solar thermal power plants. An international event hosted by Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin and Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul at the World Summit in Johannesburg examined solar thermal power and the possibilities for increasing power plant efficiency. "Renewable energies and efficient management of energy are pillars of the new direction in energy policy introduced by the Federal Government," said Trittin. " Germany has shown that a new energy policy is possible in a major industrialised country. We must correct our own errors with regard to development, so that the countries of the South do not repeat our mistakes." The Minister added that a drastic development of renewables is needed in order to provide the people of developing countries with access to energy. Solar thermal power plants can also play a role. Such power plants cannot be used in the North. The technical potential for solar thermal power plants is already available. The conditions enabling their use must now be created, through financing and infrastructure measures. Topics such as these formed the discussion at the event, which was also attended by the head of the Global Environment Facility Mohammed El-Ashry, bank representatives and experts in solar energy. The Federal Government is committed to making the use that solar thermal power plants possible. The Federal Environment Ministry presented an international initiative to develop a market introduction strategy for solar thermal power plants. This partnership was initiated by the Federal Environment Ministry. "The development of renewable energies will not only benefit the climate, but also the economy, and will create jobs at a local level," said Trittin. "The use of solar thermal power plants can give countries with high solar radiation independence from expensive energy imports. In the medium term, solar power would represent a valuable export for these countries."

41. BREAKTHROUGH: DRINKING WATER AND BASIC SANITATION

2 September 2002

Internet: http://www.bmu.de/english/topics/sustainability/index_johannesburg.php

Another success story from the UN Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg: The summit action programme will incorporate the goal to halve the proportion of people lacking access to drinking water and basic sanitation such as waste water treatment and waste disposal by 2015. Last night a Ministers' meeting chaired by South Africa's Environment Minister Valli Moosa managed to agree on the respective wording. This meets with a requirement pushed in particular by the German government through the EU. Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Juergen Trittin, German Minister for the Environment both welcomed this breakthrough: "Worldwide 2.4 billion people are without access to drinking water, sanitation or waste water treatment. This causes serious diseases and the death of hundreds of thousands of people, in particular children. The decision taken today is both another concrete step towards combating poverty worldwide and a critical contribution to protecting the world's natural resources."

42. GERMAN PARTICIPANTS ARRANGE A CO2-NEUTRAL TRIP TO JOHANNESBURG

26 August 2002

Internet: http://www.bmu.de/english/topics/sustainability/index_johannesburg.php

Minister Trittin: offset achieved by means of emissions credits. For most delegates and participants in the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the journey to South Africa is a long-distance one. This is also the case for the German delegation, who rather than being able to sail or cycle to the Summit, will also have to fly. Nevertheless, the CO2 balance of their trip will be practically offset. As Minister Trittin announced, the journey of around 180 German participants will be 2-neutral. This is possible with emissions credits. On average, each participant and member of the German delegation will generate 7.11 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the trip to Johannesburg. In order to balance out these emissions, the German Environment Ministry has applied for emissions credits from a climate protection project in South Africa, and will withdraw these credits permanently from the market. Minister Trittin highlighted that this project, as part of the Clean Development Mechanism, is fully in line with the Kyoto Protocol. One tonne of carbon dioxide emissions equals a price of 8 euro, which means a cost of almost 57 euro for each German participant. "This corresponds to the previously uncalculated costs of our Western standards of living", explained Minister Trittin. The flight for 180 German participants and the transport and energy consumption in Johannesburg will produce a total atmospheric pollution of 1280 tonnes carbon dioxide. The proceeds from the emissions credits total more than 10,000 euro and will contribute to a project involved in the construction of energy-saving houses in South-African townships. This project provides low-income families with access to loans to finance additional insulation measures. Not only do these families save on heating costs, the carbon dioxide emissions are reduced per house per year by 250 kilograms. Minister Trittin emphasised that "the amount of CO2 generated by our journey to Johannesburg will be recouped in South Africa itself."

Further information (in German) can be found at www.klimabalance.de.

NETHERLANDS

WSSD Web page: http://www2.minvrom.nl/pagina.html?id=5218

43. STATE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SATISFIED WITH RESULTS OF JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT

September 2002

Internet: http://www2.minvrom.nl/pagina.html?id=5239

The Dutch State Secretary for the Environment, Mr. van Geel has said he is satisfied with the results of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development concluded last week. Mr. Van Geel has said that although he would have preferred binding and concrete agreements on all fields covered by the summit he thinks that the Johannesburg conference marks a progress.  Mr. Van Geel thinks the conference managed to formulate concrete goals on issues regarding drinking water and sewerage cleaning. According to the closing document of the conference the number of people that have no access to proper sewerage and clear drinking water has to decrease by 15% by the year 2015. Mr. Van Geel regrets however, that the conference has not set concrete goals on sustainable energy. The closing document of the conference calls for the utilization of more sustainable energy but does not elaborate on a percentage. Mr. Van Geel has said he would have preferred if the conference had taken over the norm approved by the European Union, 15% by the year 2010. State Secretary Van Geel stressed that Johannesburg did not mark a final point but was actually the start of several activities in this country. "This was the top of inspiration now comes the time for transpiration" -  Mr. Van Geel said. The State Secretary will present an action-program that defines how the results of the conference will be implemented in Dutch National Policy coming October.

44. INTERVENTION OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, DR. JAN PETER BALKENENDE, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg

3 September 2002

Internet: http://www.minaz.nl/data/1031046018.doc

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." It is up to us to make the difference. The difference between poverty and development. Between destroying the earth and sustaining it. To make the difference we must be clear and decisive. Clear about the future we want.  And decisive to make it happen.  Let us first of all be clear about our ambitions. We set ambitions for this Millennium. We now added crucial targets on sanitation and chemicals.  Let's be clear about biodiversity as well. We must stop looting the treasure house of the Creation.  Let us also be clear about our principles. The Rio-principles and human rights and fundamental freedoms, for men or women, are non-negotiables. And let's be decisive. Education is a right and our best investment in the young generation. Boys and girls alike must be able to finish primary school. Within our ODA budget we will increase the allocation to education from 6 to 15 %. 

Next we have our commitment to solidarity. Again nothing to negotiate, but something to be pursued decisively. Put your money where your mouth is. It is possible, as we know. The Netherlands has been living up to it for years already. We will continue to dedicate 0.7 percent of the Dutch GNP to development aid, and 0.1 percent to international environmental policy.  Let us also be clear about business. Business can generate financial flows many times greater than development aid. The investment schemes must be sustainable. Employers must offer decent terms of employment, comply with environmental norms and denounce corruption in all its forms. We should encourage business to commit them to accountability. Not because they have to. But because they want to, inspired by sustainable development. Inspiration that might be drawn from the Earth Charter.  We share the responsibility for the future. Therefore, I favour partnerships and involvement of civil society. They can support actions by governments. Responsibilities can also be differentiated. The degradation of the environment is largely on our account. So we will have to encourage sustainable production and consumption. The reform of unsustainable subsidies is a contribution to that end. To achieve food security and poverty reduction we have to reform our agriculture. Developing countries must be able to benefit from increased access to our markets. We have to take decisive actions. The Netherlands together with other countries will launch a public-private partnership to improve market access in the form of institution and capacity building, especially in the field of food safety standards and quality control systems. I talked about being decisive.  We've done the talking, so let's start walking!

The Netherlands will focus on water and energy and continue to support measures in the field of sustainable agriculture and bio-diversity. We support these goals by raising our contributions to the Global Environmental Facility adding up to 93 million dollars.   There is a wind of change in Africa, expressed by NEPAD. We must all stand together to support this new leadership, committed to good governance and poverty reduction. Only in this way Africa can deal with the challenges of famine, conflict and AIDS.  I salute President Mbeki for his crucial role in making these changes happen. More than ever before, the choice facing the world is a united future, or no future at all. The prospect of that united future, free of poverty and environmental degradation, is what has brought us here to Johannesburg. We know what we have to do. So let's do it.

45. EXTRA DUTCH MONEY FOR GLOBAL ECO-FUND

2 September 2002

Internet: http://www.minbuza.nl/english/Content.asp?Key=458716&Pad=257569,459431,257774

The Netherlands is to give an extra US$ 3 million to the Global Environment Facility, an international fund that finances activities to tackle cross-border environmental problems. The Facility enables developing countries to fight desertification and adapt to the impact of climate change. The Minister for Development Cooperation, Agnes van Ardenne, announced the extra money at the Johannesburg summit.

In early August, the Facility concluded negotiations for financial pledges worth more than US$ 2.9 billion over the next four years. The Netherlands will contribute around US$ 90 million and, with its EU partners, is trying to persuade other rich countries to give more in order to help the Facility raise the US$ 3 billion total it needs.

46. CALL TO ROLL UP SLEEVES AFTER JOHANNESBURG

26 August 2002

Internet: http://www.minbuza.nl/english/Content.asp?Key=458100&Pad=257569,459431,257774

The World Summit on Sustainable Development, which starts in Johannesburg next week, will be a golden opportunity for agreeing on action and carrying it out. Dutch development minister Agnes van Ardenne believes that delegates must sign a political declaration and an action plan. But what happens next is equally important. Says Ms Van Ardenne: "It really is time to roll up our sleeves and do what we say we're going to do." The summit, which will last from 26 August to 4 September, needs to give new impetus to sustainable development agreements made in Rio de Janeiro ten years ago. And further agreements need to be made on previous action plans concerning trade, the climate, and the funding of development. "At Johannesburg, we must ensure that these agreements are carried out on schedule," says Ms Aardenne, "that no one backs out and everyone sticks to their commitments." Despite scepticism about what the summit will achieve, it will provide a great opportunity for donor countries, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and NGOs to launch new partnerships for working with developing countries and tackling sector-specific problems. Partnerships are already being discussed in five areas: water, energy, health, agriculture, and biodiversity. The Netherlands is keen to join partnerships on water and energy, especially in Africa, the poorest continent. On Friday 23 August, Ms Van Ardenne gave a joint press conference with Pieter van Geel, the new State Secretary for the Environment and Sustainability. The two government members promised that the Netherlands will join a partnership for providing sustainable energy in rural areas and in deprived parts of towns and cities. The Netherlands will also work with fellow EU member states to improve sustainable energy services - knowledge transfer, assistance in developing markets, and advice and assistance to institutions - and make such services more accessible to the poor. As to water, the Netherlands wants to take part in activities to improve sanitation, protect natural water sources, and promote sustainable water consumption. The Dutch delegation to Johannesburg is being led by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, accompanied by Minister Van Ardenne and State Secretary Van Geel.

47. DUTCH INTENTIONS FOR JOHANNESBURG

Press Release from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment

22 August 2002

Internet: http://www.minbuza.nl/english/Content.asp?Key=457760&Pad=257569,459431,257774

From 26 August to 4 September, Johannesburg will be the scene of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The Dutch delegation will be led by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. He will be accompanied by the Minister for Development Cooperation, Agnes van Ardenne, and the State Secretary for the Environment, Pieter van Geel. The conference is intended to give new impetus to agreements on sustainable development made 10 years ago in Rio de Janeiro. Some 50,000 people are expected to attend, including many heads of state and government.  The basis for the Dutch contribution to the Johannesburg summit will be the agreements reached at Doha (the fourth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation) and Monterrey (the Financing for Development Summit), respectively on trade and development and on development funding. The Netherlands will focus on water and energy, two essential sectors of sustainable development, and will target Africa in particular.  In addition, the Dutch delegation will draw attention to a number of themes: sustainable production and consumption patterns, poverty reduction, sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity, health and safety, effective global governance and development funding. At an event for young people in the lead-up to the summit, it indicated that it would also emphasise the importance of education in developing countries. The Netherlands feels that sustainable development must be a high priority on the political agenda. It follows that a programme of action must be agreed and implemented. The Netherlands believes that the summit must work within the framework of the Millennium Goals (identified in the United Nations' Millennium Declaration), Agenda 21 (the action plan agreed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio) and the priority goals for sustainable development and poverty reduction. It is determined that there should be no renegotiation of Agenda 21 and no compromises on the Millennium Goals and the agreements made at Doha and Monterrey.  The Netherlands is looking for three results from the Johannesburg summit:

  • a political declaration on sustainable development;
     

  • a programme of action endorsed by every government;
     

  • partnerships in which governments, business and civil society organisations work together to carry out the programme of action.

SWITZERLAND

WSSD Web page: http://www.umwelt-schweiz.ch/fokus/2002_05/johannesburg_e.htm

48. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT: FEDERAL COUNCILLOR JOSEPH DEISS REPORTS MIXED RESULTS

5 September 2002

Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/e/home/recent/press/09#0003

Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss drew mixed conclusions on the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development: Although the results of the conference do not meet our expectations, Switzerland was able to use the event to make its presence felt through the high quality of its commitment. The Johannesburg Summit thus represents a new step, putting to the test the declared will to promote sustainable development and to translate this will into reality.  Switzerland committed itself to a clear and precise plan of action and to a substantial political declaration. Mr. Deiss noted: "The results of the Summit do not meet our expectations, and not all of our objectives were achieved. I am thinking in particular about the negotiations on health and sustainable development, where the chapter on preventive health in effect amounted to a step backwards. I am also thinking about the question of renewable energy, where the quantitative targets which Switzerland fought hard to include in the action plan were not adopted. I regret that the results do not come up to our expectations. In such collective undertakings, progress is determined by the slowest participant. I would have preferred things to have advanced more rapidly.' On a more positive note, he pointed out that both China and Russia announced their intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This could come into effect soon. In the negotiations on trade, Norway and Switzerland prevailed in imposing the principle of equality between WTO agreements and international environmental rules and thus succeeded in avoiding a hierarchy becoming established between these two types of treaty.

The Johannesburg Summit is a new step in the process embarked upon 10 years ago in Rio: 'The movement started in Rio must be irreversible. It is now incumbent on us to implement the commitments made in Rio and Johannesburg.' Switzerland will very soon make an analysis of the Conference and of the many partnership initiatives with a view to setting its own priorities. The IDO RIO interdepartmental group has already been instructed to carry out this task. The Federal Council's strategy on sustainable development, which it adopted last March, will be submitted to Parliament this autumn. At the international level, accession to the UN will enable Switzerland to closely follow implementation. In particular, the commitment to 'Partnership for the Mountains', launched by Switzerland in Johannesburg, will be followed-up and given concrete shape.  Joseph Deiss was very positive about Switzerland's high profile in Johannesburg and about the quality of the Swiss delegation's engagement: 'The platform, Sustainable Switzerland, was a great success,' he said. 'It showed that in Switzerland the issue of sustainable development is discussed democratically between all interested parties and with representatives of government and civil society. Concerning the negotiations on the action plan and the political declaration, the Swiss delegation played a very constructive role, and this was acknowledged. The partnerships that we have launched are initiatives for the future. They will enable us to mobilise both the public and private sectors around a common interest.' Finally, it can be noted that five days before becoming a member of the UN, the quality of Switzerland's work at this major UN conference shows that Switzerland is capable of giving new momentum to its foreign policy.

49. SWITZERLAND SUPPORTS THE PROGRAMME FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL LABOUR STANDARDS IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES (KMU)

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/e/home/recent/press/09#0003

In collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Switzerland has launched a programme at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg for the advancement of fundamental labour standards in small and medium sized businesses. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) is giving the programme US$2.2 million support on behalf of Switzerland.  Producers in developing countries are increasingly being confronted by the situation that their products must be in compliance with the environmental and social standards in consumer countries. In collaboration with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Switzerland has for a considerable time already been supporting the development of centers for the advancement of environmentally friendly production methods (Cleaner Production Centers, CPC). With the ILO, Switzerland has worked out a supplementary programme for the advancement of fundamental labour standards in small and medium sized businesses (KMU) in developing countries. The aim of the programme is to provide the KMU with advisory and educational services in the area of labour standards. It is for this reason that the existing Cleaner and Production Centers are being expanded with a service for labour standards. The IAO will function as a center of competence and will assist the centers in an advisory capacity with regards to labour issues.

50. FEDERAL MINISTER DEISS OPENS THE CLEANER PRODUCTION CENTRE IN SOUTH AFRICA

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/e/home/recent/press/09#0003

On Tuesday, Federal Minister Joseph Deiss opened the Cleaner Production Centre in South Africa within the framework of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, together with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Alec Erwin, the South African Minister of Trade and Industry and the General Secretary of the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO). The State Secretariat for Economics (seco) is supporting the centre on behalf of Switzerland with US$ 950 000 over the first three years. The aim of the Cleaner Production Centre(CPC) is the promotion of sustainable production models in small and medium sized businesses (KMU). It is managed in accordance with entrepreneurial criteria. It supports companies and experts through targeted advice to create operational production processes that are more environmentally friendly and caring of our resources and thus also more efficient and cost effective. In this way, the Cleaner Production Centre not only makes a contribution to sustainability but also to the increase of competitiveness by local businesses and the preservation and creation of jobs. Export oriented companies and suppliers can contribute far better in the international production chain and participate more actively in the global market.  The Cleaner Production Centre in South Africa serves as a launching site for the concrete conversion of activities within the framework of international environmental agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol (climate) or the Stockholm Agreement for the Reduction and Elimination of Persistent Organic Chemicals. Technically, the Cleaner Production Centre is accompanied by a network of international experts from various countries, including Switzerland. Since the World Summit for Development and Environment in Rio ten years ago, Switzerland has supported the development of ten such centres in Latin America (Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Brazil, Peru), Asia (Vietnam, India, China) and Africa (Morocco).

51. JOHANNESBURG 2002: FEDERAL COUNCILLOR JOSEPH DEISS SAYS SWITZERLAND IS PULLING ITS WEIGHT IN NEGOTIATIONS

2 September 2002

Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/e/home/recent/press/09#0003

Switzerland has strengthened its commitment to sustainable development. 'We have come here to take an active part. So far we have been successful.' noted Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss at the press conference held today in the Swiss pavilion, 'Sustainable Switzerland', in Johannesburg. He called for a global partnership between industrialised, developing and transition countries. In the remaining negotiations, Switzerland will continue to work towards achieving a binding action plan and a clear final declaration. 'I call for a global partnership. The industrialised, developing and transition countries must combine their efforts. Switzerland is prepared to contribute its share to a global partnership. We expect this of all other countries.' This is one of the main messages of Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss' speech to the heads of state and government assembled at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. In particular, he invited the United States, Russia and all other leading countries to assume and to demonstrate their responsibilities.  At the press conference, Federal Councillor Deiss took stock of the negotiations to date. 'We have come here to take an active part. So far we have been successful. We have been able to have our position accepted in a number of areas.' Deiss took the negotiations on trade as an example, where Switzerland together with Norway were able to prevent a backward step by successfully pushing through the principle of equality of WTO agreements and international environmental regimes. In the negotiations on production and consumption patterns a solution was found which can also be attributed to a Swiss proposal.  In Johannesburg, Switzerland has launched a number of international initiatives. Among these, it presented together with other partners the Bio Trade Facilitation Programme. The aim of the partnership is to promote trade and investment in biological products. More than 20 countries and other partners responded positively to Switzerland's appeal and together launched the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions. The Initiative offers a platform to enable other countries to benefit from Switzerland's experiences in the field of sustainable development in mountain regions. Furthermore, Switzerland invited other countries to participate in a global conservation fund with the aim of setting up seed banks and thereby ensuring the diversity of plants. This will make an important contribution to food safety world-wide. Deiss concluded the press conference with the words: 'In the last phase of the negotiations, I expect all of us to finalise negotiations on a workable action plan and to adopt a powerful political declaration.

52. JOHANNESBURG: BREAKTHROUGH ON "PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS"

31 August 2002

Internet: http://www.umwelt-schweiz.ch/buwal/eng/news/artikel/20020831/00859/index.html

Shortly after midday on Saturday, a breakthrough was achieved at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. In the talks on "Production and Consumption Patterns", the negotiating partners found solutions to the contentious issues and reached a compromise.  The Swiss delegation is supporting the compromise in its totality - all the more so as it is based on a proposal submitted by Switzerland in the course of the negotiations.  In particular, agreement was reached on four areas:

1. In the area of eco-labelling, a formula was found which also permits binding labelling requirements.

2. A clear objective was formulated to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

3. It was decided to develop a 10-year framework for national and regional programmes to promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

4. Life-cycle analysis was recognized as an instrument for the promotion of sustainable consumption and production patterns.

53. WSSD IN JOHANNESBURG: WHAT SWITZERLAND IS SEEKING TO ACHIEVE

22 August 2002

Internet: http://www.umwelt-schweiz.ch/buwal/eng/news/artikel/20020822/00855/index.html

Switzerland wishes to make sustainable development once again a key topic on the international political agenda.

This was stated by Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss,  Head of the Swiss delegation, at a press conference devoted to Switzerland's participation at the Johannesburg Summit. He announced that the Swiss delegation would be focusing on the issues of mountains, water, poverty, the environment, trade and governance. Walter Fust, Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Deputy Head of the Swiss delegation, said that the "SustainableSwitzerland" information platform, which will provide a forum for events and contacts, underlined Switzerland's wide-ranging involvement in the area of sustainable development. SAEFL Director Philippe Roch, another leading member of the delegation, welcomed the Summit as an outstanding opportunity to put the spotlight on international sustainability and environmental policy.

AUSTRALIA

WSSD Web page: http://www.ea.gov.au/commitments/wssd/index.html

54. AUSTRALIA HIGHLIGHTS GLOBAL ISSUES AT WORLD SUMMIT

5 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ea.gov.au/minister/env/2002/mr05sep02.html

Australia has contributed to important global outcomes at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the leader of Australia's delegation, Environment and Heritage Minister, Dr David Kemp, said today. "Australians can be proud of our contribution to real progress towards sustainable development, particularly in developing countries," Dr Kemp said.  "The protection of the planet's remaining biodiversity and the wise use of its natural resources are fundamental to a sustainable future. To survive and prosper, humankind must have access to clean water and sanitation, clean energy and sustainable agricultural systems. "This has been Australia's goal as we have debated targets and timetables, developed strong, practical partnerships and contributed to the Summit's political declaration. "Agreements have been reached on global targets for basic sanitation, for minimising the adverse impacts of chemicals on health and the environment, for halting biodiversity loss, restoring fish stocks, reducing land based pollution in small island developing states, and eliminating gender disparity in education. "Australia has highlighted the importance of better management of the world's oceans - their deep sea biodiversity, their coral reefs and coastal habitats - to the health and wealth of more than three quarters of the world's people. "We have strongly supported developing countries in their campaign for access to energy. Australia is at the forefront in the move to renewable energy, with national targets and one of the world's first guaranteed markets for renewable energy. "But with more than 1.2 billion people living on less than $US1 a day, a huge number having no access to electricity and with firewood accounting for 90 per cent of energy consumption in some African nations, a global target for renewable energy becomes an unachievable, unrealistic imposition on developing countries.  "This is just one area where we have worked with developing countries towards meeting what we believe is the most important target of the Summit - to halve the number of people living in poverty by 2015. "International and national good governance and international trade and investment will be critical to meeting this target, which is why we have supported the Summit's emphasis on the establishment and maintenance of solid democratic institutions, the rule of law, peace and security, fair and transparent legal systems, open and transparent financial markets and sound macroeconomic policy. "We have backed up our beliefs with action: we will provide $355 million in 2002-03 to address governance in developing countries as part of our $1.8 billion aid programme." Dr Kemp said the 15 partnerships Australia had entered into with developing countries focus on enabling communities to make decisions for themselves rather than having them imposed from the outside.

55. WSSD FROM TALK TO ACTION

4 September2002

Internet: http://www.ea.gov.au/minister/env/2002/sp04sep02.html

Australia's Plenary Statement to the World Summit on Sustainable Development  Speech by the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage The Hon Dr David Kemp, MP World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg South Africa

Mr President I thank you for inviting me to close the debate. Australia came to this Summit to work for practical ways to reduce poverty, advance human dignity and health and mend the environment. Rio identified the problems and set out a grand vision for global treaty instruments as well as national and local objectives. Johannesburg has helped craft practical goals and actions to accelerate our movement toward sustainability. This gathering of the world community has been a deeply impressive event. The Plan of Implementation and the Political Declaration are benchmarks of mankind's humanity in their recognition of the issues that confront the world's peoples and the world itself. Some have painted the decade between the Summits as one of failure and lost opportunity. It is true that we have not solved the problem of global sustainability. But we should not ignore the progress that has been made. Hundreds of millions have been lifted out of poverty by economic progress. Millions more have access to clean water and health services. In many parts of the world stewardship of natural resources has improved. And we have started work on more effective measures to address global warming and biodiversity loss.

That said, we all agree that it is simply unacceptable that 1.2 billion people live on less that one dollar a day, that HIV/AIDS is decimating so much of the world, that too few have access to good education, health services, clean water and clean air. And if we fail to deal effectively with the depletion of natural resources and biodiversity, to manage our fresh water and oceans more sustainably, and to find a globally effective framework for tackling climate change, we know that this will reinforce the cycle of poverty, social stress and environmental damage. This Summit has placed the interdependence of action on social frameworks, the environment and economic development at the core of our decisions. Balancing social cohesion and governance, environmental protection and economic development is a dynamic art. It is simply impossible to sustain improvement in any one of these areas by acting on it alone. There is an important role for global action and aspirations and Official Development Assistance, but national governments have to be at the center of delivering change, because only they can bring their people with them. Only they can create the conditions in which investment and job creation will occur. Only they can guarantee the rule of law that underpins human rights and an economy that sustains investment and jobs. Only national governments can maintain the governance frameworks in which environmental protection can receive its proper priority as integral to sustainable economic development and poverty eradication. That is why Australia has listened so closely to the words of the G77 leaders throughout this Summit. I have been impressed by their logic and passion. Australia has strongly supported their emphasis on the importance of trade and market access as a path to economic sustainability. And we have strongly endorsed their call to be allowed to set their own goals for balancing environment, health, and economic objectives in energy production. But of course we also recognise an important role for the international community, for practical multilateral goals and for coordinated action among states. And nowhere is that more important than in relation to the oceans - the high seas are a global commons and we must act together if they are to be protected. We were delighted at the priority given by this Summit to ensuring the sustainable development of the oceans, as well as the special needs of Small Island Developing States. This group includes Australia's Pacific neighbours and partners, and we have been pleased to work with them to secure these commitments. This Summit has agreed a huge agenda for action. We have set or reaffirmed 37 time-bound targets as part of the Plan of Implementation. Central to these are the core commitments to halve the number of people in poverty, halve the number of people without access to safe drinking water and halve the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. We have also set a goal of achieving a significant reduction in biodiversity loss by 2010 and to restore fish stocks urgently and not later than by 2015 where possible.

And the Partnerships that have been announced over the past two weeks will add great momentum to achieving them. Australia has been proud to announce 15 partnership initiatives in areas ranging from high seas biodiversity to HIV/AIDS and climate change. Mr President, we have done good work here at Johannesburg. We must maintain this momentum in the Doha negotiations on trade liberalisation and agricultural subsidies and through implementing the Monterrey consensus. In the long run this is more important to the dignity, development, independence and environmental sustainability of developing countries than official development assistance. The search for a genuinely effective global framework to tackle climate change must continue, and we must each take action to reduce our greenhouse signature. For its part Australia will be working hard to meet the target it committed to at Kyoto. Mr President, it is a privilege to bring this debate to a close. We must leave this wonderful country with the passion to act on the agenda we have set here as a global community, and total determination as national governments to meet our obligations to our people, to govern wisely in the interests of not just of this generation but of those to come - for the world's sake.

56. US, AUSTRALIA JOIN ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS

2 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ea.gov.au/minister/env/2002/mr02sep02.html

Australia has joined the United States in a partnership to alleviate poverty and protect the environment in developing countries by promoting energy efficiency. Australia's Minister for the Environment, Dr David Kemp, and the Under Secretary of the US Department of Energy, Bob Card, announced the voluntary, 'Type 2' partnership agreement at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

The US initiative, Powering Sustainable Development from Village to Metropolis, builds on another partnership led by Australia and Mexico at the Summit on behalf of the APEC Energy Working Group - Fostering Regional Energy Cooperation in APEC: Energy for Sustainable Development. These two projects will focus on empowering communities to determine the best ways to provide for their energy needs in the most efficient and environmentally sound way. Together, these partnerships will create synergies of expertise and resources. One of the major purposes of the partnerships will be to leverage additional resources from the private sector, which will be essential to tackle the energy needs of developing countries. "Access to energy is critical to social and economic development and the alleviation of poverty," Dr Kemp said. "These partnerships will help bring these energy services to some of the nearly two billion people - mostly in rural areas - who still have no access to modern energy." "Such energy savings are assets that support broader social and development goals, such as better schools, good health care, cleaner water, responsible stewardship of environmental resources and higher living standards," Undersecretary Card said. "The provision of efficient energy to rural communities in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Chile and Peru will help transform them," Dr Kemp said.  "It is essential to an infrastructure that provides greater food security, access to basic medicines, clean water supplies and greater economic development. "For example, in the Philippines, stand alone power systems are being developed for schools, while biomass from intensive pig farming is generating electricity in Thailand, with technicians trained to support village power. Meanwhile, solar power is connecting remote communities to the internet to enable micro-enterprise in China, with Indonesia and other nations soon to follow. "Australia has already made major gains in energy efficiency and is keen to share its experience in the global effort to combat poverty. Examples of best practice in Australia include the development of a bakery expected to make energy savings of 40 per cent, a 35 per cent cut in refrigeration energy consumption at a major brewery, and up to 20 per cent energy savings at a large beverage producer. "The Australia-US energy partnership will enable these successful approaches to be spread beyond the APEC region.

"It will help to alleviate environmental damage caused by phenomena like the Asian brown cloud, by helping to replace traditional biomass fuels for cooking. "Australia's Remote Renewable Energy Program has shown how reliable, clean, renewable power can be provided to remote communities. "These are exactly the sort of practical outcomes Australia wants to see emerge from the Summit. "Energy efficiency is a win-win for developing countries and is a critical component of sustainable development. Some developing countries spend nearly 70 per cent of their budgets on energy, with up to half of that energy going to waste. "If they achieve even modest efficiencies, they can redirect billions of dollars to essential services like health, education and sanitation. At the same time, they will be conserving their natural resources and protecting the environment for future generations," Dr Kemp said. The energy partnerships bring together governments, industry, international organisations and non-government organisations, with the APEC proposal focused on improving regional energy security, access to energy, promote clean and efficient technologies and the development of energy infrastructure. "Our booming environment industries are equally keen to join the private sector's participation in these projects. The partnerships forged and the networks strengthened here in Johannesburg mark the beginning of the real work plan for sustainable development," Dr Kemp said.

"Australia will be working with the United States to attract more partners to increase access to energy and improve its efficiency."

Dr Kemp paid tribute to the work of the Minister for Industry Tourism and Resources (ITR), Ian Macfarlane, and his department in establishing the APEC partnership. ITR will have the major role in carrying the initiative forward.

57. AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS PACIFIC ISLAND NEIGHBOURS

1 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ea.gov.au/minister/env/2002/mr01sep202.html

Special recognition of Pacific Island countries is a major achievement of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), Australia's Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, said today. Detailing a $7.2 million package of partnership initiatives with our Pacific neighbours, Dr Kemp congratulated the countries on their success in raising awareness of their particular reliance on oceans for sustainable development, and their vulnerability to natural disasters. "Australia is the largest donor to the independent Pacific Island states and throughout the WSSD process we have strongly promoted their special circumstances," Dr Kemp said. "We are particularly pleased that one of the early outcomes of the Summit has been to reach formal agreement on actions to assist small island developing states in the plan of implementation in areas including oceans, health, water, energy, tourism and related environmental vulnerability. "This is a significant outcome, especially as Africa is the only other region to have been given special international recognition at the Summit. "Australia has committed $A4 million for a Pacific Island adaptation and vulnerability initiative to help Pacific Island countries adapt to the future impact of extreme weather and other events. We have also set aside $A2.2 million to help improve their weather forecasting and climate prediction services. "In the area of health, the potential impact of HIV/AIDS on Asian and Pacific island countries is huge. We are pleased to provide over $A1 million - part of our $A200 million commitment to address the epidemic in the region - to establish the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum for HIV/AIDS and Development. The Forum will provide important political leadership to fight this epidemic. "Oceans are life to Pacific Island countries and Australia's oceans partnerships are designed to improve the way we manage the oceans for all. They will help address regional capacity for coral reef and oceans management and further our collective efforts to tackle the very serious problem of illegal fishing. "These are issues of vital concern to the livelihood of the Pacific, which is home to some of the world's great coral reef and ocean ecosystems. Our global leadership to manage the unique biodiversity of deep oceans will also benefit a region that contains many of the world's seamounts - areas rich in marine biodiversity, much of it found only in the Pacific. "As the first country to develop an integrated oceans policy, we are also delighted with Pacific Island countries' efforts to develop their own regional oceans policy and are looking forward to sharing our experience and expertise with our island neighbours through another of our ocean partnerships." Dr Kemp congratulated the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific on the partnerships they had initiated and said Australia looked forward to exploring them further.

58. AUSTRALIA'S PARTNERSHIPS PUT PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

1 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ea.gov.au/minister/env/2002/mr01sep02.html

Australia will be continuing to promote sustainable development beyond Johannesburg, leading 12 voluntary partnerships and participating in more than six others. The partnerships include global and regional initiatives, involve more than 50 countries and scores of international, national and regional bodies and will impact on most parts of the world - particularly developing countries in the Asia Pacific.

They cover issues ranging from energy efficiency, air pollution, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine biodiversity and illegal fishing to HIV/AIDS. Announcing Australia's partnerships at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Australia's Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, thanked the many governments, businesses, non-government organisations, research bodies and others who had agreed to work with Australia to put the principles of sustainable development into practice. "These partnerships are where the real progress will be made in implementing sustainable development," he said. "They will make a difference where it matters and go a long way towards combating poverty in the developing world. "Australians can be proud of the fact, for example, that at Johannesburg we have made major progress in sustainable fishing and in protecting marine biodiversity. We have arranged to work with our Pacific Island neighbours to help them deal with the effects of climate change, and with the US and Mexico on working for major energy gains in developing countries. And across South Africa, farmers are joining our joint South African-Australian landcare programs. "These are just some of the areas in which Australia is taking a lead by sharing expertise and bringing bodies together to make a combined assault on global problems," Dr Kemp said. Australia's Summit partnerships have a strong focus on oceans management, with seven partnerships to conserve biodiversity in the high seas, protect migratory shorebirds, crack down on illegal fishing, protecting coral reefs, and help Pacific nations develop oceans policy. They also reflect Australia's commitment to the Asia Pacific region, with proposals to help Pacific Island countries deal with the effects of climate change and an HIV/AIDS program in Southeast Asia. "Each of these partnerships relates directly to and gives effect to a formal commitment of the Summit," Dr Kemp said. "In many ways, the real work of the Summit begins once delegates return home to put these partnerships into effect."

SWEDEN

WSSD Web Page: http://www.ud.se/johannesburg/index.htm

WSSD Press Releases: http://www.ud.se/johannesburg/tal_pressmeddelanden.htm

59. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT: SWEDEN PRESENTS PROPOSALS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

30 August 2002

Internet: http://www.regeringen.se/galactica/service=irnews/action=obj_show?c_obj_id=46414

Today, on Friday, at the UN Summit in Johannesburg, Sweden will present "The Sustainable City" - a project in which innovative solutions for a sustainable urban environment will be shown. What it will demonstrate are environmentally sound solutions for such facilities as water supplies and sewage, traffic planning, energy and waste management.  The Government has contributed SEK 300 000 to the project in order to market Swedish expertise in the field of sustainable urban development.  "In many cases, Sweden is a world leader in producing solutions for a good urban environment and can contribute to an important exchange of expertise in Johannesburg", says Minister for Trade Leif Pagrotsky. "In the long term, this project may also lead to greater business opportunities for Swedish companies in such fields as environmentally sound technologies and skills".  The project is based on a Swedish-Chinese partnership involved in presenting proposals for planning a satellite city for Shanghai, using a Swedish model with environmentally sound solutions.  "The Swedish-Chinese project will pave the way for other Swedish companies in China", says Leif Pagrotsky. "Swedish companies are at the cutting edge of environmental technology".

60. SWEDEN LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL TASK FORCE ON GLOBAL PUBLIC GOODS

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

29 August 2002

Internet: http://www.regeringen.se/galactica/service=irnews/action=obj_show?c_obj_id=46380

This evening Sweden, along with France and UNDP, will launch an international task force on global public goods. This will take place at a seminar at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg at 18.00-20.30.  "The international community must adopt a more concordant approach to the increasingly complex international cooperation on various global public goods such as clean air, water, financial stability, health, peace and security. At UN conferences such as the ongoing one in Johannesburg there is a lot of talk on what we want to achieve. But how do we actually do it? On a national level we have our public sector. Internationally we have to find other ways to identify and tackle global problems, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Ms. Gun-Britt Andersson says.  Sweden, France and UNDP are therefore launching an "International Task Force on Global Public Goods". Its task will be to investigate how the most important global public goods are provided today and to propose how these crucial issues can be more effectively handled and financed to combat poverty and contribute to sustainable development.  The group will consist of 10-15 experts from governments, international organisations, civil society, the business sector and the academic world. The work is estimated to be ongoing for about 2 years. Ernest Zedillo, former president of Mexico, will lead the work with one other person to be appointed in the near future.  A secretariat, under the leadership of a Swede, Sven Sandström, a former Managing Director of the World Bank, will be established in Stockholm. A reference group under the leadership of State Secretary Gun-Britt Andersson - "The Friends of the Task Force" - will also be linked to the task force.

A press conference will take place at 17.30 in the Sandton Convention Center press center and an informal press meeting will take place after the launching event at 20.30.

NEW ZEALAND

Ministry of Environment WSSD Web page: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/new/sustainable_development_summit.htm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs WSSD Web page: http://www.apec.govt.nz/foreign/env/worldsustain.html

61. SUMMARY OF THE WSSD

September 2002

Internet: http://www.apec.govt.nz/foreign/env/worldsustain.html

In contrast with the idealism and environmental focus of the Rio "Earth Summit" ten years ago, expectations for the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development were practical rather than visionary.  There was progress on all areas of priority interest for New Zealand - energy, oceans, small island developing states, poverty eradication, sustainable patterns of production and consumption and trade liberalisation.  New targets were set for sanitation, the restoration of fish stocks and the safe use and production of chemicals. There was agreement on the need to remove environmentally harmful subsidies and to remove too subsidies in the energy and fisheries sectors. Partnerships for development were launched. The Summit served to raise awareness of the concept of sustainable development as a coherent approach to environmental, economic and social policy.  The Prime Minister's and Minister's active participation ensured good profile for New Zealand.

REPORT

OVERVIEW

Opening the Summit, President Mbeki described social and economic divides as a form of "global apartheid" which could cause the world's poor to lose confidence in democratic systems.  But despite the dividing lines between the privileged and the developing world, there was a mood of inclusiveness in Johannesburg, and a willingness to work constructively toward a programme of implementation. The magnitude of change all societies are experiencing, or anticipating, produced something of a commonality of interest.  Regional group dynamics were a good deal more positive than at the Bali Prepcom.   South African Foreign Minister Zuma, Trade Minister Irwin and Environment Minister Moosa were at the centre of negotiations.  Their performance was impressive.  Several sensitive issues had to be negotiated in the last days of the summit, all with the potential to have disrupted proceedings and destroyed the positive atmosphere that had evolved.  The most difficult of those issues were subsidies, renewable energy, health and human rights and African land reform, which could have opened the way to divisive debate of the situation in Zimbabwe. Despite these pressures, South African ministers remained accessible to regional groups.  It is a triumph for the South African government that such a logistically as well as politically complex exercise was managed with no major problems or disruptions.  Security precautions were at the highest level.  There were only two significant protests where SA security forces responded, but no injuries resulted.

PRIME MINISTER'S AND MINISTER'S INVOLVEMENT

The Prime Minister had the opportunity for targeted bilateral meetings with key leaders.  These were complemented by a wider range of networking opportunities facilitated by the convention attracting over 100 heads of state and government. The Prime Minister addressed the Plenary on the first day of the High Level Segment of the Summit and participated in a round table on the theme of cultural diversity, chaired by President Chirac.  A second round table event on the problems of poverty, indebtedness, health care and sanitation, water supply and trade related issues offered a further occasion for the Prime Minister's direct participation as did the Summit's closing plenary, which she chaired.  Opportunities were provided for ministers to engage actively in the negotiation of the Plan of Implementation and the Political Declaration, through ministerial level "Vienna process" meetings (ie speaking arrangements for the EU, G77, and those among the JUSCANZ group who felt compelled to take the floor).  Minister Hobbs made influential interventions on renewable energy, health and human rights, the precautionary approach and other issues of importance to New Zealand.  As one of the elected Vice Presidents of the Summit, the Minister also chaired a Plenary session. 

POLITICAL DECLARATION

The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development emerged as a four page text which commits to building a "humane, equitable and caring global society cognisant of the need for human dignity for all" and recognises that humankind is at a crossroad, confronting challenges of poverty, environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity.  The Declaration contains references to women's empowerment and emancipation and gender equality; to special attention to the development needs of Small Island Developing States; to the water and sanitation targets and to strengthening governance at all levels.  In addition, it includes a reference to "the vital role of... indigenous peoples in sustainable development". 

PLAN OF IMPLEMENTATION

The following commentary is in order of the component chapters of the Plan of Implementation (POI):

POVERTY ERADICATION

Given the role of South Africa in hosting and facilitating key aspects of the meeting, the Johannesburg Summit was destined to have poverty eradication among its focal points. The Plan of Implementation states that eradicating poverty is the "greatest global challenge facing the world today", and recommits countries to the Millennium Declaration Goals of halving by 2015 the proportion of the world's people living in abject poverty, suffering from hunger, and without access to safe drinking water.   The Summit underlined the importance of national ownership of poverty reduction strategies, enabling environments at both the national and international levels; gender equality; sound management of natural resources, and access to energy services in the fight against poverty.  Some emphasis was put on the need for capacity building and technology transfer for improved industrial productivity in ways that were supportive of long-term resource management.  In terms of wholly new commitments, there was agreement to establish a World Solidarity Fund for poverty eradication.  This was seen by the G77 as an important concrete target to emerge from the Summit, and was achieved in spite of opposition from a number of developed countries.  Concerns centred around the fact that the Fund would duplicate the recently established UNDP Thematic Trust Fund for Poverty, although the agreed texts mollifies this to a certain extent.  There was also some resistance on a procedural level to agree to the establishment of the Fund in the WSSD context, given that the issue is due for formal consideration in next month's UN General Assembly.

UNSUSTAINABLE PATTERNS OF PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

The debate on sustainable patterns of production and consumption centred on the need for a ten year global programme to delink economic growth from environmental degradation.  With its emphasis on national level actions, the US promoted the concept of multiple programmes, while the EU pressed for work at the global level.  Earlier attempts to include references to eco labelling were eventually abandoned because of the trade risks of references to mandatory labels and the inadequacy of references to voluntary ones. The level of general discomfort over the reference to the life cycle approach to product management delivered consensus on including the more familiar concept of "life cycle analysis".  One of the most difficult debates was about global energy market reform. While it proved reasonably straightforward to get early agreement on improved access to energy, the cleaning up of dirty technologies and the need for improved efficiencies, the meeting was deeply divided on the proposal to create a global target for renewable sources of energy and over the phasing out of subsidies.  The debate split the G77 and pitted OPEC states, the US, Australia, Japan and Canada against the EU, NZ, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and the central European countries. Venezuela and the US led arguments against a renewables target, claiming that it would be meaningless and that developing countries would need large financial and technology transfers to help achieve it.  In the corridors, the World Wide Fund for Nature attacked the proposed target as inadequate. Target proponents countered with the need for clear signals and planning horizons for business. Over the course of debate the US moved to accommodate national actions to phase out energy sector subsidies, permitting middle ground to form around a less specific target for renewables in exchange for strong commitments on subsidy reform.  The final deal on energy contains four important elements: a commitment to improve access including through partnerships; the diversification of energy supply systems by developing cleaner, more efficient and cost effective energy technologies; a "substantial increase" in the share of renewables (recognising the role of regional and national targets and regular reviews of progress); and the "phasing out" "where appropriate" of subsidies in this area.  The debate on chemicals management concluded with agreement that countries should aim to manage and produce chemicals in ways that minimise significant adverse effects on the environment and health, by 2020.  It also reaffirmed international work underway on chemicals - including the Bahia programme of action and UNEP's study on a strategic approach to chemicals (which the WSSD called for completion by 2005) and its study on mercury.

PROTECTING AND MANAGING THE NATURAL BASE

Themes of most interest to NZ during the debate on natural resources included a linkage between water and sanitation targets, biodiversity loss, natural resource degradation, oceans and fisheries management, climate change, and land degradation as a GEF focal point.  

The US registered early resistance to a separate sanitation target. It advocated weakly linking references to sanitation to the pre-existing Millennium Development Goal to halve by 2015 the number of people lacking access to safe drinking water. Over the course of negotiations, consensus developed around a strong linkage that made clear that improved sanitation should be achieved by the same date.

The WSSD confirmed a 2010 target for significantly reducing biodiversity loss - rephrasing the target to reverse losses which was pronounced at the 2002 meeting of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The G77's call for new legally binding instruments to protect biodiversity was averted. But the WSSD did charge the CBD with negotiating an international regime to promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits - something  which NZ had thought to be adequately covered by existing work programmes in the CBD and elsewhere.  A separate call to reverse natural resource loss was modified to become a (more realistic) call to reverse the trend in natural resource degradation. Earlier recommendations to include the ecosystem based approach to resource management and to precaution were dropped as too contentious.  Oceans issues were settled early in the piece. An EU/US face off on the restoration of fish stocks by 2015 was defused by NZ's encouragement to establish timetables for species specific recovery. Our suggestion was modified to achieve agreement to maintain or restore stocks on an urgent basis and where possible no later than 2015.  The G77's call to the WSSD to recognise the rights of coastal developing states in fisheries allocation was accommodated in language that recognised rights established in international fisheries treaty law.  Agreement was reached on the elimination of destructive fishing practices and the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with international law, including representative networks by 2012.  Other "natural resource" issues of interest included radioactive materials transport, climate change and the GEF as a focal point for land degradation. NZ's proposal that the WSSD recognise the need for improved regulation of nuclear materials transportation was confirmed, including prior notification, safety and liability aspects. A text on climate change and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol was brought closer into line with New Zealand objectives to secure clear references on the need for ratification and entry into force of the Protocol. There was agreement on the GEF taking up land degradation as a focal point.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN A GLOBALISING WORLD

The initial Johannesburg text was seen as too negative by some in its portrayal of globalisation and its negative affects on developing countries.  Elements such as financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion and inequality, were subsequently recast as "challenges" to overcome, rather than "concerns".  Action-oriented references were directed at technical assistance and capacity building to facilitate "full and effective participation of developing countries" in the globalised economy, and to help them respond effectively to its challenges.  References to corporate responsibility and accountability in the text ("actively promote corporate responsibility and accountability including through the full development and effective implementation of intergovernmental agreements and measures... and support continuous improvement in corporate practices in all countries") proved extremely contentious.  The G77 promoted such references, with the support of some developed countries in the wake of Enron and World.com scandals.  The US accepted the text on the basis that the Chair would make an interpretative statement to explain that the agreed formulation was intended to refer to existing instruments and agreements only, and was not intended to imply new international measures.

HEALTH

The treatment of health and access to health care services in the Plan of Implementation proved controversial, so much so that this issue was the last to be resolved.  References to "health care and services" were interpreted by some as including abortion services, and were therefore unacceptable to them.  The substantive debate was run in parallel with a procedural debate in the margins about whether agreement had been reached in Bali on chapeau paragraph (47) in the health section which also dealt with access to health services, including reproductive healthcare.  Canada, together with others, including New Zealand, campaigned effectively to ensure that the paragraph was recognised by the formal meeting process as still open for discussion.  This was important from a human rights perspective, as the text "agreed" in Bali without the endorsement of the full UN membership referred to the provision of health care services "consistent with national laws and cultural and religious values".  The standard balancing reference to "and in conformity with human rights and fundamental freedoms" was omitted, although very late in the negotiations this phrasing was successfully reinserted into the text. 

SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES

The inclusion of a substantive chapter on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was significant for the Pacific region. It covers key Pacific Island objectives including on water, energy, health and oceans priorities. It calls for a review in 2004 of the Barbados Programme of Action for SIDS, capacity building, trade access, and the finalisation and operationalisation of environmental vulnerability indices. The Johannesburg meeting finalised references to delimiting extended continental shelf areas and undertaking waste and marine pollution initiatives by 2004.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR AFRICA

The Africa chapter focuses on the region's development challenges, including HIV/AIDS.  It gives prominence to the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) as a route towards sustainable development on the continent, and calls for donors to support the initiative.

The reference to land tenure reform at para 61b was contentious because of its potential connection with the Zimbabwe land reforms.  After intense discussions a text was agreed ad referendum.  A key point is that it ensures that land tenure reform should take place in accordance with the rule of law.  There are other valuable concepts in the rest of the paragraph, especially on gender issues including women's right to inherit land.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: FINANCE

The G77 generally considered that the Johannesburg process should build on the financing commitments agreed recently in Monterrey. Others considered that the Financing for Development (FfD) outcomes were wholly appropriate, and that the task in the WSSD was to focus on ways and means to commit this financing to sustainable development objectives. With the Millennium Development Goals held up as clear financing benchmarks, the challenge in Johannesburg was to find the middle ground. This was successfully achieved from the New Zealand perspective, with satisfactory references to harnessing domestic resources for sustainable development; facilitating greater flows of foreign direct investment to developing countries; the role of ODA in development (including the need to enhance its effectiveness); the recent successful replenishment of the GEF;   and reform of the international financial architecture in order to foster a more transparent, equitable, and inclusive system.    References to debt cancellation, debt relief, the HIPC initiative, and debt restructuring mechanisms were in line with recently agreed Monterrey commitments. As expected, some states sought to nuance FfD language on innovative sources of financing, particularly on the issue of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for development purposes. 

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: TRADE

Responding to the highly bracketed text coming out of Bali Prepcom IV, a non-paper on trade was circulated following South Africa's soundings among G77.  It was accepted as the basis for Johannesburg negotiation.  There was a general view that the final text could not go beyond Doha, and this eventually proved to be the case.  Crucial parts of the text emerged as verbatim reflections of Doha text, particularly Doha paras 13,14 and 16.  As such, New Zealand interests were not compromised.  References to market access, technical assistance, capacity building and WTO accession were acceptable.   Subsidies proved to be a difficult issue, with eventual consensus on "support the (Doha) work programme on subsidies, and encourage reform of subsidies that cause considerable negative effects on the environment..." The last phrase was EU language which took the place the more preferable direct and comprehensive formulation "environmentally harmful and/or trade distorting subsidies".  One sticking point proved to be in the chapeau of the trade/environment paragraphs, where the words "while ensuring WTO consistency" had been inserted following "enhance the mutual supportiveness of trade, environment, and development...".  Ministerial discussion led to the caveat being dropped on the basis that it placed WTO at the head of a hierarchy of interests.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS AND GOVERNANCE

Chapter X brings together international, national and CSD governance.  Most debate centred on human rights and international vs national level governance.  Process rather than substance dominated much of the lengthy debate on this part of the POI.  Governance debate lagged behind progress on the rest of the POI throughout the process. Human rights reference and emphasis on the social pillar of sustainable development were key points of contention, including references to the ILO and core labour standards which the G77 resisted.  Positive references to the ILO were however retained elsewhere.  In the end the standoff between diverging emphases on international and national level governance was resolved by moderated texts submitted by each as concessions to the general process.

"RIO PRINCIPLES"

A cross sectoral debate ran throughout negotiations on two of the 27 principles enunciated in the 1992 "Rio Declaration on Environment and Development".  There were concerns not to recast the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" so that it would imply weaker obligations on the part of some countries to take responsibility for economic, social, or environmental planning, at any level. References to common but differentiated responsibilities that were retained in the text have been captured in a balanced way and in conformity with the spirit of "Rio" and its intentions.  The debate on precaution centred on how far, and in what way, the WSSD could recognise that precaution has become more widely accepted as a device to protect human health as well as the environment.  The US led the argument that science based decision making is the essential hallmark of current practice and that it ought to underpin the future of precaution. The EU led the counter argument that drew on the "further development" of Rio principle 15 in international "instruments". NZ's pitch for the middle ground, which might have recognised precaution being practised for the protection of health as well as for the protection of the environment, and in line with applicable international law, failed to attract consensus. References to precaution eventually reflected the emphasis on science based decision making.

PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES

CSD GOVERNANCE

Negotiations on the CSD governance text constituted the only formal discussion on type 2 partnership initiatives during the conference.  The detail of the CSD role in managing and monitoring type 2s has been minimised in the final compromise text - the concern being that too much of a role for CSD would challenge the voluntary nature and stakeholder ownership of initiatives.  There is no obvious process for developing this role, instead the text simply gives general guidance that: CSD should be strengthened, particularly in  "promoting and facilitating partnerships; and   "serve as a focal point for the discussion of partnerships that promote sustainable development, including sharing lessons learned, progress made and best practices."  It is likely that the role of the CSD will be developed at the next session of the Commission (2003) when it is directed to elaborate its work programme.  Regional and sub-regional implementation of CSD roles is to be "pursued...through the regional commissions and other regional institutions and bodies".  In the Pacific there is a strong desire to see a revitalised Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) process as opposed to ESCAP having any management and monitoring role under CSD.  This will need to be argued for in the next session of the Commission.  In any case the CROP mechanism will be likely to have at least a monitoring role for the Pacific.

TYPE 2 INITIATIVES

Many initiatives were launched by donors with varying degrees of consultation involved in their development.  A common view is that most of these are work in progress rather than packages ready to roll.  The emphasis for most will now be on firming up genuine stakeholder partnership in initiatives, and in developing procedures for their coordination, implementation and monitoring. A number with potential Pacific application were presented.  The CROP process for further development of Pacific partnership initiatives will involve their refinement in the light of recently completed national assessments.  This is intended to ensure that national and local needs are clearly identified and addressed.  At the regional level the CROP committee on sustainable development will assist by analysing the initiatives in relation to both the national assessments and the partnerships being selected/offered by donors.  This process will also consider the mechanisms by which the umbrella initiatives will be managed.  NZ stands ready to assist this process.

ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS AND DECLARATION

In addition to NZAID partnership initiatives for sustainable energy in the Pacific, New Zealand joined an EU-sponsored Declaration on the way forward on renewable energy, launched at the final Plenary. The "coalition of the willing" includes Iceland, Hungary, Switzerland, Norway and others.  In the Declaration, countries commit to the promotion of renewable energy and announce their intention to go beyond the POI in the area of renewable energy. They agree to cooperate internationally, and to set ambitious time bound national targets.

New Zealand also joined the UK-sponsored initiative Implementing the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP). It brings together progressive Governments, businesses, and organisations that are committed to accelerating the development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems.

STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES AND SIDE EVENTS

Ten members of the delegation represented civil society in New Zealand, and Hon Nick Smith represented the Opposition. They made an invaluable contribution to the New Zealand delegation in informal negotiations, as well as participating in a wide range of the side and parallel events that took place.

FOLLOW UP

Next steps at the multilateral level will centre on the response of multilateral agencies to the agreements reached in Johannesburg. The UN's Commission on Sustainable Development is charged with monitoring implementation of outcomes.  But clearly it will be necessary for other agencies to consider their roles, especially major UN agencies such as the UN Environment Programme and the FAO, the WTO, the IEA, and the International Financial Institutions.    At national level, agencies that have been involved in the WSSD are planning debriefing, further outreach, and the factoring of lessons learned and policy outcomes into domestic sustainable development activities.

CONCLUSION

We are unlikely in future to look back on the Johannesburg Summit as a direction changing event the way the Rio Summit appears in retrospect.  The foundations laid in Rio remain solid ten years on, but the challenge for WSSD was to bring greater global attention to the concepts of sustainable development which have evolved over the last decade.  Expectations around any summit are difficult to contain, and it is inevitable that not only international NGOs but governments will need to be convinced of the utility of an event on this scale.

While there will be questioning as to whether the results justify the commitment of resources to the Summit, we consider that there were significant gains made.  Agreements on energy, on sanitation, on attention to fish stocks, the needs of Small Island Developing States and on the reduction of subsidies all serve to take the global agenda forward.   In addition to the agreements reached in the POI, there were the intangible benefits of having a large number of ministers (development as well as environment portfolios) present in Johannesburg to debate with each other what sustainable development means in practical terms, and the policy coherence it requires.

DAILY UPDATES:

Johannesburg Chronicle #3 - update on WSSD (4 September)
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/new/johannesburg_chronicle_3.pdf

Johannesburg Chronicle - update on WSSD (3 September)
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/new/johannesburg_chronicle_2.pdf

Johannesburg Live - Update on WSSD (Friday 30 August)
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/new/johannesburg_chronicle_1.pdf

NORWAY

Environment WSSD Web Page: http://odin.dep.no/md/joburg2002/' and
http://www.odin.dep.no/ud/norsk/bistand/p10003047/index-b-n-a.html

62. THE WORLD SUMMIT IN JOHANNESBURG: PROGRESS FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

5 September 2002

Internet: http://odin.dep.no/smk/engelsk/aktuelt/pressem/001001-070654/index-dok000-b-n-a.html

On Wednesday the world's heads of state and government endorsed the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. Norway has helped to achieve good results in a number of areas, although the Plan of Implementation falls far short of what is needed to meet the challenges facing the world today.  "I am reasonably satisfied with the results achieved in Johannesburg. We feared setbacks and a much poorer result, so I have no problem endorsing this document," said Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. He expressed particular satisfaction with the role Norway played at the summit, and especially the efforts of Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson and Minister of the Environment Børge Brende. It is particularly in the areas of sanitation, biological diversity and chemicals that concrete progress has been made. And commitment to the Rio principles has been reaffirmed. Norway played a major role in preventing WTO rules from being given precedence over multilateral environmental agreements. It is also encouraging that the pledges made by the USA and the EU in the Monterrey Consensus have now been incorporated into the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation as specific commitments. As regards climate, the Plan of Implementation includes a passage where countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol strongly urge others to do the same. Taken together with the fact that China, Russia, Canada and India all announced during the summit that they intend to ratify the Protocol, this constitutes real progress. Sanitation was a high-priority issue for Norway. Our ambition was for the summit to set a target of halving the number of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. This is closely related to the goal of halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water. "And we did achieve our ambition. This is an important breakthrough that will benefit  a great many poor people," said the Prime Minister.  Norway played a major role in preventing wording in the Plan of Implementation that could have been interpreted as meaning that WTO rules should take precedence over other multilateral agreements on environment and development. "In my opinion, Norway and Switzerland did the summit a great service by pushing this through," said the Prime Minister.  As regards biodiversity, countries have undertaken to bring about a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010. Norway fought for the target of complete elimination of biodiversity losses, but the specific commitment to a significant reduction is nevertheless an important step forward.  Norway fought for the target of phasing out entirely the production and use of  chemicals that have significant adverse effects on human health and the environment, but is nevertheless satisfied that a specific commitment was reached to minimize the production and use of such chemicals by 2020.. Norway also helped to highlight the health and environmental damage caused by heavy metals and the need for international efforts in this field.

For much of the summit, there was a risk that the precautionary principle laid down by the Rio summit might be weakened. "This would have been an unacceptable step backwards," said the Prime Minister. Norway was actively involved in ensuring that this did not happen.

"We knew that energy would be a difficult issue, and are disappointed that it was not possible to achieve more in this field. Nevertheless, the initiative to form a coalition of countries to promote energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy sources was an encouraging development. Norway will take part in this work," said the Prime Minister.  Norway also sought to achieve an action plan to increase access to energy for the poorest groups and to increase the global share of renewable energy to at least 15 per cent of the primary energy supply by 2010, and the proportion of new renewables to 10 per cent. We were not able to achieve these goals.  "The social dimension has not received the prominence Norway would have liked to see in the Plan of Implementation. For example, it lacks references to the ILO conventions on labour standards and social standards. This is disappointing," the Prime Minister said.  In his statement to the summit, Prime Minister Bondevik pledged NOK 375 million from Norway to follow up the Plan of Implementation in the key areas Secretary-General Kofi Annan has identified, i.e. water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity. This funding will be additional to what Norway is already providing for these areas.  "Now the world must follow up the decisions that have been made in Johannesburg. We must act effectively. This will require strong international institutions that can monitor implementation and ensure that the Plan of Implementation remains a fully viable document. In response to the Johannesburg summit, the Norwegian Government will draw up a national plan of action describing how we plan to follow up the decisions made there. Those of us who have endorsed the Plan of Implementation must also follow up on our commitments," said Mr Bondevik.

63. NORWAY GIVES NOK 375 MILLION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

3 September 2002

Internet: http://odin.dep.no/smk/norsk/aktuelt/pressem/001001-070651/index-dok000-b-n-a.html

Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said in his statement at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on Tuesday//yesterday*** that Norway is pledging NOK 375 million to following up the action plan adopted at the Summit. In his statement Mr. Bondevik emphasized that it is not possible to fight poverty unless we also tackle the major environmental problems. Every year close to three and a half million people, most of them children, die from water-related diseases. The NOK 375 million allocation will be used for priority tasks to be carried out in developing countries in the water, energy, health and agricultural sectors and in the field of biodiversity.

The Prime Minister commented that Norway has already allocated considerable resources to these areas, but that even more is needed.

"The Summit has reminded us of the enormous scale of the problems the world is facing. It is now important to fulfil the commitments we have agreed on here in Johannesburg," he said. In his statement Mr. Bondevik also said that we must respect the rights of indigenous peoples, and this is being included in the Summit action plan. Norway has attached great importance to climate change and the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in its preparations for the Summit. In his statement the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction at Russia's announcement that it will ratify the Protocol.

64. WSSD PLENARY SESSION - BIODIVERSITY

Statement by the Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Børge Brende

26 August 2002

Internet: http://odin.dep.no/md/engelsk/aktuelt/taler/022021-090040/index-dok000-b-n-a.html

[Mr.Chairman, Honourable Ministers, We are gathered at a Summit that could and should become the most important international meeting of this decade.  Since we met in Bali we have been reminded again why we cannot afford not to make it happen:

13 million people are threatened by drought and hunger in southern Africa. Millions have been struggling to fight the damaging consequences of extreme weather conditions in Asia, North America and Europe. A vast blanket of pollution threatens food security and human health in South Asia.  Since we met in Bali we have been reminded again why our natural resources are the very foundation on which human welfare and health depends.] Mr.Chairman, Honourable Ministers [Despite the fact that we are repeatedly reminded and have made numerous decisions to do something about it], the alarming rate of biodiversity loss is not slowing down.  We have learned that natural ecosystems are changing from their intact state at about 1,2% annually. That is 11,4% since the Rio Summit.  We have learned that an estimated 40% of the global economy is based on biological products and ecosystem processes, and that humanity loses about 250 billion US dollars through habitat destruction in a single year. We have learned that the people who are most severely affected by water pollution and land degradation are the poorest people of the world, living in rural areas highly dependent on local biodiversity for their survival. We know that sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity is crucial both in the short and long term; that they are our ultimate source of food, water and shelter. We know that loss of biodiversity undermines the potential for poverty eradication and sustainable development.  Now is the time to take real action to change this trend. We must be ambitious and concrete. We must confirm our commitment to have measures in place to stop the loss of biodiversity by 2010. We should point out how we are going to reach this goal and we should monitor the achievements.  We should establish a scientific panel for biodiversity similar to the one that is in place for climate. The need for integrating biodiversity concerns in all sectors of society should be acknowledged and acted upon. Economic and environmental policies should be pursued in a mutually supportive way. WTO rules should accommodate necessary environmental measures like efforts to root out trade in illegally logged timber.  The Convention on Biological Diversity was a major achievement in Rio. To be a really effective instrument, the CBD must be followed up by concrete action. We urge all countries to implement recent CBD decisions on access and benefit sharing, alien species and forests.  I will also strongly emphasize the need for early ratification of the Carthagena Protocol on Biosafety. This protocol will be an essential tool for ensuring that biotechnology is developed in a safe and sustainable manner in harmony with the precautionary principle.  Mr. Chairman, Poverty eradication is impossible without safeguarding the resources that peoples` livelihoods depend upon. UNEP`s focus on poverty eradication through ecosystem management deserves broad support.

I am therefore pleased to announce here that UNEP and Norway together are launching an international partnership to strengthen environmental management capacity as a contribution to poverty eradication in Africa.   Mr.Chairman, Honourable Ministers

The Secretary General used the phrase "a chance to secure our future" when the WEHAB initiative was proposed. Biodiversity is in fact our insurance for the future; biodiversity is the life insurance of life itself.  Now it is up to us to transform words into action.

[We have the mandate to use the ecosystem approach and strengthen our commitment to the precautionary principle in order to safeguard biodiversity for future generations. I can't see why we should need any more reminders before we do so. We have the mandate to undertake ambitious actions and commit to ambitious goals to protect human welfare and health from environmental degradation.

We have the mandate to deliver concrete results here in Johannesburg. We cannot afford to fail!]

See Also:

WSSD PLENARY SESSION - HEALTH, 26 August 2002 Statement by the Norwegian Minister of the Environment, Børge Brende
Internet: http://odin.dep.no/md/engelsk/aktuelt/taler/022021-090039/index-dok000-b-n-a.html

FIJI

Internet: http://www.fiji.gov

65. PM CALLS FOR OCEAN PROTECTION AT WSSD

3 September 2002

Internet: http://www.fiji.gov.fj/press/2002_09/2002_09_03-01.shtml

Prime Minister Qarase has made an earnest plea for a committed partnership for the protection of Oceans, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa today . Mr. Qarase said Oceans have to be kept safe and healthy not only for this generation but the future generations as well, and he called on the Leaders at the Summit to take an oath of allegiance for our planet Earth. Mr. Qarase urged the leaders at WSSD to go from the conference with a fresh vision of the future - one of partnership for humanity that will create a new world where poverty is defeated, peace reigns and new hope blooms. The Prime Minister told the assembly that as members of the smallest countries of plant earth, we are proud of our heritage as the people of the mighty Pacific Ocean. "We are few in numbers, but we are united in our determination to protect it, as custodians of the Pacific not only for our people but also for all the countries represented at the conference", Mr. Qarase said. "Unhappily the Pacific Ocean is being threatened from many quarters. Radioactive materials are being trans-shipped across the Pacific against our wishes," Mr. Qarase told the assembly. He added that the Region is seriously concerned about this because many generations of the Pacific Islanders are still suffering from the after affects of nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. "As a region dependant on marine resources for our livelihood, indiscriminate commercial exploitation of the rich tuna resources by distant water fishing fleets is a major concern in the Pacific." Mr. Qarase said there is a greater awareness now of the environment and why it must be protected, adding that at the recent Summits in Fiji of the 78 ACP countries and the 16 members of the Pacific Island Forum, their leaders issued declarations on the environment as their common and sacred heritage. He says the condition of the world today can be seen as a wounded and bleeding planet. "The degradation, the poisoning and pollution continue. Natural resources and wildlife are still butchered, plundered and devastated. People starve and live in crushing poverty. HIV/AIDS and other lethal ailments take a frightening toll. Wars, killings and violence add to the misery and destruction." In this regard Mr. Qarase told the conference that we all guilty and should ask ourselves whether our civilizations have turned into monsters bent on laying waste to, and devouring, that which gives us life. Mr. Qarase we should ask forgiveness for desecrating the gifts handed to us by GOD for safekeeping and sustenance. "Here in Johannesburg, we have another opportunity to atone, and turn disaster into HOPE." Mr. Qarase urged World Leaders to try and see planet earth in its totality, and be dedicated to renewing it. "Only than we can live in harmony with its beauty and natural riches." "We come to this meeting in the name of sustainable development - a rather fashionable phrase with a comforting, almost reassuring ring to it, however its really about the salvation of the planet Earth," said Mr. Qarase. "It's about stopping mankind from grossly abusing and destroying Earth's resources." Mr. Qarase said that for the affluent North, sustainable development at its most basic, means finding a less destructive way of maintaining and increasing the greatest accumulation of wealth in history. "For the South its different; it's more likely to mean giving a man a chance to own two good shirts and a digging fork and the money to buy a kilogramme of rice. It's about listening to the cry of the distressed masses: help us to sustain ourselves and then we can sustain our countries and the world." Mr. Qarase also paid tribute to the host nation of South Africa.

"This great country of South Africa gave us Nelson Mandela a towering icon of our age who inspired millions of people across the world," he said. "His outstanding contributions in drawing the different communities together sends a powerful massage to us all that while we may be citizens of different countries, we are all children of the same mother earth. "We will do homage to his legacy if in this conference we can all find the courage and the will to come together in unity and make the right decisions to safeguard our collective future here on planet earth." Mr. Qarase also paid tribute to countries that have ratified the Kyoto Declaration and urged those who have yet to display the courage, generosity and largeness of spirit the world needs from them. Mr. Qarase was addressing the Summit in his capacity as the President of the African, Caribbean Pacific countries and as the Chairman for the Pacific Islands Forum as well as the Prime Minister of Fiji.

CHINA

Internet: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn

66. SPEECH BY H.E. ZHU RONGJI, PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AT ROUND TABLE OF WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3 September 2002

Internet: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/35078.html

Mr. Chairman, Today I am delighted to be with you here to discuss issues relating to global sustainable development.  The speeches of previous speakers were full of wisdom and most enlightening.  The question of how to implement the plan of action of this summit and to honor our commitments in real earnest bears not only directly on the success of the summit, but even more on the future of human society.

As the world's largest developing country in terms of population and land area, China attaches great importance to sustainable development.  In handling the relations between economic development and population, resources and environment, we have learned the following from experience:

----Emphasis on harmony between economic development and resource and environmental protection.  The primary task of developing countries is to develop the economy and eradicate poverty.  Without economic growth, there would be no material basis for a better life or better environment for the people.  But economic growth must not be achieved at the cost of environment or resources.  In the absence of proper resource and environmental protection, there could be no sustainable economic development.

----Adherence to the road to human-oriented development.  Economic development and environmental protection are both aimed at improving the level and quality of people's life and ensuring an all-round and long-term development of human beings.  We should strive to find a civilized road to development featuring higher productivity, a well-to-do life and sound ecosystem.

----Continued reliance on scientific and technological advancement and stronger management.  Science and technology, hi-tech in particular, gives strong backing to sustainable development.  We should focus on enhancing our capacity for sustainable development, further increase our input in science and technology, intensify our efforts in the development of environmental infrastructure, apply clean manufacturing technology, develop the industry of environmental protection and improve the resource and environment management system.  We should improve the mechanisms and the legal system through institutional reforms so as to facilitate the effective implementation of sustainable development strategies.

----Continued active participation in international environment and development cooperation.  In today's world, a country could not fully ensure its economic development and environmental protection without international exchanges and cooperation.  Through bilateral and multilateral cooperation in environment across the world, it could introduce capital, advanced technology and managerial expertise to enhance its capacity for sustainable development, while assuming responsibilities and honoring commitments.

Mr. Chairman, To realize global sustainable development is a common task for all countries.  Both developed and developing countries should undertake obligations.  However, developed countries should shoulder greater responsibilities.  The implementation of the global sustainable development strategies hinges, to a considerable extent, upon the materialization of the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" set forth at the Rio Conference (UNCED).  In the past decade, there have been both progress and setbacks in this regard.  Some commitments have not been honored in earnest.  The Chinese Government maintains that the international community should strive to make greater headway in international cooperation on environment and development under the continued guidance of this principle.  Now we wish to make the following appeal:

1. Efforts should be made to enhance the capacity building of developing countries for sustainable development.  The international community should vigorously support their efforts in taking their own road to development, so that the diversified development of countries will help realize global sustainable development strategies.  Developed countries, while resolving their own domestic environmental problems, should assist developing countries in such areas as technical consultancy, personnel training and mechanism building.  As education plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development, the international community should take effective action to help developing countries improve their level of education so as to enhance the awareness and the quality of the general public with regard to sustainable development.

2. Multiple channels should be utilized to raise funds of all kinds for sustainable development.  Adequate financial resources are a prerequisite for the implementation of Agenda 21 by various countries.  Constrained by their level of economic development, developing countries lack financial resources.  We hope that developed countries will honor their commitments by taking effective action in respect of financing and technology transfer.  At the International Conference on Financing for Development held in Monterrey early this year, gratifying progress was made on the question of giving financial assistance to developing countries.  It is hoped that the UN and other relevant international agencies will step up coordination and ensure the materialization of what was achieved at the conference.

3. Great efforts should be made to boost international cooperation in science and technology as well as trade.  More exports from developing countries will help spur economic development and lead to better protection of the environment.  It is imperative to remove restrictions currently imposed on exports from developing countries under the pretext of environmental protection.  It is essential to fully understand the difficulties facing developing countries in such fields as trade and technology transfer and to remove trade and technical barriers.

Mr. Chairman, To carry out the strategy of sustainable development involves the economy, social development, population, resources, environment and many other fields.  We should cooperate with one another in all sincerity, stress practical results and do a good job in every sector of work.  Above all, we should give priority to resolving such issues as poverty, hunger, shortage of water resources, urban air pollution, soil erosion, energy and health, which are of concern to the vast number of developing countries.  The international community should understand and support the reasonable requests of developing countries on these issues.  Otherwise it would be impossible to ultimately achieve the goal of global sustainable development. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

67. PREMIER ZHU RONGJI OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ANNOUNCED CHINA'S APPROVAL OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL

3 September 2002

Internet: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/34867.html

The Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China His Excellency Zhu Rongji announced on September 3 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, that China has approved the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The approval manifests China's positive stance towards international environmental cooperation and world sustainable development. The Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Ambassador Wang Yingfan deposited the instrument of approval of the Kyoto Protocol with the UN Secretary-General on August 30. The Kyoto Protocol was opened for signature on December 11, 1997. China signed the Protocol on May 29, 1998. The Chinese Government believes that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol set forth the fundamental principles and provide an effective framework and a series of rules for international cooperation in combating climate change, and as such they deserve worldwide compliance. As Japan, the European Union and its member states have ratified or approved the Protocol, China hopes that other developed countries will ratify or approve the Protocol as soon as possible so as to enable it to enter into force within this year. China is a low-income developing country with a large population. Poverty eradication and economic development are its top priorities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to climate change. In recent years, the Chinese government at all levels has exerted tremendous efforts to address this problem. China has made significant achievements in improving energy efficiency, which has helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contributed considerably to the objective of the Convention. These achievements have won worldwide recognition.

MEXICO

Presidents WSSD Web page: http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/?Orden=Leer&Tipo=PP&Art=3618 and

http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/?Art=3595&Orden=Leer

Ministry of Environment: http://www.sre.gob.mx/cmds/

68. VICENTE FOX PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/?P=243&Orden=Leer&Tipo=Ee&Art=3635

September 4, 2002, Mexico City.- President Vicente Fox has been able to boost various agreements and international commitments in favor of sustainable development for the world.  Mexico's leader shared with other Heads of State and representatives of international organizations his conviction that economic growth can no longer be based on the abuse of natural resources or social exclusion.   "We require development with a human face, based on the fight against poverty and environmental degradation", and he added that despite the commitments adopted by the international community ten years ago, the environment and natural resources continue to deteriorate alarmingly.  As a sign of his conviction and commitment to the path nations must take in their search for development, Vicente Fox said that Mexico was the first country in the Americas to ratify the Kyoto Protocol --an agreement established to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and atmospheric emissions of the polluting gases that cause global planet warming.  He added that the Mexican State has "stopped burning 70% of the natural gas associated with oil exploitation, we have stopped emitting 6.3 million tons of carbon dioxide and sharply cut emissions of methane".  Mexico's leader also said that an exclusive maritime zone has been decreed as a refuge for whales and dolphins, "converting our country into the most extensive sanctuary in the world for these marvelous marine mammals, protecting them from commercial exploitation and any other activity that may threaten them."  In the social field, he said the world must fight to alleviate inequality and poverty in all regions of the globe, especially in the less developed countries.  "Without doubt, the foreign debt of those countries constitutes one of the biggest impediments in their advance towards sustainable development. We must deal with all these problems jointly, and achieve a new world Alliance in favor of sustainable development", he said.  He also called for the protection, in an international legal framework of equity and justice, of the biodiversity, culture and biological heritage of indigenous communities, who are not acknowledged nor rewarded for their contributions to natural knowledge and resources.  "It must be clear to all of us: the only way to protect and save the biological diversity of the world is by directly benefiting the local and indigenous communities that, in spite of inhabiting these areas of great natural resources, are generally the most impoverished and marginalized inhabitants of the planet", he said.  In his participation at the "Future of Multilateralism" high-level dialogue --at the side of the UN Secretary General and the President of South Africa--, Vicente Fox affirmed that achieving these aims is going to be difficult with the current world institutional structure, and said he was in favor of reforming world financial organizations.  "Financial institutions must be ever more effective facilities for the promotion of sustainable development and correction of the deep asymmetries among economies at different stages of development". He said that according to the agreements reached at the Monterrey Conference, the developed economies must make an effort to make sustainability a global development model, while emerging nations must commit themselves to applying resources more efficiently and transparently.

69. JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT BEGINS

26 September 2002

Internet: http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/?Orden=Leer&Tipo=Ee&Art=3573

August 26, 2002, Mexico City. Today sees the start to the Johannesburg Summit, where Mexico's President Fox will present an initiative for the creation of a block of the countries most vulnerable to the climate change caused by the emission of polluting gases. The block will ask those countries most responsible for global warming to address the damage caused by droughts, hurricanes, and floods, as well as to commit to seeking future development that does not deplete the world's environmental resources. Mexico will ask the United States, responsible for 25% of the world's greenhouse gases, to sign the Kyoto Protocol, a binding international accord in the terms of which its members must reduce the emission of pollutants. President Fox has said that he will not only seek international agreement to reduce the emission of pollutants, but that work must also begin on the task of confronting the effects world pollution has created so far. Approximately 90 countries, mainly in the Caribbean, Central America, and Southeast Asia, along with southern India and 80% of African nations, suffer the negative effects on the environment of the abuse and misuse of natural resources most acutely, and face them with the smallest budgets.

Mexico, the first country in the Americas and the first OECD member to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, will lead this block of the earth's countries most vulnerable to climate change and will insist on the need for sustainable development "with a human face", as President Fox calls it.

The summit will also be an appropriate setting for Mexico's leader to reaffirm the need for developed economies to make contributions to  financing for development, specifically targeting the poorest countries. As regards financing, President Fox will also submit a proposal to private enterprises, especially those in the energy sector, to set aside grant money for environmental projects and to create the World Fund for Sustainable Development. Mexico will undertake to achieve a significant increase in the use of renewable energies, planned to reach 5% by 2010

RUSSAIN FEDERATION

Internet: http://www.ln.mid.ru/

70. ON OUTCOME OF WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN JOHANNESBURG

6 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ln.mid.ru/bl.nsf/900b2c3ac91734634325698f002d9dcf/0d212b26dd6fafe943256c2c003feb63?OpenDocument

On September 4, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) concluded its work in Johannesburg. The forum had considered the results of the fulfillment of the Agenda for the 21st Century, as adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, identified new global challenges and determined priorities in further movement towards sustainable development. Russia supports the commitment of the leaders of the international community to the objectives of sustainable development and their determination to build up joint efforts in this direction that were stated in the documents adopted in Johannesburg - the Political Declaration and the Plan of Implementation.  The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Kasyanov, who headed the Russian delegation, set out Russia's position on dealing with the most urgent global problems, and emphasized its determining role in maintaining the global ecological equilibrium. Russia, he said, will ratify the Kyoto Protocol in the near future. Kasyanov also noted the efforts of our country to improve the terms of trade with developing countries, and the measures taken by it to ease the debt burden of poorest states.  The forum in Johannesburg has demonstrated the comprehension by the leaders of the world's states and the whole international community of the essence of the mounting problems and challenges. At the same time the Summit has also revealed the continuing differences in views on how to solve them. This sets for the UN system and all the states of the world the task of building up efforts after the summit in Johannesburg towards rapprochement of positions and the deepening of mutual understanding and cooperation so as to turn the decisions adopted by the WSSD into practical actions.  Russia will continue to assist these efforts in every possible way.

71. ON THE SPEECH MADE BY RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER MIKHAIL KASYANOV AT THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN JOHANNESBURG

4 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ln.mid.ru/bl.nsf/900b2c3ac91734634325698f002d9dcf/cfbb6aed762dda4743256c2a005dfae4?OpenDocument

Russia in the near future intends to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which means to limit the emission into the air of harmful chemical substances, Mikhail Kasyanov, the Chairman of the Russian Government, said as he spoke during the plenary session of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.  Russia has played and will continue to play a determining role in the observance of the ecological balance on the planet, Kasyanov noted. In particular, Russia currently ensures the preservation of almost 20 percent of the world's fresh water and will readily provide the appropriate technologies to developing countries. He also announced that in the autumn of 2003 a World Conference on Climate Change will be held in Moscow on President Vladimir Putin's initiative.  The head of the Russian Government stressed that the determinant factor in carrying out ecological policies is providing economic foundations of independent, sustainable development for each state. He also noted the necessity to remove the discrimination existing in trade with the developing countries, reporting that Russia is already moving in this direction by reducing the amounts of import duties and maintaining special trade regimes with a number of Third World countries.  In addition, Kasyanov said that Russia as a member of the Big Eight is playing a serious role also in resolving the debt crisis of developing countries. Since 1996 the volume of this debt has been reduced by Russia by $35 billion, which is comparable with the volume of the Third World debt write-off by all the other developed countries. "Further efforts in this direction must be linked with the conversion of the financial obligations of developing countries into technologies relating to sustainable development and ecological projects," Kasyanov stressed. He announced that Russia is also planning to increase the number of scholarships in the fields of education and medicine for students from Third World countries.  The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the outcome of the Johannesburg summit will attract the attention of all mankind to the problem of sustainable development and make the modern world more friendly and safer.

72. ON THE PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER MIKHAIL KASYANOV IN THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

2 September 2002

Internet: http://www.ln.mid.ru/bl.nsf/900b2c3ac91734634325698f002d9dcf/e3b9dc33b233566843256c29005a6f81?OpenDocument

Russia is interested in the development of the countries of the African continent and will render them assistance in the training of health and education specialists, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov told journalists. He is taking part in the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Speaking of assistance to the development of the economies of the Third World countries, the head of the Government of Russia stressed that our country is one of the largest donors. He noted that Russia has written off African debts totaling 35 billion dollars, which constitutes approximately half the whole amount written off by the other donor nations.  Touching on the course of the debate at the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, Kasyanov said that its participants' vision practically coincides on all the issues. In particular, according to him, the position of Russia fully coincides with the opinion regarding the need to finance development projects in the fields of environment and education, as well as access for goods from developing countries to the markets of Europe and North America. He also said that soon the Government of Russia at its meeting again intends to return to the question of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to fight the greenhouse effect.

ON THE WEB

ARGENTINA WSSD WEB PAGE: http://www.medioambiente.gov.ar/acuerdos/convenciones/johannesburgo/default.htm
PAKISTAN WSSD WEB PAGE: http://www.wssd.gov.pk/index.htm
INDIAN WSSD WEB PAGE: http://www.wssdindia.org
 

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