PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO HOLD ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 30 APRIL - 2 MAY

Background Release

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

TO HOLD ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 30 APRIL - 2 MAY

The Commission on Sustainable Development acting as the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to take place during the last half of 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, will hold its organizational session at Headquarters from 30 April to 2 May.

The General Assembly, in its resolution 55/199, decided to convene the Commission during its tenth session to act as the preparatory committee for the 10-year review of the implementation of Agenda 21 -- the Programme of Action adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. 

The overall goal of the Summit is to regenerate, at the highest political level, the global commitment to sustainable development, a north-south partnership and accelerated action on Agenda 21.  Specific objectives include addressing new challenges and opportunities that have emerged since Rio that are affecting action on sustainable development, as well as to propose specific measures to be undertaken, the institutional and financial requirements, and sources of such support.

The Assembly underscored that the Summit and its preparatory process

should ensure a balance between economic development, social development and environmental protection as interdependent and mutually reinforcing components

of sustainable development.  It also stressed that the preparatory process and

the Summit itself would provide for an active involvement of all stakeholders. 

The three-day organizational session will focus on the election of the Committee’s 10-member bureau; consideration of progress in preparatory activities at the local, national, subregional, regional and international levels, as well as by major groups; the specific modalities of its future preparatory meetings; and consideration of a process for setting the agenda and determining possible main themes for the Summit.  A multi-stakeholder panel is planned during the session to allow representatives of major groups to bring to their views to the discussion.

Reports before Commission

The Commission had before it a number of reports by the Secretary-General prepared by various funds, agencies and departments of the United Nations, acting as task managers for respective chapters of Agenda 21.  The reports are brief overviews, intended to inform the Commission on key developments in the subject area.

The report on demographic dynamics and sustainability (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/2) states that, in most countries, declining population growth in the 1980s and 1990s has allowed more time to adjust to future population increases and has increased the ability to combat poverty, invest in education and other social services, protect and repair the environment and build the base for future sustainable development.  A difference of even a single decade in the transition to a stable population can have a considerable positive impact on sustainability and the overall quality of life. 

While national sustainable development strategies, including population policies, have been formulated in many countries, much remains to be done in terms of implementation.  Among the constraints cited by countries are the lack of accurate data and financial and human resources to implement policies and programmes.

In the future, the report states, priority should be given to poverty eradication programmes targeted particularly at rural areas, women and female-headed households. There is also a need to identify population/poverty/environment "hotspots", where poverty and environmental degradation have reached critical thresholds and where population pressures are important contributing factors. 

Women and children experience disproportionately the effects of poverty and environmental stresses, the report continues.  The empowerment of women and their inclusion in policy-making and implementation should be an integral part of policy initiatives for population, environment and sustainable development.

The report on information and institutions for decision-making (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/3) notes the continuing need for the harmonization and rationalization of reporting requirements.  Efforts are under way by the Economic and Social Council and elsewhere to standardize development data to address the growing number of data requirements of United Nations system programme activities.  There is also a critical lack of basic statistical data at the country level and an urgent need to build and enhance national statistical capacity. 

To integrate environment and development in the policies and practices of each country effectively, it is necessary to develop and implement integrated, enforceable and effective laws and regulations that are based on sound social, ecological, economic and scientific principles.  Programmes also need to be established to review and enforce compliance with adopted laws, regulations and standards.

When UNCED adopted Agenda 21, it introduced the major groups (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/4) concept by which the global community acknowledged that achieving sustainable development would require broad-based participation and partnerships with non-governmental actors.  The two main elements of the major groups concept are participation in decision-making and new forms of participation.  At the international level, there have been positive trends,

such as the recognition of major groups as genuine partners, developments in formalizing partnerships with various major group actors by the United Nations

and non-United Nations international organizations and the new participatory practices created by the Commission on Sustainable Development.

The report goes on to note that major group participation in sustainable development continues to face numerous constraints.  Among them are geographical imbalances in participation, particularly at the international level, growing dependence on mainstream major groups as intermediaries, the need for further work on setting accountable and transparent participation mechanisms, lack of meaningful participation in decision-making processes, and lack of reliable funding for major groups.  The future growth and success of major groups in sustainable development require sound mechanisms of consultation, dialogue, partnership and access to the decision-making processes. 

According to the report on combating poverty (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/5), meeting the poverty-related targets adopted by the international community in the 1990s will require both steady economic growth and specific efforts to meet economic and social needs.  A large majority of the people in poverty will continue to live in the rural areas of developing countries for at least the next two decades.  Increasing priority must, therefore, be given to rural and agricultural development, in a reversal of the declining priority it received in the 1990s. 

The report goes on to say that major efforts will be needed to improve agricultural productivity and broaden access to land, credit, education, health care, water and sanitation.  Policies and programmes to combat poverty in such areas should also include agricultural research and extension work to develop and disseminate crops and techniques suitable for sustainable agriculture. 

Another critical challenge, according to the report, will be addressing the particular needs of women and children in poverty.  Promoting equal access for women to income-generating activities, land, water, credit and other resources is essential to poverty reduction.  Income that is earned and controlled by women in poverty is more likely to be used to improve nutrition, health care, education and other basic needs than income earned or controlled by men.  Ensuring access of all children to basic education and health care, and equal access for girls to education at all levels, is also critical.

The goals of sustainable development, according to the report on health and sustainable development (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/6), cannot be achieved when there is a high prevalence of debilitating illnesses, and population health cannot be maintained without ecologically sustainable development.

Global environmental threats to health include climate change, depletion of the ozone layer, reduction of biodiversity, degradation of ecosystems and the spread of persistent organic pollutants.  The long-term consequences of human-induced climate change are likely to be profound and include threats to the food supply, natural disasters, infectious diseases, sea-level rise and changes in precipitation patterns.  Protecting human health from the potential impacts of global environmental threats requires an improved understanding of the disease-inducing mechanisms involved and of the vulnerability of populations.

Health, the report adds, has become a more central concern in development, both as a contributor to, and an indicator of, sustainable development.  While health is a value in its own right, it is also key to productivity.  Many of the ill-health conditions described in the report have significant impacts on economic growth and development.

The report on education and public awareness for sustainable development (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/7) states that education is no longer seen as an end in itself, but rather as a key instrument for bringing about the changes in knowledge, values, behaviour and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability.  The World Conference on Education for All (Jomtien, Thailand, 5-9 March 1990) marked a renewal in the global quest to make basic education universal and eradicate illiteracy.  The Education for All 2000 Assessment revealed, however, that none of the specific targets set at Jomtien had been met in its entirety, even the fundamental goal of achieving “universal access to, and completion of” basic education by 2000.

Since UNCED, the report continues, there has been increasing recognition that a curriculum oriented towards sustainability would place good citizenship among its primary objectives.  Efforts are being made to develop teaching, learning and assessment processes that emphasize values, ethical motivation and the ability to work with others to help build a sustainable future.  Increased attention is being given to the humanities and social sciences. 

There has also been increasing recognition of the critical role of education in promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns to change the attitudes and behaviour of people as consumers and producers and as citizens carrying out their collective responsibilities and duties.  While that field was still in its infancy, some progress had been made through activities with the advertising industry, youth surveys and in the development of teacher education materials.

The report on changing consumption patterns (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/8) focuses on broad patterns of consumer demand as they relate to sustainable development and efforts that are being made to change those patterns to ensure sustainability.  It states that a broader policy framework is required to address the pressures of current patterns, while encouraging efficiency improvements and promoting improvements in standards of living, particularly in developing countries. 

Globalization and the new information and communication technologies provide opportunities to shift to more sustainable consumption and production patterns, but this will not happen automatically, the report states.  Policies and programmes need to be developed to ensure that the new technologies help shift consumption and production patterns to improve standards of living while reducing resource consumption and environmental damage.

Environmentally sound management of solid wastes, according to the Secretary-General’s report (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/9), needs to be addressed in local and national strategies aimed at promoting sustainable human settlements development.  There is an urgent need to raise awareness of the need for effective solid waste management and of its contribution to sustainable human settlements.  Specific attention needs to be paid to waste minimization.  An efficient solid waste management service should comprise the appropriate combination of public, private and community-level actors, based on the cities’ needs.  In developing countries, more promotion is needed of informal sector waste recycling. 

The report adds that sharing of information and data on environmentally sound management of solid wastes should be promoted.  In monitoring, evaluating and distributing such information and data, the development and use of sustainability indicators would be important.  In addition, tighter control of inadequate land disposal requires demonstration of good practices in landfill taxes and other such economic instruments, which can help local authorities to keep tighter control of environmental standards.

The report on finance and trade (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/10) notes that the past 10 years have witnessed the development of innovative instruments for sector finance, especially for infrastructure such as power, water, sanitation and public transport.  Financial markets have evolved in a complementary way by developing innovative financing instruments, including public-private partnerships, new forms of credit guarantees and new micro-financing mechanisms.  In addition, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) had been an important source of new funding.

The share of developing countries in total world trade has reached 30 per cent, states the report.  Trade among developing countries has also been on the rise, with more than 40 per cent of their exports being sold to each other.  These developments, however, need to be kept in perspective.  Efforts by developing countries to become full participants in an increasingly interdependent global economy have been hindered by biases in the trading system.  Exporters from developing countries have struggled to gain access to the markets of the developed countries.  The continuing decline of commodity prices –- and the terms of trade

-– represented a major challenge, particularly to the least developed countries.

The report adds that international economic integration through trade has had important environmental implications.  Increasingly, market forces have rewarded good environmental performance rather than cost savings at any price.  This has been due, in large part, to the efforts of businesses and civil society around the world that have made consumers sensitive to the environmental profile of products and the environmental performance of producers.

The report on transfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity-building (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/11) states that until the 1990s most of the work on environmentally sound technologies focused on the development and transfer of “end-of-pipe” technologies for removing harmful substances from emissions and treating them or disposing of them safely.  During the 1990s, the focus shifted to cleaner production, reducing or eliminating the generation of harmful substances in the production process.  The focus on cleaner production has been strengthened by the recognition of its profitability, which can generate financial benefits for the enterprise both directly, through reduced costs for raw materials, waste treatment, insurance and liability, and indirectly, through green marketing and better public relations. 

The transfer of cleaner technologies to developing countries has been most effective when it has been driven by demand from enterprises in those countries, states the report.  The demand depends, to a large extent, on national policies for sustainable development.  In general, countries with strong environmental policies have benefited from more technology transfer and more rapid economic growth than countries with weak environmental policies.

The report on protection of the atmosphere (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/12) notes that the Earth’s surface temperature during the twentieth century was clearly warmer than during any other century for the last thousand years.  In addition to the direct evidence from temperature records of global scale warming of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface, there is substantiation from increasing sea level, the retreat of many of the world’s glaciers, and the thinning of Arctic sea ice.  Increases in temperature will change the distribution of vectors for malaria and other tropical diseases, and adversely influence agricultural patterns in already vulnerable parts of the world. 

Many cities in developed countries and some in developing countries now have monitoring systems that provide air quality information, the report states.  In some cities, the authorities can enact control measures such as restricting traffic or ordering certain industries to reduce operations to lower pollution levels.  To assist city authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) has produced air quality guidelines based on health studies, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is working with national meteorological

services to improve urban air pollution forecasting.

The report on sustainable mountain development (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/14) states that, overall, the level of economic development in most of the world’s mountain regions remains unacceptably low.  Abject poverty, isolation, cultural erosion, armed conflict, natural disasters and many other threats and obstacles continue to afflict a large number of those living in these fragile ecosystems,

in which living conditions are often harsh and difficult.  In more developed regions, inappropriate developments in mining, outdoor recreation, transport infrastructure, and suburbanization and air pollution damage have had a serious negative impact on water, flora, fauna and mountain residents. 

Clearly, the most significant opportunity to increase awareness and understanding on mountains has been brought about by the Assembly’s decision in 1998 to declare 2002 the International Year of Mountains, states the report.  The observance of the Year has given new impetus to mountain initiatives and provided greater opportunities for improvements in policies, financial mechanisms, institutional arrangements and other areas affecting mountains.  The development of new information and exchange networks dedicated to mountain issues has also contributed significantly to awareness, understanding and strengthened capacity to implement sustainable mountain development. 

Forests (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/15) were among the most controversial issues negotiated at the Conference.  Several years of international attention focusing largely on tropical deforestation had created a situation in which developing countries, particularly forest-rich tropical countries, felt that their sovereignty over their natural resources was threatened.  There have been encouraging trends in the field of forests since UNCED.

Global awareness of sustainable forest management concepts in the public and private sectors has increased, and political consensus has been reached on many national and international actions on forests, the report notes.  Forests are viewed in a more holistic manner and decisions on forest policy and management are more participatory and more coordinated.  The rate of deforestation in tropical forests may be decreasing; wood production is increasingly moving to plantations; forest areas in some temperate countries are increasing; and the area of protected forests is increasing.

The challenge, continues the report, is to maintain and accelerate the move from policy dialogue to action.  The United Nations Forum on Forests and the collective partnership on forests need to find ways and means to facilitate the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, to strengthen political commitment

at the national level, and to enhance coordination and cooperation among international organizations, so as to advance common understanding on sustainable forest management and to put it into effect on the ground.

The report on oceans and seas (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/16) states that, in contrast with the situation on land, where innovative management practices are based on long-established laws and institutions, the mechanisms for the sustainable development and management of the oceans that have been established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and based on international law, are still fairly new and as yet insufficiently tested by time and practical use.  Furthermore, if on land the jurisdiction of the State can guarantee compliance with the law through strong enforcement mechanisms, the new institutions governing the oceans face the challenge of having to protect the largest commons on the surface of the planet without such support. 

These constraints, adds the report, define a special and unique role and responsibility for the international community with regard to the challenge of ocean governance.  The proliferation in recent years of international and regional agreements, both legally binding and voluntary, dealing with all aspects of ocean affairs, while contributing to international norm-setting, has made implementation at the national level more and more difficult.

According to the report on water: a key resource for sustainable development (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/17), in the next two decades it is estimated that water used by humans will increase by 40 per cent, and that 17 per cent more water will be needed to grow food for growing populations in developing countries.  The increasing pollution and depletion of surface and groundwater resources exacerbate the situation.  It is estimated that more than half of the world's major rivers are seriously polluted and depleted.  The Millennium Declaration sets the goal of halving the number of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water by 2015.

Currently, the report continues, at least 1.1 billion people lack access to safe water supply, and almost 2.5 billion lack adequate sanitation, with the predominant majority living in developing countries.  To meet the Millennium Declaration water supply target, an additional 1.6 billion people will require access to safe water. 

The report on global status of biological diversity (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/18) states that despite the continued efforts of the international community, widespread biodiversity losses continue to occur and the status of biodiversity in terms of species, habitats and ecosystems has not significantly improved in most countries.

The conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity remain a challenge to all stakeholders in all countries, states the report.  They need to be an integral part of local and national strategies aimed at promoting sustainable development, addressing, among other things, the integration of biodiversity issues into all sectors.  The global extinction crisis remains among the highest priorities for the global community.  The development of a coordinated biodiversity monitoring programme, which would provide adequate qualitative and quantitative information in support of policy development and decision-making on the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, is urgently required.

The goal of Agenda 21 in the management of toxic chemicals and hazardous

and radioactive wastes (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/19) is to prevent and, to the extent possible, minimize, the generation of such wastes within the framework of integrated life-cycle management.  The mandate with respect to radioactive wastes is to ensure that they are safely managed, transported, stored and disposed of, with a view to protecting human health and the environment.  Agenda 21 recognizes the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the United Nations agency with specific statutory responsibilities for the safety of radioactive waste management.

There is an urgent need, according to the report, to strengthen national capacities for the effective management of hazardous wastes by supplementing resources for putting relevant policies and programmes into effect.  In addition, greater effort at the international level is required for environmental assessment of technologies and for making the information available to the decision-makers who decide on a technology.  Also, hazardous waste management needs to be integrated and mainstreamed into routine business decision-making processes.

Energy and transport (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/20) pose a basic dilemma for sustainable development in that both are necessary for socio-economic growth, yet they are associated with environmental degradation, especially with regard to atmospheric pollution.  Affordable energy is key to poverty reduction and supports a whole range of related development goals.  At the same time, the production and use of energy, especially through the combustion of fossil fuels, can and does create adverse environmental effects. Without remedial action, these problems will further worsen as overall energy demand and use continue to rise.  Furthermore, limited access to transport is often cited as a contributing factor to poverty, and public transport in low-income areas is now given higher priority by many urban planners. 

The report states that by using resources and technical options that rely on a combination of higher energy efficiency, renewable resources and advanced energy technologies, paths to energy development can be found that address all aspects of the goals of sustainable development.  It adds that meeting the challenges posed by the transport sector calls for a focus on both technological innovation and influencing travel behaviour patterns in both industrialized and developing countries. 

According to the Secretary-General’s report on sustainable development of tourism (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/21), tourism is now regarded as the world’s largest industry.  International tourist arrivals are likely to almost triple over the next two decades, further increasing the pressure on the natural, cultural and socio-economic environments of popular destinations.  More intensified efforts to address sustainability in tourism development are required. 

Along with tourism in general, ecotourism and other forms of environmentally friendly tourism are expected to continue growing rapidly, notes the report.  This

will also require specific planning, management and infrastructure to protect the natural sites of interest, which are often ecologically fragile.  Small island developing States face particular challenges.  Rapid development of tourism can cause significant social disruptions and increase environmental and ecological pressures.  The fragile ecosystems of small island States, and their generally more limited scope for pursuing alternative development strategies, make concerns for the environmental and ecological impact of tourism particularly acute.

In addition, the Commission has before it the report of the Secretary-General on suggested arrangements for involving non-governmental organizations

and other major groups in the Summit and its preparatory process (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/22), which contains proposals on accreditation criteria and procedures for those non-governmental organizations and other major groups currently not in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, and participation of major groups in the Summit and its preparatory process.  Proposals for the rules of procedure at the Summit are presented in a note by the Secretariat (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/24).

The Commission is also expected to have before it the reports of the Secretary-General on agriculture, land and desertification (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/13) and the progress in preparatory activities at the local, national, subregional, regional and international levels, as well as by major groups (document E/CN.17/2001/PC/23).

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