SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CONTINUES INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSIONS, WITH FOCUS ON CONNECTIONS AMONG WATER, SANITATION, HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Commission on Sustainable Development

Thirteenth Session

6^th & 7^th Meetings (AM & PM)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CONTINUES INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSIONS,

WITH FOCUS ON CONNECTIONS AMONG WATER, SANITATION, HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Strengthened Monitoring of Water, Sanitation;

Cooperation on Transboundary Water Systems among Issues Addressed

The Commission on Sustainable Development continued its series of interactive discussions on water and sanitation this morning, and opened a discussion this afternoon on the key overlaps among the session’s three themes -- water, sanitation and human settlements.

Chaired by John William Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) this morning and by Dagmara Berbalk (Germany) this afternoon, the discussions today were aimed at furthering consideration of possible decisions for inclusion in the outcome text to be adopted at the session’s end next Friday -- which will contain policies and practical measures to accelerate progress in reaching global goals in water and sanitation, and human settlements.  The Commission’s current session has been billed as the first policy-setting session since the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, designed to turn political commitments into action. 

Panellists on the first topic, “strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of water and sanitation services”, were Jamie Bertram, UN-Water, World Health Organization (WHO), and Richard Roberts, Global Environmental Monitoring Systems/Water Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 

Drawing on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 40 years of experience in water monitoring, Mr. Bertram said that the latest survey had looked at the water that people actually used, as well as other data useful for policy development.  Such surveys must increasingly respond to policy needs.  As a practical matter, the Joint Monitoring Programme of WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) should be strengthened, and the creation of competing systems should be avoided.  Regional mechanisms, however, would support regional monitoring. 

Global water quality was declining rapidly, as was the ability of the world ecosystem to absorb waste, Mr. Roberts of the UNEP warned.  Monitoring systems should be improved to identify “hot spots” before they became major concerns.  The global water crisis concerned both the quantity and quality of water.  Too many people have access only to unsafe water, but access to safe water was clearly crucial for development.  Stressing the need for timely data collection, he agreed that it was also important to build national monitoring capacities. 

On “water and sanitation follow-up”, the second topic, Al Duda of the Global Environment Facility explained that the Global Facility Fund had begun to add water support protection and sewage treatment as part of balancing the competition for water resources.  It had identified several practical approaches, which were being tested now by several countries, under a multibillion dollar fund. 

He said that some 138 countries had received assistance to work with their neighbours on shared transboundary water systems.  Several had been experimenting with integrated water resource management in, for example, the NileRiver basin, the Danube, and some big lake basins, such as Lake Victoria and Lake Chad.  Projects, however, were not enough for instituting Integrated Water and Resources Management (IWRM), securing water supplies, and stopping sewage pollution.  Assistance should be steady, predictable and coupled with country-based reforms. 

The other panellists this morning were Maria Mutagamba, Chairperson, African Ministers Council on Water, and Patrick Murphy, European Union Water Initiative. 

Among the panellists in the afternoon on the interlinkages among the three themes -- water, sanitation and human settlements -- was Carlos Linares, Senior Water Policy Adviser, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  He drew attention to one case in his own country of El Salvador, which highlighted the interlinkages between water resource management, water supply, sanitation and human settlements, and shed light on the potential contribution of local private sector in meeting the water and sanitation goals. 

The small town of San Julian, of about 6,000 people, created an autonomous municipal water company in 1997 to manage its urban water system, he said.  The public utility had only provided water two to four hours a day, and San Julian had one of the highest rates of gastrointestinal disease in the country.  Dramatically increasing connections and providing service around the clock resulted in San Julian having one of the lowest incidences of gastrointestinal disease.  Despite its success, certain challenges remained.  Among them, the fact that sanitation in San Julian was lagging behind and expanding the system required a wastewater treatment facility that San Julian could not afford. 

Mr. Linares was joined by Katherine Sierra of the World Bank.  The following panellists also participated in the discussion this afternoon on interlinkages, as well as cross-cutting issues among the three themes:  Yasmin Von Shirnding, World Health Organization; and Ethne Davey, Chairperson, Gender and Water Alliance. 

The Commission on Sustainable Development will meet again at 10 a.m. Friday, 15 April.

Background

The Commission on Sustainable Development met today to continue its interactive dialogues on water and sanitation.

Interactive Discussions on Water, Sanitation (AM)

The sub-topics discussed this morning were:  strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of water and sanitation services and water and sanitation follow-up.  Panellists included:  Jamie Bertram from United Nations-Water of the World Health Organization (WHO); Richard Roberts from the Global Environmental Monitoring Systems-Water Programme of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP); Maria Mutagamba, Chairperson of the African Ministers Council on Water; Al Duda from the Global Environment Facility (GEF); and Patrick Murphy from the European Union Water Initiative.  John William Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) chaired the session.

Mr. BERTRAM, of WHO, said he was drawing on forty years of experience in water monitoring, including that of the Joint Monitoring Programmes (JMP) of WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).  Latest survey data looked at water people actually used and presented other data useful for policy development.  Such surveys must increasingly respond to policy needs.

As a practical matter, he said it was necessary to strengthen the Joint Monitoring Programme and not set up competing systems.  The JMP must also be capacitated to assist countries in setting up their own monitoring systems.  It would also be appropriate for regional mechanisms to support regional monitoring.

Mr. ROBERTS, of UNEP, said that global water quality was declining rapidly, as was the ability of the world ecosystem to absorb waste.  Monitoring systems needed to be improved to identify hot spots before they became major concerns.  The global water crisis concerned both the quantity and quality of water.  Too many people had access to water that is not safe to use.  Access to safe water was crucial for development.

It was essential, he said, to have timely data collection and reporting.  He agreed that it was also important to build national capacity for such monitoring, and to make all data compiled accessible worldwide.  For those purposes, the coordination role of United Nations-Water needed to be strengthened.  As many countries as possible needed to participate in international programmes for the benefit of the entire international community.  Those programmes should be strongly linked.

Mr. DUDA, of the GEF, said that the Global Facility Fund had begun to add water support protection and sewage treatment as part of balancing the competition for water resources.  It had identified several practical approaches, which were being tested now by several countries, under a multibillion dollar fund.  Some 138 countries had received assistance to work with their neighbours on shared transboundary water systems, through the provision of $800 million in grants. 

He explained that those countries had been experimenting with integrated water resource management (IWRM), in, among other waters, the Nile basin, the Danube, Mekong, Niger, Senegal, and the ground water systems in Africa, along with big lake basins, such as Lake Victoria and Lake Chad.  Each of those and more had received GEF financing to get the process started.  The GEF’s role was to help countries pilot practical ways of undertaking the IWRM and protecting their water supplies -- both the quality and quantity -- balance competing uses, and help build water management institutions. 

The GEF, he said, had five practical options relating to water supply and sewage.  Given the critical need for IWRM to secure water supplies and foster economic growth, countries needed resources and technical assistance to experiment with basin-scale IWRM to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  The agricultural sectors should be involved in basin-scale IWRM, which meant, among other things, incorporating drought management planning to cope with climate shifts.  Utility reforms should be combined with innovative financing and low-cost technology for sewage treatment, such as reuse of sewage water and irrigation.  Finally, an exchange of experiences should occur on a South-to-South basis.  Projects, however, were not enough for instituting the IWRM, securing water supplies, and stopping sewage pollution.  Assistance should be steady, predictable and coupled with country-based reforms. 

Mr. MURPHY, of the European Union Water Initiative, speaking in his personal capacity, stressed that global governance and a strong focal point among the different United Nations agencies was critical to water support.  There should also be clarity in the roles between the different agencies, and not only clarity for those on the inside track who could make sense of the “alphabet soup”, but also clarity for the practitioners.  With regard to monitoring, UN-Water could play a very important role.  The Joint Monitoring Programme, for example, was a very import initiative.

He said there were some difficulties in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus in Central Asia.  Success was defined as a water supply was of 20 litres per capita within one kilometre, but if that measure was applied to those countries, then there appeared to be a very high level of compliance.  But, the problem in those countries was the collapse of the existing supply network.  So, achieving the desired targets meant adapting them nationally or regionally.  If the aim was a rational supply of water use and the avoidance of problems of security before they arose, then it was necessary to address the mechanisms for management and governance of shared water bodies and international river basins. 

There were many such examples in Europe, particularly the Danube basin, where the political commitments of countries and the timely input of the GEF programme had proved to be an extremely strong combination for achieving very effective management of a basin shared by 17 countries, he said.  On another topic, he added that the meetings cycles on water for all international meetings, and not just those under United Nations auspices, should be rationalized.

The representative of Jamaica, on behalf of the “Group of 77” and China, said that, for monitoring and follow-up at the national level, the big questions were about capacity and access to technology, including that for remote sensing.  There was a large need for support in both areas, as well as support for both baseline and ongoing assessments.  Global monitoring systems had a role to play in actual monitoring, but the Commission should retain the policy role in that area.

Luxembourg’s representative, on behalf of the European Union, agreed that the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) should retain the primary policy role in monitoring of progress toward the Millennium Development Goals in monitoring water and sanitation.  United Nations-Water should be the primary mechanism for monitoring water quality and the Joint Monitoring Programme should be strengthened.

A representative of the scientific and technological community urged support for an Earth observation system for water cycles and associated scientific and technical programs.

Ghana’s representative, on behalf of the African Group, stressed that sustainable management of water resources was central to poverty eradication and sustainable development.  It was important that initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) be supported for those purposes, and that developed countries meet their targets in official development assistance (ODA).  In addition, local capacity should be supported with technical and financial assistance.  Local knowledge should be tapped to assist in the effort.

A representative of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) urged an integrated approach to water and sanitation.  Monitoring, however, should always be independent of service delivery.  Both upward monitoring and downward reporting systems were important.  In addition, both qualitative and quantitative information must be captured, as well as actual use of services -- not just infrastructure development.  Follow-up mechanisms should also be an outcome of ”CSD-13”.

Nigeria’s representative, supporting Ghana’s and Jamaica’s statements, proposed that agricultural and land use should be taken into account when constructing Integrated Water Resource Management plans.  He agreed that the Commission on Sustainable Development should be central in follow up on water and sanitation matters.

Indonesia’s representative said that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were needed to ensure that the relevant authorities took appropriate actions and made corrections when needed.  Monitoring and evaluation also helped assess public health situations and broadened consideration of new technologies.  A multi-stakeholder approach was the most effective way of implementing national monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.  Such an approach, furthermore, encouraged good governance, accountability and transparency.  In order to support such mechanisms, sound water-related equipment and better database systems were needed, for which international assistance was crucial. 

The representative of Japan recalled that the Secretary-General and the recent Millennium Project task force report had advocated monitoring of water and sanitation issues, by relying, perhaps, on the advisory board on water and sanitation.  Although that went beyond an intergovernmental framework, that was a high-level panel within the United Nations system, and its activities should be included in the possible policy options of the current session, the CSD-13.  The board could advise on strategy directions and identify critical areas for achieving progress.  He also drew attention to the website network, which had been established to follow up progress on self-actions by committed countries and organizations.  Japan was now managing that system. 

A trade unions representative said that no one seemed to want to involve the key players -- the workers.  Trade unions were one of biggest groups, yet they did not seem able to become involved in any part of the processes being discussed.  In early March, the Commission had produced a 20-page report, with scant reference to the trade unions.  Now was a golden opportunity for governments to forge partnerships with trade unions in trying to win the battle on water, sanitation and human settlements.  He was aware that some governments saw trade unions as interference, and so they were continually marginalized, but the workers did make a difference, and unless they were involved, that key opportunity would be missed. 

Switzerland’s speaker said that freshwater was the key to sustainable development, so a long-term policy framework was needed to, among other things, maintain visibility at a high political level.  The main objective on which the CSD-13 could agree was to promote and implement the decisions taken at Rio, the Millennium Summit and Johannesburg, at national and international levels.  The agreed framework could foster policy coordination, exchange concrete experiences and mobilize cooperation at technical and financial levels.  That could also help monitor progress of internationally agreed water-related decisions.  The framework should be open-ended and intergovernmental, and take place within the “CSD”.

A representative of the African Development Bank said that general agreement had emerged in the last two days to scale up resources in water supply and sanitation, particularly through earmarking a proportion of official development assistance.  In that regard, there was a long way to go, but it should be acknowledged that several countries had already made a useful start in that direction, including Canada, France, United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, in initiating the water programme of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the Africa water facility.  But, it was not only about money, but also about stronger coordination and partnerships.  All stakeholders, therefore, should agree on common frameworks within which to implement programmes.  The inability to coordinate had led to, for instance, a variety of 20 to 25 different water pumps in individual countries, making maintenance and the acquisition of spare parts nearly impossible. 

A representative of UN-HABITAT said that monitoring of progress toward targets for water and sanitation was closely linked to that for slums.  The Joint Monitoring Programme, therefore, had been harmonizing its work with slum alleviation efforts.  In that light, she requested that UN-HABITAT be considered a partner in monitoring water and sanitation.

Brazil’s representative said that the issue of climate change had not been dealt with adequately in the current discussion.  Methane was often produced from sewage disposed into lagoons.  A Brazilian initiative had developed methods to trap that gas for use in energy, and for the reclamation of land.

The representative of Kenya requested that mechanisms be set up to monitor community-based activities.

A representative of farmers said that water was a critical resource for his sector.  Decision makers should be made aware of the key role that farmers play in water management.  In addition, appropriate technologies should be evaluated and disseminated.

Cuba’s representative said that, for a project to have impact, there must be an effective coordinating structure at the national and local levels.  There also must be transparency in the use of resources.  Cuba’s successes had been achieved by keeping those indispensable requirements in mind.

Iran’s representative associated his remarks with those of Jamaica on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China.  He stressed that international monitoring would not be effective without national monitoring.  Developing countries had difficulties even with reporting, so enhancement was needed for capacity-building.  In any monitoring, the impact of disasters must be considered.

The representative of India said that monitoring and follow-up must be done at the national level in context of local structures, which must be strengthened.  Monitoring should remain a national responsibility.  National systems must then feed into the international system.

A representative of business and industry said that short- and long-term issues were being confused in today’s discussion.  The follow-up and monitoring of the Millennium Development Goals concerned to targets for 2015, while the monitoring of water supplies worldwide was a much longer-term project. 

Tuvalu’s representative pointed out that coordination on climate change and water was very important for small island developing States, and the appropriate experts should be brought into the discussion.  In addition, he pointed out that it was extremely difficult for small island States to apply for GEF funding because they did not share cachements with other States.

Egypt’s representative called for international benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of aid from international agencies and the extent of international aid in connection with water and sanitation goals.  He also called for technology exchange and for States to join international efforts that supported national efforts. 

The representative of Namibia said that sustainability of monitoring and evaluation systems would be strengthened by the participation of local people.

South Africa’s representative said that the integrated water resource management was the key approach that should be adopted to fulfil the Johannesburg and MDG targets on water, sanitation and sustainable human settlements.  Clearly, reliable info was required to make rational policy decisions at all levels.  In order to balance the competing water uses for agriculture, industry, and human demands, as well as the vital need to secure an ecological reserve to maintain associated biological systems, account should be taken of so-called “external chains”, including desertification, climate change, and rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries.  And, a rights-based approach, involving community participation, should be adopted.

The representative of the United States said that perhaps now was the time to begin a discussion of the next steps.  There were three areas where consensus decisions could advance implementation:  guidance to UN-water; guidance to the CSD secretariat; and recommendations on the important role those bodies could play to support partnerships.  The UN-Water could be asked, among other things, to facilitate country-level coordination among the United Nations agencies, to promote broader cooperation and be the focal point for reporting good results from those activities; and to initiate the development of multiagency initiatives.

He said that the CSD secretariat could be asked to, among other tasks, continue its efforts, through the web base, to disseminate relevant information on sustainable development, further develop and strengthen the CSD-partnership database, and make the matrix of policy options and practicable measures a “living document” and a formal outcome of the current session.  Much progress had been made in the past two years, but that was only a beginning.  There was a greater role for UN-Water and a more capable CSD secretariat, as well as for a greater use of regional events to maintain that momentum.

Antigua and Barbuda’s speaker stressed that, as a small nation of less than 500 square kilometres of serviceable land, its surface water was limited, as was the land space for human waste disposal.  Thus, water and sanitation systems were critical to the country’s development goals and the overall health of its population.  In addition, an unhealthy environment would be disastrous to tourism, and thus, to the livelihood of Antigua and Barbuda’s people.  The financial institutions, therefore, should address the needs for capacity-building and technology transfer to enable small island States to provide the conditions suitable for the rest and relaxations the “rich and powerful” expected there. 

The representative of Uganda said that if the MDGs on water and sanitation were to be reached, it was essential to focus on human settlements as an area for action.  She supported the views of the African Group, the Group of 77, and of UN-Habitat that the monitoring of water, sanitation and human settlements should be done in a package.  UN-Habitat said that they should be part of the monitoring under way in urban areas, given their long experience in dealing with those issues.  She also commended UN-Habitat’s “Water for African Cities”, among its many projects, as a good example of how millions of people could access water and sanitation.  It had also set up a user-based monitoring system. 

Norway’s speaker agreed with previous speakers that there was no need to establish new mechanisms for reporting and monitoring, but rather to strengthen the existing ones.  The WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme was a key mechanism for monitoring water supply.  They should also ensure continued participation in the programme.  For their part, bilateral agencies should provide more funding and refrain from setting up parallel structures.  The IWRM reporting must be a responsibility of the United Nations and UN-Water.  Strengthening international cooperation beyond the CSD-13 was of great importance to Norway.  She added that the question of an “international home” for sanitation was a global, as well as a national, issue, since sanitation did not have a strong champion within the international institutional architecture. 

The observer of the League of Arab States said no one had mentioned the rights of people living under occupation.  Every day, television brought the destruction of their homes into view, and the ways in which their drinking water and infrastructure were destroyed.  Those peoples had the same rights as everybody else to proper shelter, employment and safe drinking water and sanitation.  In the CSD outcome, those rights must be emphasized.

Luxembourg’s speaker, on behalf of the European Union, said that a proper follow-up to the current session should ensure implementation and monitoring of the themes of water, sanitation and human settlements between now and the overall review in 2016.  Existing monitoring mechanisms at all levels should be strengthened, making it possible to keep track of progress in meeting the targets. To ensure intergovernmental consideration of water and sanitation -- issues which lacked an intergovernmental forum -- she offered the following suggestions, among others:  the Commission could convene a two-day open-ended intergovernmental dialogue session every four years in New York, which could be mandated to make decisions.

UN-HABITAT’s representative said that the global water and sanitation follow-up was a very daunting challenge, especially in the context of meeting the development goals in a timely manner.  The major challenges were enhanced governance, increased financing and enhanced coordination, specifically through UN-Water.  Another challenge was to see how the suggested policies and actions would actually benefit the poor; how they had actually made a difference to the mother living in a slum in Africa, Asia or Latin America struggling to keep her child alive.  Examples abounded of situations where investment in water and sanitation had bypassed the poor and benefited only those already connected to viable systems. 

Syria’s representative, associating his statement with that of Jamaica’s, asked what the United Nations and the Commission on Sustainable Development could do in the promotion of legal mechanisms relevant to the equitable sharing of water.  It was an important issue as the scarcity of water could often lead to conflicts.

Summation by Panellists

Replying to participant’s comments, panellists said that they heard speakers clearly call for monitoring and follow-up on a global scale, noting the central roles of the CSD and the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) in the area.  Many speakers had called for the strengthening of mechanisms such as the JMP and the avoidance of duplication.  Several speakers also had mentioned the importance of regional priorities and processes.

There was also a clear call, they said, to extend the engagement of several non-United Nations partners in monitoring and follow-up.  The theme of rationalization of international meetings was another common concern, along with the development of multiagency agreements in various areas.

They also noted that access to information had been seen as crucial by many speakers, as was local participation in monitoring and follow-up.  There was space, they commented, to accommodate that point through Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects.  Hearing many speakers point out that there was much work to be accomplished by developing countries that lacked capacity, they recommended dividing tasks into discreet segments, as well as increasing partnerships.  They said that small island States were indeed being assisted through the Global Environment Facility, though it had not received many requests at this point.

Finally, they noted there had been calls for increasing both global programmes and capacity at the national level, without which international efforts would not succeed.  In the same vein, many speakers had noted difficulties in meeting reporting requirements.

Jamaica’s representative, on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, then asked that all the Group’s proposals be considered during the course of the meeting.

Additional speakers in the interactive discussion were the representatives of France, Mexico, and Canada. 

Interactive Discussions on Water, Sanitation, Human Settlements (PM)

The panellists for this afternoon’s interactive discussion, key interlinkages among water, sanitation and human settlements, were:  Katherine Sierra, World Bank; and Carlos Linares, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

For the discussion on interlinkages, as well as cross-cutting issues among the three themes, the panellists were:  Yasmin Von Shirnding, World Health Organization (WHO);and Ethne Davey, Chairperson of the Gender and Water Alliance;

Ms. SIERRA said she would focus on feasible actions to provide sanitation and water supply to the urban poor.  Population growth in cities had been rapid.  Urban settlements were characterized by poor housing structures, poor roads and poor communication facilities.  Many challenges of delivering sanitation and water services persisted.  Contrary to popular opinion, the poor were already paying a high price for water, and sometimes more than the wealthier consumers, and they often lined up for long hours at public water sources.  Another constraint was the absence of land tenure and formal services under the existing political and legal frameworks.  Poor utility performance hurt the poor more than others.  During shortages, rationing affected the poor who relied on refrigeration for their goods for their livelihoods, who often resorted to bribery to get the needed services. 

She said that the urban poor often relied on small-scale providers.  Private vendors played a key role.  For example, up to one quarter of the urban populations in Latin America and nearly half in Africa relied on small-scale providers.  The sanitation crisis was particularly acute in rapidly growing high-density slums.  Progress should be made by accelerating the process of restructuring the informal settlements and supporting the informal sector at least until the restructuring was under way.  Broader action in citywide initiatives was required to improve the provision of water and sanitation services to the poor.  Reaching poor consumers required engagement with policy and regulatory processes. 

Extending the water supply and sanitation services for urban poor people was an area of focus of the World Bank, she said.  The key areas for the Bank included working with utilities and ensuring that they offered communities a menu of service options appropriately priced.  That also required working with small-scale operators, and increasing the elements of both hardware and software of sanitation.  The World Bank was also supporting its partners in designing and implementing utility reform, aimed at helping the poor.  As part of utility reform, innovative ways were being sought to address the restraints to achieving the ultimate goal -- household connection for all.  In the meantime -- which might be a long time -- ignoring the problem had not made it go away.  The only solution was to work with what was available, and the World Bank was doing just that in Africa, among other places. 

Mr. LINARES, of the UNDP, described the case of a small town, population 6,000, in his country of El Salvador.  In 1997, an autonomous municipal company had been formed to manage the water system.  The company was created because the public utility was only providing water for two to four hours a day.  The population suffered the highest rate of gastrointestinal disease of anywhere in the country.  Under the new company, connections increased initially from 700 to more than 1,000, and now every household connection was metered and service was provided around the clock, seven days a week.  The population now had the lowest incidence of gastrointestinal disease.  The water company’s profits multiplied yearly, and they continued to increase today. 

He said that the success of the company, which had no debt, no subsidies and was financially viable, had been underpinned by a number of factors, including its autonomous management, the local political will and popular support, early technical assistance by US-AID, and a small initial grant of $300,000.  Despite the success, three challenges remained:  sanitation was lagging behind; expanding the system required a wastewater treatment facility, which it could not afford; and, despite the by-laws, political interference remained a threat. 

Governments should unleash private sector potential, requiring, first, recognition of local private sector entrepreneurs in water and sanitation, he said.  They should also formulate flexible policies that kept bureaucratic “red tape” to a minimum.  They should also:  provide legal status and secure tenure for land and infrastructure; provide access to financial resources, including targeted subsidies for the poor and financial arrangements for wastewater treatment for infrastructure.  They might also consider enhancing the local private sector in small towns, he said.

Ms. VON SHIRNDING, of the World Health Organization, affirmed that there were strong linkages between sectors of development through the common thread of good health.  There was an especially strong linkage between sickness, poverty and poor environment.  Most of the 11 million childhood deaths result from lack of investment in basic services and infrastructure.  Unhealthy locales of homes and workplaces were particularly damaging.

Addressing any one aspect, for example, hygiene and not clean water, would have little effect, she said.  Funding must be made available for environmental initiatives at the same time as specific risks and exposures were being addressed.  Interlinked databases were also necessary.  Health impact assessments were particularly useful in that regard.  In addition, frameworks for cross-sector initiatives must continue to be developed.

The capacity of the health sector must be built, she said, so that it could work across sectors, she continued.  There were many partnerships being created for all those purposes, but new and strengthened partnerships might still be needed.  The WHO would continue to work with the CSD to make sure all factors for a healthy living environment were put in place.

Ms. DAVEY described two community projects of Angola Trust, including a water project in Southern Africa that was community-driven and empowered women.  In both cases, patient training was required to obtain community ownership.  It was critical to work with existing sources, she said, and to engage community participation.  The experiences showed that with such participation, along with concerted international action, it was definitely possible to make progress in providing access to water and sanitation.

Jamaica’s representative, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, asked that the Commission take further effective measures to remove the obstacles to full realization of the rights of peoples living under occupation, which were incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person.  That must be combated and eradicated.  The Group, meanwhile, supported most of the recommendations in the report of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting relating to the interlinkages among the three target areas.  The omission of cross-cutting issues in the report, however, represented a major gap that needed to be addressed. 

He said that those cross-cutting issues included:  poverty eradication; changing unsustainable patterns consumption and production; protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development; sustainable development in a globalizing world; health and sustainable development; sustainable development of small island developing States; sustainable development for Africa; an institutional framework for sustainable development; gender equality; and education.  All of those areas must be addressed. 

Luxembourg’s speaker, on behalf of the European Union, said that interlinked actions and cross-sectoral action were likely to have more efficient or sustainable long-term effects than actions isolated on each theme.  The cross-cutting issues were the basis of sustainable development per se and had an importance of their own, which could help achieve results in the areas of water, sanitation and human settlements, as well as in other themes of the Commission cycles.  Those linkages, therefore, should be tackled now, and in every implementation cycle in the future. 

Presenting two of the Union’s policy recommendations, she said that integrated urban planning and management was the appropriate framework for addressing interlinkages between the three themes of the current cycle, as well as interlinkages between rural and urban settings and interlinkages with the themes of the next cycles.  States should, among other things:  develop integrated and inclusive policies of urban planning and management; establish national coordination mechanisms to manage the many competing demands for water; promote capacity-building of integrated water resource management and ensure that sanitation was fully integrated into such systems; and develop or strengthen national sanitation policies.

Belgium’s representative stressed the role of nationally owned strategies, interlinking both the three themes and cross-cutting issues.  A multisectoral, multi-stakeholder approach to water resource planning should be adopted.  The European Union had proposed a list of practical measures for national strategies in key areas:  the urgent need to begin implementation in 2005; the need for a strong, sustainable production and consumption component; and the need to have in those strategies women’s participation and full access to economic and all other activities.  The list also emphasized the need for a multisectoral approach to resources planning, as well as the need for mechanisms to interlink ministries and sectors in resource planning.

He said that among the goals of those strategies was achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  Clear linkages of the Sustainable Development Summit goals to the road map towards implementation of the Millennium Declaration were needed, as well as a stronger linkage between the Monterrey and Johannesburg commitments.  Environmental sustainability underpinned achievement of all Millennium Development Goals, and was a crucial asset to escaping the so-called “poverty trap”.

Colombia’s speaker advocated education as a means to ensure that resources were used in a more rational way.  Colombia had organized training days on sanitation, as well as days on access to basic services and education.  Community participation in sanitation was also encouraged.  Significant steps had been taken to increase knowledge of the management of aquifers, and to identify richer zones and take decisions that could ensure a solution to the problem of supply, given the prevalence of water shortages.  Measures had also been undertaken to mainstream and protect the environment, particularly with respect to the institutional component of basic sanitation.  Water management must be done in an integrated way with other renewable resources.  Rainwater collection was key to Colombia’s poverty alleviation policy.

A representative of the youth group called on governments to recognize the impact that human security and youth leadership had on implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.  Perceiving health and sustainable development as a cross-cutting issue was essential, within which population management was also critical.  In addressing the interlinkages of water, sanitation and human settlements, governments must pay special attention to women, children and youth.  They should also keep in mind the need to remain sensitive to all sexual orientations when formulating population policies.  Military operations often had direct and severe impacts on the ability of all sectors to provide water, sanitation and housing, and youth were disproportionately affected.  Youth leadership should be institutionalized into the framework of all sustainable development initiatives.

Switzerland’s representative said it was important to recognize and encourage local initiatives.  Each culture had its own values in relation to domestic hygiene and water.  Cultural sensitivity and participatory planning deserved patience and hard work.  In the same way, it was important to do the groundwork in assuring gender equity in water projects.

The representative of New Zealand pointed to the special vulnerability of small island developing States in water and sanitation.  He hoped the outcome document of the session would reflect that.

A representative of the scientific and technological community said that science and technology were still underused means of implementation of an integrated approach to water, sanitation and sustainable development.  To redress that situation, capacity had to be built at the national and regional level, and broader interlinkages had to be considered from an interdisciplinary, scientific perspective.  Sharing knowledge was also essential.

Iran’s representative advocated public awareness, capacity-building and training programmes to encourage a cross-cutting approach to water and sanitation.  The support of traditional best practices would also ensure greater success.  He advocated a variety of measures, including stricter enforcement of building codes, and policies that balanced rural and urban concerns.

A representative of non-governmental organizations requested a multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable production and consumption, as opposed to growth.  She also advocated channelling much of the efforts for water and sanitation through women for maximum effectiveness.  She also asked for an overall increase in official development aid, which should be targeted to the poorest countries and not for the purpose of political or economic leverage.

A representative of Bermuda, on behalf of the United Kingdom, described the situation of sewage disposal and water collection on her island.  Population had increased and rainfall had declined because of climate change.  She called for a collective vision of the future to counteract such negative trends in a holistic way, at both the national and international level.

A representative of UN-HABITAT said slums were defined by cross-cutting criteria of conditions of housing, water and sanitation.  To alleviate such conditions, innovative partnerships were required.

A representative of the women’s group agreed that secure land tenure for women and other equity-related factors were prerequisites to equitable access to water and sanitation facilities.  A rights-based approach was, therefore, demanded.  Education and information exchange was also required, in the interest of behavioural change.

Norway’s representative also focused on women and a rights-based approach.  She urged all actors to work with women at all levels, and that women be empowered through property ownership and the ability to make decisions.

The representative of South Africa proposed that the science and technology community work with farmers and local communities to improve the use of water.   He called for a range of organizations to work together under the cross-cutting issues of poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Brazil’s representative said examples of feasibility were extremely important, but sustainable development should be seen as a positive good, not only as something that was feasible.  Commenting on efforts to shape sustainable consumption and production, he said those were often negated by increased needs.

The United Republic of Tanzania’s representative said that the provision of affordable and decent shelter, and safe and adequate water and sanitation were inseparable and remained a combined challenge to achieving sustainable development through achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in those areas, as well as other poverty reduction initiatives.

Among the areas likely to maximize the impact of the required actions in all three areas, he cited:  the provision of adequate and reliable financial support through increased official development assistance (ODA); provision of increased support for refugee host countries; support best practices and experiences among countries with similar situations; support North-South cooperation in terms of technology transfers for low-cost housing, sanitation and rainwater harvesting; and support integrated water resources management, which should include protection of water catchment areas, minimizing pollution, and avoiding settlements in catchment areas.

The representative of the local authorities said that national governments should recognize that local authorities played a key role in pulling together different strands of policy, problem solving and service provision.  The latter service would and was shared with other providers, including the private sector.  The unique role of the local authorities was to provide community leadership by elected people who understood their areas and could identify community needs and plan for ways to meet them.

India’s representative spoke about unsustainable consumption patterns and user charges.  Given the needs of the poor and large disparities in that regard among countries, there could be no universal prescription.  India recognized the need for cost security and user charges, wherever feasible, along with targeted subsidies for the poor.  In addition to improved water efficiency, measures like drip- and microirrigation, watershed management, and artificial recharge were promoted.  She encouraged decentralized solutions to suit local needs through community participation.

Senegal’s speaker said that, in the provision of water, sanitation and human settlements, sanitation was often the “poor relative”.  The provision of drinking water was more often taken into account, whereas sanitation came after electrification.  She, therefore, recommended coherence in sectoral policies and a national coordination mechanism, which prioritized an integrated approach to the three sectors.  For example, a legal framework could be adopted, which covered regulations in all three sectors and included an educational programme.

The business and industry group’s speaker said that the most important cross-cutting issue was partnership.  It was crucial to focus on local actions and support those, where possible.  He supported a trend aimed at giving more responsibility to the local authorities in the developing countries.  Companies in all sectors and of all sizes were involved in partnerships, through which infrastructure was being built and services were being provided to improve the lives of the populations locally.  The group’s current platform, “Business Action for Water” was being circulated today.  Job creation was the second key point.

The United States’ representative noted that at the Commission’s eleventh session, topics had been set for each two-year cycle through 2015.  For the first cycle, water, sanitation and human settlements had been grouped together.  Around the world, there had been growing recognition that the United Nations was working on the “water cycle”.  Many other organizations had responded.  That was an important outcome.  Given its fundamental importance to so many aspects of sustainable development, access to energy warranted particular attention. 

He said it would be worth taking into account the other processes and institutional “homes” that already existed for some of topics that would be addressed during the next cycle.  The User-Friendly Matrix might be especially useful in the Commission’s interlinkage efforts.  The case studies section offered a useful vehicle for bringing out the interlinkages, not in theory, but in actual practice. 

Syria’s representative said that leaders had spoken in Johannesburg about the challenges facing their countries.  In the Commission, it had already been said that it was impossible to work in certain areas and combat poverty and target resources to those sectors -- and improve the situation of women, education and so forth -- within the context of foreign occupation.  Those countries living under occupation faced a challenge to their sovereignty in managing their resources, such as water.  Nor should concerns in the area of sanitation be forgotten.  The consultations here were pointless to the millions living under occupation, because it was not possible to ensure sustainable development in conditions of colonization.

On behalf of the African Group, Ghana’s representative stressed that policy decisions in the three thematic areas required a comprehensive approach, which focused on meeting the Millennium Development Goals and poverty eradication in Africa.  Practical measures aimed at addressing Africa’s special needs were key to achieving sustainable development.  That included job creation and the promotion of pro-poor policies, slums upgrading, and the promotion of agricultural development in rural areas, as well as access to sanitation and safe drinking water.  Some of Africa’s special needs emanated from special circumstances, such as the influx of refugees into certain areas, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

Luxembourg’s representative, on behalf of the European Union, expressed the Union’s support for thematic and cross-cutting action at the Commission in favour of three overarching objectives of, and essential requirements for, sustainable development:  poverty eradication; changing unsustainable consumption patterns; and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development.  The Union proposed some policy recommendations for the session, as well as a list of practical measures concerning gender equality, which could be found in detail in the paper it had circulated.

The representative of Belgium, also speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that it was a priority to change unsustainable patters of consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead.  There was a list of practical measures in that regard contained in the paper that the Union was distributing.

Bolivia’s representative said that the provision of basic services could not be an end in itself.  It aimed to improve living conditions across the sectors.  In the same way, urban planning for sustainable development should aim to improve rural conditions as well.  Management of all sectors should take into account inter-sectoral themes.

A representative of indigenous peoples urged a move away from conceptual debate to concrete policy.  She said that indigenous peoples often suffered from the privatization of basic services.  States must, therefore, promote universal access to such services, and funding should be available for that purpose.  Small-scale technologies should be supported where appropriate, and participation of indigenous peoples should be encouraged in development planning.

Uganda’s representative said that integrated approaches to sustainable development issues should be mainstreamed into national development planning, and funding providing in a cross-sectoral manner.

A representative of UNEP also emphasized the importance of such integrated approaches.

Australia’s representative said that the emphasis on cross-cutting issues must be kept in balance for the Commission emphasis to be effective.

The representative of France reiterated the importance of changing production and consumption areas in a long-term, integrated manner.  In that area, simple actions could produce dramatic change.

A representative of trade unions said that privatization could not always provide basic necessities, because those necessities were a right and not just a commodity.  In fact, the private sector was often doing a poor job in the area. 

Locally planned infrastructure projects that insured employment and social inclusion were needed.

Summation by Panellists

Replying to participants’ comments, panellists said that women’s empowerment was an important theme of the day and seen as essential for cross-sectoral advancement in sustainable development.  The empowerment of other vulnerable groups, such as indigenous people, was critical, as well.

It was noted that a large variety of issues were covered during the afternoon, with improved coordination requested in many areas in order to make a cross-cutting approach viable.  Finance, institutional and human capacity were again seen as important obstacles to be overcome by developing countries.  A focus had been urged by many speakers on local participation by both formal and informal sectors.

They said that one key linkage deserved more focus -- secure tenure in terms of land occupancy would also help progress in the water and sanitation areas.  The link, therefore, between water and land would have to be strengthened.

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