Commission on Sustainable Development

Eighteenth Session

2^nd Meeting* (AM)

Delegates Stress Importance of Meeting Commitments to Preserve Natural Resources,

as Commission on Sustainable Development Begins Eighteenth Session

Greater Cooperation Needed to Ensure

Sustainable Lifestyles as Populations Grow -- Assistant Secretary-General

The urgent need to fulfil commitments to preserve the earth’s resources while building a better life for all was underlined today by officials and representatives of Member States and organizations, as the eighteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development opened at Headquarters this morning.

“With an ever-increasing global population and its inherent and far-reaching challenges, we must accelerate our efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and to meet our commitments to future generations,” Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, said as he helped open the two-week session on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.  The session begins a two-year cycle to review waste management, transport, chemicals, mining and the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production.  (see Press Release ENV/DEV/1123 of 30 April 2010 for background information.)

The Assistant Secretary-General said that, given the heavy human footprint, the number of endangered species, degraded ecosystems, deforestation and decreasing fish stocks, it was clear that development had exceeded the carrying capacity of ecosystems in many geographic areas.  Intensified cooperation was needed to ensure that policies and practices supported sustainable lifestyles for growing populations.  In addition, new challenges had emerged since the last transport and energy review, including volatile energy markets, the global financial crisis and the increasingly urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and they must be addressed, he noted.

Introducing those topics this morning, Commission President Luis Ferrate Felice, Minister for the Environment of Guatemala, said the establishment of a framework for sustainable consumption and production would be a priority.  In countries suffering extreme poverty, sustainable production was a distant goal unless linked with the eradication of poverty, he noted, adding that a green economy would alleviate poverty and generate economic growth, which would be a win-win situation for the environment.

The Commission also heard the presentation of reports on the outcomes of events organized between the Commission’s previous session and the current one.  Those events included:  the Regional 3R [reduce, reuse, recycle] Forum in Asia, held in Tokyo in November 2009; the Consultative Meeting on Expanding Waste Management Services in Developing Countries, also held in Tokyo in March 2010; the United Nations Forum on Climate Change Mitigation, Fuel Efficiency and Sustainable Urban Transport, held in Seoul in March 2010; and the Workshop on Case Studies in the Sound Management of Chemicals, which took place in Geneva last December.

During opening statements by affinity groups, the representative of Yemen, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said that to help developing countries in the transport area at the present challenging time, policies must respond to national priorities and circumstances, providing safe, efficient and all-weather transport.  In managing toxic chemicals and waste, developing countries required adequate support, as well as assistance to strengthen the institutional frameworks for managing their mining resources.

Several speakers today also emphasized the urgent plight of small island developing States, with the representative of the Solomon Islands, who spoke on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, calling for a new era of cooperation.  The representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), called on the international community to support small island States in terms of information sharing, monitoring, evaluation, resource mobilization and awareness-raising in the area of waste management, among others.

Others speaking today were the representatives of the European Union, Nepal (on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries), Chile (on behalf of the Rio Group), Lebanon (on behalf of the Arab Group), Paraguay (on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries), Federated States of Micronesia (on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States), Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group), United States, China, Japan, Indonesia, Israel, Russian Federation, Iran, India, Canada and Switzerland.

Speakers representing civil society groups -- women, children and youth, indigenous people, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, labour unions, business and industry, scientific and technological communities, and farmers -- also addressed the Commission.

In other business this morning, the Commission adopted its agenda and organization of work.  It also elected as Vice-Presidents, by acclamation, Tania Valerie Raguz ( Croatia); Ulf Jaeckel ( Germany) and Eduardo Martin Menez ( Philippines).  The Bureau decided that Mr. Menez would also serve as Rapporteur for the session.

The Commission will convene at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday 4 May, to continue its work.

Background

The Commission on Sustainable Development met today to begin its eighteenth session, which opened a two-year cycle focusing on five thematic issues:  transport; chemicals; waste management (hazardous and solid waste); mining; and the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.  The Commission will review progress in making Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation operational, in addition to identifying constraints and obstacles to implementation in relation to the five thematic areas. 

Before the Commission was the report of the Secretary-General on an overview of progress toward sustainable development:  a review of implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (document E/CN.17/2010/3).

Commission members also had before them the Secretary-General’s report on transport (document E/CN.17/2010/4), which notes that, despite its negative associations with environmental and social costs, transport was necessary to reverse poverty help attain the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in developing countries.  The report calls for appropriate policy interventions to establish affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound transport systems.  It emphasizes the development of multimodal systems utilizing low-energy modes of transport and increased reliance on public transport systems.  Key factors in achieving a sustainable transport sector include integrated urban and rural transport planning and supportive fiscal and regulatory policies, paired with new technologies and greater international cooperation.

The Secretary-General’s report on chemicals (document E/CN.17/2010/5) shows the significant progress made in attaining the 2020 goal on sound management of chemicals, set at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, through the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, the implementation of related international legal instruments, the strengthening of information-sharing and risk communication, the establishment of programmes on risk assessment, reduction and prevention, and the development of indicators and monitoring.

To combat the implications for the health and welfare of millions of people caused by insufficient progress, there is a need to update national legislation and policies which have assigned a low priority and few resources to sound chemicals management.  The report also addresses challenges such as the lack of public awareness of potential health and environmental risks, and the lack of resources and human capacity to manage and reduce risks.

The report on waste management (document E/CN.17/2010/6) highlights priority objectives for waste management, including the promotion of waste prevention and minimization; effective and efficient management of remaining solid and hazardous waste; a focus on re-use and recycling; and a focus on the recovery of useful materials and energy.  It also highlights the need for local authorities to develop institutional capacity-building and delegate both financial resources and responsibilities.  Public-private partnerships, the report concludes, could play a role in financing and developing waste infrastructure and management systems, while public-awareness campaigns and education are important in promoting waste minimization and safe, environmentally sound disposal.

According to the report on mining (document E/CN.17/2010/7), greater efforts are needed, with support from the international community, to increase the positive economic impact of mining in producing countries, and minimize the negative social and environmental impacts on affected communities.  The report indicates that improvements in the basic building blocks of governance are required for extractive industries to contribute to sustainable development.  Such improvements include transparency in revenue flows; disclosure of mining projects; developing the capacity of Governments efficiently to manage volatile revenues; helping Governments develop modern policy and regulatory frameworks and integrating the public into decision-making processes at the local and national levels.  The report emphasizes that recognition of the rights and interests of indigenous peoples and other local communities is a key factor in achieving local sustainable development.

The report on the 10-year Framework of Programmes in Support of Sustainable Consumption and Production (document E/CN.7/2010/8) reveals that a majority of people in developing countries still lack access to basic goods and services, despite an increase in absolute consumption of resources alongside population and gross domestic product.  It notes that development has exceeded the carrying capacity of ecosystems in various geographic areas, whether measured by a “footprint” analysis or any number of indicators, such as endangered species, degraded ecosystems and land, deforestation or declining fish stocks.  In that regard, more concerted efforts will be needed to de-link economic growth from natural resource extraction and environmental degradation, and to mainstream sustainable consumption and production into policy development and implementation.  The report underlines the value of a life-cycle approach in gaining perspective on the interrelation between consumption and production choices, which can have complex consequences for sustainable development.

Also before the Commission were the reports of the Secretary-General on the Review of the Mauritius Strategy (document E/CN.17/2010/9); and on integrated review of the thematic cluster of transport, chemicals, waste management, mining and a 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns in small island developing States (document E/CN.17/2010/13).  The Commission also had before it a note by the Secretariat on the outcomes of the regional implementation meetings (document E/CN.17/2010/10 and Add.1-5), and a note by the Secretariat transmitting the discussion papers submitted by major groups (document E/CN.17/2010/11 and Add.1-9).

Opening Remarks

LUIS FERRATE FELICE, President of the Commission and Minister for the Environment of Guatemala, said that while chemicals played an indispensable role in economic growth, their management was not a priority on the sustainable development agenda.  The impact of chemical products on health and the ecology entailed negative long-term consequences, he said, adding that their management must cover their environmental effects and be linked to the eradication of poverty.

For developing countries it was sometimes difficult to substitute cheap but toxic chemicals with others, he said.  The comprehensive management of solid waste had also become an issue because of the environmental impact of plastics and electronic waste, he added, noting, however, that waste management could serve as a source of employment.  To the “3Rs” -- reduce, reuse and recycle -- he added a fourth “R”:  revalue waste.

Turning to mining, he said that was another activity linked to the environment.  An important source of income, it had also been a source of tension and pollution.  Its environmental and social impact was often forgotten, however, he pointed out, encouraging delegates to hold a constructive dialogue on the subject.

Noting that the United Nations had been reviewing progress on the Millennium Development Goals this year, he said the challenge for the Commission’s current session would be establishing the framework for a 10-year programme for sustainable consumption and production.  In countries suffering extreme poverty, sustainable production was a distant goal unless linked with the eradication of poverty.

Changes in behaviour were essential for cleaner consumption, he said, noting that although indigenous people in Guatemala were the most vulnerable, they were sometimes the best guardians of the environment.  A green economy would alleviate poverty and generate economic growth, which would be a win-win situation for the environment.  The session must review structural aspects such as incentives for trade and financing options.

JOMO KWAME SUNDARAM, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, delivering a statement on behalf of Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasized the essential importance of cooperation on transport, chemicals, waste management, mining and the 10-year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption Patterns, in order to ensure that policies and practices supported sustainable lifestyles for growing populations.  New challenges had emerged since the last transport and energy review, including volatile energy markets, the global financial crisis and the increasingly urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

While there had been progress towards meeting the 2020 chemical management goals, he said, it had not been sufficient because sound chemical management was frequently accorded low priority and consequently under-resourced, with implications for the health and welfare of billions of people.  Rapid growth and development in both urban and rural areas had increased the overall volume of human-generated waste, including industrial and hazardous wastes, he said, pointing out that waste-management infrastructure had not always expanded adequately.  A dearth of quality data for waste monitoring was one major obstacle to global waste management, he said, calling for improvements in the transfer and diffusion of appropriate technologies and know-how.

“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” remained the core ingredients of proper waste management, he continued.  While higher prices for most metals raised incentives for recycling, mining subsidies, whether explicit or implicit, reduced them, in a sector that provided incomes but also created serious environmental problems.  Since 2002, major international multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at greater transparency regarding mining revenues and stepped-up engagement in social issues.  However, adequate capacities in planning and enforcing environmental, safety and heath regulations in the mining sector were often lacking at the national and local levels.

He said that, given the heavy human footprint, the number of endangered species, degraded ecosystems and land, deforestation and decreasing fish stocks, it was clear that development had exceeded the carrying capacity of ecosystems in many geographic areas.  “With an ever-increasing global population and its inherent and far-reaching challenges, we must accelerate our efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and to meet our commitments to future generations,” he emphasized.

Reports on Intercessional Meetings

AKIRA NITTA, Deputy Director, Office of Sound Material-Cycle Society, Ministry of Environment, Japan, reported on the outcome of the International Consultative Meeting on “Expending Waste Management Services in Developing Countries”, held in Toyo on 18 and 19 March, saying that participants had included representatives of public utilities, local communities and research institutions, as well as civil society from numerous countries.

The issues discussed during the Meeting included innovative approaches to integrated waste management, he said.  The Chair’s summary included the observation that developing countries faced numerous problems, such as lack of capacity, enforcement and financial resources, especially at the municipal level.  A new global partnership should be developed, and there was also a need to promote awareness of waste management and to promote integrated waste management at the national level.

Reporting on the outcome of the “Inaugural Meeting of the Regional 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Forum in Asia”, held in Toyo on 11 and 12 November 2009, he stressed the essential importance of implementing waste management and ensuring the sound treatment of waste.  Japan was promoting the development of a low-carbon society and the importance of coexistence with nature, through the use of the 3Rs at the global level, he added.

PARK KWANGSUK ( Republic of Korea) reported on the outcome of the international expert group meeting titled “United Nations Forum on Climate Change Mitigation, Fuel Efficiency and Sustainable Urban Transport”, held in Seoul on 16 and 17 March 2010.  Attended by 170 participants from a wide range of countries, including experts and diplomats, the complete proceedings were already available on the sustainable development website.  Among other recommendations, the group called for comprehensive approaches that would include better urban planning and improved technologies.

DONALD COOPER, Executive Secretary, Stockholm Convention, reported on behalf of that treaty body as well as the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Chemicals Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the outcome of the “Workshop on Case Studies in Sound Management of Chemicals”, held in Geneva on 3 and 4 December 2009.  He cited a recent publication of the three entities that provided good examples of policies and actions.  Experts from different countries and business sectors had attended a workshop which had concluded that significant progress had been made in reducing risks in the manufacturing, distribution and storage of chemicals.

However, the environment and human health still suffered from the impact of chemicals, particularly in developing countries, he said.  The main barriers to sound management included the low priority accorded to chemical-waste management in development plans, an absence of coherent institutional frameworks, a lack of technical capacity, and inadequate management in the informal sector.  Lessons learned included:  increase in the understanding of the linkage between management of chemicals and development and the necessity of broad stakeholder involvement, adequate legislation, life cycle approach and harmonization of cooperation.

Statements

ABDULLAH M. ALSAIDI (Yemen), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said that in order to meet sustainable development goals, it was necessary to expand transportation infrastructure and services in developing countries.  The requisite policies should respond to national priorities and circumstances in providing safe, efficient and all-weather transportation.

More must also be done in the management of toxic chemicals in developing countries, he said.  There was a lack of necessary information, resources and expertise, and waste management required adequate support as well.  It was also crucial for developing countries to strengthen the institutional framework to manage mining resources, in order to gain the benefits while limiting adverse environmental effects.  Greater transparency should not apply only to the supply side, but also to investors, he stressed.

Concerned that many developing countries remained in the poverty trap, he underscored the importance of protecting any gains they might make while limiting their environmental footprint.  For that reason, development and environmental concerts must continue to be linked.  Upcoming events in respect of small island developing States were particularly important.  Finally, he emphasized that the sustainable development of peoples living under foreign occupation must be a priority.

PETER SCHWAIGER, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations, said efforts to address the health and environmental problems caused by mobility should focus on managing demand, establishing sustainable transport systems, changing mobility habits, improving transport energy efficiency and promoting clean transport.

He said efforts to address waste management issues should include the promotion of a waste hierarchy that would favour waste prevention over re-use, followed by recycling, recovery of energy embedded in waste, and disposal as the last resort.  On the question of mining, he emphasized policies to lower pressure on ecosystems and increase the wealth and welfare of all people by doing “more with less”.

It was also important to implement the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, and to adopt a global system for recognizing and communicating risks and hazards, he said, going on to describe the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management as an important global framework for strengthening capacities for sound chemicals management and narrowing the capacity gap between developing and developed countries.  All countries should use the process to ensure that chemicals were produced and used in ways that minimized adverse effects on the environment and on human health.

GYAN CHANDRA ACHARYA (Nepal), speaking on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries, said the unavailability of proper transport infrastructure and services, appropriate technology and manpower had negatively affected development efforts and perpetuated poverty.  Most urban areas also lacked adequate planning and public transport services, and contributed to high fuel consumption and air pollution.  The availability of sufficient funding and technical assistance was a must in addressing the critical transport requirements of the least developed countries, he stressed.

Though chemicals were critical for sustainable development, they had implications for the health and welfare of millions of people, he pointed out.  Regular exchanges of information on chemical safety and potentially hazardous chemicals contained in some products, as well as cooperative action on such issues as biotechnology and e-waste, among others, could enhance the sustainable management of such chemicals.  There was a strong need for concerted efforts to reduce the risks posed by toxic chemicals during their entire life cycle.

Waste caused by economic growth, urbanization, industrialization and unsustainable production and consumption patterns had had adverse economic and environmental effects, including damage to natural resources, he said.  Economic sustainability in the least developed countries could only be achieved through increased support for their economic growth and sustainable economic development.  That required sincere implementation of the commitments agreed at international conferences as well as the Brussels Programme of Action.

EDUARDO GÁLVEZ (Chile), speaking on behalf of the Rio Group, outlined the institutional and strategic efforts that his the region had made towards sustainable development, stressing, however, that developed countries bore the brunt of responsibility and should take the lead in moving towards more sustainable patterns of production and consumption.  Large populations remained mired in extreme poverty, while developed countries maintained a culture of over-consumption.  Words must be transformed into concrete action to redress that imbalance, he stressed.

Turning to the mining sector, he said policies and practices should ensure the integration of the social and environmental dimensions.  The Rio Group had regulatory regimes in place to ensure higher standards of environmental protection.  Efforts had also been made to improve public transport, but more investment was still needed to ensure its security and reliability.

Outlining actions taken to manage chemicals, he stressed the importance of regional centres in implementing the commitments made in the three Chemical Conventions, and called for new and additional funding for them.  As for waste management, he said it must be linked to adequate treatment of hazardous waste, emphasizing that developing countries needed technology transfer, capacity-building, training and additional financial resources to advance in all those areas.  The Rio Group also reiterated the need to develop cleaner, more affordable and sustainable energy systems, and to promote access to energy and energy-efficient technologies and practices in all sectors.

NAWAF SALAM (Lebanon), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, reiterated the need to implement the intergovernmental commitments contained in Agenda 21 and all other related international agreements, on the basis of common but differentiated responsibilities.  The Arab countries had made significant progress in implementing their commitments, he said, citing reports prepared in cooperation with the League of Arab States, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and UNEP’s Regional Office for West Asia.

Significant challenges still existed, especially for countries lacking resources and impacted by the conditions and bureaucratic systems often imposed by donors, he said, pointing also to parts of the Arab region which still suffered considerable constraints on development as a result of occupation, such as the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  The Commission should give special consideration to those challenges.

JOSÉ ANTONIO DOS SANTOS (Paraguay), speaking on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, said their geographical difficulties, lack of direct access to the sea and remoteness from major international markets were compounded by inadequate transport infrastructure, inefficient logistics systems and cumbersome transit procedures, which reduced the competitiveness of their exports.  The costs of transport in landlocked developing countries were among the world’s highest.

The 2003 Almaty Programme of Action represented a unique and solid global framework to encourage the establishment of efficient transit transport systems in all regions, he said.  It had laid the ground for genuine bilateral, regional and international partnerships to meet the special needs of landlocked developing countries and ensure their fuller integration into the world economy.  Investment in infrastructure development had declined as a result of the global financial crisis, he said, calling urgently for increased, long-term, predictable financial resources to develop and improve transport infrastructure in landlocked regions.

Attention must also be focused on ensuring the sustainability of transportation development patterns, he said, noting that, for the most vulnerable countries, the transfer of technology and the creation of financing mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were crucial.  Climate change might also affect transport systems and increase transport costs, he said, adding that the recent multiple world crises had exacerbated the vulnerability of the landlocked developing countries.  “More than ever we need a firm and resolute commitment by our partners to support us on the path towards sustained and sustainable economic growth, toward the fulfilment of the [Millennium Development Goals], poverty reduction and environment sustainability.”

COLLIN D. BECK (Solomon Islands), speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), said not enough had been done to help small island nations achieve sustainable development, despite their extreme vulnerability to current global crises.  Calling for a new era of cooperation, which would include the fulfilment of all commitments, present and past, he stressed the needs of small island States for international assistance in the areas of transport and chemical-waste management.  International assistance was also needed for the development of programmes for sustainable consumption and production strategies in the mining sector, he said.

JEEM LIPPWE (Federated States of Micronesia), speaking on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States and associating himself with the Alliance of Small Island States, said the world’s poor, including those in the Pacific, were on the frontlines of the collective failure to take action on the overexploitation of resources.  In order for Pacific small islands to meet their goals, there would be a need for cooperation in the development of a “Pacific Template”, or a set of project-financing guidelines endorsed by relevant stakeholders, he said.

Many Pacific countries depended on marine resources for food security and sustainable economic growth, yet those resources were being depleted by actions beyond their control, he said, calling for real commitment on the part of the international community to transformative action in the management of fish stocks and greater local economic self-sufficiency.  The very real possibility that some Pacific islands may no longer be inhabitable in the future, as a result of climate change, must be addressed with urgency, he emphasized, adding that the Pacific small islands would seek a legally-binding agreement by the end of this year that would include ambitious emission-reduction commitments to ensure the survival of all small island developing States.

CAMILLO GONSALVES (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation remained the essential blueprints for addressing the sustainable development needs of small island developing States  While those countries had made good progress towards integrating and making many elements of the two instruments operational, plans and strategies were useless without the means to implement them.  He invited all members of the international community to come with concrete plans for fulfilling commitments on financing, technology, capacity-building and ensuring a conducive international environment that would support the development efforts of small island developing States.

CARICOM was committed to the efficient management of waste, but recycling had been constrained by economies of scale, he said, adding that a regional approach to recycling should be considered.  There was also a need to develop regional mechanisms to protect oceans and coastal areas from ship-generated wastes, oil spills and the transboundary movement of hazardous material.  He called on the international community to support the efforts of small island developing States to promote information sharing; establish indicators and implement national monitoring systems; undertake evaluations of existing waste management systems; mobilize resources; and raise public awareness.

Noting that CARICOM was highly dependent on air and maritime transport, he said factors relating to the small size of the islands constrained their ability to reap economies of scale.  Their development partners should therefore provide the necessary support for the development and management of airports and ports, including assistance in meeting the international requirements imposed as a consequence of new security issues.  Development partners should also be sensitive to the impact of their domestic measures on sectors critical to the survival of CARICOM members, such as the Air Passenger Duty on tourism.

ADAMU AZIMEYEH EMOZOZO(Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said the areas of focus were all related and should be dealt with in an integrated manner, in accordance with the Rio Principles.  It had become urgent to identify mechanisms to ensure the fulfilment of commitments made by developed countries, he said, noting that African countries were working hard to fulfil their own commitments, despite facing great challenges.  The quantity and quality of assistance must be increased and debt relieved.  Pointing out that the gap between production and consumption in Africa was still very wide, he said the situation must be addressed with urgency, through intensified work on all three pillars of sustainable development.

JOHN MATUSZAK (United States), recalling President Barack Obama’s Earth Day message that hard work must continue to “pass this world on to our children cleaner and safer than we found it”, said sustainable development would be achieved through a large coordinated effort.

He said there were three general approaches to bear in mind:  the application of science and the promotion of innovation for sustainability; tailored solutions using an array of tools and approaches, including partnerships; and the importance of good governance -- transparency in sharing scientifically valid data and the involvement of affected parties in decision-making.  In working towards sustainable development, it was important to remember that effective solutions for one area of the world may not be effective for another, he emphasized.  While regulatory approaches could be used, voluntary efforts were also very effective since citizens -- if informed about and involved in decisions affecting them -- could make important contributions that could lead to more sustainable solutions.

LI KEXIN ( China) said sustainable development was a major and urgent task for all countries, and they should all, on the basis of common but differentiated responsibilities, promote achievement of the internationally agreed development targets.  The discussion on the themes should give consideration to the different levels of development of countries.  No country could single-handedly protect the environment and achieve sustainable development, he said, pointing out that supporting the efforts of developing countries to achieve sustainable development was not only the responsibility of developed countries, it was also in their own long-term interests.

The sustainable development of transportation and better management of mineral resources, chemicals and waste could not be achieved without financial and technical support, he said, noting that his country had worked since the 1992 Rio “Earth Summit” to implement its sustainable development strategy.  China had formulated and improved a host of relevant laws and regulations, he said, adding that, with its large population, fragile ecological system and regional disparity in economic development, the country faced immense pressures and difficulties in its efforts to achieve sustainable development.  China would, however, continue to make unremitting efforts to strengthen international cooperation so as to contribute to sustainable development.

TAKESHI OSUGA ( Japan) said the three pillars of economic growth, social improvement and environmental protection converged towards the common goal of achieving sustainable development.  To that end, there was a need to develop a new model of sustainable consumption and production patterns.  Japan had turned away from being a mass production and consumption society by adopting the 2001 Basic Law for Establishing a Sound Material Cycle Society, which promoted the “3Rs”.  The country collaborated closely with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development to promote environmentally sustainable transport to cope with the negative impacts of rapid economic growth and urbanization in Asia.  It would contribute actively to the upcoming negotiations on a global legally binding instrument on mercury.

He said his country’s concept of human security called for the protection and empowerment of every individual so that people, including future generations, could fully realize their potential and live in dignity.  By highlighting the human dimension of each issue, the intertwined nature of sustainable development could be better understood, he said.  Such a human-centred approach was extremely important for the success of the current session and the high-level meetings of the General Assembly in September to discuss Millennium Development Goals, biodiversity and the sustainable development of small island developing States, he said.

DEWI SAVITRI WAHAB ( Indonesia) warned that if the international community failed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, a vital push for long-term sustainable development would be lost.  The current session should, therefore, give serious thought to creating a stable path for sustainable development through attainment of the Millennium Goals, she said, adding that international efforts could be enhanced and strategies and approaches improved.  There should be a better balance between the three pillars of sustainable development, she said, adding that concepts such as the Global Green New Deal had introduced some interesting parameters in that regard.

She said there was a need to consider challenges and opportunities that would attract new investment oriented towards green recovery by reconfiguring businesses and infrastructure to deliver better returns on natural, human and economic capital investment.  A green economy was closely linked with efforts to promote sustainable consumption and production.  The Government of Indonesia had prioritized sustainable development and the promotion of a green economy through investment in rural agriculture and forestry.  Indonesia was also developing geothermal energy, which could provide a solution to the overall challenge of energy security, she said.

SHULAMIT YONA DAVIDOVICH( Israel) said that to achieve sustainable development and transition to a green economy, massive efforts were needed at the levels of both policy and practice.  Israel had re-prioritized its national goals to transform waste from a liability into an economic resource, to prevent and reduce air pollution, and to promote environmental education and a sustainable lifestyle.  The country was investing in environmental education in the formal school system, including kindergartens and primary schools.  Although progress had been achieved in the last half century, the scientific advances had been accompanied by an unprecedented amount of harmful consumption and waste.  Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 set out clear ways in which the transition to green societies could be achieved.

SERGEY KONONUCHENKO ( Russian Federation) said his country intended to step up implementation of international agreements on sustainable development, and stressed that, in pursuing progress on the five issues at hand, it was of the utmost importance to focus on concrete data, particularly in matters of economic impact.  For that reason, the private sector in the Russian Federation was involved in the formulation of a sustainable development policy, he said, adding that national experience in the five areas under consideration would be examined in the course of the session.

ARDAVAN ZARANDIAN (Iran), noting that transport was a crucial element of sustainable development, said his country had recently invested large amounts in the creation and diversification of transport routes, both domestic ones and those linked to neighbouring countries.  However, remaining major challenges must be addressed.

MS. SAROJ ( India), associating herself with the Group of 77 and China, said sustainable development had been mainstreamed across many sectors in her country and guided growth strategy.  For that reason, data were being analyzed and a green road map created, alongside a green gross domestic product index to measure progress.  Per capita energy consumption remained at barely one third of national averages, she said, adding that infrastructure for new technology was being installed at the same time.  A national action plan on reducing greenhouse gas emissions was also in place.

PHILIPPE CHAREST ( Canada) said his country had undertaken significant efforts to promote more effective and efficient reporting to the Commission.  In addition to organizing side-events and an international workshop on national reporting, Canada had also supported the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in developing an e-communications platform for national focal points.

He said the fourth implementation cycle of the multi-year programme of work would provide an important opportunity to build on previous experiences in order to ensure a practical and results-oriented outcome.  It was to be hoped that the Commission would continue to play a vital role in convening practitioners, experts, decision-makers and major groups to work together in advancing sustainable development around the world.

DANIEL ZIEGERER ( Switzerland) said the topics for discussion in the current cycle offered an opportunity to discuss the holistic implementation of the sustainable development pillars.  The promotion of more sustainable consumption and production patterns was a driver towards a green economy.  Chemicals, waste, mining and transportation were key sectors in that regard.  Chemicals could pose risks to human health and the environment, which must be addressed.  There would be no green economy without waste management to reduce the impact of waste on the environment, he said, adding that his country had gained valuable experience on several relevant agenda items and would be happy to share them.

A civil society delegate speaking on behalf of Major Groups –- women, youth and children, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, workers and trade unions, the scientific and technological community, farmers, and local authorities -- affirmed that, while technological advances and efficiency gains were necessary, they would not, in and of themselves, bring about the required scale of change towards sustainable development.  With that in mind, he called for a shift to a “sustainable and fair economy” mode, a transformation requiring a change in the structure of society and which would reflect its interconnectedness with the natural world.  In that regard, a sustainable social order should be based on an ethic of reciprocity and balance at all levels, he added.

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*     The 1^st Meeting was covered in Press Release ENV/DEV/1052 dated 15 May 2009

For information media • not an official record