Commission on Sustainable Development

Eighteenth Session

18^th & 19^th Meetings (AM & PM)

Continuing Its High-level Segment, Commission on Sustainable Development

Convenes Three Interactive Ministerial Dialogues

 

On the second day of its high-level segment, the Commission on Sustainable Development held three interactive ministerial dialogues today, with the aim of helping the diverse and growing number of stakeholders in the global push to rebalance consumption and production patterns achieve coherence in the transport, chemicals, waste management and mining sectors.

Launching the day’s first dialogue, on “Implementation challenges and opportunities for the themes of the current cycle”, Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, called attention to a broadened sense of ownership of the issues at hand.  The heads of United Nations agencies, ministers, senior Government officials, representatives of major groups, and, for the first time, executives from the governing councils of related United Nations bodies had all gathered to “brainstorm” on overcoming obstacles to implementation.  While policies might differ and perspectives conflict, delegates must strive for understanding, he said.

Pointing out that theCommission relied on its partners for feedback on what was working and what was not, he said radical, across-the-board change could not happen without additional, innovative financing and the transfer of technical know-how from developed to developing nations.  Citing examples, he said the transport sector urgently needed new finance schemes because the most basic services were “grossly” lacking in some parts of the world, hampering achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  New arrangements were also needed in the chemicals sector, he said, pressing Government delegates to consider ways to redirect budgets to meet such needs.

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), stressed that beyond the challenges lay myriad opportunities for the five sectors to contribute to economic growth and chip away at poverty.  Breaking down barriers required the pooling of resources, building on experience and developing innovative tools and partnerships, he said.  More must to be done to make the “business and development case” for sustainable consumption and production to private investors, development cooperation agencies, and regional and international financial institutions, which could help build infrastructure and install resource-efficient technologies through capital investments.

In the comprehensive dialogue that followed, representatives of major groups, Governments, United Nations entities and related bodies alike offered ideas for making the Commission, and the entire Organization, more responsive to, and reflective of, needs on the ground.  Speakers representing major groups stressed that the quest for sustainability was enormous, and their respective constituencies must be part of successful solutions, since they were most in touch with what was needed.  Some Government officials argued for speeding up what had become a slow and complex process so as to achieve results.

The first afternoon round table, on “Meeting the challenge of transportation needs in the twenty-first century”, explored ways to make transport more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly, a tall order when countries were at vastly different stages of development.

Panellist Jens Huegel, Head of Sustainable Development for the International Road Transport Union, said that in the globalized economy, road transport -– especially trucks -– had become a production tool, and the key to making it compliant and compatible with sustainable development was to apply a “3 Is” strategy:  innovation; incentive; and infrastructure.  Doing so would lead to a drastic reduction in toxic emissions, he said.

A second panellist, Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional Administrator of the United States Department of Transportation, said the use of partnerships at all levels was among the most effective ways to shape the link between sustainable development and transportation.  Flexible funding was also important in supporting the best emissions-reduction projects.

The second ministerial round table, on “Strategies for sustainable chemicals and waste management”, examined the link between chemicals and waste management on the one hand, and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals on the other.

Panellist Donald Cooper, Executive Secretary of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, focused on solutions for the sound management of chemicals, pointing out that the progress already achieved was often overlooked.  Increased synergies among the Stockholm, Basel and Rotterdam Conventions -- three treaties developed under UNEP auspices –- marked a big step forward.

The Commission will reconvene at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, 14 May, to conclude its high-level segment and eighteenth session.

Interactive Dialogue:  United Nations and Major Groups

The Commission on Sustainable Development held an interactive ministerial dialogue this morning with United Nations officials and representatives of major civil society groups on implementation challenges and opportunities relating to the current cycle’s thematic cluster -- transport, chemicals, waste management, mining, and a 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

LUIS ALBERTO FERRATÉ FELICE, Commission Chairman and Minister for the Environment of Guatemala, said the dialogue would focus on questions and issues arising from last week’s debate.  It had been noted that decisions of the Commission and other intergovernmental bodies were not adequately reflected in the operational work programmes of various agencies.  That meant they were not being picked up by country assistance mechanisms like the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), he said, adding that today’s dialogue would examine such issues with the goal of suggesting a strategy to target implementation gaps.

SHA ZUKANG, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said participants in the dialogue would include major groups, heads and representatives of United Nations agencies, and, for first time, governing councils of various entities of the Organization, in an effort to be more inclusive than in the past.  Indeed, there was a broadened sense of ownership, increasing the likelihood of success, the idea being to brainstorm on how to overcome challenges, he said, adding that the Commission sought to create a spontaneous atmosphere for discussion of the most urgent issues.

He said that in the present review year, the Commission had relied on implementing partners to provide feedback on what was working on the ground and what was not.  Highlighting common threads that offered a springboard for today, he focused on financing, saying that, after the global financial crisis, Governments and the United Nations both faced a decreased capacity to effect change.  Financing schemes were urgently needed in the transport sector, where the most basic services were grossly lacking, he said, noting that 1 billion people lived two kilometres away from a major road, a condition that hampered achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

There had also been calls for new arrangements in the chemicals sector, he noted, encouraging participants to consider how budgets could be redirected to meet such needs and ensure that sustainable practices were at the core of national efforts to combat climate change.  How could funding for United Nations agencies be stretched and better allocated?  What contributions could civil society make? The same questions could be posed on the issue of technology transfer, he said, pointing out that, without support, many countries would not be able to improve their disposal and recycling of hazardous waste.

Wondering whether all gaps in technological know-how had been identified, he also asked what links could be made between civil society and Governments.  Where could civil society assist local communities, and what did they need from the United Nations?  In sum, radical change could not happen without additional, innovative financing and the transfer of technical know-how from developed to developing nations, he concluded.

JANEZ POTOČNIK, Commissioner for the Environment of the European Union, said that if agreeing on the 278 decisions of the Commission’s seventeenth session had been a challenge, implementing them was an even greater one.  All stakeholders -- Governments, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, regional groups and institutions, international financial institutions and major groups -- had a role to play, he said, adding that mainstreaming sustainable development into all policies and shifting to a greener future would only be possible through a strategic approach, with a clear vision for implementing the principles of sustainable consumption and production over the next 10 years.

He said the European Union had launched several initiatives in that direction, but was interested to hear the experiences of others as well as any suggestions for concrete action that might emerge, both from stakeholders and the United Nations system.  He urged continuing discussions on implementation challenges, particularly as they related to the future implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production.

ACHIM STEINER, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said it was clear that a number of challenges were shared, for example, financing, capacity-building and technology transfer, gaps in information or data to design policies and actions, and the need for greater cooperation.  Beyond those challenges, however, lay opportunities, he said, noting that delegations from all over the world had stressed the potential contribution of the five sectors under review to economic growth, development and poverty eradication.  Breaking down barriers called for the pooling of resources, building on existing experiences and developing innovative tools and partnerships, he added.

For its own part, UNEP was cooperating with other United Nations agencies and stakeholders on joint initiatives and partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals, he said.  New partnerships with business, Governments and other stakeholders had proven extremely useful, and the successful ones would need to be scaled up.  Some task forces had begun laying the groundwork for that by creating more formal partnerships and bringing in new actors, he said, emphasizing that more must be done to make the business and development case for sustainable consumption and production, and for engaging with private investors, development cooperation agencies, and regional and international financial institutions.

In the comprehensive interactive dialogue that followed, representatives of major groups, Governments, United Nations entities and related bodies alike offered ideas for making the Commission, and the entire Organization, more responsive to, and reflective of, needs on the ground.  Many representatives of major groups stressed that that the quest for sustainability was enormous, and their respective constituencies must be part of any successful solution, as they were most in touch with what was needed.  Numerous speakers requested the Commission, the broader United Nations and the private sector to provide more financing and technology to transform their industries, otherwise their interests and rights risked being marginalized in the greater global effort to create more balanced consumption and production patterns.

On that point, a speaker from the farmers’ major group said she represented the “custodians” of natural resources, who were also among the world’s poorest people.  She said support was needed to disseminate practices that would help the sector reduce its environmental footprint.  The Commission could offer guidance on taking part in extension programmes and reducing crop losses, she said, adding that market information systems, credit and risk insurance were also needed.

A representative of local authorities pointed out that two people moved to cities and towns every second, forcing Governments into new decisions on waste and transport systems, for example.  As a result, cities emitted an estimated 75 per cent of greenhouse gases, he said, emphasizing that local governments were essential to finding solutions.

Building on that, a representative of the scientific and technological community said his group sought to enhance cooperation with stakeholders.  Progress would require substantial, innovative advances in science and technology, he said, adding that knowledge, networking, “engineering know-how” and information-sharing would also be essential.

To improve communication, a representative of business and industry suggested, Governments should consult with stakeholders ahead of the Commission’s sessions.  For its part, the Commission should consider incorporating a regular implementation workshop into its agenda, as a way for partnerships to be discussed in the context of Agenda 21.  Clearly defined partnerships were valuable in the delivery of measurable implementation results.

For their part, environment ministers and other senior Government officials praised the Commission as a unique forum capable of providing guidance to all implementation actors.  Many expressed interest in the lessons learned in the Commission, while others argued for the speeding up of what had become a slow and complex process so as to achieve results.

The representative of the United States, for example, asked the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and UNEP about the challenges that clean production centres addressed and the solutions they had found, saying that States could replicate approaches that were adopted at the Commission’s seventeenth session.

Stressing the need to asses the impact of programmes, the representative of Argentina said there was a need to reduce the red tape in the system, which made everything slow and complex.  Everyone always focused on more funding, but that was always spent on peripheral considerations.  What would happen if no results were produced? he asked.  Citizens and their superiors were held accountable when results were not achieved, and such should be the case for programmes developed in the Secretariat.

In a similar vein, the representative of Viet Nam underscored the crucial importance of sharing best practices when addressing gaps in the implementation of Agenda 21.  There was a need for greater international cooperation -- including North-South and South-South cooperation -- and for new initiatives to encourage cooperation at the regional and national levels.  The representative of Serbia called for the strengthening of public-private partnerships, and the enhancement of synergies between the environment and development agendas.

Offering ideas for streamlining processes, officials of United Nations agencies and related bodies said societies could only go so far without a coordinated approach to problems in the sectors under review.  An official of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants -– one of three conventions developed under UNEP auspices -– described the steps that three secretariats were taking to promote synergies.  They had agreed to appoint a joint chief and to establish joint services in areas including the financial, legal, information-technology and resource-mobilization fields.  They had also agreed to synchronize their three budget cycles, he added.

An official of the International Labour Organization (ILO) pointed out that the worlds of work and sustainable development were closely intertwined, since the path towards sustainability would require adaptations and reforms that would influence labour markets.  Labour policies and standards had an important sustainability dimension, because workers and employers were the first affected by environmental degradation in the workplace, he said.

Also speaking today were ministers, deputy ministers, senior Government officials and other high-level representatives of Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, India, Ghana, Switzerland, Egypt, Colombia and Mexico.

Representatives of the following civil society major groups also spoke:  workers and trade unions, non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples, youth and children, and women.

Also making interventions were officials of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

A representative of the Global Environment Facility also spoke.

Ministerial Round Table on Meeting Twenty-first Century Transport Needs

Co-chaired by Humberto Rosa, Secretary of State for the Environment of Portugal, and Clifford Everald Warmington, Minister of State for Water and Housing of Jamaica, the round table featured presentations by Jens Huegel, Head of Sustainable Development, International Road Transport Union; James Leather, Principal Transport Specialist, Infrastructure Division, Regional and Sustainable Development Department, Asian Development Bank; Jan Kubiš, Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Europe (ECE); and Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional Administrator, United States Department of Transportation.

Mr. ROSA said there was no one-size-fits-all solution to the constraints and obstacles hindering implementation of the transport agenda, since each country was at a different stage of development.  Each had different development priorities and a nationally owned vision for shaping the future of its people.  However, knowing what worked and what did not could serve as an important guide when formulating future policies and programmes, he said.

THOMAS STELZER, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said the discussion aimed to identify concrete actions that would enhance the sustainable development of the transport sector.  Basic transport infrastructure was still non-existent in many rural areas of the developing world, which made it extremely difficult for the rural poor -– especially women and children -– to access basic services.  Current programmes to improve road access were insufficient, he said, stressing the need to identify ways to improve systems, generate innovative and creative ideas as well as committed resources.

Mr. HUEGEL said the International Road Transport Union represented the road transport industry worldwide through a network of national member associations.  It currently had 180 members in 74 countries, and facilitating trade and tourism were its two priorities.  It was important to understand that in the current globalized economy, road transport, especially trucks, had become a production tool rather than merely a mode of transport.

For example, there were 10,000 suppliers for every car, and everything in the meeting room had been on a truck, he said, adding that it was crucial to understand that scope.  The key to making transport compliant and compatible with sustainable development was the “3 Is” -- innovation, incentives and infrastructure.  Applying that strategy had led to a great reduction in toxic emissions, he said.  The Union had also felt the need to take the lead in addressing the challenge of carbon dioxide, making a voluntary commitment to reduce emissions by 30 per cent industry-wide.

On the issue of facilitation, he said collective transport should be promoted, describing the shift from private cars to collective transport as “a very smart move”.  Furthermore, risks on the roads were increasing, and safety was a key priority for the industry, he said, stressing that every accident was one too many.  Trucks were automatically seen as being at fault in accidents, but that was not the case, he said, noting that good statistics, among other things, were needed to correct that impression.

Mr. LEATHER stressed that transport played a key role in providing access to markets, jobs, education, health care and services.  Without improved access and stronger infrastructure and services, achieving the Millennium Development Goals, especially poverty reduction, would be unlikely.  Low-carbon sustainable transport was a key component of sustainable development, he said, emphasizing the importance of considering the economic, social and environmental dimensions of transport as well as its links to other policies.

He said the Asian Development Bank was increasing its support for transport in its developing member countries.  It was raising lending volume for transport from $2 billion to $4 billion per year.  As part of its Sustainable Transport Initiative, the Bank would be putting increased emphasis on mainstreaming sustainable transport into its existing transport operations.  In addition, it had identified early opportunities for new and enhanced lending operations in cross-border trade and logistics; urban transport; mainstreaming climate change into transport; and road safety and social sustainability.

Transportation in the twenty-first century must focus on providing affordable, safe, clean and universal access to markets, jobs, education, health care and services, he said.  Setting global transport-related targets for both improved access and reducing carbon intensity would increase the chances of achieving the Millennium Goals.  Such targets could guide the development of more effective policies and help mobilize financial resources, he said, adding that global cooperation should be based on a long-term vision, but have medium-term targets and include short-term actions.

Mr. KUBIŠ said the ECE included some of the most developed countries and some of the least developed, as well as countries with economies in transition or with vast territories, and some that were close to double land-locked.  It was clear that a comprehensive transport system was important to sustainable development, as transport constraints were most likely to impact a nation’s productivity and competitiveness, he said, pointing out that increasing mobility was associated with economic growth and development.

Turning to the question of infrastructure, he said road and rail networks were often inadequate or incoherent.  Measures introduced by one country might serve the interests of others, but they could only benefit all in a multilateral framework.  Cleaner vehicles and fuels had helped regional countries reduce emissions, an important achievement since emissions impacted long-term economic growth by contributing to global climate change.  As for road safety, he emphasized that there were too many road traffic deaths and injuries within the region, and called for the quantifying of reliable national statistics and research in order to improve that situation.

Ms. HYNES-CHERIN said the United States federal transit programme had made sustained efforts over the last decade to view major transit investments from the perspective of how they could help achieve sustainable development.  Competitive programmes allowed the Government to fund those projects that met national goals, and discretionary programmes could also be used to drive policy changes, she said.  Among the policies that the United States had found effective in shaping the link between sustainable development and transportation was the use of partnerships at all levels.

She said the use of flexible funding was important because it supported the best emission-reducing projects.  For example, a major institutional change was occurring in San Francisco, a city that already had a world-renowned reputation for using different forms of transportation.  The city’s local public transport operator was an integrated sustainable service provider, which, among other things, planned designs, built and operated five modes of public transportation.  It was also responsible for parking supply and management, and for stationary development and the taxi administration.  That maximized the potential of each mode of transport while reducing the environmental impact, she said.

Within its political structure, she said, the United States was enhancing sustainable development through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which supported common goals and fostered implementation across the country.  It aimed to provide more transportation choices; expand location and energy-efficient housing resources; improve the economic competitiveness of neighbourhoods; direct federal funding towards existing communities; align federal policies and funding; remove barriers to collaboration and increase the efficiency of existing programmes; and enhance the unique characteristics of all communities.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers highlighted the crucial need for adequate transport in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the financial constraints faced by developing countries in moving towards more modern transport services.  They stressed that, while mobility contributed to economic growth, there was nevertheless a need to provide better mobility choices and logistics for both people and goods.

Several speakers spoke of the need to respond to pollution and climate change when implementing transport projects, while many others emphasized the fundamental need to change the way in which transport was perceived and experienced around the world.  Numerous speakers stressed the need to modernize economies so they would be more ecological, with transport sectors becoming part of such green economies.

Pakistan’s environment minister, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said the expansion of transport infrastructure and transport services in developing countries was crucial to eradicating poverty and achieving internationally agreed development goals.  Developing countries faced considerable barriers and challenges in harnessing adequate and affordable transportation means and networks.  Over and above the chronic under-investment in transportation infrastructure and technological constraints, the new millennium posed a new array of challenges that further aggravated the intensity and urgency of existing ones, he said.

The representative of Spain, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said transport was the fastest-growing economic sector in most developing countries and the largest end-user of energy in many developed ones.  The growth in transport worldwide caused significant environmental problems, such as air pollution, noise or loss of habitats.

A representative of non-governmental organizations said spatial planning was crucial when discussing transport, adding that infrastructure had major consequences for plant and animal life, as roads could interfere with migration groups and potentially devastate a habitat’s carrying capacity.  Individual transport was still favoured over collective transport, with priority going to cars, which could make bicycle use too dangerous to even consider.  Furthermore, it had been almost completely forgotten that animals were still an important source of transportation for groups and people, and that they required adequate shelter, water, food and access to veterinary care.

A representative of the women’s major group emphasized that sustainable transport policies should take into account the needs of women, noting that the lack of connection between means of transport especially affected women and girls, causing serious health problems.  Governments as well as the private sector should ensure better planning and review transport policies to improve the safety of public transport.

In response to comments, Mr. LEATHER highlighted the importance of maintenance in rural and urban transport.  For example, a lack of maintenance in public transport forced away the passengers, who then turned to other means of transportation.  It was also important to look at how investments were looked at, and to shift the focus from a pre-dominance in private motorization.  In addition, if transport was priced correctly, there might be significant revenue flows that could be tapped.

Ms. HYNES-CHERIN said it was clear from the comments made that much still needed to be done, even though everyone present had done a lot.  Solutions existed, but they took time and a lot of forethought.  Also, solutions should be tailored to each country’s situation and values.  It was necessary to share knowledge so that it could be used and so that each country didn’t have to start over on its own to figure out what needed to be done.

In closing remarks, Commission Co-Chair WARMINGTON said the round table had underscored that transport was crucial for sustainable development in the twenty-first century.  There was a need to achieve easily accessible, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound transportation systems for all.  Greater public investment from national and international sources was urgently needed to improve transportation systems.  Investments were needed in under-developed rural areas as well as in congested urban centres.  Greater international cooperation was necessary, as was a holistic and coherent approach to transport policies.

Others participating in the round table were representatives of South Africa, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, India, Germany, Sudan, Austria, United States, Iran, Nigeria, Brazil, Libya, Cambodia, Argentina, Peru, and Guatemala.

A representative of the Observer Mission of Palestine also took part.

Also making interventions were representatives of the following civil society major groups:  scientific and technological community; local authorities; children and youth; and farmers (in a joint statement with workers and trade unions).

Ministerial Round Table on Sustainable Chemicals and Waste Management

Co-Chaired by Kazuhiko Takemoto, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs of Japan, and Oliver Dulić, Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning of Serbia, the discussion included panellists Nikola Ružinski, Head of the Department for Environmental Protection, University of Zagreb; N.C. Vasuki, Solid Waste Management Consultant; Donald Cooper, Executive Secretary of the Stockholm Convention; and Martin Kayser, Co-Chair of the Chemical Policy and Health Leadership Group of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and Senior Vice-President, Product Safety Regulations, Toxicology and Ecology, BASF SE, who is also co-chairing a group on implementation of global product safety.

MUHAMMAD CHAUDHRY, Director of the Division for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, highlighting key points from previous discussions, noted that chemicals and waste management was closely linked to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, but if not managed properly, could negatively impact human health -- particularly that of women and children.  He noted the lack of scientific data and knowledge and cost-effective alternatives as major challenges, while highlighting the importance of partnerships.  To address the remaining challenges, he underscored the need for cooperative approaches with local communities, enhanced contributions of all stakeholders and a sharpened focus.

Mr. RUŽINSKI addressed several barriers to achieving sustainable chemicals and waste management, including increasing quantities of waste, waste composition, and the issue of illegal dumping, citing the lack of financing and responsibility for generated waste as key issues.  In relation to the “3 Rs”, he noted that developed countries were making strides, showing a higher percentage of separate collection due to enhanced public awareness. 

Developing countries, on the other hand, needed to create interest for the “3 Rs” through levying charges on the production and purchase of products, offering incentives for consumers and producer subsidies for recycling and separate collection, he said.  Financing issues, he noted, could be alleviated through the use of the polluter-pays principle.  He highlighted progress made in the area of chemicals and waste management in Croatia, sharing strategies and best practices.  Through reflecting on lessons learned, he identified knowledge, participation, and implementation as key issues to be addressed.

Mr. VASUKI discussed the development of sustainable environmental service systems such as waste water supply, waste water collection and treatment, and solid waste collection and disposal.  These systems, as the primary responsibility of Governments, must be based on rule of law and enforced to be effective, he noted.  Planning for the systems required reliable and accessible databases, competent staff, reliable political support and an ability to finance design, proper construction and operation of facilities.  He added that implementation issues should be kept in mind, in order to develop a more practical plan. 

Competency within these systems, he continued, could only be maintained through rigorous training programs.  The most successful utilized public-private partnerships based on an open and transparent selection process.  Costs incurred through establishing sustainable environmental service systems would be recovered through the imposition of taxes and fees.  He argued that fees were more effective as user fees, as that promoted an awareness of service quality, suggesting that home residents should be charged for collection of dry solid waste, recyclable and wet wastes.

Going further, he emphasized that true costs were not high, as benefits outweighed costs, through improving public health, increasing worker productivity and reducing health-care costs.  Regionalization of disposal sites, heavily dependant on political will, was essential for long-term success, he noted, as it reduced the unit cost of operations and improved oversight.  To that end, political will was a critical issue.

Mr. COOPER highlighted global progress made, mentioning that such achievements were often overlooked in developing future efforts.  In the area of international cooperation, he underscored the importance of the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management, as well as synergies among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.  Hazard assessment through methodologies for testing and assessing chemicals was significant in the area of risk assessment, he said, citing as key resources the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.  In the area of information exchange, he noted that the development of accessible databases was critically important, as it served as the cornerstone of accessing global expertise.

Areas such as risk reduction and prevention, prevention of illegal dumping, evaluation and monitoring, and means of implementation and financing required further attention and action, he said, citing monitoring as the only way to ensure that countries were aware of what happened with their borders.  Addressing financing, he noted that the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management Quick Start Programme was effective in that it allowed countries access to small amounts of funding to address acute issues.  However, to address long-term issues, more financing programmes were required. 

While significant progress had been made, major challenges remained in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, he said, underlining financing as the largest.  Innovative solutions to these challenges did exist, including the mainstreaming of chemicals and waste management into national development priorities; establishment of effective partnerships with the private sector, civil society and all stakeholders; and use of economic instruments that promoted a green economy.  The key to achieving sustainable chemicals and waste management, he stressed, was maximizing benefits, while minimizing risks.

Mr. KAYSER cited a balanced combination of regulation and voluntary industry programmes as the best way to ensure the safe management of chemicals, noting that the chemical industry was eager to participate.  To this effect, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) introduced two voluntary initiatives at the first International Conference on Chemical Management in Dubai in February 2006 -- the Responsible Care Global Charter (RCGC) and the Global Product Strategy (GPS) -- with the goal of improving sound management of chemicals globally.  The Global Product Strategy, he said, was a globally consistent approach that accommodated national, historical, cultural and regulatory differences.

Obstacles to sustainable chemicals and waste management still remained, he continued, particularly a lack of capacity to effectively manage chemicals in the developing world.  Capacity-building efforts by developed countries could effectively address such issues as the lack of expertise, scientific information and data, resources and infrastructure.  In addition, regulation could help to address the issues.  Such regulation, he said, should be based on science- and risk-based decision-making, as well as transparency and shared responsibility in the value chain. 

In achieving sound waste management, protecting human health and the environment was a central priority, he noted.  He highlighted the Global Product Strategy as a best practice example, which could serve as a basis of the revision of existing regulations and for the creation of new policies in developing countries.  As cooperation was required to achieve waste management goals, the chemical industry had worked to become part of the solution.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers addressed both the positive and negative impacts of chemicals, noting that, on the one hand, chemicals contributed to human health, agricultural productivity and other aspects of sustainable development, yet also had significant and long lasting consequences for the environment and human health.  In this regard, efforts towards poverty eradication and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals were strongly linked with chemicals, underscoring the need for more focus on effective waste management.

Many speakers noted significant progress at the international level, while highlighting the need for a more coordinated and harmonized approach.  The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management constituted a vital global framework for strengthening capacity while narrowing the capacity gap between developing and developed countries, several speakers noted. 

Developing countries, several speakers stressed, lacked capacity, funding and the technology needed to address the negative impacts of chemicals, as well as sufficient scientific information and other resources for the assessment of risks.  Rather than using chemical management as a new non-tariff trade barrier, one speaker urged the international community -- particularly developed countries -- to continue assisting developing countries in mainstreaming the sound management of chemicals into their national development plans in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Additionally, speakers called for continued investments in production, capacity-building, research and development, with many highlighting the usefulness of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in promoting a global flow of information.

With regard to waste management, several speakers noted that goals could be achieved through better services for waste disposal and treatment, promotion of environmental education, and effective and efficient waste management actions.  Developing countries needed financing, capacity-building, know-how and technology transfer in implementing the “3 Rs”, as well as improved infrastructure to combat high health-care costs, eradicate poverty and reduce rural-urban migration.  In this regard, speakers called for specific assistance to establish proper inventories of hazardous and radioactive waste.  

Good governance at the local level, cooperation at all levels, education, and a lifecycle approach were high priorities in promoting waste management and prevention, many speakers stressed, with one speaker saying it was of outstanding importance to decouple resource use from environmental degradation.  Speakers also emphasized the importance of producer and consumer responsibility, with many urging increased producer responsibility and others for the imposition of environmental taxes to ensure sustainable waste management.

Participating in the interactive dialogue were representatives of Tanzania (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China), France, Sweden, Romania, Estonia, Ireland, Thailand, Spain, Poland, Japan, Israel, Nigeria, Guatemala, Argentina, Iran, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, Finland, Kenya, Mongolia, Mexico, Czech Republic, Sudan and India.

Also speaking were representatives of the European Union and the farmers’ major group.

A representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also made an intervention, as did the Director of the Division for Sustainable Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

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For information media • not an official record