Document Library
The Documents section contains SG Reports, Co-Chairs' summaries, Decisions/Resolutions, Background papers, Special studies, and Minutes from UNCSD Bureau meetings as well other pertinent documentation to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
Documents are also posted on the pages of relevant meetings and events. Please refer to our Meetings section for complete listing of meetings.
For full listing of Publications, please visit our Publications page.
Co-Chairs' summaries
Chair’s Summary
(China)
High-Level Symposium on the United Nations Conference
on Sustainable Development 8-9 September 2011, Beijing, China
Chair’s Summary: National and Subregional Activities and Processes in Preparation of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) 1.
(Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP))
Jackal
Co-Chairs’ Summary Second Preparatory Committee Meeting United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 7-8 March 2011
Report of co-chairs of Panel I
Reporting on securing renewed political commitment for sustainable development and assessing the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation
Report of co-chairs of Panel II
Report of Panel II on Emerging Issues in the Closing Session of Beijing Symposium
Report of co-chairs of Session I
Reporting on a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication
Report of co-chairs of Session II
Closing Session of Beijing Symposium Summary of Session II on IFSD
Chair's Summaries
Chair's Summary
Delhi Ministerial Dialogue on
‘Green Economy and Inclusive Growth’
3-4 October 2011, New Delhi, India
Chair’s Summary - High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
(Israel)
High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
Secretary-General Reports
A/66/302 Report of the Secretary-General Harmony with Nature[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 64/196, in which the Assembly invited Member States, the United Nations system, and other stakeholders to transmit to the Secretary-General their views, experiences and proposals on promoting life in harmony with nature. The Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the subject to it at its sixty-fifth session. Drawing on the inputs received, the present report addresses how sustainable development approaches and initiatives have allowed communities gradually to reconnect with the Earth. Concrete recommendations are provided to facilitate further consideration of the theme by Member States.
A/65/314 Report of the Secretary-General Harmony with Nature[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 64/196, in which the Assembly invited Member States, the United Nations system, and other stakeholders to transmit to the Secretary-General their views, experiences and proposals on promoting life in harmony with nature. The Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the subject to it at its sixty-fifth session. Drawing on the inputs received, the present report addresses how sustainable development approaches and initiatives have allowed communities gradually to reconnect with the Earth. Concrete recommendations are provided to facilitate further consideration of the theme by Member States.
Logistics
Application for Conference pass for Members of Delegations to Rio+20
For Members of Delegations to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, 20-22 June 2012 and its Preparatory Committee, 13-15 June 2012, Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Draft Agenda - REALISING INCLUSIVE AND GREEN GROWTH
(Netherlands)
REALISING INCLUSIVE AND GREEN GROWTH: UN Rio+20 Business & Industry Consultation with Government and Civil Society The Hague, the Netherlands, 11-12 April, 2012
Form for side events at Racetrack area during Rio+20
INTENT OF USE FORM OF SPACES OFFERED BY THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SIDE EVENTS (Outside Riocentro)
Guidelines and Form for Organizers of Side Events
Third Intersessional Meeting of the Prepcom, New York, 26-27 March 2012
Guidelines for Organizers of Side Events
Second Intersessional Meeting, New York, 15 – 16 December 2011
Logistics Note for Participants
(Poland)
Ministerial meeting “Sharing Green Economy best practices towards Rio+20”, 11th – 12th October 2011
Preliminary information to participants on the Rio+20 Conference
As of 25 April 2012. Information contained is subject to the final rules of procedure of the Conference.
Programme
Capacity Building Workshop
14 December 2011
9AM to 1PM
The New Economic Institute
437 Madison Avenue, 37th Floor, NYC
Programme of Side Events
Second Intersessional Meeting of the Prepcom, New York, 15-16 December 2011
Programme of Side Events
INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON ZERO DRAFT OF UNCSD OUTCOME DOCUMENT
19-23 MARCH 2012
THIRD INTERSESSIONAL MEETING OF UNCSD PREPCOM
26-27 MARCH 2012
Provisional Agenda
Special Event on The Trade Dimension of Rio+20: Key Issues for the Outcome Document, 27 March 2012, 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Provisional Organization of Work
Initial Consultations on the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document
25-27 January 2012, United Nations Headquarters, New York
Request for Grounds pass - Security Staff
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND SECURITY, UNCSD/RIO+20 SECURITY AND SAFETY SERVICE, SPECIAL SERVICES UNIT
Decisions/Resolutions
A/RES/66/197 - Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]
Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World
Summit on Sustainable Development
Background papers/Position papers
A Compilation of Green Economy Policies, Programs and Initiatives from Around the World
The purpose of this compilation is to highlight examples of "Green Economy" policies, programs, and initiatives taking place around the world.
A/AC.105/991 - Space and climate change[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish] (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA))
Special report of the Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities on the use of space technology within the United Nations system to address climate change issues
Annex Water background document
(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO))
Asia Pacific Youth Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainable Development
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
Asia Pacific Youth Declaration on
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
The future belongs to us and we, the youth from 17 countries of the Asia-Pacific are aware of the urgency and threats posed by different environmental problems including climate change. We believe that the current global economic models are affecting the overall environment and natural resources, as a result the global ecological footprint has exceeded by 30% contributed by and seen largely in high carbon emissions, climate change and global warming.
We call on the Asia Pacific leaders to make sure that the institutional frameworks and Green Economy solutions prepared at Rio meeting, should be based on the specific and diverse situation of the Asia pacific region and address the lack of political and financial commitments which are cited as the main reasons for poor progress in the implementation of the Agenda 21 and especially Chapter 13 has been slow and largely failed to meet the expectations from the developing especially mountain countries.
We therefore strongly advocate for the global policies and instruments that can promote equity (intergenerational equity and north-south equity) and global sustainability. Specially, we have collectively decided to make the following declarations:
1. Be aware of the impact of climate change and vulnerability of the poor people in Asia-Pacific region ranging from top of the world to low land coastal areas. We are facing the increasing frequency and severity of disasters, melting of glaciers and Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), declining water resources, loss of forest coverage and biodiversity, declining agricultural productivity and increasing food insecurity, health impact, sea level rise and coastal flooding, environmental refugees and many new problems
2. Act urgent and immediately to mitigate the climate change by reducing emission of GHGs at sources, the global temperature rise should be limited to 1.5 degree C from the pre industrial level and CO2 concentration should return below 350 PPM
3. Immediate commitment for the mitigation of emission of Black Carbon and develop strategies to minimize the Atmospheric Brown Cloud (Trans-boundary Air Pollution) within the region
4. Strong commitment from the advance developing countries within the region (like India and China) and globally to revise their development path and made transition to low carbon development path. We also urge to our respective government to follow the low carbon development path
5. Provide adequate and long term financial support as a grant to the poor, most vulnerable and marginalized community for the climate change adaptation (NAPA implementation) and mitigation at the national and local level. Any funds related to climate change to be channeled via globally agreed framework within the UN process. We are strongly against any financial assistance as a loan (climate loan) and the finance should be free of climate corruption and should follow the principles of good governance i.e. authority, responsibility, accountability and transparency
6. Respect our right to move towards prosperous future and support the low carbon development path through the development and transfer of clean technologies, research, conservation, promotion and sharing of traditional indigenous knowledge, belief and values
7. Increase significantly investment in promoting green technologies and economic sectors like alternative energy resources, waste management, electric transport system, development of green parks and recreational sites in urban areas
8. Develop flexible, transparent and accountable mechanisms and common strategy and platform with multi stakeholder approach which should address all the dimensions of sustainable development i.e. social, environment and economic.
9. Agree to develop standards for all environment goods and services and setup certification mechanisms when they go the market
10. Agree to establish simple but efficient environmental governance from central to local level in all member countries and in development arena to ensure environmental issues are better coordinated, and more reflective and responsive to public interest
11. Develop compensatory mechanisms for upstream resource managers and as well people living in the rural areas for their contribution in environmental conservation and have benefit sharing mechanisms in place
12. Promote research, scientific study and information sharing within the region and globally to understand the problem more clearly and develop sustainable solution
13. Enhance the role and capacity of youth to contribute for the sustainable development by including them in the decision making process nationally and globally
14. Finally, we urge to the youths around the glove to develop environmental voluntarism within themselves and take lead to ensure sustainable future
Note:
Asia-Pacific Youth Forum on Climate Actions and Mountain Issues, 8-12 August, which was attended by 43 youth from 17 countries in the Asia Pacific region region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) representing diverse geography, rich cultural background and variety of issues, concluded with the launch of two important documents prepared in the context of ongoing debates on ‘Climate Change Adaption’ and ‘Rio +20’ preparation. The ‘Asia Pacific Youth Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainable Development’ and the ‘Asia Pacific Youth Position paper on Rio +20’ both were launched on 12 August in a special function organised to mark the International Youth Day (IYD), conclusion of the International Year of Youth (IYY 2010/2011) and ‘key message communication’ session of the Youth Forum.
Organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN), the event was technically supported by more than a dozen global and Asia Pacific regional initiatives promoting climate and sustainability actions including Rio+Twenties, Road to Rio +20, UN CSD Youth Caucus, 350.0rg, Activating Talent in Sustainability (ACTIS), Adaptation Knowledge Platform (AKP), Asia and the Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), Eco-Singapore, Peace Child International, Schumacher College UK, Systainability Asia and UNEP TUNZA.
For more information, write to Mr. Tek Jung Mahat at tmahat@icimod.org.
Asia Pacific Youth Position Paper Towards Rio+20
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
ASIA PACIFIC YOUTH POSITION PAPER TOWARDS
RIO +20
Kathmandu
Nepal
12 August 2011
Preamble
1. In recent years, the Asia-Pacific region has experienced robust economic growth with emerging economies. However, key challenges remain in ensuring that negative environmental and social consequences are vigorously tackled and that economic opportunities benefit all.
2. Severe and pressing issues which have arisen as consequences include climate change, melting of glaciers, rising sea level, biodiversity loss, energy crisis, food insecurity and health problems, depleting natural resource base, natural disasters, migration and deforestation. Vicious circle of poverty is on the top of all. The transition to a green economy, revision of institutional frameworks on sustainable development and enabling of low-carbon solutions to energy issues are therefore at central to address these interconnected challenges.
3. It is our firm belief as Asia Pacific youth [representing over 50% of the worlds population], that Rio+20 marks an important milestone for the global community to critically reassess our collective commitment towards sustainable development and to implement the reforms that are necessary to transform our societies and economies. The decisions made at Rio+20 will have potentially widespread implications for the Asia-Pacific region. It is us, the youth, who will be affected in future with the decisions made today, and we have to take lead in the coming era in effecting and establishing better economic structures and mechanisms for conservation of our environment.
4. Therefore, it is crucial that we effectively and strongly participate in decision making processes through the provision of important perspectives, thereby taking ownership of the trajectory of the Asia-Pacific's development path leading to a more sustainable future.
5. Keeping in view the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region, this paper sheds light on the most pragmatic recommendations made by youth, as vital change makers, to address our regional issues.
Green Economy to Eradicate Poverty
Background
The Asia Pacific region is more vulnerable towards the impact of climate change; therefore, urgent adaptations and actions to protect the environment have become an utmost priority. Youth of today should own the responsibility and promote the concept of green economy to tackle the issues of the region. Poverty eradication and environment conservation are the ingredients of Green Economy. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “Greening the economy refers to the process of reconfiguring businesses and infrastructure to deliver better returns on natural, human and economic capital investments, while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions, extracting and using less natural resources, creating less waste and reducing social disparities.”
A question always arises who has the ownership right of ecosystem services? Neither the government nor the rich has complete right, the major possession of natural resources lies with the local communities including the vulnerable and marginalised inhabiting in the mountains and remote areas, actually deserve to benefit from the ecosystem services, both tangible and non-tangible benefits. As per the Polluter Pays Principle “Polluter has to pay for the damages caused by him/her to the environment and not the ignorant.” Mankind enjoying the luxury of nature in several forms of services has been posing great threat to the environment and never realised the extinction of species, disappearance of resources and is presently responsible for climate change. Green economy is the best solution to food crisis and so to alleviate poverty. Green economy is the stair-case to achieve sustainable development.
According to the User Pays Principle “one has to pay for deriving benefits from the ecosystem, it may be the government, private sector, public or any other stakeholder”. Earth is not the premise to dump all the waste and extract all the resources, this way we are ruining our own future leading to low GDP resulting into low economy growth.
Green economy aims to profit the people and the planet. It acts as a fulcrum to maintain a balance between the sustainable development of mankind and GDP growth. Due to expanse of urbanization the demand and supply curve of availability of resources has shown an abnormal growth, with more demand of resources (natural and manmade) and less availability with increasing span of time. Green economy is the best option to bridge the gap between scarcity of resources and growth and thus eliminating social inequity.
Challenges
6. Poverty: Barring a few outliers, the Asia Pacific region has seen a significant amount of economic growth in the recent past. However, there still exists a wide divide between poor and rich and social inequity which hampers the overall development of the nations.
7. Climate change and natural disasters: Changing climate is exacerbating the pressure on natural resources and the region is witnessing its impact in the form of glacier melting, floods, droughts, sea-level rise, loss of biodiversity etc.
8. Over exploitation of natural resources: To accelerate the development, people are exploiting the natural resources in an unsustainable manner, which is having multiple impacts like environmental pollution, degradation of ecosystems setting.
9. Unsustainable production and poor waste management: Production of non-biodegradable products, usage of unsustainable processes and poor handling of waste poses threat to the environment.
10. Lack of access to clean and renewable energy technologies: Access to a reliable and adequate source of energy is inextricably linked to sustained progress and growth. However, the most common source of energy production in the region is biomass, fossil fuel burning which poses considerable risks to the environment in the short and long-term. Despite of availability of renewable resources, lack of technology has compelled people to use the resources in unsustainable ways. There needs to be strong mechanism to promote renewable energy like hydropower and other alternative energy resources.
11. Unsustainable urban development: More Asia Pacific cities have become the focal points as major producers, consumers and distributors of goods and services. However, many cities tend to lack sustainable services such as water, air and transport systems. Migrations levels are high in cities, creating more slums, increasing pressure on limited resources and increasing pollution.
12. Inefficient governance and political instability: There is lack of good institutional framework in the Asia Pacific. The current governance system is a centralized system with top-down approach. Voice of community and other vibrant groups including youth is generally not audible to decision makers to make strategic policies as per the need of the community.
13. Lack of priority given to research and development: Asia Pacific region is more vulnerable to climate change impacts, but the development activities have been practicing without basic findings of research. For example, the Himalayan region was presented as data lacking are (white spot) by 4th Assessment Report of the IPCC.
14. Quality of Life: Currently, happiness, mindfulness and wellbeing of society that reflects the true quality of life is not taken into account.
15. Lack of evaluation of ecosystem services: Ecosystem provides number of services with tangible and intangible benefits. Mountain ecosystems are sources of exhaustive number of services, which are not valued by consumers and providers.
16. Low literacy level: Marginalised communities do not have access to the basic education and those getting are generally ignorant of the environmental issues because of the curriculum. Brain drain is another issue which is hampering the development in the region.
17. Unemployment and lack of opportunities: People are not getting enough opportunities to get jobs and vocational trainings or skill development opportunities.
18. Food security in the HKH region: Majority of the HKH communities are highly dependent on livestock and rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods and due to changing hydrological regimes they are highly vulnerable.
19. Gender issues: Women are worst hit as men have to migrate out for work due to scarcity of resources in the mountain region.
20. Melting of glaciers in the HKH range: Melting of glaciers has contributed faster to sea-level rise in the last 350 years. It also contributes to catastrophic floods known as glacial lake outburst (GLOFs) causing heavy loss of life and property.
21. Health issues: Due to less accessibility to resources, infrastructure and other health facilities the mountain communities are likely to be vulnerable to various diseases.
Recommendations
22. Government, industries and people are the stakeholders of any system that has to work in a team to promote green economy.
23. Existing policies and programmes should be properly implemented with continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanism. Government should further carry out SWOT Analysis to assess the gaps and missing links of the present policy reforms. Sustainable Development strategies need to be prioritized and mainstreamed in the government policy framework to strengthen existing environmental laws and policies such as Air Act, Water Act, Forest Conservation Act, CBD, Waste management act, Act to safeguard the rights of local communities, Costal Zone Regulation Act and implement new acts to ensure green growth of the economy.
24. Government should provide several carbon market mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services, REDD, REDD+, etc to create green jobs for the unemployed and marginalised communities inhabiting the mountain regions.
25. Further assessments such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Mountain Risk Engineering, Tourism Impact Assessment is recommended to restore and increase the resilience of the mountainous regions in the HKH region and to reduce the vulnerability of the communities therein.
26. There is need for a monitoring, and verification system to indicate and measure sustainability with respect to the GDP of the economy.
27. Industries need to use clean and green technologies to increases their carbon credits and decrease their emissions to provide increasing employment opportunities through green jobs.
28. Life-cycle analysis should be mandatory for every industrial product. Implementation of 5Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, residual management) is another tool for waste management. Cradle to grave approach should be adopted.
29. Techniques like organic farming should be used to ensure healthy and productive agriculture to address issues of food security and also micro financing should be introduced for the welfare of local people.
30. Trainings and workshops to be conducted for local people, tourists and corporate is further recommended to aware them of the guidelines as well as their individual responsibilities to protect the environment.
31. Youth involvement needs to be initiated in the policy formulation processes to get better policy reforms what impacts the youth in future.
32. There is a need to establish a youth network to share the problems and good practices.
33. Regional and global cooperation is needed for knowledge and technology transfer taking into consideration the intellectual property rights.
34. Establishing indicators to check country development need to be incorporated such as Genuine Progress Index and Gross National Happiness (GNH).
35. Entrepreneurship and skill development of the local community should be promoted to build the capacity of local communities.
36. Seed funding should be made available to carry out R&D activities for developing low carbon technologies and in turn generating more green jobs.
Energy for Low Carbon Future
Introduction
37. This section of the position paper presents the collective vision of the Asia Pacific youth on measures to be adopted to drive a low carbon future.
38. The Asia Pacific youth envisions a low carbon future as one in which
38 i) sustainable energy management is practiced;
38 iii) access and affordability of energy are enhanced thus ensuring the well-being of all; and
38 iii) emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants are minimized to combat adverse effects of climate change.
Key Issues
39. The use of fossil fuels and other conventional sources of energy is contributing to global warming.
40. In recent years the Asia Pacific region has gradually increased energy consumption and production due to several factors such as economic growth and/or population growth.
41. Due to lack of affordable and accessible green energy, people are more and more dependent on the unsustainable traditional sources to fulfill their increasing demand of energy.
42. The Asia Pacific countries are dependent on certain other nations for energy sources. This leaves the region highly vulnerable to volatile oil prices which can be dictated by strong industry players in the energy market.
43. Emissions from fossil fuel and some of traditional energy sources such as firewood combustion lead to many diseases. Such health impacts have tremendously increased the medical cost burden to the people and contributed to a reduction in labour productivity.
Key Barriers
44. There is a lack of definitive policies and strong legislation promoting the development of low carbon energy. The existing policies and regulations are not implemented effectively due to weak and ineffective institutional mechanisms. In particular, there are significant lacking in the aspects below:
Ineffective collaboration & partnership
45. There is a lack of effective collaboration between: public and private sectors, governmental bodies and the community, national and regional-level. In addition, there is low concern of government for youth activities. Without effective collaboration, it is impossible to coordinate a concerted effort towards achieving a low carbon future between institutions.
Financial Barriers
46. There is a lack of financial aid (support) system to support the production of low carbon energy. While it requires high start-up and operational costs, long payback periods associated with investment in low carbon technologies, this posed a financial barrier to potential investors.
47. In addition, there is a lack of seed funding for youth driven entrepreneurial initiatives in the area of low carbon energy for instance, innovations in energy efficient appliances.
Barriers to social change
48. People are lacking awareness and knowledge of fossil fuel and greenhouse effect and there is a big gap in climate education for community.
49. In addition, people seem unwilling to change due to the difficulties in both accessing renewable energy resources and changing their own daily lifestyle.
Technological Barriers
50. In most Asia Pacific countries, research and development (R&D) is quite insufficient due to limited attention and funding. In addition, we are lacking with skilled human resources. Due to these reasons, low carbon energies have shortages and limitations that hinder them from large-scale adoption.
Unsustainable Urban Development
51. While lacking of institutional and policy frameworks, the rate of urbanization in Asia Pacific cities are growing fast. As a result, cities in the Asia Pacific region have to deal with rising motorization and energy consumption.
Recommendations
52. The legislative framework needs to be strengthened in a way that would promote a low carbon future, enhance compliance monitoring and accountability and establish an index for the measurement of energy sustain.
53. To address Ineffective collaboration & partnership
For national and regional level:
• National-level governmental bodies should communicate with regional-level governmental bodies in a timely manner and transparent way for community to see.
• Enhancing civil society’s role, especially the youth’s role and having an open channel of communication with the government, allowing civil society to have a say in the policy making process.
• Provide platform for communication and collaboration between the government and different stakeholders.
For international level:
54. Governments should actively participate in international frameworks and intergovernmental Collaborations. Such collaborative processes should be transparent, fair, and inclusive and demand driven. Further, it is important to ensure that these commitments are sustained and the words are translated into effective action.
To address Financial Barriers
55. In order to lower the high financial costs associated with alternative energy setups, there is necessity of:
• Fund raising for alternative energy research and project implementation and from international organizations and different financial mechanism (in a transparent manner).
• It is imperative for governments to provide greater funding (and) incentives to encourage the production of alternative energy by the private sector.
• Potential measures include tax concessions or exemptions, feed-in tariffs, subsidies (“Subsidies” should change to “incentive”), grants, and easy credit availability for improving green energy production.
To Address Barriers to social change
56. We need to improve education on low carbon technologies, sustainability, sufficiency and efficiency in using energy. This can be implemented via:
• Capacity building program, advocacy via social networking platforms, environmental oriented competitions.
• Innovative and interactive educational initiatives on environment and energy should be encouraged and institutionalized as well.
• Implementation of carbon footprint labeling.
• Implementation of policies that encourage reduction in consumption of energy and accept embodied energy in formulating policy.
57. There should be integration among education and sustainable development and green job. Youth can encourage a higher willingness to pay for green products.
To Address Technological Barriers
58. There needs to be enhanced diffusion of low carbon technologies from technologically advanced nations to other nations. It is proposed that efforts be made to establish an attractive investment climate for foreign clean energy companies and thus make technology transfer mutually beneficial to both the donor and recipient parties. Knowledge transfer through educational scholarships and student exchange programs should go hand-in-hand with technology transfer. There needs to be more research & development into alternative energy technologies to enhance their viability.
To Address Unstainable Urban Development
59. Cities should focus more on an integrated view of urban development including environment protection, setting low carbon footprint as one of its strategic objectives. Consider the local context as the critical point for determining the policies and programs, cities’ government have to:
59 a) Encourage the development and use of public transport systems and the decrease in the use of personal vehicles; promote the use of non-motorized transport i.e. walking and cycling;
59 b) Promote integrated and collaborative energy demand management initiatives;
59 c) Promote the development of energy efficient and energy conserving buildings, industries and districts.
59 d) Increase and connecting green spaces and wildlife corridors
Lack of enforcement
60. The legislative framework needs to be strengthened in a way that would promote a low carbon future, enhance compliance monitoring and accountability and establish an index for the measurement of energy sustainability.
Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development
Background:
61. The Asia Pacific youth recognize the following key ideas would strongly encompass the concept of sustainable development.
62. Public awareness & engagement allows the community to identify the problems, while capacity building ensures a good and effective deliverance of policy implementation for sustainable governance. In addition, as policies are the tools towards better governance, the use of the right policies is mandatory to ensure authoritative and operative governance in setting the values towards sustainability. Finally, good governance is necessary for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the policies.
Issues & Challenges in:
Governance
63. Although most Asia Pacific countries have introduced a number of globally accepted principles on natural resources and sustainable environmental management in their legislative systems- ineffective implementation, lack of monitoring and evaluation systems, and corruption hinders sustainable development so that it results in a lack of accountability weakening the implementation and rationalization of environmental policies. Absence of evaluation also means the youth fail to learn from past initiatives. Therefore their capacity is compromised.
64. Corruption, vested political and business interests across countries in the Asia Pacific contribute to massive exploitation of natural resources that impacts sustainable development stifles innovations and obstructs the access to information and justice and en-curtailment of the freedom of speech. Voice of youth is nullified.
65. There are a number of issues during the design and implementation of equitable policies such as the chain of corruption, poor compliance, and poor due process, lack of accountability, transparency and ineffective monitoring processes within the communities. These issues exacerbate environmental degradation.
Policy
66. The existence of several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), conventions, and organizations with no proper coordination, lack of effective implementation and authority hinders progress regarding solving environment and sustainable development issues.
67. There is a lack of youth participation in policy making processes which in turn neglects the voice, opinions, and ideas of the future generation that could be vital in the formulation of comprehensive environmental policies.
68. Lack of incorporation of environmental issues into socio-economic development policies and plans make it difficult to address sustainable development goal. Also, weak implementation of existing laws, rules, and regulations regarding environmental conservation is a major issue in most Asian countries.
69. There is a lack of awareness of potential revenue and economic growth from other resources that do not damage the environment, such as REDD (Reduces Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects, if necessary safeguards are taken.
70. The lack of advanced scientific expertise along with inconsistencies in research methodologies creates a barrier to the formulation of effective environmental policies.
Capacity Building
71. There is an absence of by-laws, a lack of full understanding of technical regulations, and also unclear regulations and mechanisms for enforcement, which have left government and voluntary authorities relatively free to interpret them. They are also limited by their own knowledge and capacities, leading to difficulties with proper implementation of policies.
72. Low technical capacity, knowledge, experience and the high cost of training hamper their ability to incorporate environmental issues with the civil society and local community to have their sustainable works for their areas done effectively. In addition, they lack awareness of available funding for environmentally friendly projects.
Public Awareness and Engagement
73. There is a lack of public awareness and sense of individual responsibility and civic engagement in the change of national and international environmental laws. The basic definitions and the importance of environmental laws, conservation and sustainable development are not understood. Due to this lack of awareness, the public becomes less open to positive environmental change.
74. The access to the information and the political will and accountability regarding the issue of Climate Change is still limited. The public, especially youth, does not receive adequate impactful education on the participatory processes that enable effective engagement with the government or government agencies on sustainable development. Though youth are willing to engage to the process of environmental protection, the sufficient effective platforms for the youth to convey their messages, initiatives and innovation are hardly found. On the government side, there is a lack of political will to engage different stakeholders and the public in these participatory processes.
Recommendations
Governance
75. Comprehensive environmental governance must be a top priority and all sectors must cooperate towards it.
76. A general regulatory framework for the development and enforcement of environmental rules and regulations should be strengthened
77. The chain of corruption can be broken by increased accountability, transparency and responsiveness on a local, district level or a federal system through the involvement of community governance.
78. There should be an international environmental assessment tool to annually measure how well countries are moving towards their commitments to sustainable development under practical Local Agenda 21 and it has to be binding upon signatories. In this regard, youth organisations can produce a shadow report to complement the official government report.
Policy
79. An effective development policy strategy should involve innovative and creative thinking with non-price based policy instruments supported by the youth while taking into account each country’s unique situation. This will be important in ensuring sustainable economic growth without compromising the environment and standard of living.
80. International, national, and local governments and key stakeholders need to recognize the importance of environment services equitably under the existing development plans and the legal concepts of sustainable development carried out by communities. This could be carried out by using mechanisms that facilitate payment for environmental services. Furthermore, countries could raise awareness and facilitate the implementation of mechanism among the youth and public.
81. More funds should be allocated towards environmental conservation such as research and development for environmental initiatives. More importance should be given to other policies than it is being given right now so as to increase the facilitation of sustainable development.
82. Minimum environmental standards for areas such as energy consumption can be set to encourage use of green technologies. In addition, the “value-added” system should be revised to include direct and indirect environmental benefits encouraging businesses to implement green practices.
83. The design and formulation of environmental policies need to accommodate environmental, social and political aspects. To promote environmental policy innovations, it is recommended that environmental innovation policy centers and pilot projects be established. The innovation policy centre can be set up based on a partnership approach, spearheaded by a governmental interagency committee with collaboration with academic institutions, private associations (environment friendly traders), CBOs, NGOs and youth groups.
Capacity Building
84. Government officials involved in the policy making process must be selected through a stringent selection process based on merits, experiences, academic achievement and technical knowledge. A review on the countries’ environmental regulations must be carried out and timelines must be set and kept through proper monitoring and evaluation and the youth should be an integral part of this process.
85. Governments should address low capacity of their officers to handle partnership collaborations with all stakeholders especially the youth through training and building up skills in community development.
86. Governments should form collaborations with international organizations so that knowledge, expertise and external help are available to the country to actively tackle environmental issues. Governments must maintain an open channel of communication with the grassroots so that feedback from the public can be worked out between the youth, other communities and the government, and partnership practices, for example participatory dialogues set in place. This builds a cohesive relationship between the people and the government.
87. Environmental studies can be introduced as a compulsory subject in pre-tertiary education institutions. Civil society and private sectors should establish an active collaboration with local communities, especially the youth, to educate the community and act as an avenue where members of the community can turn to for environmental advice and help. Annual events that promote awareness such as ‘Earth Day’ can be adopted and actively participated in across Asia Pacific. These actions will enable better understanding and keep the people updated on environmental know-how. Capacity-building should be carried out by all stakeholders to enable the youth to take the lead in organising such events.
88. Civil society, academia, and the government should exchange ideas, information, and scientific expertise regarding environmental research and development through dialogue sessions and public seminars. Governments should also take steps to collaborate with the youth in environmental projects which could lead to better understanding of environmental issues.
Public Awareness and Engagement
89. Impactful environmental initiatives from the youth, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), nongovernmental organisations (NGO), academia and the private sector should be encouraged to create a focused and targeted approach in order to raise public awareness and engagement in environmental issues. The government and relevant stakeholders should cooperate and coordinate in order to support these initiatives.
90. The youth should have access to official and professional platforms to voice out their concerns at every level of the decision making process, in regards to issues such as environmental policies. There should be structural mechanisms in place to facilitate their voice, such as setting up youth councils, giving proper consideration to their recommendations, and implementing them at the local, national, and international level. Therefore, assistance must be provided to help youth to build awareness and capacity to take on such a role and be able to impact sustainable development in their respective countries and the world. And the participation must be made compulsory in legal documents.
91. Governments should also prioritize and allocate proper funding for mechanisms which are designed to increase public awareness and engagement regarding environmental policies and issues through education.
Note:
Asia-Pacific Youth Forum on Climate Actions and Mountain Issues, 8-12 August, which was attended by 43 youth from 17 countries in the Asia Pacific region region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) representing diverse geography, rich cultural background and variety of issues, concluded with the launch of two important documents prepared in the context of ongoing debates on ‘Climate Change Adaption’ and ‘Rio +20’ preparation. The ‘Asia Pacific Youth Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainable Development’ and the ‘Asia Pacific Youth Position paper on Rio +20’ both were launched on 12 August in a special function organised to mark the International Youth Day (IYD), conclusion of the International Year of Youth (IYY 2010/2011) and ‘key message communication’ session of the Youth Forum.
Organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN), the event was technically supported by more than a dozen global and Asia Pacific regional initiatives promoting climate and sustainability actions including Rio+Twenties, Road to Rio +20, UN CSD Youth Caucus, 350.0rg, Activating Talent in Sustainability (ACTIS), Adaptation Knowledge Platform (AKP), Asia and the Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), Eco-Singapore, Peace Child International, Schumacher College UK, Systainability Asia and UNEP TUNZA.
For more information, write to Mr. Tek Jung Mahat at tmahat@icimod.org.
CGE Modelling used in UN-DESA's analyses, technical cooperation & capacity development, presentation by Marco V. Sanchez and Diyora Kabulova
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
CGE Modelling used in UNDESA analyses, technical cooperation and capacity development, presentation by Marco V. Sanchez and Diyora Kabulova
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
CGE Modelling used in UNDESA analyses, technical cooperation and capacity development, presentation by Marco V. Sanchez and Diyora Kabulova
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Concept Note Supporting National Preparations for The United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development UNCSD Rio+20, Prepared by DESA and UNDP
The United Nations General Assembly has called (in GA 64/236) for a UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) in 2012 to take stock, 20 years after the historic United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, or the Rio Earth Summit). Following-up, the 65th UNGA, inter alia, encouraged "the United Nations development system to support, as appropriate, national country preparations for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, upon request of national authorities."
Concept Paper
High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
Conclusions of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting Preparatory to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC))
Conclusions of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting Preparatory to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Dialogue on the special theme for the twenty-third session of the Governing Council: sustainable urban development through expanding equitable access to land, housing, basic services and infrastructure
(United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT))
The paper aims to facilitate dialogue at the high-level segment of the twenty-third
session of the Governing Council. Governments, local authorities and other Habitat Agenda partners
are expected to discuss issues regarding expanding equitable access to land, housing, basic services
and infrastructure in the context of sustainable urban development and thereby contribute to the
upcoming discussions during the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
The paper reflects both the outcome of the fifth session of the World Urban Forum, held in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in March 2010, and the implementation of the UN-Habitat medium-term
strategic and institutional plan 2008–2013.
The paper highlights the following three sub-themes:
(a) Sustainable urban development;
(b) Integrated delivery of land, housing, basic services and infrastructure;
(c) The green economy in the context of sustainable urban development and eradication
of urban poverty and the institutional framework for sustainable urban development.
While the paper focuses on cities in developing countries, many of its observations and
recommendations are of global relevance because issues of land, housing, basic services and
infrastructure, within the context of sustainable urban development, urban poverty, the green
economy and the institutional framework for sustainable urban development, represent major
challenges for many urban areas in developed countries and countries with economies in transition.
DISCUSSION PAPER ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR))
Disaster risk reduction is essential for achieving sustainable development. Any future framework for sustainable development needs a clear prescription and practical application of disaster and climate risk management. The rate at which disaster risk is increasing globally poses significant threats to people, assets and any development efforts. The series of catastrophes in 2011 particularly the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami sent a clear message that both developed and developing countries are exposed to high risks and trans-boundary implications of disasters. Thus, the practical application, as well as political, financial and technological commitment to disaster risk reduction, needs to be reinforced as an important cross-cutting sustainable development issue.
In line with the preparation for the Rio+20, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) developed a discussion paper that outlines the significance and benefits of disaster reduction in attaining sustainable development. It also defines different opportunities for governments to integrate disaster risk measures in development agenda.
Discussion Paper: Improving Public Participation
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
A UNEP publication series that presents views from Major Groups and Stakeholders of Civil Society or about issues
that are relevant for them. PERSPECTIVES is coordinated by UNEP’s Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch/
Division of Regional Cooperation. The presented views are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNEP.
Draft Executive Summary of the UN-Water Status Report on the Application of Integrated Approaches to Water Resources Management
(UNEP-DHI Centre for Water and Environment)
This Status Report is produced by UN-Water in response to a direct request from UNCSD (as decided at its 13th Session). UN-Water has established a Task Force on WRM reporting and a Working Group responsible for producing the report. The report is based on a global survey rolled out in all UN Member States through UN-DESA. The provisional draft of the full Status Report is available upon request from the Working Group (unwrio2012@siwi.org).
From WSIS to Rio+20: The role of ICTs in sustainable development and the green economy transition - Highlights of the Discussion
(International Telecommunication Union (ITU))
As the preparatory process for the Rio+20 conference progresses, the global community has been called to provide inputs to facilitate discussions and, particularly, to promote synergies between existing processes and mechanisms from the international community, such as the WSIS process. A prominent example of the contribution that WSIS can make to Rio+20 is the progress achieved in the implementation of Action Line C7 (AL C7), e-environment.
The facilitation meeting for AL C7, e-environment was an interactive debate among key stakeholders involved in the implementation of this action line along with experts from the sustainability community and the Rio+20 process. The guiding principle of the discussion was to identify how ICTs can help to move forward the sustainability agenda, allowing developing countries to leapfrog to a low-carbon development model. The document contains the conclusions of the event.
Green Economy for Sustainable Mountain Development : A concept paper for Rio+20 and beyond (2011)
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) to be held in June 2012 will have green economy as one of its two main themes. This paper has been prepared to strengthen arguments for discussing mountain issues at Rio+20 and in other global discourses. The aim is to ensure renewed efforts and commitment by the global community at Rio+20 to prioritise mountain issues in development agendas and processes dealing with poverty reduction, food security, climate change, and other issues that are critical to sustainable development in mountain areas. The paper is the outcome of three days deliberation among key stakeholders at the International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development, jointly organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5 to 7 September 2011.
Green Standards Week - Call to Action
(International Telecommunication Union (ITU))
ITU and the Ministry of Economic Development of Italy organized the first Green Standards Week from 5 to 9 September 2011 in Rome, Italy, hosted by Telecom Italia. The Green Standards Week brought together leading specialists in the field, from top policy-makers to engineers, designers, planners, government officials, regulators, standards experts and others. The main purpose was to raise awareness of the importance and opportunities of using ICT standards to build a green economy.
ITU, together with the European Commission, organized a workshop on Methodologies for Environmental Impact Assessment of ICT examined work underway to measure the impact of ICTs on climate change and how to standardize the way to calculate the reduction of GHG that ICTs have. The workshop ended with a call to action to make the ICT sector more sustainable.
Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Region: Draft for discussion. From Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond: Sustainable Mountain Development
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
The report aims to provide an overview and assessment of trends, issues, and challenges for promoting the agenda of sustainable mountain development in the HKH region since 1992 highlighting the progress made and lessons learned in key sectors and sub-sectors; it covers all the three pillars of sustainable development and scopes out opportunities in the two themes of the Rio+20 – Green Economy and Institutional Framework for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
The report aims to provide an overview and assessment of trends, issues, and challenges for promoting the agenda of sustainable mountain development in the HKH region since 1992 highlighting the progress made and lessons learned in key sectors and sub-sectors; it covers all the three pillars of sustainable development and scopes out opportunities in the two themes of the Rio+20 – Green Economy and Institutional Framework for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
The report recommends that although costly, mountain countries must invest in green projects and carry out necessary policy reforms to provide incentives to the sectors such as agriculture, natural resources and industrial development to promote green technologies and practices in the mountains. Regional cooperation is necessary for promoting green economy and good environmental governance since accessing markets, finance and technologies will be critical for the green economy to succeed. Donor support alone will not be sufficient to achieve SMD, so innovative national and local mechanisms for conservation and development must be tried apart from global instruments such as REDD+ and CDM. Regional and local payment for ecosystem services (PES) such as China’s Grain for Greens (GfG) programme and India’s national employment guarantee act (NAREGA) are cited as innovative initiatives to emulate. More democratised and decentralised governance structures with a watershed or district as scale and inclusive development approaches would be necessary to promote SMD. To help the HKH mountain people out of their apparent powerlessness, they should be made capable of participating in governance specifically in deciding for their economic development approaches for which they need support from civil society, academia and development partners.
Information Brief: Options for Inclusion of Disability in Rio+20 Zero Outcome Document
(Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (DSPD/DESA))
Kathmandu Declaration on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development: Kathmandu Declaration
09 Sep 2011
Kathmandu
Conference addresses new opportunities for sustainable development of mountain regions
At a technical and professional gathering in Kathmandu this week, 150 policy makers, scientists, and development experts from the world’s mountain regions drafted the Kathmandu Declaration on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development, hoping to ensure the place of mountain systems, in particular in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, in current global discussions on the environment, economy, and sustainable development.
The declaration was the outcome of the three-day International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Mountain Development jointly organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Kathmandu from 5 to 7 September. The conference included participation not only from the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, but also from Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe. Right Honourable President of the Republic of Nepal, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, inaugurated the three-day conference. Dr RK Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), delivered the keynote speech.
‘Green economy’ refers to promotion of a low-carbon economy in the framework of sustainable development. Mountainous developing countries already have low-carbon economies, but they also have an extremely high incidence of poverty. The challenge in mountain regions is to keep these economies low carbon while promoting their sustainable development.
The representatives of science, government, civil society, and the private sector who were gathered in Kathmandu pooled their understanding about how the green economy framework can be harnessed to improve the lives of mountain people and the conservation of mountain ecosystems. They concurred that mountains are global natural assets and support about half of the global population by providing fresh water, energy, floral and faunal biodiversity, food, and other ecosystem goods and services, as well as cultural diversity and traditional knowledge. Economic growth and sustainability in lowlands depend highly on the mountain ecosystem services, directly or indirectly. It is in the common interest of national, regional, and global communities to conserve and develop mountain ecosystem services.
Key recommendations in the declaration included the recognition of benefits deriving from mountains; incorporation of the value of ecosystems services in national development planning and decision making; the establishment of global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate and reward mountain communities for the services they provide; the establishment of favourable conditions for improving markets for mountain ecosystem goods and services; inclusion of equity concerns in green economy in mountains; and access to resources and property rights for mountain women, indigenous communities, and marginalised groups.
A clear message that came from the conference is that mountains are critical for addressing global environmental challenges and promoting green economy and sustainable development. Participants were of the view that a green economy is an important concept for mountainous developing countries; it has the potential for creating new investments and generating new jobs if mountain-specific approaches are taken to tap the emerging opportunities.
The declaration will feed into the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012.
Please read the declaration at:
http://www.icimod.org/resource/4411
Levers to Enhance TNC Contributions to Low-Carbon Development – Drivers, Determinants and Policy Implications
(Center for Socio-Economic Development)
This contribution focuses on the drivers, determinants and policy implications of low-carbon FDI, with particular attention to developing countries. 1 Parts of this paper served as an input to Chapter IV of the World Investment Report 2010, which examined the issue of TNCs and Climate Change.
Localizing the MDGs - What role for Local Governments?
(UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF))
Localizing the MDGs - What role for Local Governments?
This brief paper aims to outline the key policy issues that underlie the debate over local development and the
role that local governments can play in accelerating progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Moving from Principles to Rights (English)
Rio 2012 and Ensuring Access to Information, Public Participation, and Access to Justice for Everyone
Outcome of the 6th ITU Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change
(International Telecommunication Union (ITU))
ITU organized the Sixth Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change on 7-8 July in Ghana. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Communications (MOC) of Ghana. The main purpose of the event was to move forward the agenda on using ICTs to monitor climate change, mitigate and adapt to its effects and, in this light, identify future requirements for ITU’s related work – including standardization of ICT equipment and networks as well as development activities. The symposium concluded with a Call to Action addressing climate change and the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP17-CMP7), to be held in Durban, South Africa in November 2011 and for the first time sustainability and the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD 2012 or Rio+20).
Peoples’ Sustainability Treaties for Rio+20
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
A UNEP publication series that presents views from Major Groups and Stakeholders of Civil Society or about issues
that are relevant for them. PERSPECTIVES is coordinated by UNEP’s Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch/ Division of Regional Cooperation. The presented views are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNEP.
Population matters for sustainable development
(United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA))
Concept note describing the critical importance of population dynamics for sustainable development and the range of linkages between the two. This paper provides a framework for incorporating population dynamics into the Rio+20 outcome document, and into implementation of sustainable development in the years to come.
Regional Strategy on Climate Change
(El Salvador)
Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo - CCAD
Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana - SICA
Report of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting Preparatory to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (LC/L.3432)
(Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC))
Report of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Meeting Preparatory to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (LC/L.3432)
Report on the dialogue on the special theme: Sustainable urban development through expanding equitable access to land, housing, basic services and infrastructure
(United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT))
At its 5th and 6th plenary meetings, on Wednesday, 13 April 2011, the Council held a dialogue
on the special theme for the session, sustainable urban development through expanding equitable
access to land and housing, basic services and infrastructure. The dialogue consisted of a morning and
an afternoon session. Each session featured a moderator and a panel of speakers, opening statements,
presentations by the panel members, comments from the floor and reactions from the panellists.
Ms. Heli Sirve (Finland), the rapporteur for the dialogue, prepared summaries of the two sessions and
a list of key messages for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
The first session, which took place in the morning, was on sustainable urban development
through expanding equitable access to land and housing. It was chaired by the President of the
Governing Council, who introduced it with opening remarks. Additional opening remarks were made
by the Executive Director; by Ms. Elizabeth Thompson, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive
Coordinator of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development; and by Ms. Ana Maria
Sampaio Fernandes, Permanent Representative of Brazil to UN-Habitat. The panellists were
Mr. Ahmed Taoufiq Hejira, Minister of Housing and Urban and Regional Planning, Morocco;
Mr. Peter Götz, President of the Board of Directors of the Global Parliamentarians on Habitat;
Ms. Sheila Patel, Chair of Shack/Slum Dwellers International; and Mr. Hugo Priemus, Professor,
Delft University of Technology.
The afternoon session was on sustainable urban development through expanding access to
basic services and infrastructure. Mr. Sergey Trepelkov (Russian Federation), Vice-President of the
Governing Council, represented the President of the Governing Council as Chair. He who introduced
the session with opening remarks. The panellists were the President of the Governing Council,
speaking as the Minister for Infrastructure of Rwanda; Ms. Dhamikka Wijaysinghe, Senior Assistant
Secretary, Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Services of
Sri Lanka; Mr. M. A. Masunda, Mayor of Harare and Co-President of the United Cities and Local
Governments; and Mr. Stéphane Quéré, Co-Chair, Urban Infrastructure Initiative, World Business
Council for Sustainable Development. Concluding remarks were provided by Ms. Ana Marie
Argilagos, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, United States
of America.
Resolution 23/17: Sustainable urban development through expanding equitable access to land, housing, basic services and infrastructure
(United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT))
'Recalling General Assembly resolution 64/236 of 24 December 2009, which outlines the three
objectives of the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (to secure renewed
political commitment for sustainable development; to assess the progress to date and the remaining
gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development; and to
address new and emerging challenges) and further specifies two themes for the Conference, to be
discussed and refined during the preparatory process: the green economy within the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication; and an institutional framework for sustainable
development, [...] 4. Encourages Governments and Habitat Agenda partners:
(a) To include the issue of sustainable urban development in their contributions to the
preparatory process for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, including on the
two themes identified in paragraph 20 (a) of General Assembly resolution 64/236 of 24 December
2009;'
Resolution A37-18
(International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO))
Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection – General provisions, noise and local air quality
Resolution A37-19
(International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO))
Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection – Climate change
South East Asia and Pacific (SEAP) Mountain Region. From Rio 1992 to 2012 and beyond: Sustainable Mountain Development
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
The report aims to provide an overview and assessment of trends, issues, and challenges for promoting the agenda of sustainable mountain development in the SEAP region since 1992 highlighting the progress made and lessons learned in key sectors and sub-sectors; it covers all the three pillars of sustainable development and scopes out opportunities in the two themes of the Rio+20 – Green Economy and Institutional Framework for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
The Southeast Asia and Pacific (SEAP) mountains comprising of two geographic regions (mainland and island/archipelagic states), forms one of the world’s highest biodiversity pools but the rapid loss of biodiversity has also earned for the region a place among the hottest global biodiversity hotspots. Climate change has made the structurally weak and fragile SEAP Mountains even more vulnerable owing to increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, extreme temperatures and severe tropical storms.
SEAP Mountains are home to a number of indigenous peoples who are marginalized, poor, and underserved by nation states. This is aggravated by global population and economic pressures that have driven migrant lowland settlers, extractive companies that harness the mountains’ timber, mineral and water resources, private investors and lowlanders, toward the mountains. Governments and civil society organizations, international and local donors, and development organizations have played key roles in facilitating development and/or resolving conflicts arising from competing demands by the variety of stakeholders that have laid claim on the mountains’ resources. Because mountains have not been mainstreamed in the governance of most Southeast Asian countries, government policies are generally inadequate to address pressing mountain issues, highlighting the need for effecting policy reforms to protect social and ecological systems in the mountains, strengthen sustainable development, prevent environmental damage, and improve global food security.
SEA Mountains are home to a number of indigenous peoples who are marginalized, poor, and underserved by nation states. This is aggravated by global population and economic pressures that have driven migrant lowland settlers, extractive companies that harness the mountains’ timber, mineral and water resources, private investors and lowlanders, toward the mountains. Governments and civil society organizations, international and local donors, and development organizations have played key roles in facilitating development and/or resolving conflicts arising from competing demands by the variety of stakeholders that have laid claim on the mountains’ resources. Because mountains have not been mainstreamed in the governance of most Southeast Asian countries, government policies are generally inadequate to address pressing mountain issues, highlighting the need for effecting policy reforms to protect social and ecological systems in the mountains, strengthen sustainable development, prevent environmental damage, and improve global food security.
Collaborative efforts in protecting and conserving the mountains are impelled by common awareness on the SEAP Mountains’ benefits and the anticipated adverse impacts of mountain-related disasters on both upland and lowland populations. The melding of traditional knowledge with externally-generated science are also reaping good results toward improving sustainability in resource utilization and in affording opportunities for multi-stakeholder participation to come up with workable solutions to mountain issues and problems. Finally, the more active participation of communities in mountain governance is paving the way for sustainable mountain management practices that will hopefully help put an end to pervasive poverty in the uplands and lead to carefully-planned and community-controlled, sustainable human development which would be the basic elements that can lead the region to sustainable mountain development balancing all the three pillars of sustainable development.
Stakeholder Forum - Sustainable Development Governance towards Rio+20: Framing the Debate
This paper outlines the history of global governance for sustainable development, charting some of the significant milestones and also identifying the challenges to progress and reform. It outlines some recommendations for taking forward sustainable development in the UN system, and stresses the need for immediate and ambitious reform.
Stocktaking Report On Sustainable Development In Pakistan
(Pakistan)
(Policies/Actions/Progress/Gaps/Needs
Sustainable Mountain Development in the Context of the Green Economy and Rio+20 - A Discussion Brief
(International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD))
Mountains are an important source of vital ecosystem services and play a significant role in economic development, environmental protection, ecological sustainability, and human wellbeing worldwide. The global community recognised the importance of mountains at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 through adoption of Chapter 13 in Agenda 21.
As the twentieth anniversary of the Rio summit approaches, we can see that Chapter 13 has not had the hoped-for impact, and sustainable mountain development has remained marginal in the international development agenda. Since the end of the twentieth century, the framework conditions for sustainable development have been gradually changing with climate change, globalisation, increasing urbanisation, institutional evolution, and other changes. These changes offer opportunities for revisiting the mountain agenda and bringing it forward.
Template Proposal for Rio+20 Outcomes Document
(Australia)
For consideration at the Second Intersessional meeting in December 2011, Australia would like to propose the below template for the Rio+20 Outcomes document.
This document does not represent a formal proposal by Australia, rather we suggest it as a tool to help catalyse discussion to find a practical way forward to clearly structure the outcomes of Rio+20. Australia welcomes any amendments or suggestions to the proposed template (please see contact details below) to ensure a format is agreed which addresses the needs and interests of all Member States.
The Rio 2012 Conference - The Explanatory Roadmap to Rio + 20, by NGO Major Group
This document has been prepared to help guide stakeholders interested in contributing to the final outcome document of the Rio + 20 Conference.
Towards Rio+20: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Development
(United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA))
UNFPA background note for a special event of the Executive Board of UNFPA, UNDP and UNOPS, entitled, "Towards Rio+20: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Development." This note is a summarized version of a longer concept note on the critical links between population dynamics and sustainable development.
UNCDF Policy Perspectives for Rio + 20
(UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF))
This note presents UNCDF focused inputs towards the RIO+20 Outcome Document. UNCDF strongly supports inclusive and sustainable growth and wishes to highlight that progress is needed on 2 critical fronts: 1) local development finance and the empowerment of local governments as key actors for sustainable growth; and 2) financial inclusion, as a key mean to enable individuals, households, and enterprises to contribute to and benefit from growth.
UNU-INWEH and the economics of land degradation
(United Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment & Health (UNU-INWEH))
Together with a consortium of partners, UNU-INWEH is undertaking a study that would align the economics of land degradation into national policy strategies, particularly those around green economy. UNU-INWEH has been actively involved in stimulating a global study on the economics of land degradation starting with a position paper delivered at the UNCCD COP9 in Buenos Aires 2009. In this paper, UNU- INWEH proposed the establishment of a land degradation equivalent of Stern report on climate change. By mainstreaming the issue INWEH aims to contribute to poverty alleviation and the promotion of sustainable land and water management.
Urban Patterns for Sustainable Development: Towards a Green Economy, UN-Habitat Draft Working Paper
(United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT))
Draft input to the UNCSD Rio 2012. Comments may be sent to uepb@unhabitat.org
What Does the Green Economy Mean for Sustainable Urban Development?
(United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT))
A detailed report on the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) that took place on 17-18 February in Nairobi and explored linkages between the ‘Green Economy’ agenda and UN-Habitat’s traditional ‘Urban Agenda’. It provides a summary of the conceptual linkage between cities and the green economy from a material flows perspective and also outlines some of the urban patterns that will shape and determine the way cities respond to the green economy challenge.
Presentations
Abul Quasem Al-Amin_CGE modelling experience from Malaysia
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Charlie Heaps_LEAP A Tool for Energy Planning and GHG Mitigation Assessment
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
DESA_DSD Introductory presentation
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Marco V. Sanches and Diyora Kabulova_CGE modelling used in UNDESA/DPAD work
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Rob Dellink_OECDs CGE modelling experience
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Summary of Key Proposals for Chapter V: Framework for Action and Follow-up, Zero Draft
Briefing by David O’Connor, DSD/DESA
U-Primo E. Rodriguez_CGE modelling experience from Philippines
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Participation of Major Groups
Consolidated List of Non – Governmental Organizations and Other Major Groups Accredited to the World Summit on Sustainable Development at Prepcoms II, III and IV
This list excludes organizations accredited with the ECOSOC and on the CSD List, and
includes corrections to names and coordinates received by the Secretariat)
Total Number of Organizations: 737
Future We Want - Major Groups comments on section III - V
Major groups’s comments on section III through V, received by 29 February, 2012 as per Ambassador Kim’s offer to Major groups on 27 January 2012
Regional Capacity Building workshop for Major Groups
The aim of these training sessions is to increase the awareness of the themes of Rio+20
Conference and build the capacity of major groups and other stakeholders to engage with the UN
preparatory process and the conference itself. The EU grant is helping fund regional major groups
representatives who are less familiar with UN-led sustainable development processes to attend
the training and the official RPMs as far as possible.
Registration Desk hours for Major Groups Initial discussions 25-27 Jan 2012
Initial discussions on the zero draft of the outcome document held at UN Headquarters from 25 to 27 January 2012
Bureau Related
Minutes of the Seventeenth UNCSD Bureau Meeting
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Outcomes of Governing Bodies
A/AC.105/993 - Contribution of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development: harnessing space-derived geospatial data for sustainable development[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish] (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA))
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Annual Report, 30 April 2009-19 May 2010
(Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP))
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Report of the Committee on Environment and Development on its First session& Bangkok, 2 – 4 December 2009
(Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP))
Letter of Mr. Raymond Benjamin, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on input of ICAO to the UNCSD
(International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO))
Report of the Chemical Review Committee on the work of its sixth meeting Geneva, 15–19 March 2010
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
Report of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on the work of its fourth meeting, Geneva, 4–8 May 2009
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
Report of the eleventh special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, Bali, Indonesia, 24-26 February 2010
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
Report of the simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, Bali, 22–24 February 2010
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
Resolution GC.13/Res.8, UNIDO Activities in the Field of Energy and Environment
(United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO))
Other documents
100-Day Countdown to Rio+20 Spurs Calls for Increased Action towards Sustainability
(United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI))
Agenda
High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
AIMS RIO+20 Outcome document
RIO+20 SUBREGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) OF THE ATLANTIC, INDIAN OCEAN, MEDITERRANEAN AND SOUTH CHINA SEA (AIMS) SUBREGION
7- 8th JULY 2011
MAHE, SEYCHELLES
Attendance Form
High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
Brochure Rio+20 - (Brochure Format)
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Brochure Rio+20 - (Letter Format)
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
CARIBBEAN RIO+20 Outcome document
RIO+20 SUBREGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) OF THE CARIBBEAN SUBREGION.
20 June 2011
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA
Chairperson's Draft Negotiating Document
Chairperson's Draft Negotiating Document for the 2nd Preparatory Committee Meeting
Circular Panel Discussion on “Means of Implementation for Sustainable Development”
Panel Discussion on “Means of Implementation for Sustainable Development”
Concept Note for Greening the Economy with Agriculture
(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO))
Coordination Notes ON THE ROAD TO RIO+20
Brice Lalonde
Executive Coordinator
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012
DHAKA DECLARATION: SWAN (South Asia Women's Network)’s Positions on an emerging Green Economy
(South Asia Women's Network (SWAN))
Final Program
Global Civil Society Workshop on the Rio+20 “Zero Draft” and Rights for Sustainability
Final Program- USRIO+2.0
USRIO+20 - Bridging Connection Technologies and Sustainable Development
2 Feb 2011 - 4 Feb 2011
10:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Stanford University
Flyer - How to mobilize youth globally to support the Goals of Rio+20 Summit?
(Peace Child International)
Global Environmental Policy Programme
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
The announcement for GEPP’s Global Environmental Policy Dialogue and the Registration Form
Information Note for Participants for Ministerial Dialogue on Green Economy and Inclusive Growths
Information Note for Participants for Ministerial Dialogue on Green Economy and Inclusive Growths
Information Note, High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
Invitation
High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
Nairobi-Helsinki Outcome
(United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP))
Consultative Group of Ministers or High-level Representatives
Now is the Time! Why “Rio+20” must succeed (French version)
(Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE))
Outcome of Regional Preparatory Meeting
Economic Commission for Europe
Regional Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Pacific RIO+20 Outcome document
RIO+20 SUBREGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) OF THE PACIFIC SUBREGION
21 - 22 JULY 2011
Presentation by Brice Lalonde, Co-Executive Coordinator for the Rio+20 Conference, to the open-end consultative process on the oceans and the law of the sea, June 20 th 2011
The views expressed here are personal views
Press Release - ECA deputy chief says Africa’s growth yet to reach ordinary people, as Rio+20 preparations kick off in Addis Ababa
(Economic Commission for Africa (ECA))
Provisional Programme of the EGM
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Questionnaire for the Major Groups
Questionnaire for the Major Groups on Experiences, Success Factors, Risks and Challenges with Regard to Objective and Themes of UNCSD
Questionnaire for the Member States
Questionnaire for the Member States on Experiences, Success Factors, Risks and Challenges with Regard to Objective and Themes of UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD)
Questionnaire for the UN System Organisations and other Intergovernmental Organisations
Questionnaire for the United Nations System Organisations and other Intergovernmental Organisations on Experiences, Success Factors, Risks and Challenges with Regard to Objective and Themes of UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD)
Report Side Event - Towards a Green Economy: promoting sustainable urban development and green infrastructure investment
(United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT))
Summary - Panel Discussion on Means of Implementation for Sustainable Development
Panel Discussion on Means of Implementation for Sustainable Development
Summary of Special Event
Summary of Special Event on Expert Panel Report on "the Transition to a Green Economy: Benefits, Risks and Challenges from a Sustainable Development Perspective"
The Green Economy Pathways Unofficial Summary Notes
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA))
Youth Statement for the Asia and Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for Rio+20
(Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP))
National Reports
Rapport de Situation COTE D'IVOIRE
(Côte d'Ivoire)
Les Nations Unies ont, depuis le début des années 70, engagé la réflexion et pris des résolutions sur la nécessité d’intégrer les préoccupations environnementales et sociale dans tout processus de croissance et développement à l’échelle mondiale, nationale et locale. En effet, en 1972, la Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'environnement, dite de "Stockholm" a placé les questions écologiques au rang des préoccupations internationales et a marqué le début d'un dialogue entre pays industrialisés et pays en développement concernant le lien entre la croissance économique, la pollution de l’environnement (l'air, l'eau, les océans) et le bien-être des peuples dans le monde entier.