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Special Report on Selected Side Events at the  WSSD
Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August - 4  September 2002
published by IISD, the International Institute for Sustainable  Development in cooperation with UNDP

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Events convened on Saturday and Sunday, 31 August  / 01 September 2002

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister and President of the EU, states that the EU energy initiative is an invita-tion to potential partners to put words into action.

Poul Nielson, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Assistance, stated that energy should be a top priority issue in poverty reduction strategies.

The EU energy initiative for poverty eradication and sustainable development
Presented by the Danish Presidency of the EU

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister and President of the EU, advocated combating poverty through promoting sustainable economic growth, furthering free trade and market access, and increasing development assistance to reach the 0.7% GNP target. He explained that the EU energy initiative would engage in partnerships with developing countries that demonstrate good governance and political will to address poverty.

Poul Nielson, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Assistance, suggested raising the profile of energy in development cooperation programmes. He advocated cost-efficient provision of environmentally friendly energy as a key to poverty alleviation, and underscored the role of partnerships in implementing multilateral decisions.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South African Minister of Minerals and Energy, noted the lack of energy in rural areas, and stressed that inappropriate energy provision may cause expense to poor people.

Bikenibereu Paeniu, Tuvalu Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Industry, noted the  pacific islands' challenging conditions to providing energy access, and advocated the use of renewable energy.

José Goldemberg, Brazil, underscored the need for a mandatory target on renewable energy, and highlighted the potential of modern use of biomass.

Brem Lal Singh, Nepalese Minister of Environment, noted the potential of developing hydropower in Nepal, called for capacity building, and emphasized institutional reform to attract private investment.

Suvi-Anne Siimes, Finnish Minister for International Development, stressed that access to energy is key to developing other sectors, and called for increased private sector investment.

Wilhelm Molterer, Austrian Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, advocated the WSSD to adopt a strong target on renewable energy, and stated that implementation of political commitments are best achieved through partnerships.

Olivier Deleuze, Belgium, noted the negative effects of climate change, and stressed the need for renewable and affordable energy.

Klaus Töpfer, UNEP Executive Director, noted that promoting renewable energy should be coupled with the promotion of cleaner fossil fuels and reduced energy reduction. 

Yaa Ntiamoa-Badu, WWF, highlighted the negative impacts of climate change on developing countries, advocated to focus on renewable energy, and proposed a list of principles for implementing the EU energy initiative. 

Rodney Chase, British Petroleum, underscored the the industry sector's commitment to provide energy for rural poor people.

Mats Karlsson, the World Bank, stated that energy is a prerequisite for job creation and poverty reduction, and highlighted access to energy as core in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Jørgen Henningsen, European Commission, underscored the need to ensure ownership by partner developing countries in the EU energy initiative, and emphasized long-term cooperation with stakeholders.

Discussion: The Danish EU Presidency clarified that nuclear power is not part of the EU energy initiative.

More information:
http://www.europa.eu.int

Contact:
The EU Energy Initiative <
dev-eu-energy-initiative@cec.eu.int>
Anders Fogh Rasmussen <
stm@stm.dk>
Poul Nielson <
poul.nielson@cec.eu.int>
José Goldemberg <
goldemb@iee.usp.br>
Wilhelm Molterer <
wilhem.molterer@bmlfuw.gv.at>


Ben Ngubane (second from left), South African Minister of Science and Technology, stresses South Africa's commitment to biotechnology, and underscores the need for caution and sound judgment.

The role of biotechnology and biodiversity in sustainable
development
Presented by AfricaBio

Diran Makinde, AfricaBio, stressed the link between scientists and policy makers.

Ben Ngubane, South African Minister of Science and Technology, noted commitment to, and long established commercial use of biotechnology in South Africa. He stressed domestic measures, including the creation of a Biotechnology Committee and called for: a cautious approach when using biotechnologies; the protection of biodiversity and related intellectual property rights; and regulation of trade.

Florence Wambugu, A Harvest Biotech Foundation International, stressed the need to combine the use of biotechnology with good governance. She presented alternative markets to European ones, including preferential trade agreements with other regions and public-private partnerships. She introduced a declaration by African scientists on biotechnology released during the WSSD, which states that it is immoral for African governments to reject genetically modified (GM) foods when people are dying from hunger. 

Val Giddings, Biotechnology Industry Organization, explained American and European approaches to biotechnology. He identified potential reasons for Europe's opposition to GM foods, including: history and culture; attitudes towards food and multinational corporations; recent fears triggered by the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and dioxin crises; political and economic conditions; and misinformation.

Klaus Ammann, Bern University, presented a comparison between genetically modified crops and organic foods. He called for a change in Europe's position towards GM foods, stressing that: research into the subject has been ongoing; organic foods have not been proven healthier or safer than GM foods; and that cross-breeding is a natural phenomenon.

Laura Reischeidner, International Environmental Resources, reviewed provisions of Agenda 21 that are relevant to biotechnology, and highlighted the entry into force of the Biodiversity Convention and the conclusion of the Protocol on Biosafety.

Discussion: Participants discussed various issues, including: the need for a balanced view on GM food; food security; consumers' choice and the reasons of multinational corporations' opposition to labelling; political commitment to biotechnology from the WSSD; capacity building and information; and bridging the gap between NGOs and industry.

More information:
http://www.africabio.com
http://www.bio-scope.org
http://www.bio.org

Contact:
Florence Wambugu <
fwambugu@spacenetonline.com>
Val Giddings <
lug@bio.org>
Klaus Ammann <
klaus.ammann@lps.unibe.ch>
Laura Reischeidner <
intenvres@cs.com>


LJ Grobler, Energy Cybernetics, notes that the average cost of emissions reduction is USD 10 per ton of carbon.

Greening of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Presented by the Johannesburg Climate Legacy

This event presented the Johannesburg Climate Legacy (JCL), which aims to make the WSSD a carbon neutral Summit by offsetting carbon emissions produced by the WSSD.

Claude Fussler, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), outlined the JCL project and highlighted the contribution of businesses. He stressed the importance of the JCL verification and monitoring system in order to promote sustainable development and increase businesses' participation. Fussler stressed that WSSD delegates should not leave the Summit without offsetting their carbon emissions.

LJ Grobler, Energy Cybernetics, explained that the JCL has two components: fund raising by selling carbon credits to WSSD participants, and investment of the monies in South African carbon projects. He highlighted that the cost of WSSD-related emissions from transportation, electricity, waste, paper production and water pumping were estimated at a total of 300.000 tons of carbon.

Jonathan Shopley, Future Forests, highlighted that the JCL is an opportunity for WSSD participants to take action during the Summit. He explained that JCL involves governments, the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders in an effort to make the WSSD a net zero carbon emission event.

Discussion: Participants addressed the need for partnerships to implement the JCL projects; the possibility of expanding the JCL to other international events; possible tools to motivate WSSD participants; and ways of obtaining long-term commitment.

More information:
http://www.climatelegacy.org
http://www.wbcsd.org
http://www.futureforests.com

Contact:
Claude Fussler <
fussler@wbcsd.org>
LJ Grobler <
mgiljg@puknet.puk.ac.za>
Jonathan Shopley <
jonathan.shopley@futureforests.com>


Sheela Patel, Society for Promotion of Area Resource Centres, notes that the agenda of the 21st century should be determined by community priorities.

A grassroots academy on the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals
Presented by UNDP and the Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood (GROOTS)

Sandy Schilen, GROOTS, noted the importance of community involvement in global decision making, and stressed the need for doubling efforts to achieve sustainable development and gender equality.

Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP, highlighted the significance of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG). He stressed the need for developing countries' priority setting, and called upon developed countries to support their implementation by: providing funds; promoting trade reforms; and encouraging foreign investment. He introduced a new monitoring system to assess progress in the implementation of the MDG, and underscored the need for adopting a different approach to development in order to achieve the MDG by 2015.

Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT), highlighted poor people as an asset and not a problem. She underscored the importance of secure land tenure, and called for capacity building to enable good urban governance, and to ensure the involvement of women in decision making.

Sheela Patel, Society for Promotion of Area Resource Centres, called for acknowledgement of poor peoples' right to participate in negotiations. She explained a community-driven campaign for secure land tenure supported by UN-HABITAT, and called for a more equal playing field in development investment.

Solome Mukisa, Forum for Women in Democracy, stated that governments must work with communities to ensure achievement of goals, and explained a project mobilizing women to take action in decision-making processes.

Marcial Arias, International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests, highlighted the capacities of indigenous peoples, underscored indigenous land rights, and advocated community-specific solutions.

Discussion: Participants addressed: empowerment of women; implementation of MDG through strategic partnerships; and provision of direct funding to communities.

More information:
http://www.undp.org
http://www.groots.org
http://www.sparcindia.org
http://www.un-habitat.org

Contact:
Sandy Schilen <
grootsss@aol.com>
Anna Tibaijuka <
exec.dir.habitat@un-habitat.org>
Sheela Patel <
suhndarburra@hotmail.com>
Solome Mukisa <
fowode@starcom.co.ug>
Marcial Arias <
mag@orbi.net>


Mohau Pheko (left), Gender and Trade Network, and May Sengendo, Uganda, highlight the impor-tance of gender issues in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals: Priorities for action Presented by UNDP

Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP, explained that the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are a simple and dynamic tool to hold governments accountable and can be adjusted to accommodate changing circumstances. He highlighted that the MDG represents a partnership between governments, the private sector, NGOs, and civil society, and emphasized that the UN report on MDG provides a review of countries' performance, and functions as a catalyst to stimulate the implementation of national policies.

Martin Khor, Third World Network, highlighted that NGOs and the UN should combine their strengths to fulfill the MDG and that the role of businesses in contributing to the achievement of MDG needs to be defined. He drew attention to conflicts between UN agreements and WTO legislation, and stated that the WSSD should bring a fair balance between them, without compromising the MDG.

Mohau Pheko, Gender and Trade Network, highlighted the need to harmonize the MDG with the New Partnership for Africa's Development, and stressed that the liberal paradigm of globalization does not reflect the policies needed to fulfill the MDG. She said that African countries need to create African centers of excellence, foster research and increase civil society participation.

Ted van Hess, European Network on Debt and Development, underscored that debt relief, cancellation and reduction are crucial means to providing additional financial resources to heavily indebted poor countries. He stressed that debt repayment should not take priority over achieving the MDG and human sustainable development.

May Sengendo, Uganda, suggested that the MDG indicators should be combined with other relevant indicators to assist in implementing the MDG. She drew attention to gender indicators developed in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which reaffirms governments' commitment to eliminate discrimination against women and remove obstacles to equality.

More information:
http://www.undp.org/mdg
http://www.eurodad.org
http://www.genderandtrade.net

Contact:
Mark Malloch Brown <
mark.malloch.brown@undp.org>
Martin Khor <
mkhor@igc.org>
Mohau Pheko <
integity@wn.apc.org>
Ted van Hess <
tvanhees@eurodad.org>
May Sengendo <
sengendo@infocom.co.ug>


 

Usmonkool Shokirov, Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development of Central Asia, highlights the high-level commitment to the goals of environmental protection and poverty eradication in the region.

Central Asian sub-regional Agenda 21
Presented by the Central Asian Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)

Kalman Mizsei, UNDP, welcomed the strengthened commitment by Central Asian countries to sustainable development and stressed UNDP's ongoing and future support for Central Asian regional cooperation.

Brigita Schmögnerová, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), expressed support for the Central Asian Agenda 21 and highlighted UNECE's deepening cooperation with the region, particularly in regard to water security and the ratification and implementation of international environmental conventions. She highlighted, in particular, ongoing UNECE support to Kazakhstan.

Ravi Sawhney, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), emphasized ESCAP's involvement in Central Asian water resource management, and noted that the Asia and Pacific regional platform reflects the concerns of Central Asian countries, including water, energy, and environmental governance.  He said that ESCAP planned to develop new partnerships and training programmes based on results of a recently launched study on environmental governance in the region.

Usmonkool Shokirov, ICSD of Central Asia, explained that the Central Asian Agenda 21 focuses on environmental protection and poverty reduction and addresses the region's main challenges, including: the Aral Sea crisis; water deficiency; land degradation; negative consequences of climate change; poverty; unemployment; health problems; high mortality; and economic decline and disintegration.

Bulat Yessekin, CAREC, described activities of CAREC and its methodology for developing the regional Agenda 21. He drew attention to the lack of legal frameworks supporting civil society participation in policy development.

Sestager Aknazarov, CAREC, stressed the importance of the Aarhus Convention for Central Asia, and called for a legislative framework and for international support to ensure the active involvement of civil society in decision-making in the region.

Lyudmila Shabanova, UNDP, explained how the Regional Environment Action Plan in Kazakhstan was developed as a part of the Central Asian Agenda 21.

Armat Bektasov, artist, highlighted the role of cultural leaders in promoting sustainable development in Central Asia and expressed support to the Earth Charter.

Listen Brigita Schmögnerová, UN Economic Commission for Europe

Listen to Ravi Sawhney, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

More information:
http://www.carec.kz
http://www.unece.org
http://www.undp.org

Contact:
Kalman Mizsei <
kalman.mizsei@undp.org>
Brigita Schmögnerová <
brigitta.schmognerova@unece.org>
Ravi Sawhney <
sawhney.unescap@un.org>
Usmonkool Shokirov <
shokirov@tojikiston.com>
Sestager Aknazarov <
aknaz@nursat.kz>


Is there a business case for biodiversity?
Presented by IUCN

Achim Steiner, IUCN, presented a statement from Queen Noor of Jordan, IUCN Patron, in which she stressed the responsibility of businesses and civil society in combating biodiversity loss. 

Fernando Alves de Almeida, Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development, highlighted the need for an adequate regulatory framework to promote investment, based on the respect of private property, intellectual property rights and free market, while giving due consideration to communities' rights. He stressed the need for ethical use of biodiversity, benefit-sharing, and transparency.  

Tom Burke, Rio Tinto, emphasized the importance of legal, social, and environmental responsibility of businesses, and called for greater interaction between businesses, NGOs and governments. 

Torsten Bartsch, Young Managers Team/Caterpillar Sarl, called on participants to help minimizing the impact of the WSSD by redistributing their conference bags to local communities.

Elizabeth Lowery, General Motors (GM), highlighted GM's efforts to promote the social and environmental components of sustainable development, including sustainable water resource management and greenhouse gas reduction. She introduced GM's hydrogen-based projects.    

Phil Watts, Royal Dutch Shell, stated that sustainable development makes good business sense, and can create competitive advantage if appropriately conducted. He stressed the need for partnerships, early sensitization at the national level, and encouragement of all industry actors to respect protected areas.        

Peter Woicke, International Finance Corporation (IFC), highlighted the IFC's environment-related activities. He recommended: caution when using subsidies; transparency; an integrated approach to investment projects; long-term partnerships; and the creation of markets for environmental services.

Tom Burke (left), Rio Tinto, Elizabeth Lowery, General Motors and Phil Watts, Royal Dutch Shell

Torsten Bartsch, Young Managers Team/Caterpillar Sarl, presented the Young Managers Initiative, which represents young business managers' views at the WSSD and strengthens links between NGOs and businesses.

Discussion: Participants addressed issues including: good governance; cooperation between all sectors of society, especially between NGOs and businesses; and creating adequate conditions for businesses.

More information:
http://www.riotinto.com/community
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/environment
http://www.ifc.org/sustainability

Contact:
Joshua Bishop <
joshua.bishop@iucn.org>


Olav Schram Stokke (left) and Willy østreng, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, launch the Yearbook of International Co-operation on Environment and Development (2002-2003).

Science and politics
Presented by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI)

Willy østreng, FNI, highlighted the differences of scientific and political approaches to problem-solving and noted the need to foster dialogue between the two communities. He explained that the FNI aims to bridge the gap between scientists and policy makers by identifying relevant obstacles and appropriate solutions. He invited speakers to comment on the contribution to sustainable development of the 2002-2003 Yearbook of International Co-operation on Environment and Development (YBICED).

Elsbeth Tronstad, Norway, said that the YBICED's findings are crucial for environmental policy and governance. She highlighted that the YBICED creates public awareness and mobilizes participation of governments, the private sector, NGOs and civil society. Tronstad noted the Chinese-Norwegian environmental cooperation for developing scientific knowledge on environmental problems, and stressed that scientific knowledge helps to reach consensus on common challenges and actions.

Xie Zhenhua, Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration of the People's Republic of China, said that the YBICED is a significant outcome of the Chinese-Norwegian cooperation and a tool for delivering information to those concerned about environment and development.

Robert Bertolline, WHO, noted that the YBICED demonstrates that the international community can find means and actions to overcome environmental problems.

Rasmus Hansson, WWF, explained that NGOs rely on scientific evidence for their work as environmental activists and advocates, and highlighted the need to develop agreement on environmental issues. He stressed that scientific analysis continues to help the WWF and other NGOs to formulate alternatives to current environmental policies.

Olav Schram Stokke, FNI, said that the YBICED provides: a summary of international agreements on environment and development, an analysis of environmental governance, and a review of countries' performances in implementing commitments. Stokke stressed that the YBICED allows governments, the private sector, NGOs, the media and others to assess governments' compliance of environmental agreements.

More information:
http://www.fni.no

Contact:
Willy østreng <
willy.ostreng@fni.no>
Elsbeth Tronstad <
elsbeth.tronstad@mfa.no>
Roberto Bertollini <
ber@who.dk>
Rasmus Hansson <
rhansson@wwf.no>
Olav Schram Stokke <
olav.s.stokke@fni.no>


Pekka Patosaari, newly appointed head of the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, calls upon importing countries to refuse import of illegally sourced timber.

Forest law enforcement, governance and trade
Presented by the European Commission (EC)

Ralf Arneberg, EC, recommended clear targets for halting the loss of biodiversity, and stressed that developed and developing countries have a shared responsibility to address illegal logging and related trade.

Poul Nielson, EU Commissioner for Development, noted the EC's commitment to combat illegal logging and trade by developing an action plan to: propose EU legislation that would only allow import of legally sourced timber; improve transparency of logging companies' operations; and promote consumption of legal wood products.

Dan Nielsen, Denmark, speaking on behalf of the EU, noted the complex socioeconomic and political causes of illegal logging.

David Kaimovitz, Center for International Forestry Research, called for law reform and enforcement to achieve sustainable forest management.

Pekka Patosaari, United Nations Forum on Forests, called for more action from governments to combat illegal logging, and highlighted forest certification as a tool against illegal forest practices.

Boen Purnama, Indonesia, called for: regional cooperation on law enforcement; involvement of all stakeholders in combating illegal logging; and adoption of domestic measures to address corruption.

Michael Meacher, UK Minister of the Environment, noted that approximately USD 12 billion of revenues are lost annually as a result of illegal logging, and highlighted the UK's commitment to ensuring legality of all imported timber.

Jan McAlpine, US, noted that recent conferences in Asia and Africa on forest law enforcement and governance constituted important steps towards addressing these issues.

Kevin Gray, Royal Institute of International Affairs, noted the difficulties in defining illegality, and emphasized that legal forest management may not always be sustainable.

Agus Purnomo, WWF-Indonesia, highlighted greed and poverty as the main causes of illegal logging, and underscored the need to address corruption.

Estheringe Lisinge, WWF-Cameroon, called for independent monitoring of forest concessions, and stressed the need for efficient involvement by civil society.

Henson Moore, American Forest and Paper Association, noted the industry's limited capacity to combat illegal logging, and called for partnerships with governments and NGOs. 

More information:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/fl egt/workshop/forest.htm

Contact:
Poul Nielson <
poul.nielson@cec.eu.int>
Dan Nielsen <
dannie@um.dk>
David Kaimovitz <
d.kaimovitz@cgiar.org>
Pekka Patosaari <
patosaari@un.org>
Jan McAlpine <
mcalpinejl@state.gov>
Kevin Gray <
kevin.grey@biicl.org>
Agus Purnomo <
apurnomo@wwf.or.id>
Estheringe Lisinge <
elisinge@wwf.cm>


Nado Rinchhen, Bhutan's Minister of Environment, praises sustainable development agreements (SDAs), underlining that SDA recipient countries are able to define their own priorities for donor funds distribution and national mechanisms.

South-South cooperation for sustainable development
Presented by the governments of Bhutan, Benin, Costa Rica and the Netherlands

At this event, a new partnership for sustainable development was launched.

Nim Dorji, Bhutan, said that the partnership is a follow-up to the bilateral sustainable development agreements (SDAs) between the Netherlands, and, respectively, Bhutan, Benin and Costa Rica. He explained that SDAs are concrete partnerships, in which recipient countries and their civil societies are key players.

Luc-M.C. Gnacadja, Minister of the Environment, Housing and Urbanism of Benin, and Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Costa Rican Minister for Environment, welcomed the unique opportunity to establish new south-south cooperation; thanked the Netherlands for its involvement in SDAs; and expressed strong optimism regarding the new partnerships' successes.

Nado Rinchhen, Minister of Environment of Bhutan, said that the new agreement would prove that south-south partnerships are possible and important for sustainable development. He said that SDAs are based on the principles of equality, reciprocal effort, and the mutual acquisition of knowledge and experience. He shared Bhutan's experiences in working towards sustainable development, including "debt for nature" swaps, electrification in rural areas, and biodiversity preservation. Rinchhen stressed that the new agreement will allow Benin, Costa Rica and Bhutan to support each other in contributing to sustainable development. He invited new partners to join the SDA framework.

Piter van Geel, Netherlands Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, explained that under previous bilateral SDAs the cooperation between partner countries remained minimal, and expressed hope that the new partnerships would contribute to greater cooperation in implementing the WSSD outcomes.

The Ministers signed the agreement on south-south cooperation for sustainable development, which is open for new interested partners.

The participants were presented with a documentary that illustrated the experiences and lessons learned from implementing SDAs in the four partner countries.

More information:
http://www.minvrom.nl
http://www.moa.gov.bt
http://www.minae.go.cr
http://www.mehubenin.net

Contact:
Luc-M.C. Gnacadja <
lgnacadja@mehubenin.net>
Nado Rinchhen <
dmnec@druknet.net.bt>
Nim Dorji <
sds@druknet.net.bt>


Frederico Mayor (left), UBUNTU Forum, explains that the word 'ubuntu' is an African term for caring, sharing and being in harmony with all creations'. Right: Josep Xercavins, UBUNTU Forum

Ubuntu - World Forum of Civil Society Networks
Presented by the UBUNTU Forum of Civil Society Networks (UBUNTU Forum)

Josep Xercavins, UBUNTU Forum, presented the Forum's world campaign for in-depth reform of the system of international institutions to promote a more humane, just, diverse and sustainable world. The campaign's objectives include: creating public awareness on the need for the proposed reform; promoting actions supporting the campaign; establishing a Study Commission to draft proposals for the reform; and creating a World Panel on global democratic governance in order to set up a multi-stakeholder dialogue on governance system reform. Xercavins highlighted that the UBUNTU Forum will create capacity for a dialogue amongst civil society networks to address the main challenges of establishing a good governance system.

Frederico Mayor, UBUNTU Forum, stressed two main challenges in ensuring good global governance. The first constitutes of creating new mechanisms to ensure that governments comply with international agreements and fulfil fundamental human rights. The second challenge is to address the needs of all people, including future generations, and to transit from the current "oligocratic" global order dominated by few nations to international governance, which is based on the culture of peace, dialogue, freedom, equality and solidarity. Mayor explained that the UBUNTU Forum aims to facilitate this transition, as well as to create international mechanisms to ensure implementation of the WSSD outcomes. He noted that one of the WSSD achievements includes highlighting the importance of the holistic approach to development.

Discussion: Participants highlighted the need to: ensure consensus within civil society; discuss the role of UN organizations in the UBUNTU Forum; create synergies amongst civil society networks; incorporate the Earth Charter into the reform; and create public awareness about the campaign.  

More information:
http://www.ubuntu.upc.es

Contact:
ubuntu@ubuntu.upc.es


Phillip Watts, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, notes that business is good for sustainable development, and that sustainable develop-ment is good for business.

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, says that business and other actors in socie-ty benefit from working together.

Lekgotla: Business Day
Presented by Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD)

At this event, business leaders, NGOs, and government officials addressed the links between business and sustainable development, including: sustainable natural resource use; markets and globalization; sustainable investment and development; and accountability and transparency.

Phillip Watts, World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), noted that the participation of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the event reflected his understanding of business' role in making sustainable development real. He noted the increase in business' involvement since Rio, and announced the release of BASD's, "Walking the Talk," a compendium of case studies that demonstrate positive results.

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, underscored that the corporate sector is key to sustainable development, as it has the required technology, financing and management. He noted that answers to social, economic and environmental problems can be found through cooperation among businesses, governments, civil society, unions and other stakeholders, and underscored that businesses must address these problems effectively to sustain profits. Annan stated that value-based management is at the core of the Global Compact, a dialogue that promotes institutional learning and good practices. He noted the need for Global Compact companies to increase investment in least-developed countries. Annan expressed support for the Global Reporting Initiative, and noted the Summit's importance in advancing business' role in sustainable development.

Barry Davison, South African Chamber of Mines, noted HIV/AIDS' threat to sustainability, highlighting the number of orphans and infected 25-40 year olds in Southern Africa. Davison stressed that the disease affects productivity, income generation and the sustainability of industries. He called for education, improvement of social and economic conditions, and for drug companies and aid agencies to contribute to the provision of life-extending drugs.

Anne Lauvergeon, AREVA, stressed that industry needs to use reliable, comparable and verifiable indicators when reporting.

Judy Henderson, Global Reporting Initiative, announced the availability of the 2002 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. She stressed that investors increasingly demand reporting on a full range of corporate activities, and predicted that sustainability reporting, on a mandatory or voluntary basis, will become as important as accurate financial reporting.

Claude Martin, WWF, described the challenges of establishing the Forest Stewardship and Marine Stewardship Councils, and anticipated launching a new labeling programme for carbon.

Mervyn King, Institute of Directors in South Africa, emphasized the need for local communities to help govern companies operating in them, and for businesses to adopt ethically- and environmentally-sound practices. He explained that ENRON had a social responsibility programme but poor internal governance.

Josien Sluijs, WBCSD/Young Managers' Team, described the organization's new programme for 25-35 year-old managers, and its dedication to sustainable development.

More information:
http://www.basd-action.net
http://www.wbcsd.org

Contact:
Catherine Morel <
morel@wbcsd.org>


Global Village Energy Partnership
Presented by UNDP and the World Bank

The Global Village Energy Partnership, a joint UNDP/World Bank initiative, was launched on Saturday 31st August. It brings together, inter alia, developing and developed countries, public and private organizations, multilateral institutions, and consumers to ensure access to modern energy services by the poor.

More information:
http://www.gvep.org

Contact:
Dominique Lallement <
dlallement@worldbank.org>
Susan McDade <
susan.mcdade@undp.org>
Judy Siegel <
jsiegel@winrock.org>


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