Over 100 participants from 70 countries are expected to gather in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 16-19 June 2003 to take the "first steps" to develop a 10-year framework of programmes for sustainable consumption and production. The decision to develop such a framework was endorsed during the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg in 2002. In the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation – which was a key outcome of the Summit – governments endorsed the need for a "10-year framework of programmes in support of regional and national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production."

The International Expert Meeting taking place in Marrakesh is intended to advance the development of the 10-year framework. Outcomes from the meeting will be submitted to the Commission on Sustainable Development for its consideration, and are expected to feed into its post-Johannesburg programme of work. This Expert Meeting is also likely to contribute to work by other international, regional and national organizations concerned with sustainable consumption and production. The event is being organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in co-operation with UNEP.

Two regional meetings – for Latin America and the Caribbean and for the Asia-Pacific region – have taken place prior to the International Expert Meeting. Other regional meetings are also planned.