Photo: Co-Chairs Madina Jarbussynova (Kazakhstan) and Alison Drayton (Guyana)

Co-Chair Drayton (right) introduced, and delegates adopted, the agenda and other organizational matters (E/CN.17/ISWG.II/2001/1). She noted that the session would produce two papers: a Co-Chairs' summary that reflects the discussions, positions stated by delegations and alternative views; and a concise, action-oriented paper on elements for a draft decision for negotiations at CSD-9.

Lowell Flanders,Assistant Director, UN Division on Sustainable Development, elaborated the three-phase process undertaken to develop the set of indicators for sustainable development. He said the Secretary-General's report recommends that the Working Group could recognize the important role countries have played in testing the indicators and endorse the core set of indicators. He also suggested the Working Group could support: continuing the Work Programme on indicators; advancing work on modalities for the linkages between and aggregation of indicators; and encouraging countries to make better use of the indicators.

CSD Indicators Website: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/isd.htm

After the general statements and In response to issues regarding convergence among different indicators that were raised in the discussions, the Lowell Flanders pointed out that extensive consultations had been carried out with various organizations, and that different indicator programmes have different objectives, emphasis and priorities. On issues relating to international consensus, he underscored that the indicators programme is voluntary, and that every country can adapt the indicators to national requirements. Referring to Agenda 21, Nigeria said developing countries did not object to the development of harmonized indicators, but wanted to see the process open to all countries' contributions. Egypt inquired about who has the mandate to review and endorse the indicators framework, and with Saudi Arabia, enquired about the role of the Statistical Commission regarding the core set of indicators. Lowell Flanders explained that the CSD was mandated with developing the indicators, and therefore has the authority to either endorse or reject them.

Canada presented a report of the International Expert Meeting on Information for Decision-making and Participation, which was held in Canada, from 25 to 28 September 2000 and was co-hosted by the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The workshop considered the themes of access to and uses of information, data gaps in information systems, and new technology, and concluded that reliable access to information, access to data at the right time, and free and unrestricted access to information, as appropriate, are critical for sustainable development.

Japan noted that Japanese companies and local governments are encouraged to disclose environmental information to the public. He highlighted the use of satellites for environmental study and supported the Global Mapping Project for digital spatial data. He supported references to increased investment in human resources and stakeholder participation in preparation of the CSD-9 draft decision, and encouraged initiatives toward environmental accounting. He called for continued convergence between the CSD and other organizations on the CSD work programme on indicators of sustainable development. He also supported: development and integration of satellite observation systems; training and capacity building; use of remote sensing data sharing systems; collaboration among global observation systems; and promotion of free data exchange among scientists.

A-2 ECOSOC NGO World Circle of the Consensus and World Sustainable Energy Coalition (right) submitted two documents for inclusion in CSD-9 documentation: the Global Energy Charter and the International Standards series 14000 and 13600. The Global Education Associates (left) called for greater partnership with already existing civil society networks, such as UNEP's Interfaith Partnership for the Environment, to assist in disseminating information on sustainable development indicators.

South Africa called for support to developing countries in training and capacity building, including in the use of indicators, information management and enhancing the statistical capacity of developing countries. He underscored that public access to environmental information is a requirement for improved environmental governance, noted that the poorest of the poor are still excluded from the new knowledge economy and emphasized the need to investigate the impact of information on society.

Norway drew attention to the work of international organizations in streamlining international data collection and called for the development of international standards. He outlined criteria for decision making processes involving the public, including ensuring: public participation during stages when it is possible to influence results; broad sectors of society are able to submit comments; the timeframe accords sufficient time for submitting comments; and authorities are duty bound to consider the comments submitted.

Iran, on behalf of the G-77/China, underscored that: the two main challenges are bridging the data gap within and between countries and improving the availability and access to information; information, as a necessary medium of realizing sustainable development goals should be embodied as a matter of principle; access to information and indicators should be distinguished as separate issues; and government scrutiny is needed on the applicability and development of the indicators. He said developing countries are threatened with further marginalization from the benefits accruing from information technology due to inadequate capacity and infrastructure and noted the need for goodwill in international cooperation.

Describing the evolution of global interest in information for decision making, the UN ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE (UN/ECE) highlighted the Århus Convention, which establishes obligations for public authorities regarding environmental information.