Bolivia
SPEECH BY THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA DURING THE SECOND
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
New York, March 8, 2011
First, we support the declarations made by the distinguished Republic of Argentina on
behalf of the G-77 and China. Regarding the Institutional Framework for sustainable
development, we would like to answer the various questions raised.
It is important to create a structure that gives equal weight to the three pillars of
sustainable development. This institutional arrangement should systematize and
harmonize the different authorities involved in each one of the three pillars in order to
avoid overlapping efforts and to achieve an effective coordination for sustainable
development. It should offer a general vision of sustainable development as a whole
and guarantee a balance between the three pillars.
In the social pillar, there should be a coordination of efforts among entities such as the
ILO, UN Women, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and others.
The environmental pillar should be comprised of UNEP and the different Conventions
on climate change, biodiversity, etc., and should create others on issues such as water.
The economic pillar should coordinate and empower authorities such as UNCTAD,
UNIDO, and others, ensuring that international financial institutions such as the World
Bank and the IMF follow their rules.
On the basis of these three pillars would rest the new institutional architecture of United
Nations Sustainable Development, which would gather the experiences of the CSD and
create a Consultative Group so as to enable effective representation of civil society,
creating an adequate mechanism to achieve effective coordination and coherence
among the three pillars.
As a whole, this high-level institutional arrangement for sustainable development should
improve coordination among all of the conventions with respect to the three pillars of
sustainable development, including issues related to water. In our view, the institutional
framework must develop all of the three pillars, not just one of them, in order to achieve
effective coordination among them for Sustainable Development.
It is not about placing one pillar above the others, but rather, balance and coordination
among all three to work together to ensure an effective institutional framework for
sustainable development at all levels. This is essential for the fulfillment of Agenda 21
and meeting the new challenges of sustainable development.
Regarding question 8, the CSD should continue its efforts and be strengthened by a
more dynamic work system – one that responds to the needs of society – and a greater
mandate of functions than it has presently. Mechanisms for participation should be
based on the experiences of an inclusive international and intergovernmental platform,
which guarantees the participation of all sectors in a balanced way, without
exaggerating the participation of the private sector.
The Consultative group of civil society should have a structure that allows for:
a) The input of all interested parties at global, regional, and national levels
b) A voice for all those interested in sustainable development governance
c) Inclusiveness and the strengthening of exchange of opinions and experiences
d) A basis in empirical evidence and scientific analysis
e) Ensuring the efficiency of mechanisms for reducing hunger
Social participation is an essential part of the framework. This framework should allow
for the balanced participation of all those interested at the global, regional, and national
levels. This entity should bring together all the different actors involved in the
sustainable development agenda, and should have a clear mandate in regard to
application. Civil society and non-governmental organizations should be represented, in
particular organizations that represent indigenous peoples, small agricultural producers
and fishermen, poor urban workers, women, youth, and consumers. The private sector
cannot have the same amount of influence as the social sectors, given that, by
definition, its objective is to create profits, rather than wellbeing.
The Consultative Group should be comprised of representatives from five categories:
a) UN agencies and other United Nations organisms
b) Civil society and non-governmental organizations, particularly those that
represent indigenous peoples, small agricultural producers, women, youth, and
consumers
c) International research organizations
d) International and regional financial institutions
e) Philanthropic foundations
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
New York, March 8, 2011
First, we support the declarations made by the distinguished Republic of Argentina on
behalf of the G-77 and China. Regarding the Institutional Framework for sustainable
development, we would like to answer the various questions raised.
It is important to create a structure that gives equal weight to the three pillars of
sustainable development. This institutional arrangement should systematize and
harmonize the different authorities involved in each one of the three pillars in order to
avoid overlapping efforts and to achieve an effective coordination for sustainable
development. It should offer a general vision of sustainable development as a whole
and guarantee a balance between the three pillars.
In the social pillar, there should be a coordination of efforts among entities such as the
ILO, UN Women, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and others.
The environmental pillar should be comprised of UNEP and the different Conventions
on climate change, biodiversity, etc., and should create others on issues such as water.
The economic pillar should coordinate and empower authorities such as UNCTAD,
UNIDO, and others, ensuring that international financial institutions such as the World
Bank and the IMF follow their rules.
On the basis of these three pillars would rest the new institutional architecture of United
Nations Sustainable Development, which would gather the experiences of the CSD and
create a Consultative Group so as to enable effective representation of civil society,
creating an adequate mechanism to achieve effective coordination and coherence
among the three pillars.
As a whole, this high-level institutional arrangement for sustainable development should
improve coordination among all of the conventions with respect to the three pillars of
sustainable development, including issues related to water. In our view, the institutional
framework must develop all of the three pillars, not just one of them, in order to achieve
effective coordination among them for Sustainable Development.
It is not about placing one pillar above the others, but rather, balance and coordination
among all three to work together to ensure an effective institutional framework for
sustainable development at all levels. This is essential for the fulfillment of Agenda 21
and meeting the new challenges of sustainable development.
Regarding question 8, the CSD should continue its efforts and be strengthened by a
more dynamic work system – one that responds to the needs of society – and a greater
mandate of functions than it has presently. Mechanisms for participation should be
based on the experiences of an inclusive international and intergovernmental platform,
which guarantees the participation of all sectors in a balanced way, without
exaggerating the participation of the private sector.
The Consultative group of civil society should have a structure that allows for:
a) The input of all interested parties at global, regional, and national levels
b) A voice for all those interested in sustainable development governance
c) Inclusiveness and the strengthening of exchange of opinions and experiences
d) A basis in empirical evidence and scientific analysis
e) Ensuring the efficiency of mechanisms for reducing hunger
Social participation is an essential part of the framework. This framework should allow
for the balanced participation of all those interested at the global, regional, and national
levels. This entity should bring together all the different actors involved in the
sustainable development agenda, and should have a clear mandate in regard to
application. Civil society and non-governmental organizations should be represented, in
particular organizations that represent indigenous peoples, small agricultural producers
and fishermen, poor urban workers, women, youth, and consumers. The private sector
cannot have the same amount of influence as the social sectors, given that, by
definition, its objective is to create profits, rather than wellbeing.
The Consultative Group should be comprised of representatives from five categories:
a) UN agencies and other United Nations organisms
b) Civil society and non-governmental organizations, particularly those that
represent indigenous peoples, small agricultural producers, women, youth, and
consumers
c) International research organizations
d) International and regional financial institutions
e) Philanthropic foundations
Stakeholders