Canada
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
STATEMENT BY
MR. KEITH CHRISTIE
ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER, GLOBAL ISSUES
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CANADA
AT THE SECOND PREPARATORY COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SESSION 3:
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
NEW YORK, 8 MARCH 2011
Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations • Mission permanente du Canada aupres des Nations Unies
885 Second Avenue, Nth Floor • New York, NY. 10017 • Telephone (212) 848-1100 • Facsimile (212) 848-1195
http://www.un.int/canada
Co-chairs, fellow delegates,
With regard to institutional frameworks best suited to meet the challenges of sustainable
development, Canada believes that form must follow the needs of substance. We
should not create structures in a vacuum. What is the substance then that must drive
the form?
First, we must ensure that the global economy is placed firmly on a balanced,
sustainable growth path. Otherwise, at best, the global economy will underperform; at
worst, we could head backwards with very negative results with regard to the Millennium
Development Goals in general, poverty eradication in particular, and the transition
towards a cleaner, green growth model.
Second, the full scope of technologies needs to be deployed with a major, critical role for
the private sector, which in return requires an enabling, transparent regulatory
framework at national, regional and local levels. Green technology embedded in
investments will bring new jobs and new income for governments.
Third, we need to explore actively the full potential of tool-kits and policy guideposts. For
example, there are financial and regulatory approaches and options.
What are the institutional frameworks which could best promote the substance and bring
real, concrete, practical improvements?
Co-chairs, it is not apparent that a World Environment Organization can - although it
would certainly absorb resources, which could be put to more productive use.
Would converting UNEP into a specialized agency be the solution? Across all three
pillars of sustainable development? There are already numerous UN agencies
addressing a plethora of development, economic and environmental issues - 41 UN
agencies for example, do work on water. The core issue is one of effective coordination
and ensuring appropriate guidance across the three pillars of sustainable development,
drawing on already existing expertise.
Perhaps, then, an extension of the "One UN" concept could be more effective on the
ground in a very practical way. Could the UN regional economic commissions fill this
role or a troika of the commissions, UNEP and UNDP offices working together
interacting and discussing with the full family of member states through ECOSOC and/or
the CSD? This approach may be worth pursuing further.
We have also been intrigued by comments from Brazilian colleagues about some form of
"umbrella" approach. My delegation would like to hear more from Brazil on this concept.
Is it compatible with a much enhanced "One UN" approach to programme coordination
and delivery?
Co-chairs, this is the extent of Canada's initial comments on the institutional framework.
Thank you.
