ESCAP
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
1
Fourteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development
1-12 May 2006
Ministerial Dialogue
Thursday, 11 May 2006: 10:00 -11:30 hours
Conference Room 4
New York
Statement by Mr. Kim Hak-Su
UN Under-Secretary-General /
Executive Secretary of UNESCAP and
Current Coordinator of the Regional Commissions
On Behalf of All UN Regional Commissions
(This is the full text of the statement whose abridged version was
delivered at the Ministerial Dialogue on Thursday, 11 May 2006)
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
2
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the current Coordinator of the five Regional Commissions, namely,
the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Economic Commission for
Europe (ECE), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean (ECLAC), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP), and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA), it gives me great pleasure to deliver this statement at th e
Ministerial Dialogue of CSD 14.
In our multi-disciplinary capacity and forum role, we Regional
Commissions have a sound record of being instrumental in enabling regional
follow-up of the CSD priority themes on sustainable development. In that
regard, we Regional Commissions cooperate actively with DESA as the CSD
secretariat. I wish to especially acknowledge the support provided by the CSD
Bureau. I thank the active interest of the CSD Bureau and member states
which, at various levels, engage in regional follow-up.
As you may be aware, all five Regional Commissions in collaboration
with members of the United Nations system and with the support of
institutional stakeholders at the regional level, successfully held Regional
Implementation Meetings (RIMs) in our respective regions. The RIMs
assessed regional challenges and opportunities with regard to energy for
sustainable development, air pollution and atmosphere, industrial
development and climate change. This cluster of issues is central to the
prosperity and environmental sustainability of all five regions.
The RIM outcomes were well reflected in the Regional Discussion
sessions that the Regional Commissions organized last week in cooperation
with DESA and the CSD Bureau. Those consultations resulted in an enriching
exchange of views among delegations, regional institutions, and major
groups.
The regional discussions were complemented by interactive panel
discussions. One such was the discussion on ?Enhancing means of
implementation through sub-regional and, regional, and international
cooperation?. ESCAP participated in that panel. ECA hosted a side event
entitled ?Climate Information for Sustainable Development in Africa? which
highlighted the effects of human-induced climate change on the livelihood of
the poor in Africa.
In the light of the outcomes of the regional discussion, I am pleased to
highlight some major challenges and make suggestions on the ?way forward?
towards implementation of the recommendations of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD).
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
3
Given the diversity and unique context of each region of the world,
progress in the implementation of WSSD outcomes has been mixed.
The Regional Commissions have a comparative strength in regional
advocacy. Thus, we are well-placed to effectively promote the regional
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and related WSSD
commitments, as well as sustainable consumption and production within the
carrying capacity of ecosystems and to link environmental sustainability to
poverty reduction at national, regional and inter-regional levels.
In spite of differences in development paths, capacities, populations
and resource endowments, many concerns related to the cluster areas are
shared by all the regions of the world. The concerns include limited access to
modern energy, owing largely to inadequate funding and a policy focus on
the development of indigenous energy resources. With continued reliance on
fossil fuels, many countries have not been able to increase efficiency in the
utilization of energy for economic growth.
Most developing countries lack appropriate industrial policies that
encourage environmental sustainability. Poor air quality in major urban areas
has adverse effects on human health, contributing to increased morbidity and
mortality rates, with millions of work days lost. Moreover, a number of
countries, such as the small island developing States, face extreme
vulnerability to climate change, which critically impairs socio-economic
development.
Regarding key concerns and strategies that are common to most
developing countries, there is a compelling need to develop industries on the
one hand, and to expand access to energy services on the other, to drive
economic growth. Many countries have identified four priority areas for
action:
· Poverty reduction through enhanced access to modern energy services;
· Improved energy production and consumption efficiency;
· Diversification of energy resources, and the development of cleaner
fuels and advanced fossil fuel technologies.
Developing countries have also called for support to develop
sustainable industries, establish national clearing houses for a variety of
environmental issues, as well as for enhanced strategic policy interventions.
Although many developing countries are actively engaged in mitigating
climate change, they have also called for further international cooperation to
strengthen institutional capacity, improve assessment of the environmental
and economic impact of climate change, implement climate change related
adaptation programme, and to accelerate the transfer of environmentally -
sound technologies.
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
The key challenge for all of us is how we might continue with
economic growth for poverty reduction, without compromising
environmental sustainability.
The environmental dimension of sustainable development is closely
linked with all aspects of socio-economic development, including gender
equality, health promotion, finance, trade and technology. Critical
environmental issues demand that all members of the United Nations system
work closely together to better serve the needs of Member States.
The Regional Commissions look forward to contributing to the policy
dialogue and recommendations for regional follow-up towards CSD 15,
building on the this year?s RIM experience.
Let me assure you that all five Regional Commissions --- ECA, ECE,
ECLAC, ESCAP and ECSWA --- stand ready to further strengthen our
collaboration at all levels and with all partners, including DESA and UNEP,
so that we may together give fresh impetus to moving forward the sustainable
development agenda.
Thank you.
Statement of Regional Commissions
1
Fourteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development
1-12 May 2006
Ministerial Dialogue
Thursday, 11 May 2006: 10:00 -11:30 hours
Conference Room 4
New York
Statement by Mr. Kim Hak-Su
UN Under-Secretary-General /
Executive Secretary of UNESCAP and
Current Coordinator of the Regional Commissions
On Behalf of All UN Regional Commissions
(This is the full text of the statement whose abridged version was
delivered at the Ministerial Dialogue on Thursday, 11 May 2006)
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
2
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the current Coordinator of the five Regional Commissions, namely,
the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Economic Commission for
Europe (ECE), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean (ECLAC), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP), and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA), it gives me great pleasure to deliver this statement at th e
Ministerial Dialogue of CSD 14.
In our multi-disciplinary capacity and forum role, we Regional
Commissions have a sound record of being instrumental in enabling regional
follow-up of the CSD priority themes on sustainable development. In that
regard, we Regional Commissions cooperate actively with DESA as the CSD
secretariat. I wish to especially acknowledge the support provided by the CSD
Bureau. I thank the active interest of the CSD Bureau and member states
which, at various levels, engage in regional follow-up.
As you may be aware, all five Regional Commissions in collaboration
with members of the United Nations system and with the support of
institutional stakeholders at the regional level, successfully held Regional
Implementation Meetings (RIMs) in our respective regions. The RIMs
assessed regional challenges and opportunities with regard to energy for
sustainable development, air pollution and atmosphere, industrial
development and climate change. This cluster of issues is central to the
prosperity and environmental sustainability of all five regions.
The RIM outcomes were well reflected in the Regional Discussion
sessions that the Regional Commissions organized last week in cooperation
with DESA and the CSD Bureau. Those consultations resulted in an enriching
exchange of views among delegations, regional institutions, and major
groups.
The regional discussions were complemented by interactive panel
discussions. One such was the discussion on ?Enhancing means of
implementation through sub-regional and, regional, and international
cooperation?. ESCAP participated in that panel. ECA hosted a side event
entitled ?Climate Information for Sustainable Development in Africa? which
highlighted the effects of human-induced climate change on the livelihood of
the poor in Africa.
In the light of the outcomes of the regional discussion, I am pleased to
highlight some major challenges and make suggestions on the ?way forward?
towards implementation of the recommendations of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD).
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
3
Given the diversity and unique context of each region of the world,
progress in the implementation of WSSD outcomes has been mixed.
The Regional Commissions have a comparative strength in regional
advocacy. Thus, we are well-placed to effectively promote the regional
implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and related WSSD
commitments, as well as sustainable consumption and production within the
carrying capacity of ecosystems and to link environmental sustainability to
poverty reduction at national, regional and inter-regional levels.
In spite of differences in development paths, capacities, populations
and resource endowments, many concerns related to the cluster areas are
shared by all the regions of the world. The concerns include limited access to
modern energy, owing largely to inadequate funding and a policy focus on
the development of indigenous energy resources. With continued reliance on
fossil fuels, many countries have not been able to increase efficiency in the
utilization of energy for economic growth.
Most developing countries lack appropriate industrial policies that
encourage environmental sustainability. Poor air quality in major urban areas
has adverse effects on human health, contributing to increased morbidity and
mortality rates, with millions of work days lost. Moreover, a number of
countries, such as the small island developing States, face extreme
vulnerability to climate change, which critically impairs socio-economic
development.
Regarding key concerns and strategies that are common to most
developing countries, there is a compelling need to develop industries on the
one hand, and to expand access to energy services on the other, to drive
economic growth. Many countries have identified four priority areas for
action:
· Poverty reduction through enhanced access to modern energy services;
· Improved energy production and consumption efficiency;
· Diversification of energy resources, and the development of cleaner
fuels and advanced fossil fuel technologies.
Developing countries have also called for support to develop
sustainable industries, establish national clearing houses for a variety of
environmental issues, as well as for enhanced strategic policy interventions.
Although many developing countries are actively engaged in mitigating
climate change, they have also called for further international cooperation to
strengthen institutional capacity, improve assessment of the environmental
and economic impact of climate change, implement climate change related
adaptation programme, and to accelerate the transfer of environmentally -
sound technologies.
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
CSD 14: NY ? 11 May06
Statement of Regional Commissions
The key challenge for all of us is how we might continue with
economic growth for poverty reduction, without compromising
environmental sustainability.
The environmental dimension of sustainable development is closely
linked with all aspects of socio-economic development, including gender
equality, health promotion, finance, trade and technology. Critical
environmental issues demand that all members of the United Nations system
work closely together to better serve the needs of Member States.
The Regional Commissions look forward to contributing to the policy
dialogue and recommendations for regional follow-up towards CSD 15,
building on the this year?s RIM experience.
Let me assure you that all five Regional Commissions --- ECA, ECE,
ECLAC, ESCAP and ECSWA --- stand ready to further strengthen our
collaboration at all levels and with all partners, including DESA and UNEP,
so that we may together give fresh impetus to moving forward the sustainable
development agenda.
Thank you.