Session on Interlinkages and Cross-cutting issues
1 March, 2007
Intervention by Italy
Mr Paolo Soprano
Thank you Mr Chairman,
Italy fully subscribes to the intervention made by Germany on behalf of the EU and
would like to pick up on some issues that are very important for Italy and for the EU
as a whole.
As the EU Presidency has already said, there is the need to build human and
institutional capacity for sustainable development.
In this context, we believe that providing all societal groups with an improved
understanding of the linkages between social, economic and environmental aspects of
lifestyles and individual behaviour as proactive contributions to sustainable
development is a key action. We consider the role of education ? formal, informal
and non formal - and raising awareness on sustainable development critical in this
respect. We also consider the achievement of primary education for all by 2015 as a
specific target to measure concrete efforts in this direction.
Mr Chairman,
We are of the view that efforts towards sustainable production and consumption
patterns should be further strengthened. Indeed, the Marrakech process and its seven
taskforces are particularly useful in this direction.
Italy believes that it is important to recognize the task forces and the lead countries
that have committed themselves to their successful outcomes.
Finland is chairing the task force on sustainable building and construction, France the
one on sustainable tourism, Germany the one on cooperation with Africa, Italy the
one on education for sustainable consumption, Sweden the one on sustainable lifestyles
and the United Kingdom the one on sustainable products. Outside the EU,
Switzerland is leading the task force on public procurement.
We recognize the Marrakech process as a fundamental forum where developed
countries are building proactive approaches in partnership with developing countries
and civil society in order to change behaviours and decouple economic growth from
environmental degradation and social inequity.
Finally, Mr Chairman, allow me to recall that Italy had the honour, last year during
CSD14, to announce the establishment of the Marrakech Task force on education for
sustainable consumption. I would like now to inform all distinguished delegates that
its first meeting will take place next 16th - 17th of April in Genoa. Government and
civil society representatives are invited to join the meeting.
On the table in the back of the room a flyer is available with relevant information.
