Italy
UNITED NATIONS – Second Intersessional Meeting of the
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
New York, 15-16 December 2011
***
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Statement of Italy
Delivered by Mr. Paolo Soprano – Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea
Vice-Chair of the UNCSD Preparatory Committee
Mr Co-Chair, distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Italy associates and aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union on behalf of its Member States and
would like to further highlight some specific issues.
Italy is convinced that Rio +20 represents a unique opportunity to strengthen our commitment on sustainable
development and respond to present challenges in an integrated and responsive matter.
As for Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication
There is a global common need to foster the transition towards an economy that is inclusive, equitable and strongly
oriented to poverty eradication.
Rio+20 should guide such transition by defining, at international level, a set of goals, objectives and actions as part of a
broad green economy roadmap. Such international agreement should catalyze new investments and financial resources,
offering win-win opportunities, in particular, in the field of sustainable management of natural resources.
The roadmap should have a guiding role, allowing countries to define their way forward according to specific regional
and national context and priorities, and to implement their commitments through the support of effective international
cooperation.
The transition towards green economy cannot be achieved without changing our current patterns of consumption and
production. Last year at CSD19, notwithstanding the unfortunate failure to reach consensus, we experienced an
outstanding spirit of mutual cooperation among different negotiating groups that brought us to an agreed text for a 10
year framework of programmes on SCP. Such text, we believe, could represent one of the Rio+20 milestones
agreements which will lead us throughout the next decade on a more sustainable path.
As for the assessment of progress towards the fulfilment of SD objectives
Regarding the assessment and the evaluation, it is essential to measure the progresses towards the achievement of
sustainable development objectives through the use of indicators. Currently there is no single, universally acceptable
definition or assessment metrics for sustainable development. The various international meetings from Rio, through
Johannesburg, to recent CSD meetings called upon governments, the international community and main stakeholders to
develop ways to measure and assess progress.
Sustainable Development Indicators are needed to increase focus on sustainable development and assist decisionmakers
at all levels to adopt appropriate and effective sustainable development policies, in line with their specific
conditions and priorities.
The ongoing work on internationally agreed sustainable development indicators is very promising and in the future it
will help monitor progress. One of the main objectives of sustainable development is to strengthen the synergies
between economic and social development and environmental protection. Such efforts will be effective only if we
support the development and adoption of indicators that reflect those synergies and that are capable of complementing
traditional indicators measuring GDP.
As for the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development
The successful implementation of sustainable development commitments lies on the effectiveness of sustainable
development governance and its institutional framework. Rio+20 needs to define a strong package of reforms in order
to match the increasing challenges of sustainable development with an appropriate institutional framework based on all
three pillars of sustainable development.
To this extent we underline the need to strengthen the environmental pillar of the SD governance structure and its
interrelatedness with the economic and social ones. This can be done by upgrading UNEP into a specialized agency
with a revised and strengthened mandate, supported by stable, adequate and predictable financial contributions and
operating on an equal footing with other UN specialised agencies. Italy, as well, is convinced that this agency should be
based in Nairobi.
As for the participation of civil society
Independently on what will be adopted in Rio next year, the responsibility of a correct and full implementation process
is not only global, but also regional and national, and governments as well as the private sector and civil society play a
central role in it.
Italy believes that one of the prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development is the broad involvement and
participation of civil society and major groups in decision-making processes. To this extent, the role of national
Sustainable Development Councils is crucial as it represents an effective consultative instrument which ensures an
inclusive participation and an open dialogue with the key actors of civil society.
At the same time it is important to promote effective and efficient measures focussed on encouraging and facilitating
the broad public participation of all stakeholders, including business and private sector, trade unions, NGO’s, youth
organizations, in the promotion of partnerships and alliances.
Finally Mr. Chairperson, 2012 will, indeed, an important year for all of us working and committed to realize concrete
actions towards the fulfilment SD objectives. We are convinced that our efforts and our ability to work together in
defining a strong and effective SD outcome for Rio, will represent a strong contribution at the global level to the debate
and definition.
Thank you.
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
New York, 15-16 December 2011
***
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Statement of Italy
Delivered by Mr. Paolo Soprano – Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea
Vice-Chair of the UNCSD Preparatory Committee
Mr Co-Chair, distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Italy associates and aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union on behalf of its Member States and
would like to further highlight some specific issues.
Italy is convinced that Rio +20 represents a unique opportunity to strengthen our commitment on sustainable
development and respond to present challenges in an integrated and responsive matter.
As for Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication
There is a global common need to foster the transition towards an economy that is inclusive, equitable and strongly
oriented to poverty eradication.
Rio+20 should guide such transition by defining, at international level, a set of goals, objectives and actions as part of a
broad green economy roadmap. Such international agreement should catalyze new investments and financial resources,
offering win-win opportunities, in particular, in the field of sustainable management of natural resources.
The roadmap should have a guiding role, allowing countries to define their way forward according to specific regional
and national context and priorities, and to implement their commitments through the support of effective international
cooperation.
The transition towards green economy cannot be achieved without changing our current patterns of consumption and
production. Last year at CSD19, notwithstanding the unfortunate failure to reach consensus, we experienced an
outstanding spirit of mutual cooperation among different negotiating groups that brought us to an agreed text for a 10
year framework of programmes on SCP. Such text, we believe, could represent one of the Rio+20 milestones
agreements which will lead us throughout the next decade on a more sustainable path.
As for the assessment of progress towards the fulfilment of SD objectives
Regarding the assessment and the evaluation, it is essential to measure the progresses towards the achievement of
sustainable development objectives through the use of indicators. Currently there is no single, universally acceptable
definition or assessment metrics for sustainable development. The various international meetings from Rio, through
Johannesburg, to recent CSD meetings called upon governments, the international community and main stakeholders to
develop ways to measure and assess progress.
Sustainable Development Indicators are needed to increase focus on sustainable development and assist decisionmakers
at all levels to adopt appropriate and effective sustainable development policies, in line with their specific
conditions and priorities.
The ongoing work on internationally agreed sustainable development indicators is very promising and in the future it
will help monitor progress. One of the main objectives of sustainable development is to strengthen the synergies
between economic and social development and environmental protection. Such efforts will be effective only if we
support the development and adoption of indicators that reflect those synergies and that are capable of complementing
traditional indicators measuring GDP.
As for the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development
The successful implementation of sustainable development commitments lies on the effectiveness of sustainable
development governance and its institutional framework. Rio+20 needs to define a strong package of reforms in order
to match the increasing challenges of sustainable development with an appropriate institutional framework based on all
three pillars of sustainable development.
To this extent we underline the need to strengthen the environmental pillar of the SD governance structure and its
interrelatedness with the economic and social ones. This can be done by upgrading UNEP into a specialized agency
with a revised and strengthened mandate, supported by stable, adequate and predictable financial contributions and
operating on an equal footing with other UN specialised agencies. Italy, as well, is convinced that this agency should be
based in Nairobi.
As for the participation of civil society
Independently on what will be adopted in Rio next year, the responsibility of a correct and full implementation process
is not only global, but also regional and national, and governments as well as the private sector and civil society play a
central role in it.
Italy believes that one of the prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development is the broad involvement and
participation of civil society and major groups in decision-making processes. To this extent, the role of national
Sustainable Development Councils is crucial as it represents an effective consultative instrument which ensures an
inclusive participation and an open dialogue with the key actors of civil society.
At the same time it is important to promote effective and efficient measures focussed on encouraging and facilitating
the broad public participation of all stakeholders, including business and private sector, trade unions, NGO’s, youth
organizations, in the promotion of partnerships and alliances.
Finally Mr. Chairperson, 2012 will, indeed, an important year for all of us working and committed to realize concrete
actions towards the fulfilment SD objectives. We are convinced that our efforts and our ability to work together in
defining a strong and effective SD outcome for Rio, will represent a strong contribution at the global level to the debate
and definition.
Thank you.
Stakeholders