Mr. Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to address you on behalf of the five Regional Commissions of the
United Nations: 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).
The Regional Commissions are responsible for organizing, in collaboration with
relevant partners, the Regional Implementation Meetings for each of the thematic
cycles of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Regional
Implementation Meetings for the current cycle were held in each region between
October and D ecember 2009. The discussions revolved around progress and
achievements, challenges and constraints, and policy options with regard to all five
thematic areas.
Mr. Chair,
Delegates,
Regional realities, priorities, challenges and policy solutions differ substantially.
This is reflected in the approaches of each of our Commissions to the challenges of
sustainability, as mandated by our Member States. It is reflected in how we
address established and new concepts.
Despite these differences, the outcomes of the Regional Implementation Meetings
and the lessons arising out of related work undertaken over the years by the
Regional Commissions reveal a number of common policy directions, many of
which are also ?to our satisfaction? ref lected in the reports of Secretary -General.
As already expressed during the Intergovernmental P reparatory Meeting, the
Regional Commissions would like to stress the following policy areas and
measures, for the consideration of delegates during this session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development.
In transport, there i s a need for integrated transportation strategies which
explore inter - and multimodality , and which are conceived as part of bro ader
strategies for land use and infrastructure investment. Public transport options
must be improved and expanded in both urban and rural areas, as a key factor in
ensuring social inclusion, poverty eradication, access to basic services and
emissions reduction. Improvements are also needed in fuel efficiency and in the
development of fuel alternatives, and in the safety of all modes of transport,
particularly road transport. Countries can benefit from integration efforts to
explore the full potential of multi-country infrastructure in ensuring access to
markets and geographical integration. Countries can also benefit from transferring,
and nationally adopting state-of-the-art technology such as less polluting transport
systems. In this regard, ECLAC and ECE have prepared, with the collaboration of
other Regional Commissions and institutions, two side events on sustainable
transport. ECLAC, in collaboration with Columbia University and the government
of Spain, will host ?Sustainable transport policies, eco-efficient infrastructure and
green economies in the Americas? on May 3 at 1:15 in Room B. ECE and ESCAP
will host ?Transport for Sustainable Development? on May 11 at 1:15 in Room 2.
We believe these side events can provide useful elements for delegations in the
course of the negotiations during the next few days and warmly invite all present
to attend.
In mining, regulation and enforcement mechanisms are needed to put into
practice the polluter-pays principle and the precautionary approach, while taking
into consideration the full life cycle of a mine. This implies environmental, social
and sustainability impact assessments, adequate land use planning, including the
restriction or prohibition of mining in sensitive areas; and legislation ?and its
enforcement? on mine operations, closure and rehabilitation. There is also a need
for mechanisms for ensuring that the benefits generated by mining activity are
distributed equitably within and across generations, for instance through
investments in human capital and appropriate infrastructure development.
Governance systems, too, are needed. These must be rooted in enhanced
integration, and linkages between the mining sector with other development
sectors, broad participation by multiple stakeholders and ensuring access to and
transparency in the handling of information,. Enhanced capacity for accident
prevention and preparedness, and support to enable small and medium -sized
enterprises engaged in mining to adopt commercially viable, sustainable practices,
are also critical.
On chemicals, gaps in financing and incentives, infrastructure, institutions,
technical capacity and public awareness, at the national and regional levels, must
be addressed in order to ensure adequate implementation of multilateral
agreements and of a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management
(SAICM). Capacity must be built to address accidents and monitor the long-term
environmental effects of chemicals on human health and the environment, as well
as to enforce the polluter-pays principle and to reduce demand for toxic chemicals
by providing alternative products and processes. Successful conclusion of the
ongoing negotiations on an agreement on mercury is essential. Providing legal
advice and technical support to developing country Governments in updating their
laws and regulations to bring them in line with relevant multilateral international
agreements should be actively encouraged. A strong emphasis should be placed
on the integration of sound management of chemicals into national policies for
economic growth and poverty reduction.
With regard to waste management, the CSD outcome should point towards the
adoption of integrated waste management strategies that consider prevention,
recycling, energy recovery, and disposal; the development of waste management
as a formal income-generating service sector that contributes to poverty reduction,
including models for better community engagement; the strengthening of
administrative and technical capacity of local governments; investment in
adequate infrastructure; better enforcement of the l aws relating to the Basel
Convention, with greater control at ports and training for customs officials; and,
finally, the adoption of measures to address the particular vulnerability of small
island developing states to waste trafficking.
Regional and interregional cooperation should be considered important
instruments in the implementation of policy measures in all of these areas.
With regard to the cross-cutting issue of sustainable consumption and
production, the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption
and Production (or 10YFP) should consider the lessons of the Marrakech Process
concerning the importance of regional approaches. The 10YFP is a critical link
between the CSD process and that of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development (or Rio+20) and particularly the discussions on a ?green economy in
the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication?. It should enable
a systemic shift ?rather than incremental changes? through a more effective
focus on sustainability concepts by policies that affect consumption and
production. Commitment to concrete means of implementation will be needed to
support action.
We anticipate that one of the major challenges for the effectiveness of a 10YFP will
be to integrate it into policy areas that are critical to any transformation in
consumption and p roduction, such as fiscal policy; small and medium-sized
enterprise development; innovation, science and technology policies; and
infrastructure development. While discussing effective institutional frameworks
for sustainable development, we invite member states to consider the
instrumental role that the multidisciplinary capacities of the Regional
Commissions can play in this regard.
I thank you for your attention.
