Statement by Ambassador SHIN Boonam
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
2nd Rio+20 PrepCom
Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development
8 March 2011
New York
Thank you, Co-chair,
1. I think one of the biggest challenges in the institutional framework for sustainable development is
strengthening coordination among relevant UN agencies, multilateral environmental agreement s (MEAs),
and international financial institutions.
2. To mobilize financial resources, one of the key issues in implementing sustainable development, it is
important to strengthen networking channels among those relevant stakeholders in a coherent way.
3. In addressing this challenge, we could conduct, if necessary, an independent evaluation of the
effectiveness of current UN inter-agency coordination mechanisms.
4. The Secretariat suggests some options for strengthening coordination of the institutional framework. We
welcome the idea of strengthening the functions of CSD by the introduction of a peer review mechanism and
reinforcing ECOSOC by discussing the sustainable development agenda in depth through the forum, such as
the Annual Ministerial Review. We want those options to be discussed in detail in the coming months.
5. We also support the idea of strengthening the function of regional commissions so that there can be more
active coordination and integration of sustainable development agendas on the ground.
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Mr. Co-chairs,
6. As some delegates mentioned earlier, we have witnessed little progress in implementation of
environmental protection among the three pillars of sustainable development. In light of the fact that there are
continuous threats to ecosystems and global climate change, I believe that it is critical to strengthen
international environmental governance.
7. In this regard, we should review with an open mind the strengthening of UNEP. There are a couple of
options on the table, including the option of “a specialized agency. ” In principle, reinventing the wheel is not
a good idea, especially in this recession. However, if necessary, we could integrate and strengthen
international environmental governance.
8. Better governance provides for creating a stronger link between global environmental policymaking and
financing, and developing an effective, system-wide capacity building framework for the environment, as
specified in the outcome of the Nairobi- Helsinki process.
9. In conclusion, I think that Rio+20 is a critical moment to discuss this issue, and we should make good use
of this golden opportunity to finalize our discussion on international environmental governance. Thank you.
