Switzerland
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Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development: 1. Session
Opening Statement
by Switzerland
held by Mr. Franz Perrez, Deputy Head of International Affairs Division, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland
The World Summits of Stockholm and Rio have been milestones in international policy making. Their significant outcomes have shaped our thinking. The objectives and commitments formulated in Stockholm and Rio are still valid today, but they also clearly reflect the time when they have been adopted. They reflect the reality of the last century and the last millennium.
The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development will provide an important opportunity to take stock of the process toward achieving sustainable development. It is an opportunity to look at the successes and remaining challenges; to reflect the changes that have occurred over the last 20 years; and to strengthen our common commitment for sustainable development.
Switzerland thanks the government and the people of Brazil for taking the lead in initiating this process towards a next milestone of global policy making and shaping.
Process
Switzerland hopes that this first PrepCom will help us to achieve a clear common understanding on the outcome of the Conference on Sustainable Development and on what we want to achieve. Based on such a common understanding, we will also be able to refine the preparatory process.
Governance
Switzerland expects the Conference on Sustainable Development not only to endorse and adopt the concrete measures on strengthening International Environmental Governance that the governments are developing within the respective process under the auspices of UNEP, but also to reform the broader international sustainable development governance, including the CSD.
However, we need not only strong institutions, we also need clear goals. As indicated by the G77, a sharper policy perspective aimed at effective implementation is essential. The MDGs have been a crucial instrument in this regard for the broader development agenda. We might need a similarly strengthened vision in other areas of sustainable development, namely the environment.
Green Economy
Switzerland similarly expects the Conference on Sustainable Development to use the theme of Green Economy to focus on a specific area of sustainable development. The conference should adopt concrete measures and perhaps even a broader Green Economy roadmap to accelerate the transformation towards a sustainable future for us and for our children.
Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development: 1. Session
Opening Statement
by Switzerland
held by Mr. Franz Perrez, Deputy Head of International Affairs Division, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland
The World Summits of Stockholm and Rio have been milestones in international policy making. Their significant outcomes have shaped our thinking. The objectives and commitments formulated in Stockholm and Rio are still valid today, but they also clearly reflect the time when they have been adopted. They reflect the reality of the last century and the last millennium.
The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development will provide an important opportunity to take stock of the process toward achieving sustainable development. It is an opportunity to look at the successes and remaining challenges; to reflect the changes that have occurred over the last 20 years; and to strengthen our common commitment for sustainable development.
Switzerland thanks the government and the people of Brazil for taking the lead in initiating this process towards a next milestone of global policy making and shaping.
Process
Switzerland hopes that this first PrepCom will help us to achieve a clear common understanding on the outcome of the Conference on Sustainable Development and on what we want to achieve. Based on such a common understanding, we will also be able to refine the preparatory process.
Governance
Switzerland expects the Conference on Sustainable Development not only to endorse and adopt the concrete measures on strengthening International Environmental Governance that the governments are developing within the respective process under the auspices of UNEP, but also to reform the broader international sustainable development governance, including the CSD.
However, we need not only strong institutions, we also need clear goals. As indicated by the G77, a sharper policy perspective aimed at effective implementation is essential. The MDGs have been a crucial instrument in this regard for the broader development agenda. We might need a similarly strengthened vision in other areas of sustainable development, namely the environment.
Green Economy
Switzerland similarly expects the Conference on Sustainable Development to use the theme of Green Economy to focus on a specific area of sustainable development. The conference should adopt concrete measures and perhaps even a broader Green Economy roadmap to accelerate the transformation towards a sustainable future for us and for our children.
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