Network 2002 – October 2001 Issue

Contents

Europe Prepares for the Summit
Editorial
News, News, News.
Visions for Earth Summit 2002
Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Preparations
Eminence, Inter-linkages and the Earth Summit
Responsible Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems
Earth Summit 2002 online debate
Meet the International Advisory Board
Earth Summit Regional Preparations Covered online
Diary Dates, Conferences, Events
What’s in next months Network

Europe Prepares for the Summit  

  The first regional Preparatory Committee for the Johannesburg Summit was held in Geneva from September 24-25. It took place under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe whose area includes the whole of Western, Central and Eastern Europe, together with the USA and Canada. UNED chair, Derek Osborn, reports.
  The meeting was preceded by an intensive weekend of negotiation between officials, and in parallel a significant NGO conference organised by ANPED with a final afternoon of multistakeholder dialogue organised by UNED.
  The Stakeholder dialogue identified seven key areas for action, which were presented to the ministerial conference on September 24:
1)	The need for an over-arching vision for a new deal that could inspire the peoples of the world and bring about a dynamic for effective action by countries and stakeholders. It was suggested that a value statement such as the Earth Charter being promulgated by the Earth Council and its partners could play a useful part in this.
2)	Agenda 21. The Summit ought to be an occasion for showcasing sustainability in big and effective action at all levels and amongst governments and other stakeholders alike, so as to build support for new initiatives and programmes.
3)	Development goals and the eradication of poverty. The goals needed to be firmed up with intermediate targets for progress before 2015, and responsibility for building effective action programmes assigned to key agencies.
4)	The summit should be the occasion for the ratification and coming into force of the Kyoto protocol, the bio-safety Protocol and further steps on implementing the Conventions on POPs and PICs, Desertification, and Straddling Fish stocks. Implementation and enforcement machinery needs to be strengthened.
5)	Trade. Further steps to integrate sustainable development into the trade agenda need to be built into the new trade round at Doha and beyond
6)	Governance. Attention should be focused on strengthening UNEP and giving it a stronger financial base.
7)	Stakeholder participation. The summit should be the occasion for strengthening and consolidating the process for engaging stakeholders in the international sustainable development debate and action. .
  The Ministerial meeting discussed many themes and gave particular attention to: Poverty eradication; Sustainable management and conservation of the natural resource base; Making globalisation work for sustainable development; Improving governance and democratic process at all levels; Financing sustainable development; Education, science and technology for decision-making.
  In addition the meeting gave intensive attention directly involving the Ministers present to the precautionary principle, to the volume of official development assistance and the long standing commitment to raise the level to 0.7% of GNP and to the possible launching of a New Global Deal for sustainable development. 
  The meeting established a number of the key themes that will no doubt persist through to the Summit. But it also revealed quite a wide gap between those countries and stakeholders who wished to push for more ambitious agenda with tighter and earlier targets for delivery and stronger financial commitments, and those in other parts of the region who were noticeably more cautious about what was achievable or should be opened up for debate. These differences of approach may arise also in other regions and underline the size of the challenge in making a big step forward at Johannesburg.
  They also underline the importance of a substantial input from stakeholders in building awareness and pressure for significant action. It is clear that many different stakeholder groups are themselves planning substantial action on sustainable development, and are hoping that the Johannesburg Summit will recognise and reinforce their efforts. The meeting and those which will follow give all concerned with the summit a good sighting shot on where they will need to concentrate their efforts.
NGO input
  Returning to the NGO’s meeting, taking place on September 22nd-23rd, discussion focussed on the drafting of an NGO statement submitted to the Ministerial and listing priorities and recommendations for the region.
  Over-arching themes from the Statement were deepening levels of poverty, increased pressure on natural resources and failure of implementation of existing agreements. On this the statement reads ‘As the UNECE regional assessment report clearly shows, governments have failed to meet the obligations or fulfil the responsibilities which they identified and addressed...and genuine commitment to action is made at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The Ministerial Declaration does not indicated that these requirements will be met.’
  Looking forward, the Statement supports the proposal for a Global Deal, tabled by some governments. As a framework for partnership between states and civil society for further action, the NGOs called for the deal to include Equity, Rights, Limits, Justice, Democracy and Ethics as basic elements 
  In an indirect reference to the International Development Target (IDTs) endorsed at the Millennium Summit and other commitments from related global processes, NGOs also called for ‘governments to reintegrate the time-tables and targets identified in earlier ministerial statements.’ Furthermore, the statement specified key issues to be prioritised at Earth Summit 2002.
Governance & Rights: Strengthening governance should be built on principals of accountability, transparency, subsidiary and participation;
Poverty Eradication: Review and reform development finance, develop a programme to fund and meet the IDTs including achieving 0.7% GDP ODA target, debt relief and cancellation, reallocation of military budgets to poverty eradication;
Sustainable Production & Consumption: Remaining within the carrying capacity of nature, equal opportunities related to consumption and access to sustainable livelihoods, maintain and improve the quality of bio-diversity, right of people to clean and healthy environment.
  The statement concludes with a call for the ratification and entry into force of the Rio conventions as an indication of clear progress on what was initiated 10 years ago.

Editorial

  12. Encourages effective contributions from and the active participation of all major groups, as identified in Agenda 21, at all stages of the preparatory process, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Commission on Sustainable Development, as well as its established practices for the participation and engagement of major groups;
General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/199
Furthermore...
  The regional preparatory process will undertake the following main tasks: Provide an opportunity for inter-action and dialogue with major groups and other stakeholders.
UN Johannesburg Summit web-site on regional preparations.
  Seems pretty clear doesn’t it, at least to those in the know about these processes. One can sympathise therefore with representatives of the Major Groups who found themselves frantically running around in Geneva just to secure a 4 minute speaker slot (never mind a dialogue) at the European Regional Preparatory Meeting to the Earth Summit last week. It is an entire shame that after 10 years of developing and enhancing the roles of Major Groups within the Sustainable Development process that things still proceed in such an ad-hoc manner, from one meeting to the next, despite such clear guidance from the General Assembly no less.
  Nevertheless, credit where credit is due. The Ministerial Declaration drafting sessions were entirely open. Chaired in an extremely open fashion, these sessions offered all stakeholders the chance to sit, side by side, with governments to form the Ministerial position from the region to the Earth Summit. Commendable. However, this just sits further at odds with the difficulty experienced in trying to formerly present those positions to the actual Ministers.
  With that said, it is time to look forward. Four more regions have their review processes taking place over the next 2 months. In this issue we continue our series of articles by CSD 10 Bureau members - each giving their vision for their respective region. This month is the turn of Minister Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, concerning activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  Included also are the visions of some of the lead thinkers in the Earth Summit process, starting with South Africa’s Minister Valli Moosa, offering further thoughts on what the Summit should endeavour to be. 
  If all this wasn’t ‘high-brow’ enough, we also have a report on the recent Eminent Persons meeting, which took place in Japan, covered by our very own ‘Eminent Person’ - Felix Dodds. More thoughts on the Summit process there also. 
  If all that weren’t enough we have also thrown in concluding summaries of the first two weeks of the Lifeonline Earth Summit debate series. Looking at Sustainable Cities and Marnigalisation in a globalised world, these debates attracted over 800 participants from over 90 countries from all corners of the world. Varied and challenging debate ensued, so clearly expectation is high for the Summit. 
  Perhaps this issue of Network should be called the Visions Issue? Challenge now is to turn all these words into action. Although there’s no concern there - we’ve been doing that for the last 10 years haven’t we.			         T. Middleton

News, News, News

OECD supports "Millennium Development Goals" as set out by the UN after last year's Millennium Summit 
  OECD Secretary-General Donald Johnston welcomed the focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a report released today by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
  The report draws a "road map" for achieving the goals set out in the Millennium Declaration, adopted by all 189 Member States at the Millennium Summit in September 2000. 
  ‘The heads of state and government at last year’s summit chartered a cooperative path to meet the challenge ahead’, says the Secretary General in the report. ‘This road map has attempted to carry forward their vision, identify the areas in which we need to work and offer suggestions for the future.’
  These goals build on the International Development Goals that have been guiding the development agenda since the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee published them in its 1996 report Shaping the 21st Century: The Role of Development Co-operation. They cover eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.
  The OECD will be working with the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in regular reporting and monitoring on progress towards these goals. 
  The OECD is also deepening its work on policy coherence and development in order to create opportunities for better growth in developing countries. This ongoing work covers a number of topics, notably: international trade and foreign direct investment, international finance, food and agriculture, natural resources and environmental sustainability, social issues, governance and conflict. 
  In 2005, five years after the Millennium Summit, the Secretary General will prepare the first comprehensive report, focussing on progress made over the preceding 5 years. The report will review implementation of decisions taken at the International conferences and special sessions on the least developed countries, progress on HIV/AIDS and financing for development and sustainable development. 
New Atlas Maps the World’s Fast Disappearing Coral Reefs
  Scientists who have compiled the most detailed assessment to date of coral reefs have shown that these precious marine ecosystems occupy a much smaller area of the planet than previously assumed. Although distributed in 101 countries and territories, where they are vital for fisheries, coastal protection, tourism and wildlife, they occupy less than one tenth of one percent of the oceans.
  The findings give new urgency to protect and conserve these important, valuable and seductively beautiful habitats which are under increasing from activities such as dynamite fishing, pollution, and climate change. For the first time ever we have a comprehensive assessment of where coral reefs are and what state they are in around the world.
  ‘Our new atlas clearly shows that coral reefs are under assault,’ says Klaus Töpfer, UNEP Executive Director. ‘They are rapidly being degraded by human activities. They are over-fished, bombed and poisoned. They are smothered with sediment and choked by algae growing on nutrient rich sewage and fertilizer run-off. They are damaged by irresponsible tourism and are being severely stressed by the warming of the world’s oceans. Each of these pressures is bad enough in itself, but together, the cocktail is proving lethal.’
  ‘Many coral reefs are under the ownership of the world’s wealthiest nations. Between them Australia, France, the UK and the USA account for over one quarter of the world’s coral reefs - a critical resource in powerful hands,’ says Mark Spalding, lead author for the Atlas.
  Coral reefs are an important source of food for hundreds of millions of people, many of whom have no other source of animal protein. They also provide income and employment through tourism, marine recreation, and export fisheries, and for many coastal villages, and some entire nations are the only source of this income and employment. Furthermore, they offer countless other benefits to humans, including supplying the compounds for medicines. AZT, a treatment for people with HIV infections is based on chemicals extracted from a Caribbean reef sponge, and more than half of all new cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms.
  This new Atlas from UNEP and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre builds on earlier scientific work that found some 58% of the world’s coral reefs were threatened by human activities. It includes new information on the effects of global warming and coral bleaching, including the El Niňo event in 1998 that caused the loss of 90% of the corals in parts of the Indian Ocean, representing 5% of the world’s reef area. Much of this damage passed almost unnoticed by the world’s policy makers. Marine scientists point out that had such levels of damage occurred in terrestrial environments, they would have caused a major public outcry. The Atlas will go a long way towards attracting the weight of opinion needed to protect reefs as a resource for the future.
  The most important global initiative to respond to the challenges documented in the Atlas is the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), in which UNEP and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre have joined with other partners to reverse the decline in Coral Reefs. After two years of preparation, the action phase of ICRAN was recently launched with a major grant from the UN Foundation       (www.icran.org).
  ‘Through ICRAN, many separate activities are being brought together in a coherent way to make a real difference on the ground, where peoples’ needs count’, says Töpfer. ‘The ICRAN partners are now working to raise the significant financial resources needed to put coral reef management in all these regions on a more sustainable basis. We hope that additional support will allow us to extend ICRAN to all the coral reef areas of the world. The Atlas we are launching here today is an important supporting tool for such practical action’.

Earth Summit 2002 Visions

As the regional preparations for the Summit get under way, substantive thought is being given to what the Summit should be and what it should attempt to achieve. Here we profile some recent visions from some of the lead thinkers involved in the process. 
Minister Valli Moosa - South African Department of Environment and Tourism
  The Outcomes of our discussions on environmental governance will be critical for the effectiveness of our environmental programmes and the protection of the global environment over the coming decades. This must be a key output of the forthcoming Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development.  I would like to share some of South Africa’s initial thinking on the overall outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit.
  The single most important threat to sustainable development globally is poverty and the widening gap between the rich and the desperately poor. This is not only a threat to poor nations but also to wealthy nations, as the instability, conflict, disease and environmental degradation associated with poverty threaten the overall socio-economic status of our planet. South Africa would like to therefore submit for consideration ‘the eradication of poverty as the key to sustainable development’ as the Summit theme.
  The first of these is the notion of a Global Compact/Partnership between governments, the private sector and civil society, and indeed all major groups, regarding their commitment to resource, participate and oversee the implementation of the outcomes and programmes arising from the Summit. It is clear that there are distinctly different interpretations (of this concept), and we would need to develop a shared vision of the concept and its architecture.
  WSSD must adopt a concrete, pragmatic and accelerated Programme of Action for the implementation of the targets endorsed by the leaders of the world’s nations in the Millennium Declaration. On the African continent we have already gone a long way to concretising such a programme with the New Africa Initiative (NAI).
  A key theme of the NAI, and we believe of the Summit, must be the economic issues that underpin the ongoing marginalisation of developing countries in a globalised world economy. The potential opening up of a new WTO round in Qatar, and the financing for development conference in Mexico in March 2002, provide a key basis for addressing these issues in Johannesburg. 
  We also see the Summit addressing the key development areas of water, energy, biodiversity, desertification and land degredation, forests, food security, oceans and coasts, atmosphere and waste. In many of these areas we have the need for new agreements, or extensions of existing agreements, and the elaboration and implementation of concrete programmes of action. Taken together, these issues form the building blocks of a new world order for sustainable development which can seriously address global poverty and inequality.
  South Africa has taken a particular interest in the debate on the rationalisation of the Multi-lateral Environment Agreements. We note that the proliferation and lack of co-ordination between MEAs has had significant implications for developing countries capacity to fulfil the national environmental functions. 
  South Africa supports the realisation of MEAs into issue-based clusters with secretariats geographically located in the same centre. Cross-cutting functions can and must be co-ordinated between the various clusters of MEAs. There needs to be further debate on whether this institution would be best situated in an enhanced UNEP or in a strengthened Environment Management Group.
  The discussion on the review and possible restructuring of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a critical component of this debate. At the very least, the Global Ministerial Environmental Forum must be able to define the criteria and rules for GEF funding, based on its experience of defining a prioritised and synergised response to environmental problems.
  We can construct a rationalisation that enables us collectively to do much more with our very limited resources in a manner that better enables an enhanced participation, particularly by the developing world. We urge participating countries to work constructively towards consensus on the action that must be taken.
Maurice Strong - UN University Centre
  Human activities have their ultimate environmental, social and economic impacts through a complex system of inter-acting processes that transcend the traditional boundaries of disciplines of space and of time which the mechanisms through which we understand and manage them are not geared to deal with adequately. This is why I have long, with only limited success, advocated and tried to practice a systemic, or ecological, approach to issues.
  In the preparations for the Earth Summit we attempted to demonstrate the inter-linkages between the many issues it addressed, particularly in Agenda 21. At Johannesburg world leaders will affirm their recognition of the practical and policy linkages between the issues they are addressing and to take decisions that will lead to a major strengthening and reorientation of the institutions and processes through which they manage these issues. This indeed is the most important way in which Johannesburg can provide new impetus and direction to the implementation of Agenda 21 and the conventions agreed at Rio.
  On the whole, conditions are not auspicious for the achievement in the little more than a year before Johannesburg of major  new breakthroughs in the movement towards sustainable development. Thus a primary objective for Johannesburg must be to secure and build on existing agreements and generate new momentum towards the realisation of the hopes and aspirations inspired by Stockholm and Rio and renewed progress towards implementation of the agreements they produced. 
 It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. For 2002 to provide the new impetus needed to move decisively on these issues which will be determined decisively the fate of our civilisation, it must be focused on the future. But we must also examine and learn from the past.
  It is not enough to admit that implementation and follow-up of the Earth Summit agreements has been disappointing. In the more industrialised countries there has been a recession of political will for environmental action and support for sustainable development. At the same time developing countries are experiencing an unprecedented increase in environmental awareness and concern as there own environmental problems become more visible and acute. It is an ominous paradox that while evidence of continued environmental deterioration becomes more compelling, the will to deal with it has receded.
  There are some bright spots. There has been real progress in the development of new technologies and techniques to abate pollution and reduce energy and material content of a unit of production. The role of civil society has assumed more and more importance in driving the processes of change. 
 In identifying issues for the Johannesburg agenda a balance must be struck between what may realistically be achievable under current political conditions and the larger more fundamental goals articulated in the Rio agreements and international instruments. At the minimum these should be re-affirmed in Johannesburg and every effort made to extend them based on evidence and experience since then. 
  [Johannesburg should] seek agreement on establishment of a Consultative Group on Clean Energy. Energy is at the core of the prospects for a successful transition to a sustainable development pathway. It is an issue that is at least as important as the emerging risks of large scale starvation in the developing world.
  The secretariats of climate change, ozone, biodiversity, desertification and other sustainable development-related conventions to be brought under a single framework for administrative and policy coordination purposes. While it would be desirable to have these secretariats located under a common venue, this would not be politically feasible in the near future. However, even with their separate locations, advanced telecommunications technologies would enable them to communicate and work closely together.
  What a tragic irony it would be if through our own carelessness, apathy and misguided priorities we forfeit the opportunity to bring about a new golden age in which all the people of the Earth can share and continue on the unsustainable pathway that can only bring about the demise of human civilisation as we know it. It is in this context that we must see - and prepare for - the challenge of Johannesburg.
Derek Osborn & Hesphina Rukato - UNED Forum Co-chairs
  The Challenges that face the world at the beginning of the twenty first century are immense. How we build and retain our community within an increasingly globalised world could be one of the defining questions in our attempt to create a sustainable planet. If globalisation is increasing the number of people who do not have access to fulfilling their basic needs, then it must be changed. If its impact on the sustainability of the planet is negative, then in must be changed. 
  As we approach the January preparatory meeting for the Summit it is becoming clearer that the issues that need addressing in a globalising world are both sectoral and cross sectoral. UNED have suggested these might be best grouped as a set of sectoral issues such as health/HIV-AIDS, food security, energy, freshwater, oceans and seas with the cross sectoral issues such as social inclusion and poverty eradication, consumption and production, finance, technical cooperation, capacity building, gender and governance addressed in each.
  If we are to address poverty then we not only need to address the component parts but also offer people work. The creation of a fairer trading system is the only way that ultimately most people can move out of poverty.
  The past 10 years have given us a series of international targets on environment and development, such as: 
•	Education - by 2015 all children complete a full course of primary education;
•	Environment - to reverse the loss of environmental resources by 2015;
•	Health - to reduce infant mortality by 66% and maternal mortality by 75% by 2015;
•	HIV/AIDS - to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015;
•	Poverty - to halve, by 2015 the proportion of people globally whose income is less than US$ per day;
•	Sustainable Development - NSSD’s completed by 2002, implemented by 2005;
•	Water - to halve, by 2015 the proportion of people who do not have access to safe drinking water.
  The Summit should help to set in motion the work programmes to enable the targets to be realised. In many cases this should include setting incremental targets for 2005 and 2010.
  The international systems of governance that we have in the area of sustainable development are completely inadequate to the challenge facing us. UNEP have initiated an important/crucial discussion on the future of environmental governance. Out of this discussion we could see: Clustering of conventions; Addressing fragmentation of environmental governance systems; compliance; and involving stakeholders.
  The recognition that there is an increased role for stakeholders in implementing the global agreements requires the international community to start setting up proper norms for their engagement across the system. UNED Forum have developed a set of principals for stakeholder participation. A consistent predictable framework of partnership with stakeholders will be crucial to deliver sustainable development agreements.
  Finally we need, by Johannesburg, to have ratified the relevant stages of the six Rio Conventions. These are:
•	The Cartegena Bio-safety Protocol;
•	The Kyoto Climate Change Protocol;
•	The Convention on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks;
•	The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;.
•	The Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent;
•	The Convention to Combat Desertification (requires funds)
  Earth Summit 2002 should be seen as a landmark event, but we should also be thinking about where we hope to be in 2003,4,5,6 and beyond. 2002 needs to be seen as the starting block to set all this in motion.

Latin American and the Caribbean preparations for Earth Summit 2002

  Following in our reporting series on the Regional Summit Preparations,  Brazil’s Minister Viotti offers us her vision and priorities from a Latin American perspective.
  As we get closer to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, preparations are well under way. In Latin America and the Caribbean a round table of eminent persons, held in Barbados, was followed by sub-regional meetings, held in Chile, Cuba, Ecuador and El Salvador, and will culminate with the regional meeting, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 23-24 October 2001.  
  Since the Rio Conference of 1992, a major change was brought about in the perception of how to deal with environmental issues. Simplified dichotomies, such as the one that opposed economic and social development to the protection of the environment, were put aside, and a new paradigm emerged, based on the fundamental concept of sustainable development - the search for a rational balance between the legitimate objectives of growth and development, on the one hand, and environmental concerns and the well-being of future generations, on the other.  
  The conceptual innovations brought by the Rio consensus also incorporated principles such as the common but differentiated responsibilities of countries for the situation of environmental degradation in the world and its correction, as well as the precautionary principle, according to which the lack of full scientific knowledge cannot justify inaction.
  The many outputs of the Rio Conference, among which Agenda 21, reflected a genuine commitment of all 178 participating countries towards the adoption of cooperative solutions to global environmental problems. 
  Ten years after Rio, the challenge faced by the international community does not lie in building something new, from a conceptual, normative or institutional point of view, but in finding ways and means to help countries accelerate the translation of the commitments made in Rio into concrete action. 
  The atmosphere surrounding the preparations for the Johannesburg Summit is different from the one prevailing in the eve of the Rio Conference. Today, there seems to be a latent feeling of disappointment resulting from the perception that progress towards sustainability has been slow and that the commitment to the goals of sustainable development has receded in some quarters.
  This feeling of frustration may echo concerns that are real.  However, those concerns do not compose the whole picture, which is certainly more complex as it combines successes and failures.  
  In spite of many difficulties and shortcomings, great strides were made in Latin America and the Caribbean. Increased awareness about the importance of sustainable development generated a wave of policy change, institutional building and normative progress. As the regional round-table and the sub-regional meetings pointed out, significant gains in terms of strengthened democratic systems, transparent and inclusive institutional arrangements as well as growing economic stability contributed greatly to the improvement of environmental management in the region. The high level of adherence of the Latin American and Caribbean countries to environmental agreements bears witness to their commitment to the advancement of international cooperation for sustainable development.
An important challenge that many of the countries in the region still face lies in the transition from normative standards to operational programs. Such a transition requires investments as well as the creation and application of new knowledge. This is why the issues related to financing, trade and technological innovation rank high in the regional agenda. One of the main events in the Latin American and the Caribbean preparatory meeting will be a panel on financial resources.
  There is growing acknowledgement that financing will certainly be one of the prominent issues in the agenda for the Johannesburg Summit. Great expectations have been placed on the results that can be achieved in this regard by the Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002. However, the Monterrey Conference will deal with financing from a broad, macroeconomic perspective. The nature of the specific contribution this process could bring to the World Summit on Sustainable Development is still unclear. The centrality of financing might warrant a discussion in its own right on how to improve mechanisms such as GEF and others so as to effectively support the transition towards sustainability. 
  Another important regional concern has to do with climate change, as many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean face recurrent and severe natural disasters linked to the effects of climate change and global warming. The countries of the region are greatly interested and have taken an active part in the negotiations of the Kyoto Protocol and look forward to its entry into force as soon as possible.
  The sustainable use of biological diversity and the protection of traditional knowledge are also a natural priority, since the region accounts for the most part of the world’s biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity provides the framework for cooperation in this important area.
  There is growing appreciation for the fact that sustainability is a long-term process.  It is not a task for governments alone, but one that must rely on a strong partnership involving the different levels of a country’s administration – provincial and municipal levels – as well as between governments and civil society, including the private sector. In this endeavour, international cooperation plays a fundamental role. 
  The main goal the Johannesburg Summit is set to achieve is to reinvigorate, at the highest political level, the global commitment to sustainable development and to ensure the adequate means for its implementation.           
Minister Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti

Eminence, Inter-Linkages and the Earth Summit  

  At the beginning of September the UN University with the Japanese Government and Globe International held an international Eminent Persons Meeting on Inter-linkages – strategies for bridging problems and solutions to work towards sustainable development. Felix Dodds reports.
  The meeting  advanced proposals including broad goals such as ‘earth security’ or ‘human security’.  The object was to propose a framework within which more specific policy options might be developed. This issue of Network includes an edited version of the presentation on this theme by Maurice Strong who addressed the workshop.
  A number of priority issues were identified these included the development of better statistical information to enable us to understand what is happening around the globe. The need for a better and more comprehensive mechanism than the GNP which did recognise the depletion of the natural resource base such as the Genuine Progress Indicator, environmental accounting techniques, a green Human Development Index were thought to be useful.
  There was broad acceptance that the Summit would be dealing with a changed world situation in the wake of the emergence of globalisation and that there was a need to address both the positive and negative aspects as they related to sustainable development.  This included the elimination of perverse subsidies consideration was given to the need for transition to ensure that the social impact would be taken into consideration.
  It was discussed that perhaps the best way to assist in poverty eradication was in focussing on the improvements of ecosystems and resources such as water, energy and food on which the poor depend. Developed countries also have a responsibility to address their over consumption and unsustainable consumption patterns and life-styles - recognising we live in one world.
  There was considerable discussion about the role that stakeholders might take in implementing, monitoring and advocating for policy areas.
  On institutional issues one option that was discussed was that of a Security Council that would deal with issues of economy, development, environment and security. Although the present Security Council could deal with environmental security  under the action that says "to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purpose and the UN".
  There was also support for the strengthening and upgrading of UNEP and the CSD. In the discussions on Multilateral Environmental Agreements there was consideration given to clustering the MEAs under five clusters:
·	Conventions related to biodiversity
·	Conventions related to oceans and seas
·	Conventions related to freshwater, forests and lands
·	Conventions related to atmosphere
·	Conventions related to chemicals and hazardous wastes
  There was also some discussion of a six cluster dealing with Nuclear Waste and Energy. The clustering it was thought should be done under a strengthen UNEP. Some thought that UNEP should become a UN Agency which would help with assured funding.
  It was suggested that within the clusters there could be considerable co-ordination between subsidiary bodies and it was suggested by some that perhaps cluster co-ordinators would have access to new and additional funds that would enable them to target work required to be done within a cluster and between a cluster.  
  The outcomes from the meeting can be found in full online at:  www.geic.or.jp 

Responsible Fisheries and the Marine Ecosystem

  From October 1-4th governments from around the world will come together in Reykjavik, Iceland, to provide an in-depth analysis of important global issues relating to responsible fisheries management.
  Continuing work towards the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Management, the conference will reflect the urgent need to include ecosystem considerations in capture fisheries management practices and procedures.
  More specifically, this will include to following objectives, to:
•	Gather and review the best knowledge on marine ecosystem issues;
•	Identify means by which ecosystem considerations can be included in capture fisheries management, and
•	Identify future challenges and relevant strategies.
  The conference will be conducted by two plenary sessions together with a Scientific Symposium in which overview papers will be presented by invited experts and followed by general discussion.
  Proposals on how to meet these challenges and proceed are expected to be formulated into a conference declaration to be submitted to the 31st session of the FAO Conference as well as to Earth Summit 2002

Earth Summit 2002 Online debate

  Over the last 4 weeks UNED Forum, as part of the  Lifeonline initiative, have been hosting online debate on key issues that the Summit could address. With over 800 participants, there were no shortage of ideas. A summary of the first 2 weeks debate follows.
  Week 1 of the debate asked ‘How can cities be made part of a sustainable future? What are the key barriers, good models, roles and responsibilities involved in improving 21st Century Urban life? How should Earth Summit 2002 address this issues?
  In addressing the first question the here are some of the conclusions were drawn:
  There is no sustainable development that does not address the needs of cities. Urban sustainability is not just about the environment, but also about political, social, economic and cultural sustainability. The complexity of urban life prescribes multi-disciplinary approaches. Several contributions to the debate called attention to ‘the political role’ of cities in promoting sustainability. There’s a need for democracy, good governance and a value-based discussion in order to achieve sustainable urban development and people’s ownership of the process.
 Turning to key barriers, debate focussed on three key areas:  
1. Resource Management - Any approach for working towards more sustainable cities will need to revolve around reducing resource inputs and waste outputs. The main problem is the current unsustainable pattern of production and consumption.
2. Transport inside major cities - Public investment often favours private transport solutions instead of providing the infrastructure for long-term public solutions. This results in a vicious circle of greater car use, greater congestion and poorer quality public transport. The use of mass transportation should be increased and cities should be made more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
3. Developing and Planning - Urban developments are often characterised by short-sighted design and planning processes. One debater stated ‘Urbanisation processes often underlies bureaucratic needs instead of taking into account environment requirements’.  
  More broadly, it was pointed out time and again that one of the key barriers to achieving sustainable urban life is ignorance. ‘In almost every case, we have more knowledge than we employ. The key barrier to achieving sustainable development in cities is lack of national competence’ said one. Another continued ‘the ordinary citizen can be educated and thus empowered to say no to all items that cause degeneration of the environment. 
  Of the many good models offered to the debate, some of the more heavily canvassed included: Developing more participative democratic decision making processes; planning and redeveloping more strategically (enhanced public services, greater energy efficiency and water sensitive design); structuring fiscal policies so as to internalise environmental costs. 
  When considering how all this should be achieved the debate returned to the issue of participation. All stakeholders have their part to play. Many contributors stressed the importance of life-long ‘environmental education’, in order to involve and empower citizens in an effort to raise awareness of this process and to achieve a sense of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. One contributor commented ‘people must be taught about this issue and that this isn’t someone else's’ matter, in someone else’s country. It touches each and every person on this planet.
  Week 2 posed the question ‘How can marginalised people participate effectively in today’s globalised world? What obstacles and processes should be addressed at Earth Summit 2002 to tackle this issue?
  Debate started with the need for transparency and systemic processes of participation. ‘Participation is not a substitute to Western democracy’ commented one. Continuing he said ‘To be effective, it must include both transparency with regards to the economic choices and the impact those will have on life of citizens as well as the rehabilitation of the regulatory role of the state.’
  Considering key barriers, one debater succinctly noted ‘Issues related to environment are projected as complicated and loaded with technical jargon. It has become a challenge for NGOs and community groups to work within the boundaries of these external agencies over which none of us have any control.’
  Reflecting on roles opened the question of how to balance the weight of responsibilities. ‘Participation is double edged’, said one contributor. ‘While it invites the various players from civil society to take part in the decision-making process, it also shifts a greater share of the responsibilities upon them without providing the means to undertake such responsibilities.’
  Debate shifted to consolidation of partnerships between the North and South. ‘There are a growing number of NGOs based in the North who give technical skills and funding to marginalised groups all over the world, supporting education, capacity building and training in trade, finance and globalisation in terms of how it can work for them. I think that having the backing from NGOs in the North who can help financing but having the organisational base in the marginalised community is the best way to achieve a solid front to globalisation.’ reflected one of the debaters.
  ‘Education is key in relation to effective participation of marginalised people. Education will enable marginalised people to become aware of their role and can help to transform them into ‘agents’ of change. Education of civil society will enable people to understand their role in positively influencing the lives and livelihoods of marginalised communities’ considered another.
  So how should Earth Summit 2002 address this issue? Touching perhaps on a somewhat of a bigger picture, one enlightened contributor tabled the following, ‘Johannesburg will be an opportunity for us all to state which commitments and what means are necessary for civil society to fully play its role. To be credible and reach beyond the simple dream, participation must be based on several frameworks adapted to the specific aspects of each society. All players should be able to call out for a referee should the commitments remain unfulfilled.’.
  Coverage of the final two weeks of the online debate follow in next months Network 2002.

Meet the International Advisory Board

Organisation: Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI) 
Contact: Barbara Gemmill 
Web: www.elci.org
Aim:  ELCI is an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation, established in 1974, with the aim of strengthening communication and co-operation between NGOs and civil society, providing liaison between NGOs and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), building the capacities of environmental NGOs in developing countries, and encouraging the advisory role of NGOs through the international environmental conventions and organs of the UN. 
  ELCI members work with the ELCI secretariat to share their views, experiences and aspirations on local, national, regional and international levels. As well, ELCI brings the local perspective to the global environment policy-making foray. The ELCI Secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Key Projects:  Ecoforum is an environmental magazine which deals with many aspects concerning our universal habitat, the way we use it, take care of it and some of the threats that are facing the environment today. The Magazine also carries various articles that deal with how to solve some of the environmental related problems. 
  ELCI are also part of the Regional Network of Women and Sustainable Energy in Africa. The Network’s purpose is to empower women with more options and better choices of energy and to engender energy by raising awareness among professionals in the sector of the various gender needs for energy.
Future Projects:  ELCI will soon be working with UNED Forum to jointly develop the Roadmap to 2002 web-site (www.earthsummit2002.org).  
Partners:  ELCI has a broad global membership of non-governmental and community-based organisation (NGOs, CBOs) in 104 countries working for a healthier environment and improved quality of life. 
Geographical Coverage: Global

Organisation: NGO Women’s Commonwealth Network. 
Contact: Hazel Brown
Web: http://community.wow.net/womenngo/
Aim: The Network was established in 1991 with the purpose to:
•	Create and strengthen relationships among women in the Commonwealth;
•	Create and strengthen links with policy makers in the Commonwealth;
•	Create and strengthen links among women NGOs in the Commonwealth.
Key Projects: The Network is engaged in the follow-up to the Forth World Conference on Women and the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action. This work also includes a focus on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, ILO Instruments and the Commonwealth Plan of Action.
Partners: Various Women’s NGO’s from around the Commonwealth.
Geographical Coverage: Global

Earth Summit Regional Preparations Covered Online

  The International Institute for Sustainable Development, publishers of the “Earth Negotiations Bulletin,” will provide multimedia coverage from each of the five regional intergovernmental preparatory meetings. Without leaving your computer desktop, you can listen to participant statements, view photos of the meeting and read a full summary of the discussions.
  Beginning with the Europe and North America Regional Ministerial Meeting, held earlier this week in Geneva, these five meetings will be held over the next two months. At each meeting the ENB will publish a summary report and will post both digital photos and streaming RealAudio recordings of key interventions.
  Coverage of these meeting will be provided in cooperation with the UN Division for Sustainable Development. Funding for coverage of these five meetings has been provided by Germany, Canada, Japan, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations and the Global Environment Facility. 
  Full coverage of the Europe and North America Regional Ministerial Meeting can be found at www.iisd.ca/linkages/wssd/WSEUR/
  For information on upcoming coverage, visit IISD’s WSSD Portal at www.iisd.ca/wssd/portal.html 

Diary Dates, Events & Conferences

1-4 October	Responsible Fisheries in the Marin Ecosystem. Reykjavik, Iceland. 
Contact: www.refisheries2001.org	
1-12 October	Fifth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convenion to Combat 
Desertification. Geneva, Switzerland. Contact:  www.unccd.int/cop/cop5/menu.php	
9-11 October	1st Global International Water Assessment General Assembly. Kalmar, Sweden. 
Contact: www.giwa.net/assembly/index.phtml	
21-25 October	World Energy Council 18th World Energy Congress. Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
Contact: www.mbendi.co.za/wec/congress.htm	
22-26 October	First Intergovernmental meeting of experts to develop guidelines on compliance and enforcement of MEAs. Nairobi, Kenya. Contact: donald.kaniaru@unep.org	
23-24 October	Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Preparatory Committee Meeting to Earth Summit 2002. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Contact: abarcena@eclac.cl	
23-24 October	Globe Southern Africa First Parliamentary Conference ahead of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Cape Town, South Africa. Contact: www.globesa.org/first_conference.htm	
24-25 October	West Asia Regional Preparatory Committee Meeting to Earth Summit 2002. Cairo, Egypt. 
Contact: www.uneprowa.com.bh/wssd.htm	
29 Oct.–9 Nov.	7th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Marrakech, Morocco. Contact: www.unfccc.int	
5-9 November	World Food Summit - 5 Years Later. Rome, Italy. Contact: www.fao.org/worldfoodsummit/	
6-9 November	African Regional Preparatory Committee Meeting to Earth Summit 2002. Nairobi, Kenya. 
Contact: www.unep.org/ROA/wssd.htm	
9-13 November	WTO Fourth Ministerial Meeting. Doha, Qatar. 
Contact: www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min01_e/min01_e.htm	
27-29 November	Asia & the Pacific Regional Preparatory Committee Meeting to Earth Summit 2002. Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Contact: www.rrcap.unep.org/wssd/	
3-7 December	International Conference on Freshwater. Bonn, Germany. Contact: www.water-2001.de	
6-7 December	Global Environment Facility Council Meeting. Washington DC, USA. Contact: www.gefweb.org	

What’s in next months Network ~2002…

•	World Food Summit +5 -  Preview
•	Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Prep. Comm. - Outcomes
•	Africa Regional Prep. Com. - Outcomes
•	West Asia Regional Prep.  - Outcomes
•	Climate Change COP 7 - Outcomes