Sustainability Agenda for Water and Energy
Bern, 12.05.2003 - Policy recommendations are only made once every two years, but forums are held more frequently for the exchange of specific experiences. This new method of work of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was approved at the 11th session in New York. Switzerland is very pleased with the outcome.
The 11th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was held in New York from 28 April to 9 May 2003. This was the first CSD meeting since the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. At this year’s session, the Commission finalized a coherent work programme for the implementation of Agenda 21 and of the Plan of Implementation adopted in Johannesburg. The CSD also reformed its method of work.
The most important change in the CSD method of work is that policy recommendations will only be debated once every two years. This will allow the CSD to focus on a forum for the exchange of specific experiences and for implementation. This active exchange is the priority for the first year of the two-year work cycle. It is expected to take place between government experts as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations and business. This exchange of experience should lead to the adoption of specific policy recommendations and measures in the second year of the work cycle.
The creation of the new work programme provides the CSD with a clearer focus. The next six two-year cycles will focus on thematic issues. The agenda includes water for 2004/2005, and energy for 2006/2007. During the next four years, the CSD will be dealing with two thematic clusters of issues that are central for sustainable development, but that are still lacking adequate international regulations and aims.
Switzerland plays an active role
The Swiss delegation played a very active role at this year’s CSD, as it already did before and in Johannesburg. It was involved in defining the work programme and made constructive proposals for the reform of the work modalities. It also focused on regional inclusion, transparency in terms of partnership initiatives as well as cooperation with civil society. Overall, Switzerland is very pleased with the outcome of the CSD 11, which lays the groundwork for a genuine reorientation of the method of work and succeeded in once again making the CSD a relevant body for international sustainability policy.
The delegation consisted of representatives from SAEFL, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco), the Swiss Mission to the UN in New York and civil society (environmental and development organisations, business).
Address for enquiries
Information:
Ambassador Beat Nobs
Director of International Affairs, SAEFL
Tel.: +41 (0) 79 687 11 68
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
