Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) - Branches 

I. Policy Integration and Analysis Branch 

Major functions: 

• Substantive analytical support and policy guidance for the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), particularly the reports of the Secretary General;

• Strategic analysis and policy research, particularly in the area of financial and economic instruments, related to the CSD’s programme of work;

• Provision of policy analysis and guidance on cross-cutting (e.g. finance, trade, poverty reduction) and innovative approaches to sustainable development; 

• Lead role in the elaboration and implementation of the 10-year Framework of Programmes on Consumption and Production Patterns, through the Marrakech process;

• Strengthening of the science/knowledge base of sustainable development. 

II. National Information, Monitoring and Outreach Branch

Major functions: 

• Provision of expert advice and capacity building for national sustainable development strategies (NSDS) and national indicators of sustainable development, including development of methodologies and diagnostics to assist decision-making and national reporting;

• Monitoring of progress and reporting to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) on the development and implementation of NSDS and indicators of sustainable development at the national level;

• Maintenance, enhancement and coordination of the Division’s website;

• Coordination of all publications, media, communication and other outreach activities, and information technology (IT) activities for the Division;

• Coordination and organization of the Learning Centre at CSD sessions;

• Divisional focal point for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, and for Africa.

National Information Analysis Unit

Major functions: 

• Analysis of national information for trends in implementation of commitments related to Agenda 21, Rio+5, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation for the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD);

• Preparation of CSD guidelines for national information and reporting as well as 5-year country profiles;

• Development and maintenance of interactive databases on national information, national sustainable development strategies and indicators of sustainable development.

III. Programme Coordination, Major Groups and Partnerships Branch

Major functions: 

• Substantive secretariat support to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and its Bureau, and coordination of substantive Divisional activities related to the work of the CSD; 

• Preparation and coordination of inputs to UN inter-agency processes; 

• Coordination and provision of substantive support to ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly on matters relating to sustainable development; 

• Provision of substantive support to facilitate Major Groups’ participation in the CSD process;

• Collaboration with UN Regional Commissions in organizing regional implementation meetings and providing input to the CSD process;

• Provision of substantive support for partnerships activities related to sustainable development, including maintenance and enhancement of a transparent information system for CSD-registered partnerships for sustainable development, and organization of the Partnerships Fair at CSD sessions; 

• Coordination and organization of side events at CSD sessions.

IV. Energy and Transport Branch

Major functions: 

• Provision of policy and analytical support on global issues related to energy, transport and atmosphere and climate change; 

• Provision of advisory and technical cooperation services to governments on energy, transport and infrastructure; 

• Provision of substantive support and policy guidance to the CSD on natural resources management, energy, transport and atmosphere; 

• Liaison with other UN-system organizations and coordination of support on energy related to the implementation of Agenda 21, CSD-9 decisions and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation;

• Secretary of UN-Energy;

• Liaison with other UN-system organizations on energy related to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

V. Water, Natural Resources and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Branch

Major functions: 

• Provision of policy and analytical support on global issues related, in particular, to freshwater and small island developing states;

• Provision of advisory and technical cooperation services to governments on water, mining and natural resources; 

• Provision of substantive support to the CSD on the issues of water and natural resources; 

• Undertaking activities related to the International Decade for Action: ‘Water for Life’ 2005-20015; 

• Secretary of UN-Water, Task Manager of Gender and Water Task Force;

• Liaison with other UN-system organizations and all relevant agencies on water and sanitation related-MDGs. 

• Provision of support services to Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation;

SIDS Unit 

Major functions:

• Provision of support to the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS; 

• Organization of and provision of support to the 10-Year Review of Progress in the Implementation of the BPOA;

• Follow-up to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation relating to Small Island Developing States.

VI. Office of the Director, Planning and Liaison Unit

Major functions: 

• Liaison with the Under-Secretary-General's Office, particularly with its counterpart identified as the Development Policy and Planning Office; 
• Co-ordination of inputs to major reports prepared outside the Division;
• Co-ordination of all programme planning and budgetary issues.