Introductory Note from the Chairperson

The Eleventh Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development will be the Commission’s first global meeting devoted to sustainable development since the Johannesburg Summit. Hence, this session has a crucial role to play to ensure that we give sound political direction to the implementation of Johannesburg outcomes and Agenda 21 and to the next phase of the Commission’s work. 

The session must be organised in such a way that would keep up the momentum of Johannesburg, provide opportunities to share views and ideas aimed at practical implementation of WSSD outcomes, to lay grounds for future work on sustainable development at all levels,  and shape the Commission’s work programme over the coming years.  Hence, the session should build on the arrangements that proved to be successful at WSSD and provide for an active and participatory involvement of political leaders, global and regional implementation institutions, major groups and other stakeholders.

 It seems clear that a new CSD is needed for a new decade in sustainable development with a fresh implementation plan for Agenda 21 emanating from Johannesburg.  The CSD needs to operate in a substantially new way, not continue with ‘business as usual’.  It must be task- and action-oriented with a greater, more meaningful role for Ministers, and different, more results-oriented involvement of international and financial institutions, regional organisations, major groups and all other stakeholders. 

I firmly believe that CSD11, starting off with a Ministerial Segment, will give firm political direction to future work.  It is important that the Ministerial Segment is not be limited to environment ministers.  The discussions planned for the Segment are expected to provide ample opportunities for active engagement of Ministers with other portfolios such as, for example, water or agriculture or energy or resources for the implementation of the Johannesburg outcomes.  

Ministerial inputs to CSD11 should provide clear guidance on three key decisions to be made about the CSD's future programme of work, namely which issues should be considered in-depth by the CSD in the coming years; how the linkages between sectors and issues should be addressed; and when and how the CSD should function to deal with these issues. 

I sincerely hope that ministerial involvement will go beyond making prepared speeches. A series of inter-active ministerial roundtables focusing on priority actions and commitments to implement goals and targets reached at the Summit;  as well as on the role of multilateral institutions and multi-stakeholeder partnerships in supporting implementation, along with activities focusing on regional implementation would provide Ministers excellent opportunities to give political direction to future work. As the Chairman of the Commission I am committed to ensure that ministers during these events will engage in a real, productive dialogue which will have a strong impact on the results of CSD11, and the work of the Commission beyond that. 

CSD11 must also aim for an enhanced role for leaders from civil society, the private sector and other major groups to ensure they are fully engaged both in the implementation process and in the future CSD. I expect these partners to be actively engaged in the session and, in particular in ministerial dialogues and other activities. 

CSD11 should be organised in such a way so it establishes the basis of the "new CSD" redesigned to meet the challenges of the post Johannesburg period. 

More specific information on the main organisational features of CSD11, as recommended by the Bureau of CSD11, can be found below. 

I look forward to working closely with you over the coming months. 

Organisation of Work (Updated 15 April 2003)

Possible additional activities and events for the second week of the session to be confirmed later. The session will also include side-events, a possible "Learning Centre" and an Exhibition 

ANNOTATIONS

Statements on the future modalities and work programme of the CSD (Monday 28 April)

This will be done in the format of the general debate involving ministers and heads of delegations focusing on the proposals and options contained in the Report of the Secretary-General, as well as other proposals and ideas of countries or groups concerning the future of the CSD.

Participants in the debate will be invited to avoid general statements but focus on three issues which are key for defining the future programme of work of the CSD, namely:

1.        Which issues should be considered in-depth by the CSD in the coming years?

2.        How the linkages between issues and sectors should be addressed? and

3.        When and How to schedule consideration of these issues in the coming years? 

Proposals from delegations and their comments on the report of the Secretary-General together with the outcomes of the roundtables (see below) and inputs from other participants, will help the Chairman to formulate draft decisions for further consideration and negotiations by delegations during the second week of the session.

Regional Implementation Forums (Tuesday, 29 April (AM) and Wednesday, 30 April (PM)

Given WSSD's emphasis on regional implementation, Regional Implementation Forums will be organised during the Ministerial Segment. 

The Forums will involve Executive Heads/Senior Officials of UN Regional Commissions as well as Heads/Senior Officials of Regional Development Banks, regional organisations and initiatives, such as ASEAN, AU, NEPAD, as well as UN organisations with strong regional presence/focus (UNEP, UNDP, etc) 

The objective will be to inform interested ministers and other participants in CSD11 of initial steps taken in the region to implement the outcomes of the WSSD and any new/foreseen arrangements for regional or sub-regional co-operation. Presentations could be followed by an inter-active discussion involving governments along with representatives of international and regional institutions and major groups on ways and means of aligning the work in the regions with global deliberations. 

The results of the Regional Implementation Forums will be reflected in summaries of the discussions that will be included in the report of the Commission. 

Informal Morning Ministerial Meetings (Tuesday 29 April and Wednesday 30 April) 

Such meetings historically provided an informal opportunity for Ministers attending the CSD to engage in 'off the record' discussions of issues on the CSD agenda, as well as matters related to the work programme and inter-sessional activities of the CSD. Such an opportunity had been appreciated by many of the participants in the High-Level Segment. Two such meetings are planned for CSD11: The first meeting to discuss overall expectations from the Ministerial Segment and CSD 11; and the second meeting with Heads of UN Programmes, Agencies, Conventions, Financial Institutions and GEF. 

Given its informal nature, no statements or presentations from the participants, particularly UN organisations, are expected. During the second meeting ministers could ask representatives of organisations questions regarding their ongoing or planned work to follow-up WSSD and expected contributions to the future CSD work programme. As far as organisations of the UN system are concerned, the meeting would also the participants the opportunity to be informed about the outcomes of the meeting of the UN Chief Executive Board (CEB) which would have just concluded (Paris, 27-28 April 2003). 

Inter-active ministerial Roundtables with participation of leaders from major groups (Monday 28 April (PM), Tuesday 29 April (PM) and Wednesday (30 April PM)

 All three roundtables will have a broad theme: "Priority actions and commitments to translate WSSD outcomes into reality" 

The goal of the roundtables would be to discuss "How" the outcomes of the WSSD could be implemented at all levels and by whom, i.e. various implementation actors (governments, international organisations, major groups, partnerships), and "How" the CSD could implement its renewed mandate focused on implementation. Specific objectives would be: 

-                To share views and exchange information on practical steps being taken in various countries and constituencies (both in terms of national actions and international co-operation) to give effect to the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit, with a focus on specific objectives, targets and time-bound measures agreed in the POI as well as means of implementation to achieve them. Another aspect that will be discussed is how implementation of goals, targets, and timeframes agreed at WSSD support the achievement of Millennium Development Goals.

-                Discuss expectations regarding practical steps to be taken by international organisations and development and financial institutions to facilitate implementation of the WSSD outcomes, including opportunities for joint action and collaboration, as well as better co-ordination.

-                Discuss the role of partnerships in the implementation of agreements reached at the WSSD as well as to discuss possible ways of making the CSD a 'focal point' for partnerships, as provided by the Johannesburg POI. Specific issues include creating a transparent, participatory and credible reporting and monitoring mechanism on the partnerships, including guidelines; how to ensure that partnerships are closely linked to the implementation of the POI; and how to facilitate the implementation of partnerships and foster new ones. 

The dialogues will be organised around broad thematic clusters of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation taking into account the need for a balance among economic, social and environmental 'pillars' of sustainable development. The roundtables will provide for brief presentations on the main developments relevant to the work of the CSD that have taken place since WSSD (e.g. Kyoto Water Forum, Marrakech meeting on Consumption and Production Patterns, UNEP/GMEF, COPs of conventions, etc.) 

To facilitate and focus the discussions the Chairman will prepare 'framework for discussion' papers for each of the roundtables, which will be circulated in advance of the meetings. 

General organisation of the roundtables 

At the beginning of each roundtable several Ministers from various regions (different for each of the four meetings) will be invited by the Chair to 'kick-off' the discussions. Then the Chairman will open the floor for discussions among Ministers, leaders of major groups and international organisations. 

The results of the roundtables will be summarised by the Chair and included in the report of the session. They will also help the Chairman to formulate relevant draft decisions for further consideration and negotiation by delegations. 

High-Level representatives of all nine major groups will be invited to participate in the roundtables. Major Group participation in this process would involve organizing partners from the major group communities. 

Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Future programme of work of the CSD (Thursday 1 May)  

Presentation by Major Groups of their views on the programme of work of the CSD, including arrangements for involvement of Major Groups and other stakeholders followed by an inter-active discussion of major groups' proposals with the participation of governments/IGOs. Major group participation in this event would involve organising partners from the major group communities.  This event could also engage a facilitator, based on the positive experience which facilitated dialogues in the Summit process. 

Proposals coming from major groups and the results of their discussion will be taken into account by the Chairman in preparing his draft decision on the issue. 

Consideration of chairman's draft decisions (5-9 May) 

On the basis of the discussions that took place in the Commission, the Chairman will prepare draft decision(s), which will be presented to the Commission on Thursday, 1 May.  

The draft decision(s) will cover all matters related to future programme, organisation and methods of work of the CSD, including CSD's role vis-à-vis partnerships that promote sustainable development. 

Experience shows that delegations and groups (G77, EU) need time to study chairman's texts in preparation for negotiations. It is suggested that time during Friday, 2 May is put aside for this purpose. 

The Bureau of the Commission will decide, at a later date, who of the vice-chairs will lead negotiation on particular issues. 

The negotiations will start on Monday 5 May. 

Comments by major groups on draft decisions 

For most major groups making an impact on the final decisions of the inter-governmental process is the key to their active participation in any inter-governmental meeting. Major Groups were always appreciative when the Chair would give them an opportunity to express their views on the issues that were being negotiated. In the morning of Friday, 2 May major groups would be invited to make short interventions commenting on the Chair's draft text before the negotiations start. This will also allow delegation to benefit from views of major groups before they formulate their own positions. 

Preparations for a review of implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of SIDS

 During the second week of the session on Monday 5 May a discussion focusing on preparations for the 10-year review of the implementation of the POA for sustainable Development of SIDS will take place. As a result of this discussion a draft decision focusing on the role of the CSD in the preparatory process for the comprehensive review of  the Programme of Action will be presented for consideration/negotiations in the course of the week. 

Concluding comments by major groups (Friday 9 May) 

It is also suggested to follow the practice of the WSSD to allow major groups to make brief co-ordinated interventions on the agreed outcomes of the session and their plans regarding their follow-up at the end of the session 

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 Participation of WSSD Accredited NGOs and other major groups:  A total of 737 NGOs and other major groups were accredited to the Summit so that the process could benefit from their sustainable development related work, experiences, and competencies. Their accreditation status was valid only for the Summit process. Many of these organisations wish to continue contributing to the post Summit work and CSD11 would need to address this matter.  Depending on CSD11 decision, the WSSD accredited major groups may have the opportunity to seek ECOSOC accreditation and participate in future CSD meetings. In the mean time, the Bureau decided to grant them a one time opportunity to participate in CSD 11 so that the session can benefit from their contributions and the Summit momentum is maintained. Similar approach was taken by some of the Functional Commission in the case of other international conferences. 

“Partnerships Fair”

 Representatives of partnerships could be given an opportunity to come to the CSD for networking with each other, learning from each other’s experiences, holding meetings of steering bodies of individual partnerships, looking for more partners and/or funding and presenting ideas and proposals for new partnerships. They should also have the opportunity to present their ideas on the follow-up process within CSD. 

Consideration is given to making a room available throughout the CSD session or during the first week only. It can be used by the partners present for the above-mentioned purposes to set up informal meetings, distribute materials and make presentations. The room will be open to all CSD participants. It will be equipped with a computer and an overhead projector. 

While it would be left to the partners to organise themselves for internal meetings and contacts with potential new partners, the CSD Secretariat would be prepared to assist in setting up daily events of the Partnerships Fair which could be announced as part of the ‘CSD Today’ Information Sheet. They might take the form of presentations of individual partnerships like during the Johannesburg Summit or of informal discussions about partnerships in specific sectors. Depending on the interest expressed by individual partnerships to hold such events, there might be one or two per day, while the room would be available for any other partnership activities during the rest of the day. This format might help to attract interest from delegates and major groups to the Partnerships Fair.