CSD-12:  Note of the Bureau Meeting 10-11 September 2003

2. In his introductory remarks, the CSD Chairperson underlined the importance of the upcoming session in the post-WSSD process, stressing that CSD-12 will be the litmus test for a successful achievement of agreed goals and targets. 

3. The following are the main highlights of the discussion that took place during the meeting. 

State of preparation of documentation 

4. The Bureau was briefed by the Secretariat on the state of preparation of the documentation for CSD-12 and of the consultative process which is being undertaken on human settlements, water and sanitation with UN Habitat, WHO and UN Water Group, and all other pertinent UN Agencies. The preparations are aimed at ensuring that documents are finalized well in advance of the CSD-12 meeting, and that they are of high quality. 

5. Other inputs to be submitted before the CSD-12 include reports of intersessional activities such as Regional implementation meetings, government led meetings relevant to the themes being reviewed, and inputs from the Major Groups including the dialogue papers. 

Regional meetings 

6. The Secretariat provided a status report on the preparation of the five regional implementation meetings, being scheduled in October 2003 through January 2004. These are being scheduled in conjunction with existing meetings, which have already been planned in the Regional Commissions’ calendars. The meetings are being designed with somewhat similar formats and will include major groups participation.

  Organization of the CSD-12 Session 

7. The Secretariat presented its initial thinking on the CSD-12 format for consideration by the Bureau, and outlined the possible flow of work for the review session. Members of the Bureau provided some initial feedback. In principle the Bureau agreed to schedule the High-level segment at the end of the session, as this would provide the necessary political impetus to prepare for the Policy year, which will begin in February 2005. 

8. Given the diversity of important topics to be taken up in CSD-12, countries are encouraged to consider sending ministers from a variety of portfolios to provide political leadership in the relevant thematic areas. 

9. The Bureau also agreed that the CSD-12 would benefit from participation by officials and experts from different ministries relevant to the topics under discussion. 

10. The Secretariat outlined suggestions for the integrated participation of Major Groups throughout the CSD-12 using a variety of means, including an interactive discussion during one session of the High-level Segments. 

11. The Bureau stressed the importance of involving the Regional Development Banks and other regional financial institutions in both the regional meetings and the actual CSD-12 session. 

12. It was agreed that members of the Bureau would consult with members of their regional groupings on the range of issues discussed at this first Bureau meeting including the identification of possible names of experts that could be considered as resource persons, panelists and speakers, etc., in the various activities planned throughout the CSD-12 session. 

Next meeting of the Bureau 

13. The next meeting will be held in New York on October 3, 2003. 

14. The Bureau agreed that at its third meeting, scheduled in November 2003 in New York, it would meet with Major Groups representatives.

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