Summary: March 13, 2001: Ninth Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. Inter-Sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Information for Decision-making and Participation and on International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment Agenda Item 4 "International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment." Statement by Ambassador Lars- Göran Engfeldt, Head of Delegation of Sweden on behalf of the European Union (New York)
Madame Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia and the Associated countries Cyprus and Malta align themselves with this statement.
The theme International Cooperation for an Enabling Environment reflects the reality we are now facing - a globalised world. How can we work together to facilitate efforts for sustainable development? The UN Commission on Sustainable Development has a very specific role in this context, making the link between economic, social and environmental aspects.
At the same time, similar issues are addressed in other UN processes. The preparatory negotiations for the International Conference on Financing for Development recently completed a session of fruitful deliberations. Preparations for the Third UN Conference on LDCs are also underway. The EU feels that the contribution of the CSD to these processes should be focused on making the links between the different dimensions of sustainable development.
The EU has studied the Secretary-General's report with interest. It presents a broad menu of issues that could be discussed by CSD 9. An EU paper highlighting some of the questions of special interest to the EU is attached to this statement for consideration by the CSD.
Madame Chair,
While the focus in the discussion of this agenda item is on international cooperation, the importance of a favourable and enabling domestic environment cannot be overemphasised. Such an enabling environment is based, in particular, on a sound macro-economic framework and on good governance. The adoption and implementation of National Sustainable Development Strategies in all countries can serve as a useful tool in promoting an enabling environment. The EU agrees with the Secretary-General's
report that international cooperation should facilitate the formulation and elaboration of NSDS by playing a catalytic role in the national process of integration, consultation, participation and capacity building. The NSDS can build on and be linked to mainstream economic, social and environmental plans, including frameworks for donor coordination.
The EU remains fully committed to development cooperation, including to reaching the ODA target of 0,7% of GNP by all donor countries as soon as possible. Based on recipient country priorities as presented for example in national poverty reduction strategies, further improvement in coordination of all ODA so as to ensure an integrated approach towards sustainable development also continues to be a central priority for the EU. In this context, the integrated and coordinated follow-up of the
series of UN Conferences and Summits of the 1990s is of particular importance. The international development targets provide a useful framework to this end.
Madame Chair,
The overall effect of international trade in goods and services and international flows of capital on sustainable development will depend on whether globalisation and economic growth result in social benefits and more eco-efficient resource allocation, or in marginalisation of the poor and in additional pressure on scarce environmental resources. Trade incentives and trade liberalisation could accelerate those negative or positive effects. By pursuing strong and effective environmental and
social policies and by integrating environmental and social concerns in their economic policies, governments have a key role in this regard.
Improved market access and a strengthened multilateral trading system are key to achieving economic development for the developing countries. As regards access for the least developed countries to the EU market we are pleased that the Everything but Arms initiative on duty and quota free access for LDCs' exports has now been endorsed by EU Trade Ministers and we would welcome that other countries do the same. Although achieving sustainable trade also depends on national actions outside the
scope of WTO agreements, the EU believes it is essential to make the WTO more responsive to sustainability concerns and to launch a new trade Round, in accordance with the objective of sustainable development. Better cooperation between international institutions is also needed in this field, and in this respect the EU welcomes initiatives such as the joint UNCTAD-UNEP Capacity Building Task Force and WTO-UNEP cooperation.
In the Millennium Declaration, Heads of State and Government decided "to give greater opportunities to the private sector, non-governmental organisations and civil society in general, to contribute to the realisation of the Organisation's goals and programmes". In addition, they agreed "to develop strong partnerships with the private sector and with civil society organisations in pursuit of development and poverty eradication". The EU fully supports this direction, and welcomes efforts
underway, including the Global Compact, to enhance government dialogue with the private sector on its responsibility to contribute towards sustainable development.
Major groups as recognised in Agenda 21 play central roles in promoting an enabling environment for sustainable development. International civil society networks contribute to monitoring of government and private sector action, as well as to promoting partnerships among all stakeholders. We addressed the issue of Information for Decision-making and Participation yesterday, and the EU sees clear links between these subject matters. A CSD decision on Information could provide useful guidance to
our deliberations on this agenda item.
In relation to the issue of international cooperation for an enabling environment, the EU would like to inform partners that its Ministerial Council last week agreed on a set of Council Conclusions on the preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. These Conclusions inter alia welcome the UN General Assembly Resolution A55/199 concerning the World Summit and make recommendations to guide EU preparations. These Conclusions will be available in the room.
Madame Chair,
The EU looks forward to further discussion of these and other issues during the coming week and at CSD 9. Thank you.
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