EU Presidency Statement - Sustainable Development and Habitat

Mr. Chairperson,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro, align themselves with this statement.

Mr. Chairperson,

Implementation of Agenda 21 and WSSD - the CSD process

We face strong challenges in meeting the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg outcomes. In many fields we will have to expedite implementation of our commitments. The European Union believes that CSD12 was highly successful and clearly identified the main constraints and obstacles to overcome in the field of water, sanitation and human settlements while addressing progress made on crosscutting issues. Our readiness to overcome these obstacles and constraints will mark the success of CSD13. CSD 13 will be on policy decisions related to practical measures and options to expedite implementation. The European Union strongly believes in delivering our commitments through the multilateral system. Hence we are actively engaged in dialogues with our fellow partners. An active involvement of the UN-agencies in the policy year is also important. CSD 13 will also have to clarify the important role of type II partnerships in the implementation. CSD 13 will moreover have to formulate decisions and recommendations that can provide a substantive input into the preparations of the major event in September 2005, specifically on water and sanitation, Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), improvement in the lives of slum dwellers and integration of the principles of sustainable development into country policies and interlinkages between MDGs and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPoI) are concerned.

In the context of this discussion I would like to draw your attention to issues related to climate change, desertification, biodiversity, UNEP, SIDS, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction and Habitat. All these issues are important to be taken into account in the context of the implementation of Agenda 21 and sustainable development.

Climate Change

The European Union is deeply concerned about the regional and global consequences of human-induced climate change. Scientific knowledge has increased considerably in recent years. Climate sensitivity is larger than expected previously. The fourth Assessment Report of IPCC is likely to demonstrate that uncertainties about the climate system have further been reduced. Thus, climate change requires a reinforced and urgent global response.

This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Unites Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Over the last decade a lot of work has been done to develop the pillars of climate change action within the UN framework, with the Kyoto Protocol and the Marrakesh accords as main results. The Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by more than 120 Parties and represents the only multilateral instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, without undermining economic development. The EU welcomes the recent developments in Russia on this issue. The entry into force and timely implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is a key priority of the European Union, and the EU is determined to demonstrate progress in its climate change policies by 2005.

The EU believes that mitigation remains the cornerstone of current and future climate change policies. Considering that climate change is now inevitable adaptation measures is a key element of such policies.

Developed countries are responsible for the vast majority of historical emissions and they need to act first to cut their emissions. The European Union has therefore taken action necessary to meet its first commitment period Kyoto target and to implement its commitments under the Convention. The EU expects all developed countries to undertake necessary steps, either to fulfil their Kyoto commitments.

Developing countries have according to article 3.4 of the Framework Convention on Climate Change the right to sustainable development and evidently, their emission will increase from current levels. The actual level of these emissions will strongly depend on the development path that these countries chose to pursue. Some developing countries are already taking action that limits their emissions and produces co-benefits, and there is a great scope to take advantage of synergies between development and climate policies.

In addition to mitigation, adaptation will continue to be important, since it will be impossible to prevent some of the impacts of climate change. The EU is actively supporting developing countries in their efforts to counter adverse effects of climate change. We urge other developed countries to do the same.

Responsibility for further action post 2012 should be governed by the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and be mindful of countries differing "capabilities". Developed countries will need to continue to demonstrate leadership in tackling emissions. The European Union believes that emission reductions for developed countries of greater magnitude than those included in the Kyoto protocol are necessary.

A process will be needed through which a formal dialogue can be conducted. The European Union looks forward to an early dialogue, and to listening to the views and ideas of other Parties. The aim of this early dialogue is to prepare future negotiations on a multilateral framework that will be based on the Convention and build on the Kyoto protocol and which will involve all countries in line with their responsibilities and capabilities. The EU would like these preparations to begin and to be completed before the start of the first commitment period in 2008.

Mr. Chairperson,

The European Union reaffirms its commitment to substantially increase the global share of renewable energy in the total energy supply and welcomes the outcomes of the International Conference for Renewable Energies held in Bonn, Germany, in June 2004. The Conference set the course for promoting faster expansion of renewable energies for sustainable development and for providing access to energy especially for the poor. In its political Declaration, 154 governments declared their common aim of deriving a large proportion of energy needs in the future from renewable energies. The International Action Programme which compiles about 200 voluntary actions and commitments by governments, international organizations, NGOs, businesses and other stakeholders to promote renewable energies and enhanced energy efficiency confirms this will. In relation to this the EU would like to confirm that it is moving ahead with its Energy Initiative for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development, thereby helping to provide access to energy, especially for the poor.

The European Union would like to draw attention to the World Conference on Energy for Development, to be held in the Netherlands in December 2004. The overall objective of this conference is to achieve sustainable energy policies in developing countries based on the WSSD implementation plan.

Desertification

Unsustainable land use and poverty remain matters for urgent attention especially in Africa, where the consequences of desertification have included increasing tensions between peoples leading to conflict. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and its Committee for the Review of the Convention will review the implementation of the Convention with a focus on Africa in the beginning of 2005. The intended analysis of underlying causes of desertification and the translation in approaches, policies and activities is very important and provides valuable insights. However desertification and poverty cannot be combated only by means of technical analysis and policy development. Strong political commitment by all parties, affected as well as developed, is urgent. The impact on the ground of the Convention to Combat Desertification on sustainable land use and poverty eradication needs to be strengthened as well as the faith by the parties in the functioning of the Convention and its bodies.

There is a strong need for reform in the functioning of the Convention and its subsidiary bodies if the parties are to continue to see it as a relevant means for tackling the problem of desertification. Despite the number of persisting misunderstandings and differences on institutional matters between affected parties and developed countries and with the intent of avoiding any further delay in the implementation of the UNCCD, more than ever focussed and well targeted action is needed now.

Biodiversity

The European Union is very concerned about the continuing alarming rate of overall loss of biodiversity at global level, which threatens to undermine the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The EU strongly welcomes the outcomes of the seventh ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. We especially appreciate the focus at COP 7 on the achievement of the 2010 target of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss and urge all countries to take their responsibility to move from the policy development phase to concrete implementation. The EU welcomes the Programme of Work adopted at COP 7 on Protected Areas and is committed to implement them. The three objectives of the CBD are closely inter-linked with the concepts of sustaining life, sustaining livelihoods, poverty eradication, the promotion of human health and sustainable development and are therefore essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In this respect we welcome the agreement at COP 7 on a core set of biodiversity indicators to be tested, identified or developed in order to monitor the progress towards the 2010 target.

The EU also welcomes the key decisions made at the first meeting of the parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (MOP 1) for the purpose of giving operational effect to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Protocol is now well up and running and is the key international legally-binding instrument in the area of biosafety and the safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. The EU strongly supports its full and effective implementation. The EU stresses the need for countries to ratify the Cartagena Protocol and non-Parties should adhere to the objectives of the Protocol.

Mr. Chairperson,

UNEP

The European Union remains committed to strengthening International Environmental Governance as part of broader efforts to strengthen the overall institutional structure for sustainable development. The European Union is of the view that this should build on existing structures, particularly UNEP. We welcome progress towards the full implementation of the package of reforms agreed at Cartagena in 2002, and reaffirmed at WSSD. Such strengthening could also lead to the upgrading of UNEP into a specialised UN agency with a broadly based mandate on environmental matters. The European Union believes that deliberations on improved international environmental governance should result in a strengthened UNEP, where all countries are entitled to participate on an equal basis and enjoy full ownership of the programme. So the EU welcomes the Report of the Secretary General on the issue of establishing universal membership of the UNEP Governing Council.

Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF). The EU is actively pursuing the establishment of universal membership, while recognising that, for the purposes of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of decision-making of UNEP, this should be combined with the establishment of an efficient management mechanism, such as an executive board. The EU would like to acknowledge the progress that has been made on the Intergovernmental Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building. As the Chairman of the High-Level Working Group has stated, there is need for a more coherent, internally coordinated approach in order to transform the demand existing in developing countries into a set of strategic priorities and approaches that focus on required financial and technical linkages and assistance in a more strategic manner. While the framework underpinning the Strategic plan should be system-wide and thus foresee close cooperation with agencies and programmes such as UNDP, the Strategic plan itself should focus more on the role of UNEP as the leading global environmental authority. Ultimately, the Strategic Plan is a key element in a coherent implementation of the environment dimension of sustainable development within the UN system.

SIDS

The European Union has a long history of cooperation with many of the Small Island Developing States which has made the EU conscious of the special environmental and developmental difficulties that SIDS are facing. For the EU, the Mauritius Meeting coming January is more than just a ten-year review of a programme of action. Since the adoption of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA), the World has changed considerably. The concerns of the BPOA are still valid and emphasis on climate change and biodiversity loss more urgent than ever. However, there is also a need to look at the new challenges SIDS are facing like those imposed by globalization, HIV/AIDS, migration and terrorism. The EU is confident that the strategy for further implementation of the BPoA will provide a strong answer to these challenges and would like to use this opportunity to acknowledge all the progress that has been made in the preparations for Mauritius Meeting so far.

Mr. Chairperson,

World Conference on Disaster Reduction

Ten years after the Yokohama conference, human and economic losses continue to mount despite the efforts of the international community. As we move on into a new millennium the challenges facing us in relation to disaster reduction are enormous. Natural disasters claim the lives of tens of thousands each year. While the international community must respond to the human suffering and physical devastation brought about by natural disasters, all stakeholders must seek to address the fundamental causes of these disasters, in all their diversity. It is for this reason that the European Union welcomes the forthcoming World Conference on Disaster Reduction to be held in Japan next January. The Conference will provide a valuable opportunity to reinvigorate the dialogue and discussion on all aspects of natural disaster reduction and is foreseen to look into and take into account the outcome of the tenth conference of parties on climate change.

UN-Habitat

At the World Urban Forum, recently held in Barcelona, it was once again stressed that sustainable development goals will not be achieved without taking into account the process of rapid urbanization. In the remaining period to achieve target 11 of MDG 7, the urban population in the South will grow six or seven times faster than the rural population. In this period the number of slum dwellers will increase from nearly one billion to two billion.

These developments will have substantial impact on the way we, the international community, need to face sustainable development challenges. Cities will play an even stronger role as the "engines of growth", but at the same time they will increasingly become mass consumers of natural resources creating an enormous pressure on both surrounding and global ecosystems. We will need to sensitize our policies so that we can meet these challenges. This will demand political will, for successful policies are not just a matter of 'know how' and financial resources. Without the will to adjust our policies, urban centers will face impoverishment and pollution instead of growth. In view of this urgency, the European Union will publish a document called "Towards Sustainable Urban Development" in the beginning of 2005.

As UN-Habitat has its Governing Council scheduled at the same time as CSD13 it is important to find forms for introducing decisions taken at the GC into CSD13. It is clear to all that we face strong challenges. The EU is committed to the sustainable development agenda and will continue to strive for an implementation oriented outcome of CSD13.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

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• Consultation launched to prepare for review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy (30/7/2004)
• EU Presidency Statement - Resources Mobilisation and Enabling Environment for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development, ECOSOC (29/6/2004)
• First Environment Policy Review to protect the environment and promote sustainable development (3/12/2003)