October 2011: The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP) has held its fourth meeting (GSP 4), at which the first full draft of its report was discussed. Three “anchor areas” have emerged from the Panel’s work, which will provide a framework for its final recommendations.

The Panel members met on 18-19 September 2011, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. In addition to their internal discussions they also held informal consultations with civil society leaders on 18 September and with private sector CEOs on 19 September.

The Panel members confirmed that following the first two sections – “where we are now” and “where we want to be” – their report will present concrete ideas for a way forward. These ideas are likely to be clustered around three areas: a sustainable economy; lifestyles and livelihoods; and institutions and accountability.

In consultation with the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the co-Chairs of the Panel plan to hold an interactive briefing for UN member States on 20 October 2011, to share emerging key points of the report and receive States’ feedback.

The Panel’s final meeting (GSP 5) will take place on 13-14 December 2011. Its final report will be handed over to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a launch ceremony in January 2012. [IISD RS Sources]