15 December 2010: The Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), Sha Zukang, and Co-Chair of the Conference, John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), briefed delegates on the UNCSD preparatory process at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 15 December 2010.

Ashe reported that, since the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) in May 2010, the UNCSD Bureau has held eight meetings, agreed on the organization of work for the first Intersessional Meeting on 10-11 January 2011, and held a dialogue with representatives of UN system agencies.

On the preparation of documents, Sha reported that an advance “synthesis report” has been prepared, based on input from member States and others. He said that it is “lopsided,” due to limited input from developing countries, and indicated that its formal submission has been postponed until the second PrepCom in March 2011 to allow for additional input. He noted that the other conference document underway is a report of the Secretary-General.

On coordination of the UN system’s contributions, Sha said existing mechanisms are being used, including the “troika” of the Executive Committee of Economic and Social Affairs (ECESA), the UN Development Group (UNDG) and the UN Environment Management Group (EMG). He reported on a meeting of the ECESA, and said the priorities identified by the principals of relevant UN system agencies include: access to energy, urbanization, food security, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. In addition, he said the principals expect UNCSD to build on Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Programme of Implementation (JPOI), and they view the event as an opportunity to enhance linkages between goals on climate change, the Millennium Development Goals and the sustainable development agenda.

On regional preparations, Sha said they are being led by the regional commissions within the framework of ECESA and by two Bureau members. On national preparations, Sha said developing countries need more support to build their capacity to participate. He noted that he has urged agencies with country-level presence to provide assistance. On Major Groups, he said liaising with Major Groups has been assigned to two Bureau members, and that the Bureau is planning a dialogue with financial institutions and the business sector. On host country preparations, Sha said a proposal from the Government of Brazil on date, venue, and other programming details is anticipated.

On the organization of the Conference Secretariat, Sha announced that the Secretariat is now fully functional. He said the role of the recently appointed Executive Coordinators will be to mobilize resources and political support, reach out to regions and major groups, participate in expert group meetings and engage with host countries.

On the participation of developing countries, Sha commented that sustainable development is for all, but particularly for developing countries and the most vulnerable. He announced contributions from several governments to the UNCSD Trust Fund, to enable developing countries’ participation in the preparatory process and the Conference itself.

On the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP), Sha emphasized that it and the UNCSD are two separate processes; while the UNCSD is an intergovernmental process led by UN member States, the GSP is a group of individuals set up by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He said the two may be invited to brief each other, but cannot speak on each other’s behalf. [IISD RS sources] [Statement of Sha Zukang] [Organization of Work for first UNCSD Intersessional Meeting] [Conference Website]