14 May 2011: Delegates at the 19th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 19) met throughout the final night of the two-week meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, US, but concluded without adopting decisions on the CSD 18-19 thematic cluster of issues.

On the final night, delegates were presented with a Chair’s proposed text and also considered convening a resumed session in June, but did not adopt either. As a result, CSD 19 adjourned without adopting policy recommendations on its thematic cluster of transport, chemicals, hazardous waste, mining and the 10-year framework of programmes (10YFP) on sustainable consumption and production (SCP).

At the opening session of the High-level Segment, on 11 May, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged the Commission to “mount a concerted response [and] conclude negotiations” on a 10YFP, and “launch it without delay,” noting that the Framework would be an important contribution to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20).

Janez Potočnik, Commissioner on Environment for the EU, echoed the 10YFP’s importance as a contribution to the UNCSD, which he said could mark the start of a world-wide transition toward a green economy that generates growth, creates jobs and eradicates poverty by investing in the natural capital upon which the planet’s long-term survival depended.

Several other delegations indicated their expectations for the UNCSD. Indonesia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said the UNCSD’s significance was as great as the “original Earth Summit” in 1992. The Conference should not seek to create a new path, but “walk the path we have set in Rio and Johannesburg,” as the “key to unleashing the power sustainable development.” He added that effective institutions are needed for the integration of sustainable development’s three pillars. CSD has filled this role since Rio and should continue in a leading role. Ireland welcomed the increasing focus on a green economy in the preparations for the UNCSD, noting that a green economy is essential for long-term sustainable development that ensures economic growth while creating jobs and reducing poverty. Israel said the vision for the future must be based on a green economy. Montenegro recalled the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) ministerial meeting on energy and sustainable development it hosted in April 2011, which was the first regional preparatory event for the UNCSD, and noted other regional efforts to prepare for the UNCSD. The SEECP meeting resulted in the adoption of the Budva Declaration. Kazakhstan also noted regional preparatory arrangements.

On 13 May, delegations gathered for a Ministerial Dialogue on “moving towards sustainable development— expectations for Rio+20.” Secretary-General Ban said the UNCSD would be “one of the most important global meetings on sustainable development in our time.” A strong 10YFP would provide crucial momentum toward success at the UNCSD. The vision in Rio must be clear: a “sustainable green economy that protects the health of the environment,” while supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through growth in income, decent work and poverty eradication. Finally, as the international community approaches the UNCSD in one year, he said, “our watchwords must be ‘implementation’ and ‘action’.”

On the Conference itself, the EU said Rio+20’s two themes offer a unique opportunity “that we cannot afford to miss” to address current global challenges. Argentina, for the G-77/China, noted that all the subjects discussed by CSD 19 are related in some way to SCP, and are related to the two themes of Rio+20. She said the G-77/China pledged to contribute in every possible way so that the negotiations for Rio+20 constitute progress for all humankind in terms of changing consumption and production patterns to make them sustainable. Brazil pledged, as host of Rio+20, to do all it could to ensure that the Conference “makes a real difference” and involves all member States and stakeholders. He stressed that Rio+20 should not only look back in order to learn lessons, but also look forward to decide on the future we want and are ready to build. Belgium said Rio+20 should take stock of sustainable development efforts, including the decisions from the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCSD, or Rio Earth Summit) and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which have remained unimplemented or cannot find their place in international negotiations. The US looked forward to seeing Rio+20 achieve practical and concrete solutions, while Ghana said the spirit is weak and pace is slow in preparation for Rio+20, and called for a reinvigoration of its preparation. Bolivia and Sudan highlighted need to strengthen the Rio Principles, especially common but differentiated responsibilities. Ethiopia said that poverty and inequity are two main challenges, which should be addressed in Rio. Uzbekistan expressed concern about the environmental effects of dams. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) said Rio+20 provides an opportunity to mobilize political commitment and reported that it is preparing a green growth road map, which will be an input to Rio+20. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) said Rio+20 should strengthen institutions of all three pillars of sustainable development. The NGO Major Group said civil society organizations should be fully involved in the Rio+20 process, and suggested establishing a treaty to evaluate and prevent the risks of new technologies. Business and Industry said Rio+20 should be a catalyst for change. Scientific and Technological Community committed to make significant efforts for Rio+20.

On the institutional framework for sustainable development, one of the two themes of the UNCSD, the EU called for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to be transformed into a specialized agency, which was supported by Italy, and for strengthening the UN Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) role on sustainable development and improving the functioning of the CSD. The US supported strengthening the role of UNEP and Spain called for strengthening international architecture for sustainable development. The Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) cautioned that all structures involved be flexible and promote synergy as much as possible, rather than result in creating new bureaucracies.

China said Rio+20 will provide an important opportunity to strengthen and improve global governance. It also announced its donation of US$500,000 to the trust fund for LDCs’ participation in UNCSD preparations. Belgium supported the EU’s proposal to transform UNEP into a new agency and said ECOSOC also could be reformed. Belgium noted that the UN’s recent system-wide coherence and “Delivering as One” initiatives showed the importance of having a framework for implementation and the global value of national initiatives. Saudi Arabia, with China and South Africa, supported strengthening existing institutions, instead of creating new ones. Ghana said institutions such as UNEP would become more efficient and effective through more synergies and provision of more resources. South Africa said that any institutional framework should enhance coordination and collaboration in implementing the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) targets. Grenada, for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), called for institutional arrangements that are more inclusive and supportive of the needs of islands in global arrangements, and the integration of all UN institutional mechanisms dealing with islands. Algeria, for the African Group, called for accountability and transparency. France highlighted the importance of new indicators and sustainable governance. UNEP said there is a need for a strong UNEP at the global level, as well as strong governance at the national and regional levels.

On a green economy in the context of poverty eradication and sustainable development, the other theme of the Conference, the EU said that to enable the transition toward an inclusive green economy, the right regulatory and market conditions must be put into place, inter alia: removal of environmentally harmful subsidies; the use of fiscal incentives; enhanced access to finance; improved private sector engagement; and involvement of all relevant stakeholders. With Belgium, Switzerland and Spain, he urged the adoption of a UN Green Economy Roadmap that includes a menu of actions, a timetable for implementation, targets and indicators. Switzerland, the US, Spain and Croatia supported transition to a green economy. Italy said green economy is a driving force for achieving sustainable development and for eradicating poverty, and that small- and medium-sized enterprises can play a key role in developing green economy. China said they hope Rio+20 will develop green economy in a way that provides preferential treatment for developing countries in terms of market access, technology transfer and intellectual property rights, while not being used to create new barriers to trade. The Russian Federation, India and Saudi Arabia said that green economy must not be used as a pretext for creating trade barriers. India was wary of focusing “disproportionately” on low-carbon growth and suggested several areas of emphasis, including food, energy, and water security and the regeneration of natural capital. AOSIS suggested that Rio+20 consider the notion of the “blue-green” economy. Senegal and Sudan noted that green economy has not been clearly defined, which also was echoed by Colombia, and said there is a need to know its cost-benefit and possible risks. Senegal suggested that the UNCSD outcome document note the need to avoid protectionism. Algeria, for the African Group, underlined: a sustainable balance between economic growth and environmental protection. Venezuela said they saw an imperialist approach of green capitalism and Bolivia called for greening nature, not money and profit.

UNEP said that green economy is not intended as a trade barrier, but rather to enhance sustainable development and welfare of the people. The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) called attention to the manufacturing sector in implementing green economy and eradicating poverty, and introduced its Green Industry Initiative. Workers and Trade Unions said green economy is needed to help achieve equity and justice, and highlighted creation of green jobs, climate change, food, energy and unemployment. The Farmers Major Group said green economy could exacerbate poverty by integrating farmers into the existing “corporate food regime.” The solution lies, instead, in food sovereignty and giving farmers control over local food systems so they can implement sustainable agricultural patterns.

In addition, the US stressed transparent, inclusive participatory governance and called for inclusion of the private sector. France said at Rio+20, governments must take decisions on three pillars of sustainable development, and Spain and Finland called for their integration. Pakistan stressed that decoupling growth from the use of environmental resources could not take place immediately.[Statement of UN Secretary-General at Opening of HLS] [Statements at HLS Opening Session] [UN Summary of HLS Opening Session] [Statements at Ministerial Dialogue] [Statement of UN Secretary-General at Ministerial Roundtable] [IISD RS Earth Negotiations Bulletin Meeting Coverage and Analysis of CSD 19] [Publication: Report on the 19th Session]