March 2004: The sixth meeting of the Bureau of the twelfth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) took place at UN Headquarters in New York on 19 March 2004.

CSD-12 Chair Brende briefed the Bureau Vice-Chairs on his meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He said the Secretary-General reaffirmed the importance of following up on the World Summit on Sustainable Development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and confirmed that he would address the High-level Segment of CSD-12.

Based on questions raised during discussions between Bureau members and regional groups, the Bureau agreed that the High-level Segment would consist of introductory presentations by eminent speakers, interactive discussions and statements. The Bureau endorsed the Secretariat’s initiative to webcast the discussions at the High-level Segment and other activities, such as the opening of CSD-12 and a selection of thematic and regional discussions, Partnership Fair events and Learning Centre courses. The Bureau decided to hold a briefing on 22 March to communicate the results of its sixth meeting to delegates. The Bureau also decided to hold a meeting to review progress in the informal consultations on matters related to the SIDS preparatory meeting, and to meet with the organizing partners of Major Groups in New York on 18 April to further review the contributions of Major Groups to CSD-12.

More information on the sixth Bureau meeting can be found at: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/csd12/bureau_meeting_6th.htm. An Earth Negotiations Bulletin Briefing Note on the 22 March briefing can be found at: http://enb.iisd.org/csd/csd12/CSD12_Briefing_3.22.04.html