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Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2002
Ensuring sustainable livelihoods:

challenges for governments, corporates, and civil society at Rio+10
8 - 11 February 2002, New Delhi

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8 Feb. 2002 9 Feb. 2002 10 Feb. 2002 11 Feb. 2002
                                   
    9 February 2002: Plenary session 3

    Governance structures and processes for sustainable development
  

                                
Chairperson

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Ms Elsbeth Tronstad
State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Norway

 

          
Speaker

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Mr C Dasgupta
Distinguished Fellow, TERI

"There is a need for better coordination between environmental organizations."

 

           
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Dr Aminul Huq
Principal Project Engineer, Asian Development Bank, Philippines

"Good governance ensures minimal corruption and optimum resource utilization."

 

 

 

 

                              
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Mr Shafqat Kakakhel
Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi

"The private sector must not be the major source of problem, but a major source of the solution."

 

 

           
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Mr Alain Lambert
Senior Advisor, Environment and Development Cooperation, Ramsar Convention Bureau, Switzerland

"The problem is not that there is no money but that this money is not properly distributed; it seldom reaches the poor."

 

     

                  
Speaker

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Mr Gilbert Parent
Ambassador for the Environment, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada

"All countries must develop institutions that pursue sustainable development issues. Sustainable development must become a reality in our daily lives."


 

           
Speaker
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Mr Farooq Sobhan
Former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh

"In terms of sustainable human development, 10 years after Rio, our situation is definitely worse."


 

                                       
Session summary

      

Numerous global environmental agreements exist, but without a common approach andgovernance structure. The lack of appreciation/integration of environmental concerns in economic policy making reflects in the failure of the development process to take into account issues of sustainability, especially environmental. The reasons cited include structural weaknesses; lack of cultural sensitivity; lack of attention to economic concerns (poverty alleviation and market failures); serious political roadblocks in developed/ developing countries; and financial limitations.

Consequently, the North–South divide has widened. The failure of translating Rio’s recommendations into actual capital flows from North to South has resulted in the perception that developed countries lack the political will to financially commit themselves to sustainable development.

The argument traditionally put forth to explain the lack of sufficient emphasis on environmental issues in broader policy encompasses drawbacks like the absence of (1) a coordinating framework like a World Environmental Organization and (2) adequate financing for ‘green’ initiatives. Better coordination between stakeholders, including international environmental institutions, private and public sectors, and civil society is crucial to ensure the integration of environmental, economic, and social concerns. Since good governance must catalyse such synergy, it should be accepted as the fourth pillar of sustainability.

One deliverable at the WSSD should certainly be larger funding for environmental agencies. However, aid can only supplement other resources and catalyse actions. More than a financing option, it is indeed a necessity to facilitate reforms. Multilateral institutions must be sensitized and private sector funds should be leveraged. The role of innovative financing mechanisms, like the clean development mechanism and Tobin Tax, is critical. Indeed, there is increased emphasis on private sector participation in the WSSD—a step up from Rio. Environmental accountability must be ensured in private investment flows. In the post-Rio scenario, this has been highlighted by re-emphasizing the need for ‘good governance’, not just institutional reforms. In competitive markets, governments must introduce effective regulatory measures to correct market failures and ensure social sustainability in a transparent, participatory manner.

Decision-making processes must be decentralized and participatory but in tandem with rapid globalization and attendant environmental concerns. Legislative and regulatory frameworks must be supported by appropriate incentive structures. This calls for good governance at the local, national, regional, and global levels. Apart from greater capital flows into developing countries, the potential of greater labour flows from the developing world could be considered to improve productivity in both the worlds. Lack of cultural sensitivity and of concern for poverty alleviation is important. Environmental agencies worldwide must facilitate overall development rather than limit efforts to their focus areas. Broad use of an environment and development fund would help tackle such problems.

The expectations from the Rio process must be tempered and rationalized. We hope that the WSSD would focus the attention of key policy-makers on real issues of sustainability; provide a forum for truly coordinated decision making; and further the understanding of policy planners and civil society towards ensuring genuine, universal sustainable development.