Possible organization of work during the second session of CSD10 acting as the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

ANNEX

Organization of work during the second session of CSD10 acting as the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

(New York 28 January-8 February 2002)

First week

Monday (AM)

Opening of the session; Introductory statement by the Chairman

Adoption of the agenda and organization of work

Accreditation of IGOs and NGOs.

Introduction of the Report of the Secretary-General and other documentation prepared by the Secretariat

Progress reports/results of intergovernmental processes relevant to the Summit, including:

-UNEP's International Environmental Governance; Bonn Conference on Freshwater; other.

Monday (PM)

Results of regional and inter-regional preparatory processes (Africa, Asia, Europe & North America, Latin America & Caribbean, Western Asia, SIDS)

It is suggested that 30 minutes will be devoted to each of the six presenters: 15 minutes for presentation of a report containing the results of regional preparatory processes, followed by 15 minutes for brief comments/reactions from other regions and participants. Presentations should focus on the main themes and priority issues emanating from regional preparatory processes, as well as regional initiatives for the Summit.

Tuesday (AM)

Inputs from the Executive Heads of UN Agencies, financial institutions and Convention secretariats

Inputs from UN agencies and organisations would be organised in the form of short panel-type presentations at the level of Executive Heads, followed by inter-active discussion/Q&A sessions involving delegations, representatives of other organisations and major groups.

In lightof the fact that the assessment by the UN system of progress achieved in the implementation of Agenda 21, along with information on the activities of the UN organizations in the area of sustainable development would be presented in the reports of the Secretary-General and other documents and reports prepared by the UN system, presentations should not describe activities, but give answers (up to 5 minutes) to the following two questions:

1.What in view of your organization is the main challenge of Johannesburg Summit?

2. What would be the main contribution of your organization to the Summit and further work on sustainable development?

Only those agencies and organisations which are directly involved in implementation of Agenda 21 and which will be represented at the level of Executive Heads would be making presentations. Other agencies and organisations would be invited to participate in follow-up discussions, and in the general debate (see below).

Tuesday (PM) Wednesday (all day) and Thursday (AM)

Contributions from major groups organized in the form of a multi-stakeholder dialogue:

Tuesday (PM) Plenary dialogue

Each of the nine major groups will present their assessment of progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 including the provisions of chapters of Agenda 21 dealing with major groups, as well as assessments of their own role in this process, with a focus on major accomplishments and lessons learned. The plenary session will be chaired by the Chairman of the PrepCom,

Wednesday (all day) Two parallel dialogue sessions

Two parallel “dialogue sessions” would focus on lessons learnt and constraints encountered in the implementation of Agenda 21 aiming at identification of possible time-bound measures to foster implementation and overcome constraints, as well as at generating new partnerships and commitments in the lead to the Summit.

Each of the dialogue sessions would be co-chaired)by the 2 Vice-Chairs of CSD10 Bureau (Japan and Brazil for one and Jamaica and Czech Republic for another). All nine major groups will be represented in the dialogue sessions. Themes for discussion during the dialogue sessions would be drawn through consultations by respective Vice-Chairs with the organising partners, and using papers currently being co-ordinated by the organising partners through broad consultation with respective major groups (it would be important for these papers to be finalised well in advance).

The Vice-Chairs would report to the closing plenary session on the outcomes of the dialogue session.

Thursday (AM) Closing Plenary Dialogue

A closing plenary session which would allow the Chairman to prepare his summary of the outcome of the dialogues for further consideration by the Preparatory Committee.

The Segment will be designed in a way that would facilitate outputs as described in paper entitled "Contribution of major groups to the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development" (see Attachment).

The following general considerations would apply to the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue sessions:

- There is a need to ensure adequate representation of participants from developing countries on major groups’ delegations during the dialogues

- There is a need to ensure a more interactive nature of the dialogues, which should actively involve in discussion representatives of governments and also provide for a more lively exchange of ideas rather than reading prepared statements.

- The organising partners needed to secure the broadest possible consultation and active participation of major groups from all regions;

- There is a need to increase grass-root involvement in the process, and, at the same time, create additional incentives for major international NGOs to contribute more actively to the dialogues;

- The dialogues should provide for in-depth consideration of the “economic”, “social”, and "environmental" dimensions of sustainable development and for an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach;

- The dialogues should provide an adequate opportunity both for an in-depth review and assessment, as well as for finding practical ways and means of overcoming existing constraints and expediting progress towards sustainable development, in particular possible contribution of the stakeholder themselves to achieving these goals.

- The format has to be attractive to ensure active engagement by governments; and that the outcome of the dialogues should be seen as an important contribution to the intergovernmental process;

- Additional resources needed to be mobilised in support of participation of major groups from developing countries, economies in transition and grass-root organisations.

Thursday (PM) and Friday (All day)

General debate

Delegations could be invited to organize their statements around the main themes of the Report of the Secretary-General and focus on the following:

- Assessment of the implementation of Agenda 21.

- Accomplishments, lessons learnt and constraints

- Recommendations on specific time-bound measures, including with regard to means of implementation, and proposals for new implementation initiatives.

Representatives of international organizations and major groups would participate in the General Debate in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and CSD practice.

Second week

Monday (All day) and Tuesday (All day)

Two parallel meetings of Inter-active Discussion Groups organized as follows:

Monday (a.m.)

Monday (p.m.)

Tuesday (a.m.)

Tuesday (p.m.)

Assessment

Proposals for new implementation initiatives

Main lessons learnt and constraints encountered

Specific time bound measures to overcome constraints

To facilitate discussions on "Specific time bound measures to overcome constraints" and on "Proposals for new implementation initiatives" the Bureau with the assistance of the Secretariat will prepare working papers listing specific proposals and ideas made during the first week of the session.

The goal of Inter-active Discussion Groups would be not to negotiate, but provide an opportunity for in-depth discussion and exchanges of view among delegations, representatives of international institutions and major groups.

After conclusion of deliberations in the Inter-active Discussion Groups, the Chairman, with assistance of the Vice-Chairs who would lead discussion in respective Working Groups, will be preparing a paper, which in accordance with the decision of the organizational session of the PrepCom would focus on a) major accomplishments and lessons learned in the implementation of Agenda 21; b) major constraints hindering the implementation of Agenda 21, and specific time-bound measures to be undertaken, and institutional and financial requirements, and identify the sources of such support. The latter will also include proposals for new implementation initiatives.

Wednesday (AM)

Presentations by South Africa and Indonesia on the state of preparations for the Summit and Ministerial PrepCom (logistical issues)

Wednesday (PM)

Panel on the role of Media in raising awareness regarding sustainable development and the Summit.

Thursday (AM)

Presentation of the Chairman paper.

Delegations study Chairman's paper

Thursday (PM)

Delegations study Chairman's text (continued)

Friday (AM)

Initial comments on the Chairman's text

Note: The revised (in light of comments) draft of the Chairman's document (for transmission to the third session of the Preparatory Committee for further consideration/negotiations) will be circulated during the following week.

Friday (PM)

Any organizational matters that may need to be addressed by the PrepCom

Adoption of the report. Concluding statements. Closure of the session

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