|
The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) is being held from August 26 to September 4, 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The year 2002 marks the ten-year anniversary of the 'Earth Summit' held in Rio de Janeiro. One of the objectives of the upcoming summit is to evaluate the ten years that have passed since Rio; accordingly, this summit has been dubbed 'Rio+10'.
Click here to link to the official United Nations website for WSSD, which explains the preparatory process currently under way in each of the participating countries.
Rio introduced to the world the idea that development should consider all not only economic aspects but also environmental and social. It was the first real understanding of the importance of economic development, and of the role that business must play in improving the world.
Topics that are being closely monitored by the business community include:
- Access to markets;
- Access to finance, including foreign investment;
- Technology transfer;
- Poverty eradication and debt relief.
How is the business community preparing for the World Summit? At the international level, businesses are participating in multi-stakeholder dialogue groups leading up the summit. A statement released after the first preparatory meeting asserted that businesses must consider the three 'I's:innovation, investment, and implementation. These are three areas in which business can actively contribute to sustainable development.
At the local level, a 'Business Coordinating Forum' (BCF) has been set up to co-ordinate and promote business initiatives in preparation for the summit. Forum chairman Tokyo Sexwale represents the myriad businesses that are funding this huge event. The forum has acknowledged the need to support the government by helping out financially in the preparations.
Business Action for Sustainable Development
'Business Action for Sustainable Development' was launched in April 2001 jointly by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Its objective is to ensure that business plays a full role in the summit preparations, and in the summit dialogue itself.
At the inaugural meeting of BASD, held in Paris in October 2001, business leaders came together to further discuss the role that business should be playing in the preparations for the summit. One of the aims of the meeting was to determine the best way to ensure that business interests are properly represented, and to devise a plan for representing business in Johannesburg. One of the outcomes was a decision to support grassroots development projects in Africa as the 'legacy' to leave in Africa after the Summit.
The WBCSD Business Case
Published by the World Business Counsel for Sustainable Development, the WBCSD Business Case aims to set the stage for changing business practices. The WBCSD believes that business can operate sustainably while still being commercially successful by addressing ten 'building blocks' for sustainable development.
Nordic Partnership
In September 2001, the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and Mandag Morgen, with sponsorship from 15 Nordic corporations, formed the Nordic Partnership. A key event for the alliance will be the Nordic Partnership Conference, scheduled for spring 2002. This event will promote a new approach to business: the 'Business Model for Sustainable Development'. The findings of the conference will be taken to Johannesburg.
UNECE
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has identified several priority areas to be addressed at the Johannesburg sSummit. These include poverty eradication, management of natural resources, and the financing of sustainable development initiatives.
The planned outcome is a 'Global Deal' in which all participating countries will agree to address these issues and to help find solutions. The role of business is at the forefront of the summit preparations. It is acknowledged that more effort is needed in this area by business and industry.
Click here for a ministerial statement on the Johannesburg summit, issued by the UNECE on September 25, 2001.
|
