UN Commission on Sustainable Development Opens in New York

On 3 May, the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) began its 18th session at UN Headquarters in New York. The session, which will run until 14 May, will focus on potential ways for finding equilibrium between economic development and growth, and environmental preservation. The Commission will debate new and more environmentally-friendly approaches to and technologies in development, as well as more sustainable consumer lifestyles. The session marks a new two-year cycle that will review waste management, transport, chemicals, mining and the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

Given the growing concerns about consumption trends and their adverse effects on the environment, food supply and health, the 18th session of the CSD is being convened very pertinently. Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, told the Commission, “Changing unsustainable consumption patterns is critical to maintaining our planet’s ecological balance. If we are going to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), address climate change and ensure every person is given a fair chance for a better future, we need to seriously change the way we consume the Earth’s resources.”

On the first day of the session, officials and representatives of Member States and organizations recognized and emphasized the urgent need to fulfil commitments to preserve the earth’s resources while building a better life for all. Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, noted that “with an ever-increasing global population and its inherent and far-reaching challenges, we must accelerate our efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and to meet our commitments to future generations.” The participants further highlighted the urgent plight of Small Island Developing States (SIDS); the importance of adequate support for waste management in developing countries; and the need for responsiveness to national priorities and circumstances.

Speaking on behalf of the nine Major Groups – Business & Industry, Farmers, Indigenous People, Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organizations, the Scientific and Technological Community, Women, Workers and Trade Unions, and Youth & Children, a civil society representative warned against an over-reliance on technological advances and called for a shift to a “sustainable and fair economy” model which would reflect a more responsible and interconnected position towards nature.

First Preparatory Committee for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (17-19 May) Following the 18th session of the Commission, the first Preparatory Committee in the run-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, also referred to as Rio+20, will meet from 17 – 19 May to discuss the substantive themes of the Conference, the progress to date and remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits in the area of sustainable development.

For more information about the Commission on Sustainable Development, please click here

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides daily coverage of the Commission.

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