The
WSSD, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa,
August 26-September 4, 2002, signified a renewed commitment
by the international community to address the key
issue of sustainable development through further understanding
of the critical interlinkages between the three pillars
of sustainable development – environmental protection,
social equity, and economic development. Representatives
from both governments and major groups expressed their
determination to address in an integrated manner the
linkages between poverty, the environment, and the
sustainable use of natural resources through a wide
range of targets and commitments that would ensure
a more effective implementation of sustainable development
at all levels. The 11 chapters of the resulting Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation (JPOI) include a series of
commitments and targets for sustainable development
that recognizes the work of the UNEP throughout, and
contains a series of recommendations that either directly
or indirectly impact the work of UNEP.
The UNEP/NYO has played an important
role in paving the way for the WSSD. The Office has,
in particular, played a key role in facilitating the
negotiations on
international environmental governance, and on
formulating the UNEP Governing
Council’s contribution to the WSSD.
The UNEP/NYO has also had a unique
role in the follow up of WSSD and its outcomes. An
important aspect of the Summit was its understanding
that the implementation of sustainable development
has to include the involvement of civil society. In
this regard UNEP has a long-standing relationship
with the private sector particularly through sectoral
initiatives, industry specific voluntary initiatives,
and codes of conduct. UNEP/NYO has enhanced this work
through its efforts to engage more non-state actors
in UNEPs work and strategies. The outreach
programs organized by the office has targeted
academic institutions, religious groups, civil society,
and the private sector with the goal of providing
focus on the Plan of Implementation, in particular
the goals and targets where UNEP is called upon
to initiate action.
In addition, UNEP/NYO is also is
responsible for participating in UN inter-agency deliberations
to ensure a coordinated, system-wide follow up to
the implementation of the WSSD outcomes.
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