Mr. Chairman,
Can we, sincerely, tell young people
today to have confidence in the future? Yes – the programmes, the knowledge and
activities around the world promoting sustainable development are indeed impressive as is
average economic growth. No – at the same time, serious challenges confront us today,
including:
growing gaps between rich and poor
lack of access to clean water
unequal and unsustainable use of energy
increasing health problems caused by
environmental degradation
financial instability as a result of
globalisation – combined with a lack of political instruments to manage a sustainable
global economy
Eight years after the Rio Conference, and
28 years after the Stockholm Conference, Global Environment Outlook 2000 tells us in blunt
terms that key trends are still pointing in the wrong direction despite progress that has
been made. Yet, in 1997 we all pledged to demonstrate greater measurable progress by the
year 2002.
First, we must ensure that the assessment
and ten-year review of Agenda 21 at CSD 10 will indeed be transparent, frank and honest.
Second, this should be followed by a forward-looking and bold event that will ensure that
concrete and tangible steps for the implementation and financing of Agenda 21 will
actually be taken. Sustainable development is a question of survival to be accorded even
greater importance than traditional security policy. We know what has to be done. It is
time to do it.
For this to become a reality, there must
be a strong mobilisation of commitment all over the world and at all levels. Several steps
need to be taken. Among them, it is now time for the young generation to be actively
invited and involved in this undertaking.
Furthermore, Sweden supports the Global
Compact initiated by the Secretary-General a year ago, challenging the international
business community to implement universal values in the areas of human rights, environment
and labour. It is not only in the long-term interest of companies to contribute towards
sustainable development, but there is also an increasing realisation that this can yield
immediate benefits in terms of market shares and consumer confidence.
An active involvement of civil society
and the business sector in the 2002 process and its follow-up is a prerequisite for
success. Before then, the United Nations and Member States should initiate a variety of
pilot projects and partnership arrangements with the private sector and civil society. The
Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Malmö, Sweden, in the end of May will provide an
opportunity to explore these issues further.
The national strategies for sustainable
development that should be implemented by 2005 will be key components in the preparations
for 2002. At the regional level, the European Union will prepare a long-term strategy for
sustainable development to be ready for adoption in little more than a year from now.
The proposed World Summit on Sustainable
Development should have a strong focus on poverty and the environment, the main challenge
facing us together with the threats against the global ecosystems such as climate change.
The Summit should advance sustainable consumption and production. The links between
environment and security now merit high level political attention. The Summit should also,
in my view, recommend concrete measures to ensure global financial stability and increased
global equality. In addition, a few urgent sectoral issues such as fresh water, health and
energy should be focused upon for concrete action. A gender perspective should permeate
all aspects of the preparatory process and the Summit itself.
The experience after Rio demonstrates
clearly that the present fragmentation of the global institutional structure for
sustainable development does not serve our common interests. There are some bright spots.
We applaud the revitalisation of UNEP under Dr. Töpfer´s leadership. However, there is a
need for further reform towards a more coherent and effective global institutional
structure for sustainable development.
Yes – we can tell young people and
ourselves to have confidence in the future, if we now do what we all know has to be done.
Permanent
Mission of Sweden to the United Nations