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| UN Commission on Sustainable DevelopmentSince its inception in 1992 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the United Nations’ Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) has provided a focal point for worldwide deliberative discussions on critical sustainability issues. By promoting the idea that whatever we do today must respect our future need for a healthy environment, the annual CSD meetings seek to influence development programming around the world. In 2003, CSD members adopted a number of reforms including a two-year cycle of coverage, with the first serving as a review year for sharing best practices and assessing progress, and the second offered as a policy year in which recommendations and goals are negotiated. During each cycle, selected topics are chosen for discussion. For example, CSD 14 and 15 (2006 and 2007) focused on water. The current cycle, CSD 16 and 17 (2008 and 2009), covers agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa. In 2010 and 2011, the focus will be on chemicals, waste management, mining, and production and consumption patterns. Over the years, the U.S. has helped shape the CSD process through a strong interest in focusing on results that are really making a difference. For the last several years, we have showcased many examples of US-supported programs that are having on-the-ground impacts. Our involvement in CSD – through case studies, sharing of best practices, learning events and the like - draws on expertise from across the federal government and from a wide variety of interested civil society stakeholders and partners. For further general information on CSD visit the following site - UN CSD website. UN Commission on Sustainable Development 16-17CSD-16 Policy Review Year ( May 2007-May 2008)CSD 16 culminated in a two-week meeting (May 5-16, 2008) at the UN headquarters in New York to present findings. The American delegation was led by the Department of State, with participation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD, and other agencies. The U.S. government’s core messages were offered in prepared remarks on four thematic discussions: small islands developing states, water, desertification and land. We emphasized the crucial role that science, education, outreach, empowerment, cooperative efforts, and information technology play in enabling sustainable approaches within the U.S. and overseas. We illustrated our points with numerous case studies of on-the-ground programs – often partnerships - were positively affecting peoples’ lives. Our messages were reiterated through more detailed discussions we hosted as at sessions outside of the formal deliberations. Our National Report also contained nearly 400 links to web-based information on CSD-relevant U.S.-sponsored programs at home and abroad. We also participated in discussions of progress towards increasing worldwide access to safe water, and participated in discussions about the sustainable development concerns of Small Island Developing States. Climate change and biofuels were also actively discussed throughout the meetings. For day to day coverage of the May, 2008 CSD 16 meeting, visit http://www.iisd.ca/csd/csd16/ --05/12/08 Thematic Discussion: Small Islands Developing States; Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; UN Commission on Sustainable Development 16-17; Washington, DC CSD-17 Policy Session (May 2008 – 2009)CSD 17 continues with the CSD 16 themes, but now with a focus on negotiating aspirations and goals. Important events during the year include an Intergovernmental Prepatory Meeting at the UN in New York City Feb 23-27, 2009, and a final negotiation session in New York City May 4-15, 2009. In preparation for CSD 17, the State Department holds stakeholder meetings to exchange information with interested representatives from American civil society organizations; all are welcome to attend these sessions in person or by phone. Send us an email [larewhg@state.gov; hollandkj@state.gov] if you would like to be added to our list. As plans for CSD progress, additional information will be posted. Other Relevant Links:
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