The WSSD Process: Commission on Sustainable Development in NY in 2001, the PrepComI PrepComs II, III, IV in NY, NY and Bali, as well as many other preparatory meetings since the UNCED (UNConf. on Environment and Development) in Rio in 1992. PrepComIVConf: In terms of process, the Bali conference dealt in the main with negotiations by the official delegations of the Chairman’s Text which is the gist of the WSSD review of Rio, programme of action, and implementation arrangements. This text is based on the global, regional, and national reviews of progress since Rio in the sustainable development agenda. Running parallel to these official negotiations were the multi-stakeholders dialogue where representatives of global civil society through some nine major groups and others shared their views on evaluating Rio outcomes, comment on progress of Agenda 21 implementation to date, and more importantly how they wish the process move forward from Bali pushing for a meaningful and value-added outcome from the WSSD in Johannesburg later in August/September 2002. The nine major groups included NGOs, Youth, Women, Indigenous Peoples, Business, Local Governments, Science and Technology, Agriculture and Farmers, and Trade Unions. There were also plenary sessions, numerous side events, caucus meetings, discussions in contact groups, informal plenary meetings, press conferences, corridor discussions, interest group caucuses, country alliances, geographical representations, and countless one-to-one meetings all feeding in to the Bali process. The Draft Plan of Implementation Negotiated by three working groups, contact groups, ‘in-the-corridor’ consultation’, informal plenary, and high-level ministerial consultation with inputs from the multi-stakeholders dialogue, this is expected to be the main outcome of the Summit. The consolidated text has the most contentious issues of energy, oceans, biodiversity, finance and trade, good governance, globalization, partnerships, and sustainable development initiatives for Africa. I. Introduction: This reaffirms the UNICED (10 years ago in Rio) outputs and acknowledges that the implementation should benefit all and that good governance, peace, security and stability are essential to achieve sustainable development. The most contentious issues here include respect of human rights, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (cbdr) in international cooperation, importance of having an ethical framework for SD, good governance, and measures that contravene the UN Charter. II. Poverty Eradication: This is the greatest global challenge and addresses the MDG objectives of halving of poverty for those with income of less than $1 per day by 2015 as well as those without access to safe drinking water which are not yet resolved. Other issues still contentious are the establishing of an international solidarity fund for eradicating poverty, improving indigenous peoples access to economic opportunities, access to reliable and affordable energy, increase of income generating employment opportunities, and others. There has been agreement however on  actions at all levels aimed at poverty eradication, industrial contribution to poverty eradication, and international cooperation to assist developing countries address child labour and its root causes. III. Changing Unsustainable Patterns of Production and Consumption:  This section addresses issues of consumption and production, energy, transportation, and chemical and hazardous wastes. Here there is difficulty in the principle of cbdr, enhancing corporate environmental and social responsibility and accountability, trade-distorting subsidies, development of a 10-year work programme to improve resource efficiency, targets for renewable, phasing out energy subsidies, and public-private partnerships on energy for Sustainable Development, Millennium Development Goals, the use of targets and timeframes for access to energy, transition to liquid and gaseous fossil fuel, and use of cleaner technologies. Transportation was agreed in its entirety after discussions on reducing Green House Gases gas emissions by developed countries and delegates accepted language on reducing adverse health effects and safe and affordable transportation. Agreement on Waste was reached prioritizing development of systems and infrastructure for waste prevention and minimization, reuse, recycling and environmentally sound disposal. On Chemicals, despite difficulties in the term ‘chemicals’ with reference to toxic and hazardous, target dates, the precautionary principle, the delegates agreed to specify reference to the Basel Convention with the only unresolved issue being the precautionary principle and approach. IV. Protection and Managing of the Natural Resource Base of Economic and Social Development: This section elaborates issues on water, oceans, disaster management, climate change, agriculture, desertification, mountains, tourism, biodiversity, forests, and mining. Several issues that cut across the text were dealt with collectively such as the precautionary principle, the Rio cbdr principle, timelines, provision of technical and financial support, and new and additional resources. On water resources there were difficulties on the MDG re 2015 reference to halving those without access to sanitation, use of satellite for water management, targets, and reference to the precautionary principle and approach. Agreed to was coordination on water issues, support on efficient, cost-effective and environment-friendly programmes in developing countries on sea water desalinization, and water harvesting from coastal fogs. On Oceans, problems remain on UNCLOS implementation, sustainable and equitable fisheries, and the rights of developing coastal states in the allocation of highly migratory fish stocks. Compromise was reached on marine protected areas, elimination of subsidies contributing to illegal and unreported fishing, invasive species in ballast water, transport of radioactive waste, and the application of the ecosystem approach. On disaster management, delegates could not reach agreement on supporting the establishment of institutional support whilst there was agreement to an integrated approach to address vulnerability, risk and disaster management, as well as early warning systems. On climate change, entry into force of the Kyoto protocol is still bracketed whilst there was agreement on satellite use for atmospheric observation, assessing impacts of air pollution, and language on assessing ‘the’ (not ‘adverse’ of ‘any’) effects of climate change. On agriculture, divergence arose on phasing out of export subsidies, illicit use of crops, improving market access, ratification of international treaties, integrated land management, land and water use rights, market-based incentives for agricultural enterprises, and protection of indigenous resource management systems and role of women in rural agriculture. On desertification, the use of GEF as the financial mechanism for the UNCCD is still outstanding whilst there is agreement in strengthening and mobilization of resources for the implementation of UNCCD, and providing local access to information to improve monitoring and early warning for desertification and drought. On mountains, the text was agreed to quickly and includes reference to vulnerability of mountain ecosystems, gender-sensitive policies to address inequality facing mountain communities, and promote traditional mountain economies. On tourism, this too was accepted without controversy calling for programmes to increase participation and eco-tourism, enable indigenous and local communities to benefit from eco-tourism, technical assistance to developing countries for sustainable tourism business development, and reference to supporting the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. On biodiversity, five contested issues were the 2005 target for reduction in biodiversity loss, benefit sharing from biodiversity by local people, the creation of an international regime to effectively promote and safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits, recognize the rights of indigenous communities as holders of traditional knowledge, and the relationship between the CBD and WTO to enhance synergy and mutual supportiveness. On forests, delegates accepted the multiple benefits of both natural and planted forests and trees, sustainable forest management involving partnerships among governments and stakeholders, transfer of environmental sound technologies, addressing unsustainable harvesting of timber, and implementing the CBD and forest biodiversity. On mining, the text is clean supporting efforts to address the environmental, economic, health, and social impacts and benefits of mining, minerals and metals. V. Sustainable Development in a Globalizing World. This is perhaps the most difficult part of the draft plan where there is still unresolved text going to Joahnnesburg. It contains provisions on sound macro-economic policies, the multilateral trading and financial systems, trade-related assistance and capacity building programmes, foreign direct investments, and corporate responsibility and accountability. Whilst there was some agreement on promotion of a rules-based trading system that benefits all countries, and enhanced capacity for developing countries to benefit from liberalized trade opportunities, differences remained on the Doha Declaration, subsidies, the Monterrey Consensus implementation, good governance, contribution of the WTO, the precautionary principle, sustainable trade, international agreements on human rights, environment and labour standards, assistance to developing countries to promote impact assessments, as well as government support for private industry, financial market regulation, assistance from financial institutions that improve access, accuracy, timeliness and coverage of information on countries and financial markets. VI Health and Sustainable Developement Delegates agreed on a number of issues such as environment-health linkages, UNGASS-Children, traditional medicine and knowledge, intellectual property protection systems, health care services, promote preservation, development and use of effective traditional medicine knowledge and practices where appropriate in combination with modern medicine, launch international capacity building initiatives as appropriate that assess heath and environment linkages, improve access to sufficient, safe, culturally acceptable and nutritionally adequate food, mobilize adequate public  and private financial resources for research and development on diseases of the poor, support the phasing out of lead in gasoline, and assist developing countries in providing affordable energy to rural communities. Issues left outstanding include WTO agreement on Trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and public health, and reference to health care system to deliver health services for all consistent with national laws and cultural and religious values. VII. Sustainable Development of SIDS: Contentious issues include UNCLOS , sustainable fisheries management, and elaboration of specific initiatives ‘in defining and’ managing where appropriate the ‘extended’ continental shelf areas. Agreed text include action at all levels to reduce, prevent and control waste and pollution and their health-related impacts, work to ensure SIDS are taken cared on in the ongoing negotiations of WTO work programme on trade and economies, develop community-based initiatives on sustainable tourism, assist SIDS in mobilizing adequate resources and partnerships for their adaptation needs relating to the adverse effects of climate change, sea level rise and climate variability, strengthen ongoing efforts on energy supply and services,  support SIDS develop capacity and strengthen health care services and health systems, and undertake a full and comprehensive review of the Barbados Programme of Action in 2004. VIII. Sustainable Development for Africa: Prolonged debate ensued on references to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and globalization, limited benefits from international trade, declining ODA, the Tokyo International Conference of African Development, protection of human rights, competitiveness in global markets, energy initiatives, market access, and climate change. Agreed paragraphs refer to actions at all level to create an enabling environment, support the implementation of NEPAD , enhance industrial productivity and diversity of African countries, enhance the contribution of the industrial sector, in particular mining minerals and metal, provide technical and financial support to strengthen capacity of African countries to undertake legislative policy and institutional reform and for reforestation and reforestation and to implement the UNCCD , deal with natural disasters and conflicts, promote integrated water resources development and optimize upstream and downstream benefits, achieve improved sustainable agricultural productivity and food security, achieve sound management of chemicals, bridge the digital divide and create digital opportunity on access to infrastructure and technology transfer. IX. Means of Implementation: Most contentious, this section contains sub-sections on trade and finance, technology transfer, role of scientific community, education, capacity building, and information for decision making. All references to ‘actions at all levels’ are bracketed as well as references to the precautionary principle, new and additional resources, global public goods, paragraphs on indicators, strategic environmental assessment, sustainability assessment, technology transfer, and role of scientific community. The finance and trade sub-section dealt with issues of debt, WTO and Doha agreement implementation, market access, trade liberalization, elimination of tariffs and subsidies, as well as measures to address international terrorism and the removal of obstacles to the realization of people’s rights to self-determination. Concerns were raised on mechanism to deal with debts other than HIPC , access to markets for developing country products including agricultural products with the potential to contravene the WTO agreements on non-discrimination, and the selective use of excerpts from Monterrey and Doha. Calls to move beyond Monterrey and Doha language expressing preference for the Monterrey Consensus which was a political process as opposed to the technical programme of Doha. Progress on consultation continue to fail and the Ministers mandated Mohammed Valli Moosa of South Africa to facilitate informal consultations in order to reach agreement on trade, finance, and globalization. Moosa’s informal compromise paper was very good from the view point of developing countries as it contained references to the principles of ‘ cbdr’, resource mobilization to attain internationally agreed development goals, conducive environment for resource mobilization, attainment of ODA targets, application of existing financial mechanisms, reduce debt burden, pursue the Doha agreements and WTO commitments, capacity building for commodity-dependent countries, mutually supportive trade and environment policies, creation of voluntary market-based mechanisms for trade in organic products, and the need to address public health problems affecting developing countries. Unfortunately, whilst this was supported by many Ministers, there was not a consensus and Valli Moosa’s text was withdrawn. On technology transfer, there was agreement on country-driven technology needs assessment, transfer of technology related to early warning systems, interaction and collaboration, stakeholders relationships and networks between and among universities, partnerships conducive to investment and technology transfer, development and diffusion, and access to environmentally sound technology that are politically owned. On role of the scientific community, there was agreement on greater capacity in science and technology for SD, collaboration between natural and social scientists and between scientists and policy makers, use of scientific knowledge and technology, support for scientific assessment and decision making of IPCC . Agreed paragraphs on education refer to financial assistance and support, research, public awareness, MDG on universal primary education, impact of HIV/AIDS on educational system, allocation of resources to basic education, the Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All, integrate SD into education, provide wide range of non-formal and formal continuing education opportunities, integrate information and communication technologies in school curriculum and access of students from developing countries to universities and research institutions of developed countries. Agreed paragraphs on capacity building relate to provide technical and financial assistance to developing countries to assess their own capacity development needs, design capacity building programmes, and develop capacity of civil society. On information for decision making, delegates agreed to paragraphs on access to environmental information and judicial and administrative proceedings in environmental matters, statistical and analytical services for SD, global observing systems and research, and access to disaster-related information on early warning purposes. X. Sustainable Development Governance: This section is divided into sub-sections on chapeau, objectives, the role of the General Assembly, the role of ECOSOC , the role and function of CSD, the role of international institutions, strengthening institutional arrangements for SD , and participation of major groups. Whilst most of the section has been agreed, there was failure to reconcile differences on the principle of ‘cbdr’, means of implementation, the link to rule of law and human rights, international finance and trade institutions and their links to SD, GEF to cover domestic environmental benefits, complete the UN convention on corruption, and ECOSOC role in the follow-up to WSSD and Monterrey and its commitments. Agreed text however sets out the specific measures to strengthen SD at all levels and commits the international community to integrate SD goals as outlined in Agenda 21 and the outcomes of WSSD in the work of the UN and international financial and trade institutions to improve collaboration. The UNGA is to adopt SD as a key element of the overarching framework for UN activities, ECOSOC is to increase its role in systems-wide coordination and integration of economic, social and environmental aspects of UN policies aimed at promoting SD,  the CSD is to be strengthened to give more emphasis to implementation of the three dimensions of SD, as well as to partnerships and new initiatives. Negotiations of CSD will be limited to every two years instead of four years pushed by the US and Japan. The section stresses the need to enhance  the effectiveness and coordination of international institutions within and outside the UN, and the participation of major groups is to be enhanced including through partnerships between governments and non-government. Partnerships: Overshadowed by the governance consultation, the informal consultations on type 2 outcomes on partnerships/initiatives engaged government delegates, UN agencies, business and industry, and NGOs in discussing the framework and follow-up mechanisms. A summary text of these consultations was adopted by the Plenary as an annex to the report on this and includes observations on the guiding principles for partnerships, potential areas for partnerships, follow-up to WSSD after Johannesburg, selection of partnership. Further, an explanatory note on the guiding principles for partnership for SD provided background and elaborates on the following partnership principles - voluntary nature/respect for fundamental principles and values, link with global agreed outcomes, integrated approach to SD, multi-stakeholder approach, transparency and accountability, tangible results, funding arrangements, new/value-added partnerships, local involvement and international impact, and follow-up process. High-Level Segment: In opening statements, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette underscored the human-environment relationship as a core concern for Johannesburg. Her Excellency Megawati Soekarnoputri President of the Republic of Indonesia called for cooperative efforts for SD including capacity building and accessible and affordable science and technology. Ministers comments which followed on the Implementation Plan during the interactive dialogue raised points including the importance of ratifying and implementing treaties, not reopening negotiated text from Rio and others, adherence to Rio principles, build on the Monterrey Consensus and Doha Ministerial agreements, support for NEPAD , establish an independent monitoring system, and time-bound targets. General statements by delegates raise issues on good governance, respect for indigenous peoples, redress of external debt, access to international markets, efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, ethics in SD, solidarity in the drive against poverty and famine, intra- and inter-generational equity, ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and other agreements, wars and conflicts as well as occupation and their impact on SD, impacts of climate change on SIDS, globalization that works for developing countries, and the correlation between poverty and desertification. On partnerships, over 60 countries, regional commissions, UN agencies, and NGOs presented statements where delegates called for initiatives on poverty, water, energy, education, biodiversity, and desertification. Suggested principles for partnerships included equitability, ethics, mutual trust and outcomes, community and country driven, ownership by partners not donors, and partnerships not to be a substitute governmental responsibility or replace multilateral cooperation. Diversity, geographic distribution, and local community participation were emphasized and stressed good governance, monitoring mechanisms, timelines, targets, and monitoring and assessment. Many delegates from developing countries stressed that partnerships should provide additional resources, enhance technology transfer, have tangible benefits, enhance South-South cooperation, recognize regional dimensions, complement national priorities, strengthen existing commitments, and have mutually agreed terms of reference. On political declaration the Ministerial Dialogue re-emphasized this to be a short and concise action-oriented political declaration reaffirming the Rio principles, have clear targets and timetables, promote partnerships, and implement the Monterrey Consensus, the Doha Agreements, and MDGs . Many developing countries suggested elements on debt relief or cancellation, ethics, ‘cbdr’, market access, and HIV/AIDS pandemic. Norway suggested four sections for the declaration to include a preamble, deliverables for the implementation plan - water, energy, health, agriculture, biodiversity (WEHAB) for type 2 initiatives as identified by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, - and follow up and monitoring mechanisms. A Brief Analysis of PrepCom IV: In terms of outcomes from the Bali conference, it was anticipated that a political declaration will have been developed in Bali for endorsement by Heads of Governments in Johannesburg. This was not achieved as a draft was circulated to country delegations in the last day of the conference and work is continuing and will continue in Johannesburg to finalize this in time for the Heads to sign it as one of the more substantive output from of the WSSD. As it is now, there is strong language to reflect political will and commitment to implement the programme of action and implementation arrangements of the WSSD. However, we expect this to change and weakened markedly after Johannesburg as the countries of the North will ensure that this will be consistent with the already very weak Chairman’s text. The important areas of targets, timeframes, new resources, and commitments by the developed countries of the world in  Rio and related subsequent conferences, as well as the Millenium Development Goals are rendered not binding on themselves, and contrary to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities as endorsed by them in Rio. On the Chairman’s Text, the strong language to benefit the developing countries has been butchered beyond recognition by the developed world that some members of civil society have referred to it as Rio - 10, a much backward overview and direct frustration to  the process as being unsustainable development. There were contentious argument by the North and South on almost all the issues in the Chairman’s Text but more particularly on consumption and production, energy, oceans, water, biodiversity, agriculture, climate change, partnership (type 1 and 2), privatization, corporate accountability, ecological debt, governance, and there is still negotiations ongoing on trade and financing. The work on the WSSD programme of action and implementation arrangements are yet to conclude and there are many bracketed text where there is no common agreement by countries and groups of countries. The document will go to Johannesburg for a final decision on these by the countries if they are able to come to some consensus which usually ends in weak and compromising language. On the Multi Stakeholder Dialogue (MSD), this was probably the most valuable of all the processes despite some views that this did not help influence the negotiation process on the WSSD programme of action. Contrary to this view, it was encouraging to hear some of the official delegations themselves commenting in the corridors and informally on the NGOs and civil society being the ones most well informed of the issues. Undoubtedly, this sort of comment by the officials is a genuine reflection of their own personal and professional sense of the WSSD progress even if their government’s formal position contradicts their own. Other than the Business major group which shared very closely and defended strongly the position of the North, all the other eight major groups in the MSD were very supportive of the South standpoint. Their statements complement one another in many of the issues in the Rio review, their outlook for the future, expectations from the WSSD on what is needed to achieve sustainable development, and their push to meet the global agreements of the Millenium Development Goals. The NGO’s Perspective - Let Us Be Honest In Johannesburg: In the closing of the MDG process, the NGO’s representative Ms Chee Yoke Ling of Third World Network delivered a very powerful, genuine and frank speech to the governments and secretariat. The UNCED in Rio 10 years ago planted a vision of partnership between the North and South based on the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ (cbdr), equity between and within nations, endorse the conceptual link between environment and development (with its three pillars of economic development, social development, and environment protection), endorse the precautionary principle, expand the rights of communities and indigenous peoples, etc. Yet in the WSSD process, it apparent that there is a ‘crisis in implementation’ where everyone laments openly the lack of political will to implement sustainable development as officials struggle to agree to time frames and targets for concrete actions. In WTO, there is political will to set specific time frames and obligations. Failure to comply triggers powerful enforcement machinery that come with sanctions and governments are obliged to change national laws, policies, and even constitutions to comply with WTO rules. As well, there is political will to enforce decades of repayment of debt servicing by heavily indebted countries where interest repayments exceed original sum borrowed. The debt burden continues to worsen as economic liberalization contribute to new vulnerabilities. But there is no political will here in the WSSD process, no will to resolve the debt crisis, no will by the rich countries to make the much needed reform to the International Financial Institutions to better serve the countries of the South. The NGOs call for unconditional debt cancellation based on the ecological debt owed to the South by the North and repatriation to the South of resources stemmed from centuries of colonization, slavery, exploitation, contamination of natural resources, etc. NGOs also call for political will to ratify multilateral environmental agreements and treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol, not dilute and subvert them from their original intent and objectives, and refrain from engaging in pushing deep contradictions that paralyze the WSSD process. This has somewhat injected fear in achieving a strong political declaration because the current climate has economic liberalization reign over sustainable development. The NGOs also note that the rights of the Trans National Corporations have expanded to undermine the sovereignty of countries where governments can be sued for loss of opportunity, as in NAFTA , when environment standards are applied to hazardous products. Yet the rights of the communities to resources that they own are severely reduced and weakened. Even racism is deepened in dumping toxic waste, hazardous chemicals, as well as dirty industries that plague the poor and minority communities of the South. The ‘rights-based approach’ is strongly endorsed by all the major groups, but instead of rights, there is now the concept of ‘stakeholders’ which assume equality amongst all parties when they are not. The discussion on ‘partnership’ stress these unequal power relations and push for ‘corporate accountability’ and liability. Not partnership with big business as this era is pushing for ‘corporate rights’ to expand disproportionately to ‘peoples rights’. Summary: PrepCom IV’s failure to complete its work on the Draft Plan of Implementation for the WSSD was not unexpected. The NGO community urged the negotiators to take the bracketed text to Johannesburg rather than settle for a bad deal. The outstanding issues are best summed in two categories. First and fundamental to the stalemate concern finance, terms of trade, and globalization. The second is the Rio principle of’cbdr’. Other issues relate to the development of the Programme of Work originated from Agenda 21 to include time-bound targets and examining the gap in implementation of Agenda 21. Attention will now shift to the Johannesburg WSSD itself to settle many of these outstanding issues including the entry in to force of the Kyoto Protocol which Australia and the US have again disassociated themselves from. Problems will continue on finance, trade, means of implementation, time-bound targets such as halving by 2015 the number of people without access to sanitation, significantly reduce biodiversity loss, review by 2007 of progress in developed countries on phasing out of energy subsidies, restore depleted fish stocks by 2015, and timing for commitment to new work on sustainable consumption and production and energy for developing countries. Expected to be difficult also in Johannesburg are the new funding initiatives including the proposed world solidarity fund to tackle poverty, and GEF financing for the UNCCD . Gratefully yours in Servas, Marco Kappenberger Peace Secretary of Servas International peacesecretary@servas.org