Report on the Seventh Session, 19-30 April 1999
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Contents
I. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council
or brought to its attention
A. Draft resolutions recommended by the Commission for
adoption by the Council
I. Expansion of the United Nations guidelines on consumer
protection to include sustainable consumption
II. Preparations for the ninth session of the Commission
on Sustainable Development on the issue of energy
B. Draft decision recommended by the Commission for
adoption by the Council
Report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its seventh session and provisional
agenda for the eighth session of the Commission
C. Matters brought to the
attention of the Council
Decision 7/1. Oceans and seas
Decision 7/2. Changing consumption and production patterns
Decision 7/3. Tourism and sustainable development
Decision 7/4. Education, public awareness and training
Decision 7/5. Information provided by Governments and
exchange of national experience
Decision 7/6. Voluntary initiatives and agreements
Decision 7/7. Proposed programme of work in the area of
sustainable development for the biennium 2000-2001
Decision 7/8. Matters related to the inter-sessional work of
the Commission
Decision 7/9. Preparations for the review of Agenda 21 and the
Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21
Decision 7/10. Report of the Secretary-General on progress on
the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small
Island Developing States
II. Chairman's summary of the multi-stakeholder dialogue on
tourism
III. Chairman's summary of the high-level segment
IV. Sectoral theme: oceans and seas
V. Cross-sectoral theme: consumption and production patterns,
including recommendations for sustainable consumption for inclusion in the United Nations
guidelines for consumer protection, as requested by the Economic and Social Council in its
resolution 1997/53
VI. Economic sector/major group: tourism
VII. Comprehensive review of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
VIII. Initiation of preparations for the ninth session of the
Commission on issues related to the sectoral theme: energy
IX. High-level meeting
X. Other matters

Chapter I. Matters calling for action by the Economic and
Social Council or brought to its attention
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A. Draft resolutions recommended by the Commission
for adoption by the Council
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1. The Commission on Sustainable Development recommends to the Economic and Social
Council the adoption of the following draft resolution:
Expansion of the United Nations guidelines on consumer protection to include
sustainable consumption
The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 39/248 of 9 April 1985, in which the Assembly
adopted the guidelines for consumer protection,
Noting that the Commission on Sustainable Development, at its third session,
recommended that the guidelines for consumer protection be expanded to include guidelines
for sustainable consumption,1
Recalling Economic and Social Council resolutions 1995/53 of 28 July 1995 and 1997/53
of 23 July 1997, in which the Council requested the Secretary-General, inter alia, to
elaborate guidelines in the area of sustainable consumption patterns,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General2 and the recommendations of the
Interregional Expert Group Meeting on Consumer Protection and Sustainable Consumption,
held at São Paulo, Brazil, from 28 to 30 January 1998,3
Noting with appreciation the organization by the Bureau of the seventh session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development of open-ended consultations among member States, as
requested by the Council in its decision 1998/215 of 23 July 1998,
Aware that the need remains great for assistance in the area of consumer protection,
particularly in developing countries and countries with economies in transition,
Recognizing the impact that the guidelines have had in many countries in promoting
just, equitable and sustainable economic and social development through their
implementation by Governments,
Also recognizing the important role of civil society, in particular of non-governmental
organizations, in promoting the implementation of the guidelines,
1. Decides to transmit to the General Assembly, for consideration with a view to their
adoption, the draft guidelines for consumer protection expanded to include sustainable
consumption, as contained in the annex;
2. Urges Member States, other entities of the United Nations system and relevant
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue their efforts to
implement effectively the United Nations guidelines for consumer protection.
Annex : United Nations guidelines for consumer protection
(As expanded in 1999)
I. Objectives
1. Taking into account the interests and needs of consumers in all countries,
particularly those in developing countries; recognizing that consumers often face
imbalances in economic terms, educational levels, and bargaining power; and bearing in
mind that consumers should have the right of access to non-hazardous products, as well as
the right to promote just, equitable and sustainable economic and social development and
environmental protection, these guidelines for consumer protection have the following
objectives:
(a) To assist countries in achieving or maintaining adequate protection for their
population as consumers;
(b) To facilitate production and distribution patterns responsive to the needs and
desires of consumers;
(c) To encourage high levels of ethical conduct for those engaged in the production and
distribution of goods and services to consumers;
(d) To assist countries in curbing abusive business practices by all enterprises at the
national and international levels which adversely affect consumers;
(e) To facilitate the development of independent consumer groups;
(f) To further international cooperation in the field of consumer protection;
(g) To encourage the development of market conditions which provide consumers with
greater choice at lower prices;
(h) To promote sustainable consumption.
II. General principles
2. Governments should develop or maintain a strong consumer protection policy, taking
into account the Guidelines set out below and relevant international agreements. In so
doing, each Government should set its own priorities for the protection of consumers in
accordance with the economic, social and environmental circumstances of the country and
the needs of its population, bearing in mind the costs and benefits of proposed measures.
3. The legitimate needs which the guidelines are intended to meet are the following:
(a) The protection of consumers from hazards to their health and safety;
(b) The promotion and protection of the economic interests of consumers;
(c) Access of consumers to adequate information to enable them to make informed choices
according to individual wishes and needs;
(d) Consumer education, including education on the environmental, social and economic
impacts of consumer choice;
(e) Availability of effective consumer redress;
(f) Freedom to form consumer and other relevant groups or organizations and the
opportunity of such organizations to present their views in decision-making processes
affecting them;
(g) The promotion of sustainable consumption patterns.
4. Unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, particularly in industrialized
countries, are the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment.
All countries should strive to promote sustainable consumption patterns; developed
countries should take the lead in achieving sustainable consumption patterns; developing
countries should seek to achieve sustainable consumption patterns in their development
process, having due regard to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The special situation and needs of developing countries in this regard should be fully
taken into account.
5. Policies for promoting sustainable consumption should take into account the goals of
eradicating poverty, satisfying the basic human needs of all members of society, and
reducing inequality within and between countries.
6. Governments should provide or maintain adequate infrastructure to develop, implement
and monitor consumer protection policies. Special care should be taken to ensure that
measures for consumer protection are implemented for the benefit of all sectors of the
population, particularly the rural population and people living in poverty.
7. All enterprises should obey the relevant laws and regulations of the countries in
which they do business. They should also conform to the appropriate provisions of
international standards for consumer protection to which the competent authorities of the
country in question have agreed. (Hereinafter references to international standards in the
guidelines should be viewed in the context of this paragraph.)
8. The potential positive role of universities and public and private enterprises in
research should be considered when developing consumer protection policies.
III. Guidelines
9. The following guidelines should apply both to home-produced goods and services and
to imports.
10. In applying any procedures or regulations for consumer protection, due regard
should be given to ensuring that they do not become barriers to international trade and
that they are consistent with international trade obligations.
A. Physical safety
11. Governments should adopt or encourage the adoption of appropriate measures,
including legal systems, safety regulations, national or international standards,
voluntary standards and the maintenance of safety records to ensure that products are safe
for either intended or normally foreseeable use.
12. Appropriate policies should ensure that goods produced by manufacturers are safe
for either intended or normally foreseeable use. Those responsible for bringing goods to
the market, in particular suppliers, exporters, importers, retailers and the like
(hereinafter referred to as "distributors"), should ensure that while in their
care these goods are not rendered unsafe through improper handling or storage and that
while in their care they do not become hazardous through improper handling or storage.
Consumers should be instructed in the proper use of goods and should be informed of the
risks involved in intended or normally foreseeable use. Vital safety information should be
conveyed to consumers by internationally understandable symbols wherever possible.
13. Appropriate policies should ensure that if manufacturers or distributors become
aware of unforeseen hazards after products are placed on the market, they should notify
the relevant authorities and, as appropriate, the public without delay. Governments should
also consider ways of ensuring that consumers are properly informed of such hazards.
14. Governments should, where appropriate, adopt policies under which, if a product is
found to be seriously defective and/or to constitute a substantial and severe hazard even
when properly used, manufacturers and/or distributors should recall it and replace or
modify it, or substitute another product for it; if it is not possible to do this within a
reasonable period of time, the consumer should be adequately compensated.
B. Promotion and protection of consumers' economic interests
15. Government policies should seek to enable consumers to obtain optimum benefit from
their economic resources. They should also seek to achieve the goals of satisfactory
production and performance standards, adequate distribution methods, fair business
practices, informative marketing and effective protection against practices which could
adversely affect the economic interests of consumers and the exercise of choice in the
market place.
16. Governments should intensify their efforts to prevent practices which are damaging
to the economic interests of consumers through ensuring that manufacturers, distributors
and others involved in the provision of goods and services adhere to established laws and
mandatory standards. Consumer organizations should be encouraged to monitor adverse
practices, such as the adulteration of foods, false or misleading claims in marketing and
service frauds.
17. Governments should develop, strengthen or maintain, as the case may be, measures
relating to the control of restrictive and other abusive business practices which may be
harmful to consumers, including means for the enforcement of such measures. In this
connection, Governments should be guided by their commitment to the Set of Multilaterally
Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices
adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 35/63 of 5 December 1980.
18. Governments should adopt or maintain policies that make clear the responsibility of
the producer to ensure that goods meet reasonable demands of durability, utility and
reliability, and are suited to the purpose for which they are intended, and that the
seller should see that these requirements are met. Similar policies should apply to the
provision of services.
19. Governments should encourage fair and effective competition in order to provide
consumers with the greatest range of choice among products and services at the lowest
cost.
20. Governments should, where appropriate, see to it that manufacturers and/or
retailers ensure adequate availability of reliable after-sales service and spare parts.
21. Consumers should be protected from such contractual abuses as one-sided standard
contracts, exclusion of essential rights in contracts, and unconscionable conditions of
credit by sellers.
22. Promotional marketing and sales practices should be guided by the principle of fair
treatment of consumers and should meet legal requirements. This requires the provision of
the information necessary to enable consumers to take informed and independent decisions,
as well as measures to ensure that the information provided is accurate.
23. Governments should encourage all concerned to participate in the free flow of
accurate information on all aspects of consumer products.
24. Consumer access to accurate information about the environmental impact of products
and services should be encouraged through such means as product profiles, environmental
reports by industry, information centres for consumers, voluntary and transparent
eco-labelling programmes and product information hotlines.
25. Governments, in close collaboration with manufacturers, distributors and consumer
organizations, should take measures regarding misleading environmental claims or
information in advertising and other marketing activities. The development of appropriate
advertising codes and standards for the regulation and verification of environmental
claims should be encouraged.
26. Governments should, within their own national context, encourage the formulation
and implementation by business, in cooperation with consumer organizations, of codes of
marketing and other business practices to ensure adequate consumer protection. Voluntary
agreements may also be established jointly by business, consumer organizations and other
interested parties. These codes should receive adequate publicity.
27. Governments should regularly review legislation pertaining to weights and measures
and assess the adequacy of the machinery for its enforcement.
C. Standards for the safety and quality of consumer goods and services
28. Governments should, as appropriate, formulate or promote the elaboration and
implementation of standards, voluntary and other, at the national and international levels
for the safety and quality of goods and services and give them appropriate publicity.
National standards and regulations for product safety and quality should be reviewed from
time to time, in order to ensure that they conform, where possible, to generally accepted
international standards.
29. Where a standard lower than the generally accepted international standard is being
applied because of local economic conditions, every effort should be made to raise that
standard as soon as possible.
30. Governments should encourage and ensure the availability of facilities to test and
certify the safety, quality and performance of essential consumer goods and services.
D. Distribution facilities for essential consumer goods and services
31. Governments should, where appropriate, consider:
(a) Adopting or maintaining policies to ensure the efficient distribution of goods and
services to consumers; where appropriate, specific policies should be considered to ensure
the distribution of essential goods and services where this distribution is endangered, as
could be the case particularly in rural areas. Such policies could include assistance for
the creation of adequate storage and retail facilities in rural centres, incentives for
consumer self-help and better control of the conditions under which essential goods and
services are provided in rural areas;
(b) Encouraging the establishment of consumer cooperatives and related trading
activities, as well as information about them, especially in rural areas.
E. Measures enabling consumers to obtain redress
32. Governments should establish or maintain legal and/or administrative measures to
enable consumers or, as appropriate, relevant organizations to obtain redress through
formal or informal procedures that are expeditious, fair, inexpensive and accessible. Such
procedures should take particular account of the needs of low-income consumers.
33. Governments should encourage all enterprises to resolve consumer disputes in a
fair, expeditious and informal manner, and to establish voluntary mechanisms, including
advisory services and informal complaints procedures, which can provide assistance to
consumers.
34. Information on available redress and other dispute-resolving procedures should be
made available to consumers.
F. Education and information programmes
35. Governments should develop or encourage the development of general consumer
education and information programmes, including information on the environmental impacts
of consumer choices and behaviour and the possible implications, including benefits and
costs, of changes in consumption, bearing in mind the cultural traditions of the people
concerned. The aim of such programmes should be to enable people to act as discriminating
consumers, capable of making an informed choice of goods and services, and conscious of
their rights and responsibilities. In developing such programmes, special attention should
be given to the needs of disadvantaged consumers, in both rural and urban areas, including
low-income consumers and those with low or non-existent literacy levels. Consumer groups,
business and other relevant organizations of civil society should be involved in these
educational efforts.
36. Consumer education should, where appropriate, become an integral part of the basic
curriculum of the educational system, preferably as a component of existing subjects.
37. Consumer education and information programmes should cover such important aspects
of consumer protection as the following:
(a) Health, nutrition, prevention of food-borne diseases and food adulteration;
(b) Product hazards;
(c) Product labelling;
(d) Relevant legislation, how to obtain redress, and agencies and organizations for
consumer protection;
(e) Information on weights and measures, prices, quality, credit conditions and
availability of basic necessities;
(f) Environmental protection; and
(g) Efficient use of materials, energy and water.
38. Governments should encourage consumer organizations and other interested groups,
including the media, to undertake education and information programmes, including on the
environmental impacts of consumption patterns and on the possible implications, including
benefits and costs, of changes in consumption, particularly for the benefit of low-income
consumer groups in rural and urban areas.
39. Business should, where appropriate, undertake or participate in factual and
relevant consumer education and information programmes.
40. Bearing in mind the need to reach rural consumers and illiterate consumers,
Governments should, as appropriate, develop or encourage the development of consumer
information programmes in the mass media.
41. Governments should organize or encourage training programmes for educators, mass
media professionals and consumer advisers, to enable them to participate in carrying out
consumer information and education programmes.
G. Promotion of sustainable consumption
42. Sustainable consumption includes meeting the needs of present and future
generations for goods and services in ways that are economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable.
43. Responsibility for sustainable consumption is shared by all members and
organizations of society, with informed consumers, Government, business, labour
organizations, and consumer and environmental organizations playing particularly important
roles. Informed consumers have an essential role in promoting consumption that is
environmentally, economically and socially sustainable, including through the effects of
their choices on producers. Governments should promote the development and implementation
of policies for sustainable consumption and the integration of those policies with other
public policies. Government policy making should be conducted in consultation with
business, consumer and environmental organizations, and other concerned groups. Business
has a responsibility for promoting sustainable consumption through the design, production
and distribution of goods and services. Consumer and environmental organizations have a
responsibility for promoting public participation and debate on sustainable consumption,
for informing consumers, and for working with Government and business towards sustainable
consumption.
44. Governments, in partnership with business and relevant organizations of civil
society, should develop and implement strategies that promote sustainable consumption
through a mix of policies that could include regulations; economic and social instruments;
sectoral policies in such areas as land use, transport, energy and housing; information
programmes to raise awareness of the impact of consumption patterns; removal of subsidies
that promote unsustainable patterns of consumption and production; and promotion of
sector-specific environmental-management best practices.
45. Governments should encourage the design, development and use of products and
services that are safe and energy and resource efficient, considering their full
life-cycle impacts. Governments should encourage recycling programmes that encourage
consumers to both recycle wastes and purchase recycled products.
46. Governments should promote the development and use of national and international
environmental health and safety standards for products and services; such standards should
not result in disguised barriers to trade.
47. Governments should encourage impartial environmental testing of products.
48. Governments should safely manage environmentally harmful uses of substances and
encourage the development of environmentally sound alternatives for such uses. New
potentially hazardous substances should be evaluated on a scientific basis for their
long-term environmental impact prior to distribution.
49. Governments should promote awareness of the health-related benefits of sustainable
consumption and production patterns, bearing in mind both direct effects on individual
health and collective effects through environmental protection.
50. Governments, in partnership with the private sector and other relevant
organizations, should encourage the transformation of unsustainable consumption patterns
through the development and use of new environmentally sound products and services and new
technologies, including information and communication technologies, that can meet consumer
needs while reducing pollution and depletion of natural resources.
51. Governments are encouraged to create or strengthen effective regulatory mechanisms
for the protection of consumers, including aspects of sustainable consumption.
52. Governments should consider a range of economic instruments, such as fiscal
instruments and internalization of environmental costs, to promote sustainable
consumption, taking into account social needs, the need for disincentives for
unsustainable practices and incentives for more sustainable practices, while avoiding
potential negative effects for market access, in particular for developing countries.
53. Governments, in cooperation with business and other relevant groups, should develop
indicators, methodologies and databases for measuring progress towards sustainable
consumption at all levels. This information should be publicly available.
54. Governments and international agencies should take the lead in introducing
sustainable practices in their own operations, in particular through their procurement
policies. Government procurement, as appropriate, should encourage development and use of
environmentally sound products and services.
55. Governments and other relevant organizations should promote research on consumer
behaviour related to environmental damage in order to identify ways to make consumption
patterns more sustainable.
H. Measures relating to specific areas
56. In advancing consumer interests, particularly in developing countries, Governments
should, where appropriate, give priority to areas of essential concern for the health of
the consumer, such as food, water and pharmaceuticals. Policies should be adopted or
maintained for product quality control, adequate and secure distribution facilities,
standardized international labelling and information, as well as education and research
programmes in these areas. Government guidelines in regard to specific areas should be
developed in the context of the provisions of this document.
57. Food. When formulating national policies and plans with regard to food, Governments
should take into account the need of all consumers for food security and should support
and, as far as possible, adopt standards from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations and the World Health Organization Codex Alimentarius or, in their absence,
other generally accepted international food standards. Governments should maintain,
develop or improve food safety measures, including, inter alia, safety criteria, food
standards and dietary requirements and effective monitoring, inspection and evaluation
mechanisms.
58. Governments should promote sustainable agricultural policies and practices,
conservation of biodiversity, and protection of soil and water, taking into account
traditional knowledge.
59. Water. Governments should, within the goals and targets set for the International
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, formulate, maintain or strengthen national
policies to improve the supply, distribution and quality of water for drinking. Due regard
should be paid to the choice of appropriate levels of service, quality and technology, the
need for education programmes and the importance of community participation.
60. Governments should assign high priority to the formulation and implementation of
policies and programmes concerning the multiple uses of water, taking into account the
importance of water for sustainable development in general and its finite character as a
resource.
61. Pharmaceuticals. Governments should develop or maintain adequate standards,
provisions and appropriate regulatory systems for ensuring the quality and appropriate use
of pharmaceuticals through integrated national drug policies which could address, inter
alia, procurement, distribution, production, licensing arrangements, registration systems
and the availability of reliable information on pharmaceuticals. In so doing, Governments
should take special account of the work and recommendations of the World Health
Organization on pharmaceuticals. For relevant products, the use of that organization's
Certification Scheme on the Quality of Pharmaceutical Products Moving in International
Commerce and other international information systems on pharmaceuticals should be
encouraged. Measures should also be taken, as appropriate, to promote the use of
international non-proprietary names (INNs) for drugs, drawing on the work done by the
World Health Organization.
62. In addition to the priority areas indicated above, Governments should adopt
appropriate measures in other areas, such as pesticides and chemicals in regard, where
relevant, to their use, production and storage, taking into account such relevant health
and environmental information as Governments may require producers to provide and include
in the labelling of products.
IV. International cooperation
63. Governments should, especially in a regional or subregional context:
(a) Develop, review, maintain or strengthen, as appropriate, mechanisms for the
exchange of information on national policies and measures in the field of consumer
protection;
(b) Cooperate or encourage cooperation in the implementation of consumer protection
policies to achieve greater results within existing resources. Examples of such
cooperation could be collaboration in the setting up or joint use of testing facilities,
common testing procedures, exchange of consumer information and education programmes,
joint training programmes and joint elaboration of regulations;
(c) Cooperate to improve the conditions under which essential goods are offered to
consumers, giving due regard to both price and quality. Such cooperation could include
joint procurement of essential goods, exchange of information on different procurement
possibilities and agreements on regional product specifications.
64. Governments should develop or strengthen information links regarding products which
have been banned, withdrawn or severely restricted in order to enable other importing
countries to protect themselves adequately against the harmful effects of such products.
65. Governments should work to ensure that the quality of products, and information
relating to such products, does not vary from country to country in a way that would have
detrimental effects on consumers.
66. To promote sustainable consumption, Governments, international bodies and business
should work together to develop, transfer and disseminate environmentally sound
technologies, including through appropriate financial support from developed countries,
and to devise new and innovative mechanisms for financing their transfer among all
countries, in particular to and among developing countries and countries with economies in
transition.
67. Governments and international organizations, as appropriate, should promote and
facilitate capacity building in the area of sustainable consumption, particularly in
developing countries and countries with economies in transition. In particular,
Governments should also facilitate cooperation among consumer groups and other relevant
organizations of civil society, with the aim of strengthening capacity in this area.
68. Governments and international bodies, as appropriate, should promote programmes
relating to consumer education and information.
69. Governments should work to ensure that policies and measures for consumer
protection are implemented with due regard to their not becoming barriers to international
trade, and that they are consistent with international trade obligations.

2. The Commission on Sustainable Development recommends to the Economic and Social
Council the adoption of the following draft resolution, and in this context, invites the
Council to consider on an exceptional basis and without creating a precedent and without
prejudice to other bodies the possibility of States that are not members of the Commission
on Sustainable Development holding office in the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group
of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development, and requests the Office of Legal Affairs
to submit its legal opinion on that matter to the Chairman of the Commission for
transmission to the President of the Council:
Preparations for the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development on the
issue of energy
The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 214 adopted by the
General Assembly at its nineteenth special session, in which the Assembly, inter alia,
decided that preparations for the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development on the issue of energy should utilize an open-ended intergovernmental group of
experts on energy and sustainable development, to be convened in conjunction with
inter-sessional meetings of the eighth and ninth sessions of the Commission,
Also recalling the multi-year programme of work of the Commission on Sustainable
Development, 1998-2002, and paragraph 46 of the Programme for the Further Implementation
of Agenda 21,
1. Decides that the first session of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of
Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development be held in New York in the first quarter of
2000 for a duration of one working week, immediately before or after the meetings of the
Commission-s inter-sessional ad hoc working groups, and that this session will have the
following provisional agenda:
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
3. Preparations for the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development on
the issue of energy.
4. Provisional agenda of its second session.
5. Adoption of the report of the Group of Experts on its first session.
2. Decides that the Bureau of the Group of Experts will consist of five members, one
from each of the five regional groups of the United Nations, and will include two
co-chairs, one from a developed country and one from a developing country, and invites
regional groups to nominate their candidates expeditiously and inform the Bureau of the
eighth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development so that they can be involved
in the preparation;
3. Requests the Group of Experts to report to the Commission on Sustainable Development
at its eighth session on progress made on its work at its first session, and to recommend
to the Commission the agenda, timing and duration of its second session, to be held in
2001;
4. Decides to transmit the report of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for
Development on its first session to the Commission on Sustainable Development at its
eighth session, as well as to the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on
Energy and Sustainable Development at its first session, as an input to the preparatory
process for the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development;
5. Invites the Secretary-General, on the basis of submissions and information provided
by Governments and working in close collaboration with entities within the United Nations
as well as with other relevant international organizations, to prepare analytical reports
and other documentation, as appropriate, for consideration at the first session of the
Group of Experts;
6. Calls upon Governments to actively participate and contribute to the preparatory
process;
7. Encourages the participation, particularly from developing countries, of civil
society and other major groups, including the private sector, in the preparatory process;
8. Decides that the participation of non-governmental organizations in the work of the
Ad Hoc Open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development
should be in accordance with the rules of procedure of functional commissions of the
Economic and Social Council;
9. Recognizes that funding to support the participation in the meetings of the Group of
Experts of representatives, particularly from developing countries, is essential, and
should be provided in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of Council decision
1993/207 of 12 February 1993, and also urges additional voluntary contributions to support
the participation of representatives from developing countries that are not members of the
Commission on Sustainable Development.

B. Draft decision recommended by the Commission for
adoption by the Council
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3. The Commission on Sustainable Development recommends to the Economic and Social
Council the adoption of the following draft decision:
Report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its seventh session and
provisional agenda for the eighth session of the Commission
The Economic and Social Council takes note of the report of the Commission on
Sustainable Development on its seventh session and approves the provisional agenda for the
eighth session of the Commission set out below:
Provisional agenda for the eighth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
3. Sectoral theme: integrated planning and management of land resources.
4. Cross-sectoral theme: financial resources/trade and investment/economic growth.
5. Economic sector/major group: agriculture.
6. Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests.
7. High-level meeting.
8. Other matters.
9. Provisional agenda for the ninth session of the Commission.
10. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its eighth session.

4. The attention of the Council is drawn to the following decisions adopted by the
Commission:
I. General considerations
1. The Commission emphasizes the fundamental fact that oceans and seas constitute the
major part of the planet that supports life, drive the climate and hydrological cycle, and
provide the vital resources to be used to ensure well-being for present and future
generations and economic prosperity, to eradicate poverty, to ensure food security and to
conserve marine biological diversity and its intrinsic value for maintaining the
conditions that support life on earth. The Commission also reiterates the following
general considerations:
(a) The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the overall
legal framework within which all activities in this field must be considered;
(b) Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 remains the fundamental programme of action for achieving
sustainable development in respect to oceans and seas;
(c) The Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21,5 adopted by the General
Assembly at its nineteenth special session (especially its paragraph 36), identifies the
needs for urgent action in respect to oceans and seas.
2. The Commission, taking into full account the different situations of various
countries, calls upon Governments to strengthen national, regional and international
action, as appropriate, to develop integrated approaches to oceans and coastal area
management, and stresses that as in other areas, action should be taken on the basis of
the principles set out in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
II. Major challenges at the national, regional and global levels
3. Following the 1998 International Year of the Ocean, the Commission emphasizes the
importance of international cooperation, within the framework of UNCLOS and Agenda 21, in
ensuring that the oceans and seas remain sustainable through integrated management, and
that while respecting the sovereignty, jurisdiction and sovereign rights of coastal States
and recalling their rights and obligations in relation to the protection of the marine
environment, all States can benefit from the sustainable use of the oceans and seas. The
Commission further emphasizes the threats to these objectives from overexploitation of
marine living resources, including through illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU)
fishing and unsustainable or uncontrolled distant water fishing, and from pollution. In
this context, the Commission recommends that particular priority be given to:
(a) The conservation, integrated and sustainable management and sustainable use of
marine living resources, including the ecosystems of which they are a part;
(b) The prevention of pollution and degradation of the marine environment from
land-based and other activities;
(c) Better scientific understanding of the oceans and seas and their resources, of the
effects of pollution, and of the interaction of the oceans and seas with the world climate
system. This will be aimed at and facilitate proper assessment of the oceans and seas,
improving understanding of socio-economic issues, especially the effects of pollution,
developing better systems for the sustainable management and use of the resources of
oceans and seas, and comprehending and responding to such events as the El Niño
phenomenon and mitigating their impacts;
(d) Encouraging, at the national, regional and global levels, the steps necessary for
an effective and coordinated implementation of the provisions of UNCLOS and Agenda 21,
including institutional adjustments and improved coordination mechanisms for chapter 17 of
Agenda 21, to support action at the national and regional levels in developing countries
and those with economies in transition and the provision of, inter alia, financial and
technical assistance for the transfer of appropriate environmentally sound technologies.
In this context, the international community should promote, facilitate and finance, as
appropriate, access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies and the
corresponding know-how, in particular to developing countries, on favourable terms,
including concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the
need to protect the intellectual property rights as well as the special needs of
developing countries for the implementation of Agenda 21.
A. Capacity-building for action at the national level
4. In support of national action to implement the provisions of chapter 17 of Agenda
21, the Commission invites the United Nations system and Governments, both in their
bilateral relationships and in the multilateral development and financial organizations in
which they participate, to review their programmes to ensure that priority is given to
initiate or further develop, within the context of national plans, programmes for building
capacities relating to, inter alia, marine environment science, the administration of
fisheries and shipping, the control of activities likely to pollute or degrade the marine
and coastal environment, and cooperation and coordination with other States on marine
environmental matters, including development of early warning systems so as to mitigate
the impacts of natural disasters, especially those resulting from inter-annual climatic
variability, such as the El Niño phenomenon. In this regard, it is also important that
Governments, the organizations of the United Nations system and donors coordinate their
actions. For the purpose of capacity-building, regional and national partnership meetings
involving major groups can make a significant contribution to these activities.
B. Capacity-building for action at the regional level
5. The Commission emphasizes the importance of cooperation, at the regional level, as
appropriate, within the relevant legal framework for the conservation and integrated and
sustainable management and use of regional seas. In this context, the Commission supports
the need to strengthen the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) regional seas
programme and to enhance cooperation with other regional seas and intergovernmental
organizations in order to permit the sharing of experience, in line with the recent
conclusions of the UNEP Governing Council at its twentieth session. The Commission invites
organizations of the United Nations system to work with appropriate intergovernmental and
regional organizations to facilitate the identification of appropriate technical
solutions.
6. The Commission further invites the United Nations system and Governments, both in
their bilateral relationships and in the multilateral development and financial
organizations in which they participate, to review the priority given to building
capacities needed to manage regional seas organizations, intergovernmental regional
fisheries organizations and arrangements (RFOs) and regional monitoring systems.
C. International agreements
7. In order to achieve the goal of universal participation, the Commission recommends
that all States that have not done so consider becoming Parties to UNCLOS and the
agreement relating to the implementation of part XI of that Convention.
8. The Commission notes that although significant progress has been made in developing
global and regional agreements and programmes of action related to the conservation and
sustainable use of the oceans and seas, much more needs to be done to effectively
implement these agreements and programmes. To promote this, the Commission invites
relevant intergovernmental bodies to review, in accordance with their respective mandates,
the status of international agreements and programmes of action in their areas of work, as
well as obstacles to more effective implementation, and to propose possible actions that
could be taken to promote wider acceptance and implementation.
III. Areas of particular concern
A. Marine resources
1. Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
9. The Commission notes that fisheries and aquaculture, when managed sustainably, can
contribute significantly to global food security and income generation for both present
and future generations, consistent with the Rome Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by
the World Food Summit of 1996. The Commission urges the international community to support
coastal and island developing States in the development of sustainable fisheries and
aquaculture.
10. The Commission encourages all States, unless they have already done so, to consider
becoming Parties to, or, as the case may be, applying the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Agreement to Promote Compliance with
International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas of
24 November 1993, the United Nations Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Relating to the
Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of
4 August 1995, and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of 31 October 1995,
and emphasizes both the vital role of these instruments in safeguarding fish stocks and
the need to implement them effectively.
11. In support of implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,
the Commission welcomes the recent approval by the FAO Committee on Fisheries of:
(a) The International Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in
Long Line Fisheries;
(b) The International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks;
(c) The International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity.
The Commission in consequence urges the early formal adoption of these Plans of Action
and their effective implementation.
12. The Commission notes that further attempts were made in the course of its
discussions to resolve the other questions of subsidies related to fisheries but that no
progress was made.
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13. The Commission further emphasizes the important role of RFOs in improving, where
appropriate, the application of the principles contained in the instruments referred to in
paragraphs 10 and 11 above. In so doing, these organizations should be urged to apply
sound scientific knowledge of the fish stocks and to ensure, as appropriate, the
involvement of major groups.
14. The Commission notes the need for RFOs to be strengthened and the need to ensure
coverage by the RFO system of all fisheries which need to be managed in that way to ensure
their sustainability.
15. To support this, the Commission invites regional fisheries organizations, including
those operating under the aegis of FAO, to provide information to FAO on progress made and
on problems faced in applying these principles and recommendations. Such information could
be included in the reports of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly.
16. The Commission urges States to implement existing FAO technical recommendations to
minimize waste, by-catch and discards. The Commission strongly supports further measures
by States, in consultation with FAO and RFOs, as appropriate, on these issues. The
Commission also invites FAO to develop an international action plan to eliminate
destructive fishing practices, and urges States to enforce existing bans on such
activities.
17. The Commission also emphasizes the importance of General Assembly resolution 53/33
of 24 November 1998, in which the Assembly urges all authorities of members of the
international community to take greater enforcement responsibility to ensure full
implementation of the global moratorium on all large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing on
the high seas. The Commission further invites States to develop additional measures to ban
this destructive fishing gear, including the confiscation and destruction of oversize
nets.
18. The Commission supports the Rome Declaration adopted by the FAO Ministerial Meeting
on Fisheries (Rome, 10 and 11 March 1999), under which FAO will give priority to its work
to develop a global plan of action to deal effectively with any forms of IUU fishing. This
should include dealing with the problem of those States which do not fulfil their
responsibilities under international law as flag States with respect to their fishing
vessels, in particular those which do not exercise effectively their jurisdiction and
control over their vessels which may operate in a manner that contravenes or undermines
the relevant rules of international law and international conservation and management
measures. It will also require coordinated efforts by States, FAO, regional fisheries
management bodies and other relevant international agencies, such as the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), as provided in article IV of the Code of Conduct for
Responsible Fisheries. The Commission further encourages IMO, in cooperation with FAO and
the United Nations Secretariat, to consider the implications in relation to fishing
vessels of the work requested in paragraph 35 (a) below.
19. The Commission discussed the question of schemes for improving the information
available to consumers of fish but was unable to reach a consensus.
20. The Commission encourages States to develop environmentally sound and sustainable
aquaculture in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and as
called for in the Plan of Action of the World Food Summit. The Commission further calls
upon FAO and Governments, in consultation with major groups, to achieve environmentally
sound and sustainable aquaculture, ensuring that appropriate evaluations and assessments
are undertaken.
2. Other marine living resources
21. The Commission endorses the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) call to
action, its renewed call to action and its framework for action, and urges implementation
of complementary actions by States, intergovernmental organizations and other bodies (in
particular the Convention on Biological Diversity), non-governmental organizations and the
private sector. The Commission also asks the United Nations system to provide information
on progress in implementing ICRI objectives at the conclusion of the period of the current
framework for action in 2003.
22. The Commission encourages States to establish and manage marine protected areas,
along with other appropriate management tools, consistent with the provisions of UNCLOS
and on a basis consistent with the programme of work under the Convention on Biological
Diversity and its Jakarta Mandate in order to ensure the conservation of biological
diversity and the sustainable management and use of oceans.
23. The Commission calls upon RFOs and regional seas organizations to cooperate in more
effective integration of sustainable fisheries management and environmental conservation
measures.
24. The Commission notes the importance of protecting ecosystems and the need for
further study of approaches in this context.
3. Marine non-living resources
25. The Commission urges support, upon the request of the State concerned, for national
efforts to gain greater access to resource information and to develop appropriate policies
to facilitate the exploration and exploitation, with the State's consent and in a manner
consistent with the sustainability of marine living resources, of non-living marine
resources within its exclusive economic zones, or to the outer limits of the continental
shelf, wherever applicable.
B. Land-based activities
26. The Commission expresses its grave concern at the slow rate of progress in many
aspects of the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land-based Activities.6 In this context, the Commission welcomes
the recent decision of the UNEP Governing Council on the implementation of the Programme
of Action, especially the call for the Executive Director of UNEP to complete
expeditiously the establishment of the Hague coordination office. The Commission
emphasizes the importance of this implementation for the prevention of the pollution and
degradation of the marine environment.
27. In line with the 1995 Washington Declaration on Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land-based Activities,7 the Commission urges the following:
(a) That Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and donors cooperate
to build capacities and mobilize resources for the development and implementation of
national action programmes, in particular for developing countries and those with
economies in transition. Partnership meetings, as described in paragraph 4 above, can make
a contribution here;
(b) That national and international institutions and the private sector, bilateral
donors and multilateral funding agencies accord priority to projects within national and
regional programmes to implement the Programme of Action, and encourage the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) to support these projects;
(c) Completion of the establishment of the clearing house mechanism to provide decision
makers in all States with direct access to relevant information, practical experience and
scientific and technical expertise, and to facilitate effective scientific, technical and
financial cooperation as well as capacity-building and the transfer of environmentally
sound technology in the context described in paragraph 3 (d) above;
(d) Implementation of the Global Programme of Action by Governments and international
organizations, as appropriate, will contribute to the strengthening of the UNEP regional
seas programme, as called for in paragraph 5 above.
28. The Commission reiterates the appeal to the governing bodies of the relevant United
Nations agencies and programmes to review their role in and contribution to the
implementation of the Global Programme of Action within their respective mandates, as
recommended by the General Assembly in its resolution 51/189. The Commission further
invites those organizations to provide information on progress in this regard which could,
inter alia, be included in the reports of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly.
29. The Commission also stresses:
(a) The benefits of preparing the necessary national and local programmes within a
framework of integrated coastal area management;
(b) The value of further work by relevant international organizations, in conjunction
with relevant regional seas organizations, in promoting such management;
(c) The importance of supporting initiatives at the regional level to develop
agreements, arrangements or programmes of action on the protection of the marine
environment from land-based activities.
30. The Commission welcomes the agreement by the recent UNEP Governing Council to
explore the feasibility for UNEP to convene by 2000 a global conference to address sewage
as a major land-based source of pollution affecting human and ecosystem health. In this
context, the Commission encourages the establishment of links between this conference and
both the first intergovernmental review of the Programme of Action, planned for 2001, and
related intergovernmental conferences on the sustainable management of freshwater and
oceans.
[ UP ]
31. The Commission welcomes the activities in progress under the aegis of UNEP to
develop an international agreement on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and in this
respect underlines the need to provide adequate expertise and resources for reducing their
reliance on POPs, in the context mentioned in paragraph 3 (d) above, to developing
countries, including through the development and production of viable and environmentally
safe alternatives. The Commission encourages further international work on the reduction
of discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances.
C. Marine science
32. The Commission emphasizes that scientific understanding of the marine environment,
including marine living resources and the effects of pollution, is fundamental to sound
decision-making. Among other aspects of the global environment, this applies to the
interaction between atmospheric and oceanic systems such as experience with the 1997'1998
El Niño phenomenon. The Commission therefore:
(a) Regrets the lack of follow-up to its decision 4/15, reiterates those
recommendations and welcomes the intention of IMO, working in partnership with other
sponsoring organizations, to improve the effectiveness and inclusiveness of the Joint
Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP),
and encourages them to undertake the actions recommended by the Commission in its decision
4/15. The Commission further recommends exploring the possibility of establishing a means
for GESAMP to interact with scientific representatives of Governments and major groups;
(b) Invites the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to consider how the support
available for building scientific capacities needed for interdisciplinary, sustainable and
effective management of the marine environment in developing countries, particularly in
the least developed countries and small island developing States, could be extended and
focused more effectively. Recalling Commission decision 6/3 concerning the need for
enhanced science communication processes, the Commission encourages a contribution from
the forthcoming UNESCO World Science Congress on this question;
(c) Stresses the value both of the collection of reliable oceanographic data through
such systems as the Global Ocean Observing System, including the Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network, and of periodic comprehensive scientific assessments of international
waters, such as the Global International Waters Assessment, including assessments of the
impact of physical and chemical changes on the health, distribution and productivity of
living marine resources.
33. To improve the scientific knowledge of fish stocks, the Commission invites RFOs,
within the framework of their competences, to cooperate with each other and consider
strengthening catch surveillance, where applicable, as well as mechanisms for catch
evaluation, using scientific peer review systems to improve the scientific quality of fish
stock assessments, exchanging information on assessment techniques with each other and
generally enhancing transparency. The Commission invites FAO to assist and support this
process. The Commission also invites FAO to strengthen its global monitoring of fish
stocks by increased coverage, more consistent methodologies and frequent updating of
information, in close cooperation with States and RFOs, as appropriate.
34. The Commission notes the impact throughout the world of the El Niño Southern
Oscillation (ENSO), an example of the linkage between oceans and the atmosphere, and its
environmental, social and economic consequences, particularly for developing countries.
The Commission welcomes the intergovernmental expert meeting held at Guayaquil, Ecuador,
in November 1998, the intergovernmental meeting to be held at Lima in September 1999, and
the meeting on desertification and the El Niño phenomenon to be held at La Serena, Chile,
in October 1999. The Commission:
(a) Requests the Secretary-General to gather information on all aspects of the impact
of ENSO, through national reports on the implementation of Agenda 21, and to provide this
information to the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on ENSO in order to contribute
to the development of an internationally concerted and comprehensive strategy towards the
assessment, prevention, mitigation and rehabilitation of the damage caused by ENSO,
including that to coral reefs;
(b) Decides to consider at its eighth session the impacts of ENSO as part of its
examination of the integrated planning and management of land resources;
(c) Registers the importance of including the ENSO issue in the next quinquennial
comprehensive review of Agenda 21, and requests the Secretary-General to provide a
comprehensive report on which decisions on including the ENSO issue could be based;
(d) Invites all intergovernmental agencies concerned with aspects of the oceans to
consider, within their respective mandates, whether their programmes of work make
sufficient allowance for considerations of the potential impact of increased climate
variability, and to review through the various coordination arrangements what more needs
to be done to ensure adequate understanding of the prediction and coastal and marine
impacts of such phenomena as the El Niño phenomenon.
D. Other marine activities
35. The Commission:
(a) Invites IMO as a matter of urgency to develop measures, in binding form where IMO
members consider it appropriate, to ensure that ships of all flag States meet
international rules and standards so as to give full and complete effect to UNCLOS,
especially article 91 (Nationality of ships), as well as provisions of other relevant
conventions. In this context, the Commission emphasizes the importance of further
development of effective port State control;
(b) Urges that the export of wastes and other matter for the purpose of dumping at sea
be stopped; the Commission further recommends that States be encouraged to become Parties
to and implement the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution
by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter of 1972;
(c) Repeats its goal in paragraph 29 of its decision 4/15 for States that have not yet
done so to become Parties to and implement the Basel Convention on the Control of
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (1989);
(d) Discussed further the question of the right of States to prohibit the transboundary
movement of hazardous and radioactive wastes and materials within their jurisdictions
consistent with international law. It noted that some delegations urged the continuation
of efforts to ensure that transboundary movements of such materials be undertaken in a
safe and secure manner, and that these delegations indicated support for the call for
States that have not done so to become Parties to and implement the Joint Convention on
the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management and
to consider making the Irradiated Nuclear Fuel (INF) Code a mandatory instrument. However,
the Commission was not able to reach a consensus on these proposals;
(e) Recommends that the international community be encouraged to cooperate fully in the
various efforts in accordance with relevant international agreements, such as the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), to
assist in the prevention of the spread of harmful aquatic organisms through ships ballast
water;
(f) Recommends that the programme for the development within the framework of IMO of
controls on harmful anti-fouling paints used on ships be carried out in accordance with
the timetable foreseen, underlining the need to provide adequate expertise and resources
to developing countries in the context mentioned in paragraph 3 (d) above;
[ UP ]
(g) Welcomes the activities in the International Seabed Authority on a draft mining
code, including the aspect of marine environmental protection;
(h) Notes that the scrapping of ships presents an issue of concern with regard to the
pollution of the environment, and therefore calls on IMO to look into this issue and
encourages States to ensure that responsible care is applied with regard to the disposal
of decommissioned ships, taking into account the need to provide adequate expertise and
resources to developing countries in the context mentioned in paragraph 3 (d) above;
(i) Recommends that States consider ratifying, accepting or approving annex VI to the
MARPOL Convention on the control of air pollution from shipping;
(j) Recommends that in order to reduce the environmental risks and potential damages
associated with maritime transport, in particular when transiting areas are
environmentally sensitive, States fully implement the IMO regulation for the prevention of
collisions at sea.
36. The Commission, taking into account its decision 4/15 and noting the outcome of the
international expert meeting on environmental practices in offshore oil and gas
activities, sponsored by Brazil and the Netherlands and held at Noordwijk, the
Netherlands, in 1997, recommends:
(a) That the primary focus of action on the environmental aspects of offshore oil and
gas operations continue to be at the national, subregional and regional levels;
(b) In support of such action, there is a need to share information on the development
and application of satisfactory environmental management systems, aimed at achieving
national, subregional and regional environmental goals;
(c) To promote the sharing of that information, to raise awareness and to provide early
warning of off-shore oil and gas activities and projects posing potential threats to the
marine environment, further initiatives should be undertaken, involving Governments,
international organizations, operators and major groups.
E. International coordination and cooperation
37. The Commission urges relevant institutions, whether national, regional or global,
to enhance collaboration with each other, taking into account their respective mandates,
with a view to promoting coordinated approaches, avoiding duplication of effort, enhancing
effective functioning of existing organizations, and ensuring better access to information
and broadening its dissemination.
38. The Commission also notes that oceans and seas present a special case as regards
the need for international coordination and cooperation. The Commission is therefore
convinced that, building on existing arrangements, a more integrated approach is required
to all legal, economic, social and environmental aspects of the oceans and seas, both at
intergovernmental and inter-agency levels. To achieve this goal, the Commission:
(a) Invites the Secretary-General to undertake measures aimed at ensuring more
effective collaboration between relevant parts of the United Nations Secretariat in order
to ensure better coordination of United Nations work on oceans and seas;
(b) Further requests the Secretary-General to complement his annual reports to the
General Assembly with suggestions on initiatives that could be undertaken in order to
improve coordination and achieve better integration, and to submit these reports well in
advance of the debate in the Assembly;
(c) Invites the Secretary-General, working in cooperation with the executive heads of
relevant organizations of the United Nations system, to undertake measures aimed at
improving the effectiveness of the work of the ACC Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal
Areas, including through making the work of the Subcommittee more transparent and
responsive to member States, for example by organizing regular briefings on Subcommittee
activities;
(d) Recommends that the General Assembly, bearing in mind the importance of utilizing
the existing framework to the maximum extent possible, consider ways and means of
enhancing the effectiveness of its annual debate on oceans and the law of the sea.
39. In order to promote improved cooperation and coordination on oceans and seas, in
particular in the context of paragraph 38 (d) above, the Commission recommends that the
General Assembly establish an open-ended informal consultative process, or other processes
which it may decide, under the aegis of the General Assembly, with the sole function of
facilitating the effective and constructive consideration of matters within the General
Assembly's existing mandate (contained in General Assembly resolution 49/28 of 1994), on
the basis set out below.
1. Principles
40. Because of the complex and interrelated nature of the oceans, oceans and seas
present a special case as regards the need for international coordination and cooperation:
1. The General Assembly is the appropriate body to provide the coordination that is
needed to ensure that an integrated approach is taken to all aspects of oceans issues, at
both the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels.
2. This exercise should be carried out in full accordance with UNCLOS, taking into
account the agreements reached at the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED), particularly chapter 17 of Agenda 21. It should also take into
account the inputs provided by the Commission on Sustainable Development and other United
Nations bodies.
3. To accomplish this goal, the General Assembly needs to give more time for the
consideration and the discussion of the Secretary-General's report on oceans and the law
of the sea and for the preparation for the debate on this item in the plenary.
4. The creation of new institutions should be avoided. The General Assembly should work
to strengthen the existing structures and mandates within the United Nations system. This
exercise should not lead to the duplication and overlapping of current negotiations and
particular debates taking place in specialized forums.
5. The role of the General Assembly is to promote coordination of policies and
programmes. It is not intended that the General Assembly should pursue legal or juridical
coordination among the different legal instruments. In fulfilling its coordination
function, the Assembly should bear in mind the differing characteristics and needs of the
different regions of the world.
6. Participation in this exercise by Member States and observers should be as broad as
possible.
7. This exercise should be carried out within the annual budgetary resources of the
Secretariat.
2. Practicalities
[ UP ]
41. The informal consultative process referred to above or other processes which the
General Assembly may decide would deliberate on the basis of the Secretary-General's
report on oceans and the law of the sea. Its role would be to promote a comprehensive
discussion of that report and to identify particular emerging issues that would need to be
considered by the General Assembly. A general focus should be on identifying areas where
coordination and cooperation at the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels should be
enhanced. The informal consultative process would provide elements for the consideration
of the General Assembly and for possible inclusion in the Assembly's resolutions under the
item "Oceans and the law of the sea".
42. The informal consultative process should also take into account the recommendations
made by the Commission on Sustainable Development to the General Assembly (through the
Economic and Social Council).
43. The informal consultative process would take place each year for a week, and would
promote the participation of the different governmental agencies involved in oceans and
marine issues. It would be most important to ensure appropriate input from representatives
of major groups, and it is suggested that this may be best achieved by organizing
discussion panels.
44. The General Assembly should consider the optimum timing for the informal
consultative process, taking into account, inter alia, the desirability of facilitating
the attendance of experts from capitals and the needs of small delegations.
45. The General Assembly would review the effectiveness and utility of the process no
later than four years after its establishment.
Annex
Co-Chairmen's summary of discussions on oceans and seas held by the Inter-sessional Ad
Hoc Working Group on Oceans and Seas and on the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States, at its meeting from 1 to 5 March 1999
I. Introduction
1. The debate on oceans and seas was based on the report of the Secretary-General on
oceans and seas8 in the context of chapter 17 of Agenda 21. The United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea provided the overall legal framework, while Agenda 21 provided the
policy framework of the discussions under this theme. The 1998 International Year of the
Oceans helped to raise international awareness of the issues.
2. Many delegations pointed out that the seventh session of the Commission should build
upon the results and goals so far achieved. It was noted that particular attention should
be paid to Commission decision 4/15 and paragraph 36 of the Programme for the Further
Implementation of Agenda 21, adopted by the General Assembly at its nineteenth special
session.
3. The main starting points of the discussions included the recognition of the right of
countries to manage and exploit sustainably their marine resources and of the need to
enhance their capacities in this regard, as well as of the need to conserve actively
marine ecosystem functions, species and habitats. Many delegations noted that marine
resources constitute a critical source of food security as well as the livelihood for many
coastal and island developing States. Sustainable management of oceans and seas, as well
as of adjacent coastal areas, has important economic and social implications, particularly
related to the issue of poverty reduction.
4. Many delegations from developing and developed countries and countries with
economies in transition shared information on their policies, strategies and activities in
their countries in protecting and managing oceans and their living resources. Recent
meetings that provided useful contributions or have direct relevance to the debate were
mentioned, including an international expert meeting on environmental practices in
offshore oil and gas activities, co-sponsored by Brazil and the Netherlands and held at
Noordwijk, the Netherlands, in 1997; the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation oceans
conference held in Hawaii in October 1998; an intergovernmental meeting of experts on El
Niño held at Guayaquil, Ecuador, in November 1998; an international tropical marine
ecosystems management symposium held at Townsville, Australia, in November 1998; a
conference on cooperation for the development and protection of the coastal and marine
environment in sub-Saharan Africa, sponsored by the Advisory Committee on Protection of
the Sea, UNEP and the South African Government, held at Cape Town in December 1998; and
the Second London Oceans Workshop, sponsored by Brazil and the United Kingdom in December
1998. Also mentioned were the work of the Independent World Commission on Oceans and the
fourth session of the ongoing multilateral high-level consultations on highly migratory
fish stocks in the Central and Western Pacific, held in Hawaii in February 1999.
II. Major challenges at the national, regional and international levels
5. Main priority issues raised by the Working Group related to the following: (a) the
conservation and management of marine living resources, including sustainable fisheries;
(b) the prevention of the pollution and degradation of the marine environment from
land-based activities; (c) the scientific understanding of the way in which the oceans and
seas interact with the world climate system; and (d) enhancing international cooperation
and coordination.
A. Capacity-building for action at the national and regional levels
6. Many delegations noted that capacity-building was central to all actions to deal
with issues related to oceans and seas. They emphasized the need to build capacities at
both the national and regional levels to deliver actions in an integrated and holistic
manner. Improving scientific assessments of oceans was essential in this regard, building
on the work and experience of scientists from all countries and relevant organizations.
7. Many delegations stressed the need for financial resources and technology transfer
in achieving goals agreed in chapter 17 of Agenda 21.
8. Many delegations stressed the importance of taking practical steps at the regional
level, and thus the need for enhancing regional collaboration on the marine environment,
particularly through the UNEP regional seas programme and the corresponding agreements in
other regions to integrate marine environment policies among States. The need to
revitalize the regional seas programme was emphasized in this regard. A mention was also
made that regional fisheries management organizations and regional seas environmental
protection organizations should be called on to cooperate in the development of integrated
fisheries management and environmental protection, conservation and management, based on
an ecosystem approach. Some delegations emphasized the creation or strengthening of
networks at the regional level to exchange and disseminate scientific information related
to oceans.
B. International agreements
9. Several delegations called for urgent ratification and full implementation of such
international agreements as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the
United Nations fish stocks agreement and the FAO compliance agreement, the Convention on
the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter and its 1996
Protocol, and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL 73/78). Also underlined was the importance of implementing the FAO international
plans of action for the management of fishing capacity, shark fisheries, and incidental
catch of seabirds in longline fisheries, and applying the FAO code of conduct for
responsible fisheries. These were recommended to be fully taken into account in
formulating and adopting national action plans.
III. Areas of concern
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A. Marine living resources
10. Many delegations noted that different fishing patterns have different impacts on
the world's regional fish stocks (examples given included commercial practices versus
subsistence fishing in developing countries, and long distance fisheries versus coastal
fisheries). The growing problem was mentioned, for example, of illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing, particularly by vessels, often flying flags of convenience, that
encroach on the fisheries resources of coastal and island developing States as well as of
the high seas. Many delegations identified the urgent need to eradicate such practices,
which often lead to a significant loss of revenue and resources of those countries and
affect small-scale subsistence fisheries. They called for the enhancement of the
surveillance and control capacities of coastal and island developing States. Assistance
was also needed for those countries to control distant fishing fleets operating under
access agreements. The need for support for further work on the technical aspects of this
issue was mentioned in this regard. Some delegations noted that illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing practices might be best dealt with in appropriate regional fisheries
management bodies.
11. Many delegations mentioned the urgent need for measures and actions to reduce and
eliminate wasteful fishing practices. In this regard, they called for the bringing into
force and the implementation of the FAO compliance agreement and the international plans
of action for the management of fishing capacity, shark fisheries, and incidental catch of
seabirds in longline fisheries, adopted by the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February
1999, and intended to bring fishing capacity worldwide to an optimum level and to conserve
and manage shark fisheries and seabird populations. In addition, some delegations urged
the adoption of bycatch reduction plans at the national, regional and global levels to
minimize bycatch, and to the extent that bycatch cannot be avoided, to minimize bycatch
mortality. Such plans should include restrictions on indiscriminate or harmful fishing
gear and practices that contribute to elevated bycatch or marine habitat degradation.
12. Many delegations linked calls to reduce global fishing capacity with the evaluation
of possible negative impact of subsidies, and the reduction and progressive elimination of
subsidies and other economic and fiscal incentives that in their view directly or
indirectly promote overcapitalization. Many other delegations felt that this was
particularly applicable to industrialized fleets. A view was expressed, however, that in a
situation where there is a system for licensing fishing vessels and the number of vessels
is controlled, there were no grounds for the claim that subsidies constituted a cause of
excessive fishing.
13. Some delegations touched on the need for consumers to be better informed, including
through market incentives, such as eco-labelling of fish and fish products. Other
delegations cautioned that in ongoing discussions regarding eco-labelling, potential
negative impacts of these measures on market access should be properly taken into account.
Other delegations suggested that this matter should be left to be dealt with at the
national level. Many delegations stated that the concept of eco-labelling and related
issues are still under consideration at the Committee on Trade and Environment of the
World Trade Organization; in any case, such measures should not constitute barriers to
trade. Some other delegations referred to the work of FAO in this respect.
14. Many delegations mentioned that many countries need assistance in sound scientific
observation of their fish stocks. A suggestion was made for regional fisheries
cooperation, in particular through regional scientific peer review of information on the
state of fish stocks and catches.
B. Land-based activities
15. There was a general agreement that some progress has been achieved with the
adoption of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
from Land-based Activities but that urgent attention was needed for its effective
implementation at the regional and national levels. Some delegations stressed the
importance of resuscitating UNEP's catalytic role in the development of a clearinghouse
mechanism which would promote action at the national and regional levels.
16. Many delegations emphasized the lack of financial resources as the major obstacle
in achieving the objectives of the Programme of Action. Unless assistance was provided, in
particular to developing countries, it would be difficult for them to implement the
Programme of Action.
17. Some delegations referred to the identification of steps to address sewage problems
as among the most important challenges. Also noted was the necessary link between
Commission work related to sewage aspects of freshwater and the Programme of Action.
C. Marine science and climate change
18. Several delegations referred to the El Niño/La Niña phenomena as having global
repercussions. Long-term strategy to tackle these phenomena was needed, in particular to
improve monitoring and prediction of climate variability, develop early warning systems at
the regional levels, and build capacity at the regional and national levels in these
areas, as well as in the prevention of natural disasters.
19. Several delegations noted that the recent El Niño phenomena had caused extensive
damage to vulnerable populations in several countries, their natural resources and their
livestock. In this connection, many delegations referred to a series of intergovernmental
conferences on the 1997'1998 El Niño within the International Decade for Natural Disaster
Reduction framework and in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 52/200, including the
intergovernmental meeting of experts on El Niño held at Guayaquil, Ecuador, in November
1998. The objectives of these conferences were to improve the scientific understanding of
and the ability to predict the environmental and societal impacts of the phenomena, and to
define improved operational and institutional approaches to reducing damage from future
occurrences.
20. Several countries indicated the need to improve scientific understanding of the
role of oceans in modifying climatic extremes, such as El Niño, through an extended
network of monitoring stations under the Global Ocean Observation System and other
international programmes.
21. Some delegations noted that oceanographic observation was of growing importance in
assessing the degree of climate change and other developments in the global environment.
They called for the cooperation of the relevant authorities to advance such work. D. Other
marine pollution
22. Some delegations valued the contribution made by the Noordwijk expert meeting on
environmental practices in offshore oil and gas activities, the holding of which was
welcomed by the Commission at its fourth session.
23. A mention was made of the importance of reaching an early agreement in IMO on
hazardous substances in anti-fouling paints and the spread of harmful aquatic organisms in
ballast water, and in the International Seabed Authority on environmental standards for
seabed prospecting and, eventually, for mining. Some delegations supported further
consideration within IMO of ways to control air pollution from shipping and mandatory ship
reporting systems.
24. Many delegations emphasized the importance of reaching early agreement, under the
aegis of UNEP, on persistent organic pollutants.
25. Some delegations expressed continued support for improving the operation of GESAMP,
while noting at the same time that regional approaches were most practical for improving
access to sound scientific understanding. It was also noted that such an improved GESAMP
should provide transparency, accountability and consultation.
E. Coral reefs and marine protected areas
26. Some delegations proposed the development of a global representative system of
marine protected areas within and across national jurisdictions. A note of caution was
voiced for applying the concept of marine protected areas on the high seas without any
agreement on their sustainable use. It was recommended to focus on coastal areas and on
encouraging every State concerned to exercise its national jurisdictions. It was also
emphasized that further work in this area should be in line with the Programme for the
Further Implementation of Agenda 21 adopted by the General Assembly at its nineteenth
special session.
27. Referring to the ICRI international tropical marine ecosystems management symposium
held at Townsville, Australia, in November 1998, many delegations welcomed the renewed
call to action by ICRI, and requested the Commission to reaffirm the importance of ICRI
with a view to achieving its principal goals.
IV. International coordination and cooperation
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28. There was general agreement that coordination within and among Governments as well
as among bodies within the United Nations system was vital and could be improved. The
meeting welcomed the acknowledgment in paragraph 52 of the report of the Secretary-General
on oceans and seas of the case for reviewing the working of the ACC Subcommittee on Oceans
and Coastal Areas with a view to improving its effectiveness in coordination.
29. Some delegations drew attention to the need for greater synergy and better
integration of oceans affairs within the United Nations system. It was mentioned that the
annual debate on oceans and the law of the sea needs to be more transparent, more
systematic, more responsive and better prepared. It was further mentioned that the
Commission has a role to play in relation to oceans in preparing for the next review of
the implementation of Agenda 21. The involvement of non-governmental actors was also
underlined by some delegations.
30. Many delegations argued for the need for improved coordination at the
intergovernmental level for achieving a holistic approach for global action on oceans. In
this regard, some delegations mentioned specific proposals, some of which were presented
in written form.9 Other proposals may emerge. Other delegations, however, cautioned
against the establishment of a new institution before the problems and gaps in existing
arrangements had been identified. They stressed instead the need for streamlining and
reinforcing existing mechanisms.
31. Some delegations pointed out that further discussions would be needed to examine
the purpose, format, timing, duration, frequency and reallocation of available funds,
consistent with the relevant rules and regulations of the United Nations, when considering
new organizational arrangements. Some other delegations pointed out that it is essential
to identify problems in the existing international arrangements, and that if improved
coordination is desirable in certain areas, attempts should first be made to make better
use of the existing framework of relevant conventions and organizations.

Decision 7/2. Changing consumption and production patterns
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1. The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Reaffirms the basis for action as called for in chapter 4 of Agenda 21;
(b) Bears in mind the statement of commitment adopted by the General Assembly at its
nineteenth special session on 27 June 1997;
(c) Takes fully into account that States have common but differentiated
responsibilities, as set forth in principle 7 of the Rio Declaration, and different levels
of development as well as national conditions and priorities;
(d) Reaffirms the objectives and policy measures elaborated in chapters 33 and 34 of
Agenda 21 in relation to financing and the transfer of environmentally sound technologies;
(e) Recognizes that the implementation of sustainable consumption and production
approaches suited to country-specific conditions can lead to reduced costs and improved
competitiveness as well as reduced environmental impacts.
2. The Commission decides on the measures set out below.
3. The principal goals of changing consumption and production patterns should be
pursued by all countries, with the developed countries taking the lead, in full accordance
with Agenda 21 and paragraph 28 of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda
21, taking into account the situation of developing countries adversely affected by the
process, while ensuring that all countries benefit from the process. Governments face a
collective challenge that requires reaffirmed commitments, strengthened cooperation and
greater efforts towards concrete action, taking into account that States have common but
differentiated responsibilities in accordance with principle 7 of the Rio Declaration.
Governments, relevant international organizations, the private sector and all other major
groups as defined by Agenda 21 have a role to play in changing unsustainable consumption
and production patterns and need to take action to this end. Special attention should be
paid to unsustainable consumption patterns among the richer segments in all countries, in
particular in developed countries.
4. Developed countries should continue to take the lead in efforts to reverse
unsustainable trends in consumption and production, especially those that threaten the
global environment. Developing countries' priorities are to eradicate poverty, with
international support for achieving poverty reduction targets as agreed in United Nations
conferences and summits, and improve standards of living, including meeting basic needs
and lessening the burden of external debt, while taking all possible steps to avoid
environmental damage and social inequity, for the furtherance of sustainable development.
Countries with economies in transition face the challenge of integrating policies to make
consumption and production patterns more sustainable into the reform process, for which
international support is also needed. Developed countries should therefore fulfil the
commitments undertaken to reach the accepted United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of
gross national product as soon as possible. This will require a reversal in the current
downward trend of overall official development assistance (ODA) as a percentage of gross
national product (GNP). Governments should ensure that the basic needs of the people are
met.
Priorities for future work
5. The Commission on Sustainable Development reaffirms that poverty eradication and
changing unsustainable consumption and production patterns remain the overriding issues of
the Commissions's work programme. These two issues are to be integrated, as appropriate,
into the future themes of the work programme, in particular highlighting the linkages with
agriculture, financial resources, trade and investment in 2000, and energy and transport
in 2001. In this regard, consideration should be given to developments in other relevant
international organizations and intergovernmental bodies. The two overriding issues should
also be given due regard at the comprehensive review at the Commission's tenth session in
2002 in preparation for the 10-year review of progress made since UNCED.
6. Activities under the Commission's international work programme on sustainable
consumption and production patterns, adopted at its third session in 1995, should
continue. In addition, the implementation of the international work programme will
incorporate the following four priority areas: (a) effective policy development and
implementation; (b) natural resource management and cleaner production; (c) globalization
and its impacts on consumption and production patterns; and (d) urbanization and its
impacts on consumption and production patterns. Progress on work and concrete results will
be reported to the Commission at its tenth session, in 2002.
Effective policy development and implementation
7. Governments, in cooperation with relevant international organizations and in
partnership with major groups, should:
(a) Further develop and implement policies for promoting sustainable consumption and
production patterns, including affordable, more eco-efficient consumption and production,
through disincentives for unsustainable practices and incentives for more sustainable
practices. A policy mix for this purpose could include regulations, economic and social
instruments, procurement policies and voluntary agreements and initiatives to be applied
in the light of country-specific conditions;
(b) In order to achieve sustainable consumption and production, promote measures to
internalize environmental costs and benefits in the price of goods and services, while
seeking to avoid potential negative effects for market access by developing countries,
particularly with a view to encouraging the use of environmentally preferable products and
commodities. Governments should consider shifting the burden of taxation onto
unsustainable patterns of production and consumption; it is of vital importance to achieve
such an internalization of environmental costs. Such tax reforms should include a socially
responsible process of reduction and elimination of subsidies to environmentally harmful
activities;
(c) Work to increase understanding of the role of advertising and mass media and
marketing forces in shaping consumption and production patterns, and enhance their role in
promoting sustainable development, inter alia, through voluntary initiatives and agreed
guidelines;
(d) Develop and implement public awareness programmes with a focus on consumer
education and access to information, in particular addressing youth, through, inter alia,
integrating the issue of sustainable consumption and production into teaching curricula at
all levels, as appropriate, and taking into account gender perspectives and the special
concerns of older people;
(e) Improve the quality of information regarding the environmental impact of products
and services, and to that end encourage the voluntary and transparent use of
eco-labelling;
(f) Further develop, test and improve the preliminary set of indicators for sustainable
consumption and production developed under the Commission's work programme, focusing on
the practical use of the indicators for policy development, taking into account the
special needs and conditions of developing countries;
(g) Ensure that implementation of measures for the above do not result in disguised
barriers to trade;
(h) Ensure that implementation of measures for the above take fully into account the
ongoing deliberations in relevant international forums.
8. Developed countries should promote and facilitate the transfer of technical
know-how, environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building for implementation to
developing countries, in accordance with chapter 34 of Agenda 21, and also to countries
with economies in transition so as to foster more sustainable consumption and production
patterns. Furthermore, private-sector involvement should also be encouraged and promoted.
Natural resource management and cleaner production
9. Governments, in cooperation with relevant international organizations and in
partnership with major groups, should:
(a) Develop and apply policies to promote public and private investments in cleaner
production and the sustainable use of natural resources, including the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries, in accordance with chapter 34
of Agenda 21, and also to countries with economies in transition;
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(b) Collect and disseminate cost-effective best practice experiences in cleaner
production and environmental management;
(c) Undertake further analysis of the costs and benefits of demand-side management, and
where there is still insufficient information, of supply-side management, including
cleaner production and eco-efficiency, and assess the positive and negative impacts on
developing and developed countries and countries with economies in transition;
(d) Further develop and implement, as appropriate, cleaner production and
eco-efficiency policy approaches, through, inter alia, environmental management systems,
integrated product policies, life-cycle management, labelling schemes and performance
reporting, and in this context, taking fully into account the national circumstances and
needs of the developing countries as well as the relevant ongoing deliberations of the
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade and the Committee on Trade and Environment of the
World Trade Organization (WTO). Best practices and results should be shared within the
wider community and used for capacity-building, in particular in small and medium-sized
enterprises, including in developing countries and countries with economies in transition;
(e) Engage industries and economic sectors, in both public and private sectors, and all
other major groups at the national and international levels, as appropriate, in activities
relating to sustainable consumption and production with the objective of developing
optimal strategies and/or programmes, including targets and timetables, at the appropriate
levels for more sustainable consumption and production, including cleaner production and
affordable eco-efficiency.
10. The United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization should, inter alia, through their cleaner production centres,
enhance their support to enterprises, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, in
developing countries and countries with economies in transition, especially in the areas
of auditing and certification, loan applications and financing, and the marketing of their
products on international markets as well as dissemination of information on
environmentally sound technology and technical know-how.
11. Recognizing that the implementation of cleaner production and eco-efficiency
approaches can lead to reduced costs and improved competitiveness, as well as reduced
environmental impacts, business and industry should be encouraged to implement these
approaches as a contribution to the achievement of sustainable production.
Globalization and its impacts on consumption and production patterns
12. Governments, in cooperation with relevant international organizations and in
partnership with major groups, should:
(a) Undertake studies of the impacts of globalization, including both positive and
negative impacts of trade, investment, mass media, advertising and marketing in all
countries, in particular developing countries. The studies should examine ways and means
to mitigate negative impacts and use opportunities to promote more sustainable consumption
and production patterns and open and non-discriminatory trade;
(b) Undertake studies on the role of the financial sector in promoting sustainable
consumption and production, and further encourage voluntary initiatives suited to national
conditions for sustainable development by that sector;
(c) Increase their efforts to make policies on trade and policies on environment,
including those on sustainable consumption and production, mutually supportive, without
creating disguised barriers to trade;
(d) Study the benefits of traditional values and local cultures in promoting
sustainable consumption.
Urbanization and its impacts on consumption and production patterns
13. Governments, in cooperation with relevant international organizations and in
partnership with major groups, while particularly taking into account the work of the
Commission on Human Settlements, should:
(a) Assess and address, in the context of sustainable development, the impacts of
urbanization, in particular those related to energy, transport, sanitation, waste
management and public health;
(b) Increase efforts to address the critical issues of fresh water and sanitation in
human settlements in developing countries through, inter alia, the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies and the provision of financial resources for
implementation, as elaborated in Agenda 21, as a priority of the international agenda on
sustainable consumption and production;
(c) Assess and address the impacts of urbanization on economic, environmental and
social conditions. In-depth studies on the key determining factors of quality of life
should be undertaken and used to strengthen appropriate human settlement development
strategies suited to national conditions, in the context of urbanization.
14. Governments at all levels are encouraged to incorporate sustainable consumption and
production policies in city planning and management, and to report to the review exercise
to be conducted at the tenth session of the Commission.
15. Governments at all levels, the private sector and other major groups as defined in
Agenda 21 are urged to cooperate in developing waste collection systems and disposal
facilities, and developing programmes for prevention, minimization and recycling of waste,
to safeguard and improve the quality of life in human settlements and coastal regions in
all countries, especially in developing countries. Dissemination of positive results of
the implementation of various policy instruments suitable to the national conditions and
needs of developing countries can facilitate the wider application of such policies.
Annex
Co-Chairmen's summary of the discussions on consumption and production patterns held by
the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Consumption and Production Patterns and on
Tourism at its meeting from 22 to 26 February 1999
Introduction
1. The debate on changing consumption and production patterns was based on the report
of the Secretary-General entitled "Comprehensive review of changing consumption and
production patterns",10 in the context of chapter 4 of Agenda 21 and paragraph 28 of
the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21.11
2. Many delegations from developing and developed countries and countries with
economies in transition described activities in their countries promoting sustainable
consumption and production patterns. Recent meetings that provided useful contributions to
the debate were mentioned, including a workshop at Kabelvåg, Norway, on the theme
"Consumption in a sustainable world", hosted by Norway in June 1998, and a
conference on the theme "Sustainable consumption patterns: trends and traditions in
East Asia", hosted by the Republic of Korea in January 1999, in cooperation with the
United Nations Division for Sustainable Development, and co-sponsored by Sweden and
Norway. A number of delegations welcomed the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Human Development Report, 1998,12 with its focus on consumption and human development, as
a contribution to the debate.
General considerations
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3. Many delegations stated that unsustainable consumption and production patterns
include both adverse environmental impacts arising from the excess consumption of natural
resources, particularly in the developed countries, and unemployment, poverty and
underconsumption of basic goods and services, particularly in developing countries. They
felt it would be useful to have a coordinated programme of national and regional studies
concerning destructive patterns of consumption and production, notably in the areas of
energy use, transport of waste products and use of renewable and non-renewable natural
resources, to assess their sustainability. It was also considered important to ensure a
sustainable development agenda for energy that would cover all types of energy and address
economic, social and environmental aspects.
4. Many countries stated that achieving sustainable development required a transition
to sustainable patterns of production and consumption, particularly in industrialized
countries. It was noted that Governments face a collective challenge to strengthen
cooperation and make greater efforts towards concrete action, taking into account the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
5. Many delegations stated that the biggest challenge for industrialized countries was
to minimize the negative effects of consumption and production and to assist developing
countries and countries with economies in transition in their efforts. Industrialized
countries must therefore continue to take the lead in finding ways to change unsustainable
consumption and production patterns.
6. Many delegations felt that the work programme on changing consumption and production
patterns as adopted by the Commission at its third session should be implemented and
further developed.
7. Many delegations emphasized that consumption and production patterns, together with
poverty, are overriding issues for the Commission for the period 1998-2002. The need to
change consumption and production patterns towards sustainable development should
therefore be addressed in the context of the themes for each session of the Commission, in
particular with respect to agriculture in 2000 and energy and transport in 2001.
8. Many delegations stated that changing consumption and production patterns to ensure
sustainability should not imply reductions in the quality of life or living standards and
should ensure that the basic needs of all people are met.
9. Some delegations noted that increases in consumption in recent decades have improved
the welfare of large numbers of people in the world. However, there are enormous, and in
many cases widening, disparities in consumption between and within countries. Increased
consumption has also, in many cases, resulted in the undermining of the sustainability of
development through environmental degradation and resource depletion. The most severe
environmental impacts are being felt in the poorest regions of the world.
10. Many delegations stated that Governments should ensure minimum standards of
consumption for poor people, with particular attention to nutrition, literacy and
education, health care, clean drinking water, sanitation and shelter. Improving
opportunities for productive employment, particularly in rural areas of developing
countries, could contribute to this objective. It was noted that rural communities in
developing countries where access to electricity was prohibitively expensive could be
supplied with solar energy, thus improving living standards and environmental conditions.
11. One delegation noted that its country had increased consumption in recent decades
while reducing pollution through measures such as increased energy and resource
efficiency, increased reuse and recycling, increased durability of goods, and improved
management of chemicals and waste. Nonetheless, it noted that much more needed to be done
to promote environmentally sound and sustainable consumption and production practices.
12. Another delegation noted that unsustainable consumption and production patterns,
particularly in developed countries, have produced global environmental degradation,
including depletion of fish stocks, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, ozone depletion
and the steady accumulation of greenhouse gases.
13. Some delegations stated that a variety of policy instruments should be used to
promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, including regulations, economic
incentives, ecological tax reform, information and education. It was noted that further
work was needed on assessing the effectiveness of policy instruments in providing
economic, environmental and social benefits. Further study was also needed to assess the
benefits and costs of phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies and introducing
environmental taxes and charges more widely, with measures to assist vulnerable groups and
enterprises that may be adversely affected. It was proposed that the role of the financial
services sector in facilitating environmentally and socially responsible investments
deserved further study and analysis.
14. Some delegations stated that development of indicators to measure changes in
consumption and production patterns was important for identifying areas where action is
needed and assessing the effectiveness of policy measures. It was also stated that, in
developing such indicators, consideration must be given to the situation of developing
countries, in particular to the satisfaction of basic needs, information availability and
accessible methodologies.
15. One delegation stated that information dissemination measures were sometimes
insufficient and that a shift to "social system" measures was required.
16. Some delegations stated that Governments should ensure cleaner production and
eco-efficiency in their own operations and procurement, and introduce environmental
management systems. It was noted that the 1996 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) Council Recommendation on Improving the Environmental Performance of
Governments and the Recommendation on Improving the Environmental Performance of OECD were
important contributions to this objective.
17. Some delegations noted that sustainable production and consumption, particularly
with respect to fossil fuel consumption and its links to climate change and sea-level
rise, were of particular concern to small island developing States. Other delegations were
of the view that fossil fuel consumption was not the conclusive cause of climate change.
18. Some delegations stated that further efforts were needed to improve access to
international markets for products from least developed countries in order to promote
sustainable consumption and production in those countries.
19. One delegation stated that work in the area of computer modelling of consumption
and production trends should reflect specific consumption and production trends at
subregional and national levels. Such computer models should be used to examine the
possible impacts of changes in policy.
20. Many delegations stated that progress towards more sustainable consumption and
production, and towards the implementation of the Commission's work programme, would
require cooperation among Governments, business and industry, non-governmental
organizations and international organizations. Public-private partnerships should be
promoted towards this objective.
21. In addition to continuing work on the existing work programme, delegations proposed
new priorities and new areas of work as described below.
Natural resource management and cleaner production
22. Many delegations stated that developed countries should encourage the establishment
of best practices in cleaner production and environmental management. Developed countries
and international organizations should make further efforts towards capacity-building and
technology transfer to industrial sectors in developing countries and countries with
economies in transition.
23. Many delegations stated that increased efforts were needed to promote and
facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in combination with
financial resources, to developing countries and countries with economies in transition
and provide them with technical assistance in support of their national capacity-building
programmes. They looked forward to developed countries' meeting their commitments to ODA,
leading to more tangible and visible results.
24. Some delegations stated that cleaner production and eco-efficiency, based on
improved skills, technologies and efficient use of energy and resources, were essential to
sustainable development in both developed and developing countries. In many cases, it was
noted, cleaner production provided large economic benefits as well as environmental
benefits. It was also noted, however, that these efficiency improvements have generally
been outweighed by increased volumes of production and consumption.
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25. Some delegations supported the idea of developing national cleaner production and
eco-efficiency strategies and setting targets for eco-efficiency adapted to particular
sectors, products and processes. Governments, in partnership with industry, should develop
and implement comprehensive policy packages including cleaner production, eco-efficiency,
life-cycle management, product stewardship and pollution prevention. The development and
application of integrated product policies was seen as a useful approach to this
objective.
26. Many delegations stated that Governments should encourage business and industry to
adopt environmental management systems and to publish information on the environmental
impacts of their activities. Where possible, they should be encouraged to provide
information on the environmental impacts of their goods and services, including the
impacts of distribution, use and disposal, as well as production processes.
27. Some delegations stated that business and industry could make important
contributions to making consumption and production more sustainable by developing and
adopting cleaner production technologies, environmental best practices, environmental
management systems, codes of conduct, voluntary guidelines and negotiated agreements.
Governments should promote dialogue and partnership with business and industry towards
this objective.
28. Some delegations stated that increased research and investment are required to
develop more sustainable use of key resources in such areas as energy, transport and
water, with a view to improving access for poor people and conserving resources. It was
noted that some Governments were providing financial support for science and technology
for sustainability in such areas as energy and agriculture, and for incentives for
consumers to improve energy efficiency in homes and transportation.
29. Some delegations stated that regulations and economic incentives, including
progressive internalization of environmental costs, should be used to promote cleaner
production and eco-efficiency. Many small and medium-sized enterprises would need support
from government and other members of industry in meeting those objectives.
30. Many delegations were of the view that economic instruments and the internalization
of environmental costs might constitute a trade restriction and be counter-productive,
specifically in regard to the already limited comparative advantages of developing
countries, and therefore should be avoided in accordance with the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities.
31. Some delegations stated that voluntary initiatives by the private sector, where
appropriate in cooperation with government and non-governmental organizations, could also
contribute to changing consumption and production patterns. It was noted that the
Commission secretariat, in consultation with other stakeholders, was organizing a
multi-stakeholder experts workshop, to be hosted by Canada in March 1999, to identify
elements for a review of voluntary initiatives and agreements and to report to the
Commission.
32. Many delegations stated that the UNEP/UNIDO cleaner production centres should
provide additional support to enterprises, in particular small and medium-sized
enterprises, in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, for
introducing cleaner production technologies, financing technology transfer and undertaking
capacity-building for environmental management, auditing and certification.
33. Some delegations welcomed the International Declaration on Cleaner Production
launched by UNEP in October 1998 and invited Governments that had not already done so to
sign the Declaration.
Impact of globalization on consumption and production patterns
34. Many delegations noted that consumption and production patterns in developed
countries strongly influenced patterns in developing countries, particularly in the
context of globalization and trade liberalization. This occurred not only through trade
and investment, but also through communication, mass media, advertising and marketing.
They stressed that consumption and production patterns in developed countries should not
be used to create technical barriers to trade.
35. Some delegations stated that further efforts should be made to identify areas in
which changing consumption patterns in developed countries offer opportunities for
enterprises in developing countries. It was noted that some developing-country production
processes are more environmentally friendly than processes in developed countries.
36. Many delegations stated that trade pressure from developed countries had also
contributed to unsustainable consumption practices in developing countries. For example,
when developed countries seek, through various means, lower taxes on their exports to
developing countries, such as luxury cars, energy-wasting home appliances and other
expensive products, they affect the consumption patterns of developing countries. Those
delegations recommended that developed countries take steps to harmonize their policies on
trade and sustainable development, with particular reference to avoiding the tendency to
export unsustainable consumption and production patterns. It was suggested that countries
could consider applying environmental taxes on particular luxury and disposable goods that
have negative environmental impacts.
37. Some delegations stated that improvements in eco-efficiency would be beneficial to
all countries and that action to promote cleaner production and eco-efficiency should be
intensified, but that there might be some negative side effects for countries with a high
economic dependence on exports of natural resources.
38. Some delegations noted that economic and social development in oil exporting
countries could be adversely affected by measures such as energy taxes and that
consideration should be given to the situation of those countries.
39. One delegation stressed the importance of ensuring coherence between multilateral
agreements and instruments that address environmental and social standards, and the
multilateral trade rules.
40. Many delegations proposed that the role of communications, media and advertising in
promoting unsustainable consumption and production patterns and in disseminating
consumption and production patterns internationally should be studied. They suggested that
agreed guidelines might be considered.
Urbanization
41. Many delegations stated that further efforts are urgently needed to address
problems related to transportation and health in human settlements in developing
countries, in particular problems of air pollution and traffic congestion. New approaches
to urban planning, land-use management and public transportation were needed to address
these problems in a comprehensive way.
42. Many delegations noted that waste collection and disposal was a major environmental
issue in both developing and developed countries. They noted a need for research and
development in waste management systems and for developed-country support in introducing
such systems into developing countries. It was stated that waste prevention through
cleaner production, reductions in packaging, recycling and reuse, and consumer education
and information could make a major contribution to waste management. International
exchange of best practices in those areas would be of major importance.
43. Many delegations stated that urban infrastructure for clean drinking water and
sanitation in developing countries should be a priority.
44. Many delegations stated that developed-country expertise, technology and financial
resources could help in addressing the problems of urban infrastructure development, waste
management and comprehensive urban planning in developing countries.
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45. Some delegations noted that urban planning and infrastructure development were key
determinants of long-term patterns of consumption and production, as they impose
constraints on changes in patterns of transportation and consumption of energy, water and
materials. Sustainability considerations should be integrated into land-use planning and
urban development.
Consumer information and education and social values
46. Some delegations stated that sustainable consumption and production required that
technology improvements be complemented by changes in lifestyles and new perceptions of
welfare, in particular among affluent consumers in all countries. This required that
consumers be active participants in sustainable development efforts.
47. Some delegations stated that information on sustainable consumption and production
should be integrated into educational curricula at all levels of education, particularly
into professional education.
48. Some delegations stated that eco-labelling and fair trade labelling could assist
consumers in taking environmental and social issues into account in their consumption.
Such measures, however, should not be disguised barriers to trade. Many delegations
cautioned that the concept of eco-labelling and related issues were still under discussion
in the Committee on Trade and Environment of the World Trade Organization.
49. One delegation stressed that issues related to eco-labelling should focus only on
product characteristics, taking due consideration of discussions in other multilateral
forums, such as the World Trade Organization Committee on Trade and Environment, in order
to avoid disguised barriers to trade.
50. Some delegations stated that the use of economic policy instruments, including
internalization of environmental and social costs, and the phasing out of environmentally
harmful subsidies, were also essential in promoting consumer choices that take into
account the impact on sustainable development. Many delegations questioned the idea of
"social costs" and expressed preference for a reference instead to the social
impacts of economic policy instruments.
51. Some delegations stated that further research was needed on consumer behaviour,
including the choices made by women, men and children, and of the effect of advertising
and the media. The Oxford-based International Commission on Sustainability which is being
established to look at the social-cultural dimensions that shape consumption and
production patterns should provide a valuable contribution to further consideration of
this issue.
52. Some delegations stated that consideration should be given to how elements of
traditional knowledge, culture, practices and lifestyles can be combined with modern
approaches to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Efforts in this
area in East Asia should take into account the work of the conference on the theme
"Sustainable consumption patterns: trends and traditions in East Asia", held in
the Republic of Korea in January 1999.
53. Many delegations welcomed the agreement in informal consultations on new elements
on sustainable consumption for inclusion in the United Nations guidelines for consumer
protection.13
54. Some delegations stated that consumer information and education were essential for
enabling consumers to make informed choices. Consumers should be provided with information
on the impacts of consumer behaviour on the environment, health, quality of life and
poverty, and with information on alternative consumption possibilities. Governments, in
partnership with the business community, consumer organizations and other organizations of
civil society, should promote public availability of such information. It was noted that
public participation in policy-making at all levels and transparent legislative and
regulatory process promote public support of, and participation in, sustainable production
and consumption efforts. Public support was needed to strengthen the work of consumer
organizations in these areas.

Decision 7/3. Tourism and sustainable development
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1. The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Recalls the outcome of the nineteenth special session of the General Assembly for
the overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21,14 in particular
Assembly resolution S/19-2, annex, of 28 June 1997, in paragraph 69 of which the Assembly
requested the Commission on Sustainable Development to develop an action-oriented
international programme of work on sustainable tourism development, to be defined in
cooperation with the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Conference of the Parties
to the Convention on Biological Diversity15 and other relevant bodies, and stressed that
policy development and implementation should take place in cooperation with all interested
parties, especially the private sector and local and indigenous communities;
(b) Recalls also that the General Assembly, in its resolution 53/200 of 15 December
1998, proclaimed the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism and in its
resolution 53/24 of 10 November 1998 proclaimed 2002 also as the International Year of
Mountains;
(c) Notes with appreciation the outcome of the multi-stakeholder dialogue at the
current session of the Commission and the progress made so far by major groups in
promoting sustainable tourism development.
2. The Commission decides to adopt an international work programme on sustainable
tourism development, containing the elements outlined below, and to begin its
implementation with appropriate means and resources, especially for developing countries,
which will be reviewed in 2002 when the 10-year review of progress achieved since the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development will be carried out.
3. The Commission urges Governments:
(a) To advance sustainable tourism development, inter alia, through the development and
implementation of policies and national strategies or master plans for sustainable tourism
development based on Agenda 21, which will encourage their tourism industry, assist in
attracting foreign direct investment and appropriate environmentally sound technologies,
and also provide focus and direction for the active participation of major groups,
including national tourism councils and, as appropriate, tourism agencies and
organizations, and the private sector as well as indigenous and local communities;
(b) To consult, as appropriate, with all major groups and local communities in the
tourism development process, including policy formulation, planning, management and
sharing of benefits, which could reflect the need to harmonize the relationship among the
people, the community and the environment;
(c) To work in partnership with major groups, especially at the local level, to ensure
active participation in tourism-related planning and development;
(d) To undertake capacity-building work with indigenous and local communities in order
to facilitate their active participation, at all levels of the tourism development
process, including transparent decision-making and sharing of benefits, and to create
awareness of the social, economic and environmental costs and benefits that they are
bearing;
(e) To create the appropriate institutional, legal, economic, social and environmental
framework by developing and applying a mix of instruments, as appropriate, such as
integrated land-use planning and coastal zone management, economic instruments, social and
environmental impact assessment for tourist facilities, including gender aspects, and
voluntary initiatives and agreements;
(f) To maximize the potential of tourism for eradicating poverty by developing
appropriate strategies in cooperation with all major groups, and indigenous and local
communities;
(g) To welcome the major groups' agreement to promote sustainable tourism development
through music, art and drama and to participate in such educational activities;
(h) To facilitate destination-specific in-flight educational videos and other materials
on sustainable development in relation to tourism and to encourage airline carriers to
routinely screen such videos on all international and long-haul domestic routes;
(i) To promote a favourable framework for small and medium-sized enterprises, the major
engine for job creation in the tourism sector, by reducing administrative burdens,
facilitating access to capital and providing training in management and other skills, in
recognition of the employment potential of sustainable tourism development;
(j) To take strong and appropriate action, through the development and enforcement of
specific legislation/measures, against any kind of illegal, abusive or exploitative
tourist activity, including sexual exploitation/abuse, in recognition of the fact that
such activities have particularly adverse impacts and pose significant social, health and
cultural threats, and that all countries have a role to play in the efforts to stamp them
out;
(k) To participate in international and regional processes that address issues relevant
to sustainable tourism development; to consider the ratification or adoption, and promote
the implementation and enforcement, as appropriate, of standards or guidelines relevant to
the travel and tourism industry, such as in the labour and health fields; and to support
initiatives, especially through organizations like the International Labour Organization
and the World Health Organization, that would make an early and positive contribution to
sustainable tourism development;
(l) To support appropriate measures to better inform tourists about cultural,
ecological and other values and provide accurate information on the safety of tourist
destinations, so as to enable consumers to make informed choices.
4. The Commission calls upon the tourism industry:
(a) To develop environmentally, socially and culturally compatible forms of tourism and
to continue the development and implementation of voluntary initiatives in support of
sustainable tourism development, bearing in mind that such forms of tourism and
initiatives should meet, or preferably exceed, relevant local, national, regional or
international standards;
(b) To further commit itself to the goal of sustainable tourism development by working
towards guiding principles and objectives for sustainable tourism development and
information for tourists on ecological and cultural values in destination regions;
(c) To further develop voluntary eco-efficiency and appropriate management systems to
save costs and to promote sustainable forms of tourism;
(d) To take effective steps to reduce the volume of waste associated with travel and
tourism activities;
(e) To "design with nature" in collaboration with planning authorities, by
using low impact designs, materials and technologies, so as not to damage the
environmental or cultural assets that tourists seek to experience and that sustain the
local community, and to undertake measures to restore tourist destinations with degraded
environments;
(f) To distance itself publicly from illegal, abusive or exploitive forms of tourism;
(g) To meet or preferably exceed relevant national or international labour standards.
5. The Commission invites, as appropriate, Governments and major groups, as well as the
United Nations system, in close collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, while
building on relevant work carried out by the United Nations Environment Programme, the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development, the International Labour Organization and the United
Nations Development Programme and under the Convention on Biological Diversity and other
relevant conventions and organizations, and taking note of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,16 adopted at Barbados in 1994,
to consider undertaking the following initiatives and to keep the Commission on
Sustainable Development informed on progress achieved:
(a) To promote sustainable tourism development in order to increase the benefits from
the tourism resources for the population in the host communities and maintain the cultural
and environmental integrity of the host community; to encourage cooperation of major
groups at all levels with a view to facilitating Local Agenda 21 initiatives and promoting
linkages within the local economy in order that benefits may be more widely shared; to
this end, greater efforts should be undertaken for the employment of the local workforce,
and the use of local products and skills;
(b) To support national efforts by countries, especially developing countries and
countries with economies in transition, and major groups towards sustainable tourism
development through relevant capacity-building activities and programmes as well as
multilateral and bilateral financial and technical assistance, and appropriate
technologies in all aspects of sustainable tourism development, including environmental
impact assessment and management and education in the field of tourism;
(c) To encourage more responsible behaviour among tourists through ensuring respect for
national laws, cultural values, social norms and tradition as well as by increasing public
awareness, in addition to other measures;
(d) To promote the application of integrated planning approaches to tourism development
at the local level, including through encouraging the use of Local Agenda 21 as a process
for planning, implementing and monitoring sustainable tourism development and recognizing
the potential for integration of Local Agenda 21 with Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism
Industry as well as other such initiatives;
(e) To provide relevant direction on research activities, and collect and disseminate
information on best practices and techniques, including an appropriate mix of instruments
to minimize negative and to promote positive environmental, social and cultural impacts
from tourism in developed and developing countries and in countries with economies in
transition;
(f) To promote the exchange of information on transportation, accommodation and other
services, public awareness-raising programmes and education, and various voluntary
initiatives and ways to minimize the effects of natural disasters on tourism. Possible
forms of this information exchange should be explored in consultation with relevant
partners, utilizing, inter alia, such means as bilateral and multilateral arrangements;
(g) To undertake studies on appropriate measures for promoting sustainable tourism
development, such as community planning in fragile ecosystems, including in coastal areas,
and to develop tools to assist local authorities in determining appropriate management
regimes and their capacity for tourism development;
(h) To further develop or support integrated initiatives, preferably through pilot
projects, to enhance the diffusion of innovations and to avoid, wherever possible,
duplication and waste of resources;
(i) To undertake activities that would be supportive of the preparations for both the
International Year of Ecotourism and the International Year of Mountains, as well as
activities of the International Coral Reef Initiative;
(j) To clarify further the concepts of sustainable tourism and eco-tourism;
(k) To develop core indicators for sustainable tourism development, taking into account
the work of the World Tourism Organization and other relevant organizations, as well as
the ongoing testing phase of indicators for sustainable development;
(l) To undertake a comprehensive survey and assessment of the results of implementing
existing voluntary initiatives and guidelines relating to the economic, sociocultural and
environmental sustainability of tourism, to be reported to the Commission on Sustainable
Development in order to identify best practices with respect to raising awareness of
sustainable tourism development;
(m) To consider establishing a global network, taking into account the work of the
World Tourism Organization, regional mechanisms and all major groups, as appropriate, to
promote an exchange of information and views on sustainable tourism development, including
on ecotourism;
(n) To cooperate with the United Nations Environment Programme in further developing
guiding principles for sustainable tourism development;
(o) To encourage business and industry to take steps to implement eco-efficiency
approaches, in order to reduce environmental impacts associated with travel and tourism
activities, in particular the volume of packaging waste, especially in small island
developing States.
6. The Commission invites the World Tourism Organization to consider informed major
groups' participation, as appropriate, in the development, implementation and monitoring
of its Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, including those provisions relating to a code of
conduct for tourists.
7. The Commission invites relevant agencies, particularly the International Maritime
Organization, to evaluate whether existing regulations on marine pollution and compliance
with them are sufficient to provide adequate protection to fragile coastal zones from
adverse impacts as a result of tourist vessel activities.
8. The Commission invites the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity to further consider, in the context of the process of the exchange of
experiences, existing knowledge and best practice on sustainable tourism development and
biological diversity with a view to contributing to international guidelines for
activities related to sustainable tourism development in vulnerable terrestrial, marine
and coastal ecosystems and habitats of major importance for biological diversity and
protected areas, including fragile mountain ecosystems.
9. The Commission welcomes the work of major groups, especially the business community,
trade and tourism industry associations, non-governmental organizations and other groups
involved in travel and tourism, to contribute to efforts to achieve sustainable tourism
development, including through educational initiatives and action plans based on Agenda 21
and other related documents, and particularly welcomes their commitment through the
continuation of their work with all major groups, to do more, and to report to the
Commission on Sustainable Development on their progress.
10. The Commission invites the United Nations Secretariat and the World Tourism
Organization, in consultation with major groups and other relevant international
organizations, to jointly facilitate the establishment of an ad hoc informal open-ended
working group on tourism to assess financial leakages and determine how to maximize
benefits for indigenous and local communities; and to prepare a joint initiative to
improve information availability and capacity-building for participation, and address
other matters relevant to the implementation of the international work programme on
sustainable tourism development.
Annex
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Co-Chairmen's summary of the discussions on tourism held by the Inter-Sessional Ad Hoc
Working Group on Consumption and Production Patterns and on Tourism at its meeting from 22
to 26 February 1999
Introduction
1. As an outcome of the nineteenth special session of the General Assembly for the
overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21 in 1997, the Assembly, in
paragraph 69 of the annex to its resolution S/19-2 of 28 June 1997 on the Programme for
the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, requested the Commission on Sustainable
Development to develop an action-oriented international programme of work on sustainable
tourism, to be defined in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization, the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
and other relevant bodies. More recently, the Assembly, in its resolution 53/200 of 15
December 1998, declared the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism and, in its
resolution 53/24 of 10 November 1998, declared 2002 as the International Year of
Mountains. The Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1998/40 of 30 July 1998,
requested the Commission, in the framework of its discussion of tourism during its seventh
session, to recommend to the Assembly, through the Council, supportive measures and
activities which would contribute to a successful International Year of Ecotourism. Many
delegations stressed that policy development and implementation should take place in
cooperation with all interested parties, especially the private sector and local and
indigenous communities, in the context of Agenda 21.
2. The discussions on tourism and sustainable development were based on the
recommendations and proposals for action contained in the report of the Secretary-General
on tourism and sustainable development and its three addenda.17 In addition, many
delegations from developed and developing countries provided useful information on
activities, policies and strategies in their countries pertaining to sustainable tourism
development.
General considerations
3. Many delegations noted that tourism is both currently and potentially a significant
contributor to sustained economic growth and sustainable development. In a number of
developing countries, tourism has emerged as a dominant economic contributor, providing
infrastructure development, jobs, foreign exchange earnings, government tax revenue and
other significant benefits to local communities. Developing countries experience trying
times with regard to not only environmental management, but also socio-economic welfare
and tourism market growth. Uplifting people is the biggest challenge facing the tourism
sectors of these countries, and the creation of sustainable job opportunities and the
promotion of emerging enterprises, as well as appropriate training, are of cardinal
importance.
4. Many delegations also noted that the tourism industry is one of the fastest growing
economic sectors in the global economy and has important economic, social, cultural and
environmental impacts. Many delegations noted that the continued growth of the tourism
industry has important implications for the achievement of sustainable development,
particularly in small island developing States and tourist destinations with fragile
ecological environments.
5. Many countries emphasized that the tourism sector can be a major engine for economic
development in many developing countries because of its large potential contribution to
income- and employment-generation. Moreover, in some developing countries, particularly
those lacking adequate resource endowments such as the small island developing States,
tourism may be the only development alternative available in the short to medium term.
However, there was some concern that over-reliance on tourism, especially mass tourism,
carries significant risks to tourism-dependent economies since phenomena such as economic
recession and natural disasters can have devastating effects on the tourism sector.
6. Many delegations noted that international tourism can potentially introduce both
positive and negative social and cultural impacts in host destinations. Although tourism
can create positive impacts on social development through employment creation, income
redistribution and poverty alleviation, it also has the potential to introduce negative
social and cultural change such as through drug abuse, child labour, prostitution,
overcrowding, pressure on resources, and challenges to established culture.
7. Many delegations stated that an important consideration in sustainable tourism
development is the tourist carrying capacity of host destinations in both environmental
and social terms which should adequately reflect the ability of a local community to
absorb tourists without submerging or overwhelming the local culture and its natural
resources.
8. Many countries also stated that the tourism industry can present serious challenges
to environmental management, particularly through its consumption of resources, the
pollution and waste generated by the development of tourism infrastructures and
facilities, transportation and tourist activities. In the absence of proper planning and
management, tourism development can encourage the intensive or inappropriate use of land
which can lead to deforestation, soil erosion and loss of biological diversity.
Ironically, damage to the environment threatens the very viability of the tourism industry
because tourism depends heavily on the natural environment.
9. Coastal area development for tourism was identified as an issue of particular
concern by many countries. Improperly planned development of tourism can despoil the
pristine beauty of coastal areas, contribute to beach destruction and coastal degradation
and negatively affect the livelihood of peoples in coastal communities. The treatment and
disposal of liquid and solid wastes generated by the tourism industry were identified as a
serious problem, particularly for less developed economies that lack the appropriate
physical infrastructure or adequate waste treatment capacity. The disposal of untreated
effluents into surrounding areas of land and sea often leads to the pollution of scarce
inland freshwater resources, loss of valuable marine life, destruction of coral reefs and
the silting and erosion of coastal beaches.
10. Some delegations, noting that the United Nations had declared 2002 as the
International Year of Mountains, pointed out that opportunities exist for obvious linkages
with the International Year of Ecotourism, also in 2002. Mountain regions represent a
significant portion of the tourism industry. These remote, fragile and highly biodiverse
ecosystems are homes to unique cultures and traditions which draw tourists from an
increasingly urbanized world. If it is not properly managed, and does not take into
account local communities, local control of resources, the integral role of women,
equitable distribution of benefits and appropriate infrastructure needs, tourism
development in mountain regions threatens to undermine ecosystems and cultures.
11. Many countries emphasized that fresh water remains a pressing concern. Since the
tourism industry is an extremely intensive user of fresh water, the problem of freshwater
supply could worsen as the industry expands globally unless steps are taken to minimize
water use in accommodation and other tourism activities. Some other delegations noted
that, although the tourism sector is only a minor contributor to global warming, air
pollution could worsen at the global level, for example, from increased carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions related to energy use in tourism-related transportation, and
air-conditioning and heating of tourism facilities.
12. Many countries also emphasized that the tourism industry can help protect and
rehabilitate natural assets, such as parks, protected areas and cultural and natural
sites, by its financial contributions, provision of environmental infrastructure and
improved environmental management. It can also help to raise the awareness of the local
population regarding the financial and intrinsic value of natural and cultural sites,
motivating communities to reclaim their natural and cultural patrimony through
environmental protection and conservation. In general, the tourism industry has a vested
interest in maintaining the environmental, social and cultural resources of destination
areas which represent their core business assets.
13. There was an attempt by many delegations to define sustainable tourism. One
delegation suggested that sustainable tourism is, inter alia, development which "...
meets the need of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing
opportunity for the future". Other delegations suggested that "sustainable
tourism must seek a balance between (a) economic benefit and investment; (b) social
participation, including local communities, with direct earnings, and seeking preservation
and consolidation of its cultural values and traditions; (c) conservation and protection
of environment and biological diversity, taking into account regulations that allow an
appropriate management of habitats and the introduction of education and dissemination of
information to promote an environmental consciousness among the local population and
visitors". One delegation noted that ecotourism is an economic activity that
minimizes environmental impacts, valuing and contributing to the conservation of
ecosystems, and at the same time generates incomes for local communities.
14. One delegation noted that ecotourism has potential to create new patterns of
tourism but, at the same time, there are impediments to promoting ecotourism which include
local communities' hesitation to replace conventional tourism, the reluctance to adopt
codes of conduct to ensure the quality of ecotourism and the difficulty of promoting
ecotourism in areas unlikely to attract visitors.
Challenges
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15. Delegations noted that there are a number of important challenges associated with
sustainable tourism development. These challenges include, inter alia, the following:
(a) A concentration of services and profits into very few big transnational
corporations, which often leads to the development of enclaves with no linkage to other
socio-economic sectors of the local society;
(b) The lack of an adequate tourism infrastructure, which was seen as a serious
obstacle to tourism development in some countries, particularly developing countries;
(c) The need to improve the access of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to
government incentives and publicity;
(d) The need to involve local communities, at all levels, in all aspects of the tourism
development process, such as policy-making, planning, management, ownership and the
sharing of benefits;
(e) The need to ensure that tourism development planning preserves the natural and
cultural legacy, heritage and integrity of tourism destinations and respects the social
and cultural norms of society, particularly among the indigenous communities;
(f) The need to inform people of the benefits to be gained from sustainable tourism
development through community awareness campaigns;
(g) The need to raise public awareness about sustainable tourism and to encourage more
responsible behaviour among tourists;
(h) The need to enhance the linkages of the private tourism sector with the other
sectors of the economy, and to ensure that domestic entrepreneurs are not marginalized by
foreign investors in the tourism industry;
(i) To ensure sufficient coordination between the public and private sectors to achieve
sustainable tourism;
(j) To overcome the lack of regional cooperation for promoting the development of
sustainable tourism.
Action by Governments
16. Many delegations stressed that Governments should give appropriate attention and
priority to tourism in development planning so that it develops in harmony with overall
economic, social and environmental goals, within an integrated policy framework. In this
regard, Governments should develop national strategies or master plans for tourism, in the
context of Agenda 21, which will provide focus and direction to all stakeholders.
17. Some delegations stated that countries should consider the various options
available for financing tourism infrastructure projects, such as government outlays,
financing by multilateral and regional financial institutions, involvement of the private
sector through build-operate-transfer schemes, and foreign direct investment (FDI). In
addition, there are also various options for private sector financing for, inter alia,
training, education, management and marketing.
18. Some countries noted that the use of economic instruments to promote sustainable
tourism, in particular the full-costing and pricing of energy and water, can promote
eco-efficiency in the tourism industry as well as provide additional revenue that can be
used to support improved management of these resources. In this regard, the polluter-pays
principle and user-pays systems are appropriate and should be more widely applied and
supported.
19. Many delegations were of the view that government policies should be implemented to
encourage and support small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism industry,
especially in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
20. Many delegations stressed that Governments should promote partnerships between all
stakeholders and that they can play an important role by encouraging, supporting and
facilitating the involvement and commitment of all stakeholders, especially indigenous and
local communities, in the planning, development and management of tourism.
21. Many delegations emphasized that there needs to be an increase in the transfer of
the benefits from tourism to local communities through the creation of jobs,
entrepreneurial opportunities and social benefits if efforts to promote community
participation are to be effective.
22. Some countries emphasized that, in some cases, there is a need to control the rate
of growth of the tourism sector in order to preserve the natural and cultural legacy,
heritage and integrity of tourism destinations as well as the social and cultural norms of
society, particularly among the indigenous communities.
23. Many countries noted that it is necessary to promote capacity-building in
sustainable tourism, particularly among local governments. In many countries, local
governments have important responsibilities for tourism development and management, and
capacity-building programmes will enable them to better understand these responsibilities
with respect to sustainable tourism.
24. Some delegations pointed out that local and central governments should enhance
their capacity to monitor the performance of the tourism industry and to develop suitable
indicators of sustainable tourism that can be used in their decision-making.
25. Many delegations stressed that Governments should promote the role of the local
community in deciding what it is prepared to offer, how its cultural patrimony is to be
presented and which, if any, aspects of the culture are off-limits to visitors.
26. Some delegations suggested that tourism, in particular mass tourism, should be
regulated and, where necessary, prohibited in ecologically and culturally sensitive areas.
In protected areas and where nature is particularly diverse, vulnerable and attractive,
tourism should be permitted only where it meets the requirements of nature protection and
biological diversity conservation. In coastal areas where tourism can impose serious
environmental damage, the principles of integrated coastal area management should be
implemented. Environmental impact studies are an important tool for sustainable
development and should be undertaken.
27. Many delegations noted that sustainability issues should be fully integrated into
courses at all levels of education in order to develop environmental awareness and the
skills required to promote sustainable tourism. In this regard, it is also important to
raise public awareness about sustainable tourism and to encourage more responsible
behaviour among tourists.
28. Many countries emphasized that there is a need for further efforts to prevent and
control tourism-related abuse and exploitation of people, particularly women and children
and other disadvantaged groups. Some delegations felt that both sending and receiving
countries had roles to play in combating this serious negative impact of international
tourism.
Action by the private sector
29. Many delegations stated that the tourism industry should ensure that their
investment, employment, operational and other business decisions take full account of the
wider implications of such actions for the long-term development and economic
sustainability of the destinations in which they operate.
30. Some countries suggested that the tourism industry, by modifying the products it
develops and offers the public, can directly influence the nature of tourism itself,
directing it towards sustainable forms of tourism. Marketing can be used to enhance the
industry's initiatives for promoting sustainable development by, inter alia, raising
awareness among their clients of the potential environmental and social impacts of their
holidays, and of responsible behaviour. In some countries, the tourism industry is also
increasingly interested in eco-labels as a means of promoting those countries' facilities
and destinations. Some delegations cautioned, however, that the concept of eco-labelling
and related issues are still under consideration by the Committee on Trade and Environment
of the World Trade Organization.
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31. Many delegations urged tourism enterprises to integrate environmental management
systems and procedures into all aspects of corporate activity. This would necessitate the
implementation of, inter alia, environmental and social audits, and training of staff in
the principles and practices of sustainable tourism management. Tourism enterprises were
also urged to take all appropriate measures to minimize all forms of waste, conserve
energy and freshwater resources, and control harmful emissions to all environmental media,
as well as minimize the potential environmental impacts from tourism development, for
example, by using local materials and technologies appropriate to local conditions. The
tourism industry was encouraged to promote wider implementation of environmental
management, particularly among small- and medium-sized enterprises.
32. Many delegations noted that the tourism industry had developed a number of
environmental codes of conduct and other voluntary initiatives in support of sustainable
tourism. It was suggested that an inventory and assessment should be made of such
voluntary initiatives on the part of industry, and improvements in the monitoring and
reporting of industry's progress towards the objective of sustainable tourism. Some
delegations requested the preparation of an inventory of all existing codes of conduct,
guidelines and voluntary initiatives concerning sustainable tourism.
Action by the international community
33. Many delegations stressed the need for the international community to promote the
recognition of the value of tourism as an economic tool for development, particularly for
developing countries, and the fragility of the resources on which it depends, as well as
the resulting need for international support to encourage its sustainable development.
34. Many delegations were of the view that international organizations and donor
countries should increase their efforts in training and capacity-building in the field of
tourism in developing countries, and that studies should be carried out on specific issues
of interest to developing countries. Technical and financial assistance to developing
countries is critical to enable them to develop competitive and sustainable tourism
sectors.
35. Some delegations stated that the international, regional and multilateral
agreements and guidelines that address the issue of sustainable tourism need to be
effectively translated into practical programmes for implementation by the tourism
industry, Governments and civil society. There is also a need to consolidate as well as
enhance the monitoring of these initiatives.
36. Many delegations stressed that the international community has an important role to
assist developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, economies in
transition and small island developing States, through financial and technical assistance
to Governments at all levels.
37. Many delegations also stressed that the international community should strengthen
development cooperation to make tourism development more environmentally sustainable,
while emphasizing financial support and measures to accelerate the transfer of
environmentally sound technology to developing countries. Steps should be taken to
facilitate the international exchange of information, experiences and technical skills,
especially between the developed and developing countries. Some delegations said that
international cooperation should make tourism sustainable in respect of its economic and
social aspects as well.
38. Some delegations emphasized that regional cooperation is an important policy
approach for promoting the development of sustainable tourism.
39. One delegation noted that, although it is important to allow for a variety of forms
of ecotourism that depend on the regional situation, there are benefits to be derived from
global standards to minimize negative ramifications of ecotourism and an international
network to promote an exchange of information and views.

Decision 7/4. Education, public awareness and training
[ UP ]
1. The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Recalls its decision 4/11 establishing a work programme on education for
sustainable development, and its decision 6/3 on the further implementation of the work
programme;
(b) Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;18
(c) Reaffirms that education, public awareness and training are critical for promoting
sustainable development and increasing the capacity to address social, economic and
environmental issues, and that therefore the further implementation of chapter 36 of
Agenda 21 will influence the progress made in the implementation of all the other chapters
of Agenda 21;
(d) Emphasizes having discussed the issues of "Oceans and seas",
"Consumption and production patterns" and "Tourism', that enhancing public
awareness through education and training and the media is particularly important for
achieving sustainable development;
(e) Recognizes the need to broaden cooperation at the international level, building on
past experience, and involving all relevant bodies of the United Nations system,
Governments and major groups, including non-governmental organizations, business and
industry, and youth, as well as the educational community, taking into account national
plans and priorities;
(f) Takes into account the cross-sectoral nature and the importance of education,
public awareness and training for sustainable development.
2. The Commission calls upon all key actors, notably the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization as task manager, Governments, relevant United Nations
bodies and non-governmental organizations, to intensify their collaborative efforts in the
implementation of the work programme.
3. The Commission encourages Governments, relevant United Nations bodies and
non-governmental organizations to give priority, as appropriate, to the integration of
aspects of sustainable development in their educational policies and to cooperation in the
framework of the work programme.
4. The Commission requests the Secretary-General to report to it at its eighth session
on the progress made in the implementation of the work programme and, in this regard, to
give specific attention to the separate items contained in Commission decisions 4/11 and
6/3.

Decision 7/5. Information provided by Governments and
exchange of national experience
[ UP ]
1. The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General entitled
"Oceans and seas: trends in national implementation"19 as well as the background
documents prepared by the National Information Analysis Unit in fulfilment of Commission
decision 6/5;
(b) Welcomes the continued interest of Governments to make voluntary national
presentations within the framework of the sessions of the Commission;
(c) Stresses the importance of continuing to take full advantage of the information
provided by Governments to the Commission, on a voluntary basis, especially in view of the
comprehensive review of the implementation of Agenda 21, to take place in 2002;
(d) Emphasizes the need to draw more fully on the information contained in those
national reports or relevant information for voluntary submission to the Commission;
(e) Recognizes that the lack of human, technical or financial resources at national
level could be hindering the submission of more voluntary national reports or relevant
information;
(f) Recognizes further the need to improve the guidelines for the elaboration of
national reports to the Commission and to determine the best way to carry on with this
exercise after the year 2002; and notes that this issue should be considered as a part of
the discussion on information for decision-making which is on the agenda of the Commission
at its ninth session;
(g) Recognizes further that a number of member States have expressed their interest in
having their national reports or relevant information presented in the United Nations
national information Web site in languages other that those currently available.
2. The Commission:
(a) Encourages Governments to continue providing voluntary national reports or relevant
information on the implementation of Agenda 21 at the national and regional levels, as
appropriate, with the broad involvement of all sectors of society, and invites those
Governments that have not yet done so to submit their national reports or relevant
information;
(b) Calls upon the international community, in particular the developed countries, to
continue supporting the efforts of developing countries for capacity-building, including
in the area of elaboration, translations and dissemination of voluntary reporting, by
providing technical and financial assistance in accordance with the provisions of Agenda
21 and the Programme for its Further Implementation;20
(c) Requests the United Nations Development Programme to consider assisting developing
countries in the elaboration, translation and dissemination of their national reports by,
inter alia, allocating funds for these purposes and by including in its current Capacity
21 national programmes and its sustainable development networking programme specific
references and resources for these purposes;
(d) Requests the Secretariat, in conformity with Commission decision 6/5, paragraph 2
(c), to continue processing and compiling, on a sectoral basis, the information provided
by Governments, and requests the task managers of the sectoral areas to make more
comprehensive use of this information in the preparation of the reports to the Commission
at its future sessions, in accordance with the issues contained in the multi-year
programme of work of the Commission, 1998-2002;
(e) Requests the Commission secretariat to further enhance the national information Web
site by posting national reports or relevant information as submitted by the countries in
any of the United Nations official languages;
(f) Requests the Commission secretariat to invite Governments to submit proposals on
how to improve the guidelines for the elaboration of national reports, and based on the
information received, to prepare a report to be submitted to the Commission as a part of
the preparations for the comprehensive review of the implementation of Agenda 21;
(g) Requests further the Commission secretariat to undertake measures to prepare a new
version of the country profiles complementing those presented during the five-year review
in 1997, for submission to the General Assembly for the comprehensive review of the
implementation of Agenda 21 to be held in the year 2002.

Decision 7/6. Voluntary initiatives and agreements
[ UP ]
1. The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Recalls the interactive dialogue that took place between Governments, industry,
trade unions, non-governmental organizations and international organizations in the
industry segment organized during its sixth session in 199821 and its decision 6/2
regarding the "potential value of a review of voluntary initiatives and
agreements";
(b) Notes the report of the Secretary General /22 on the inter-sessional consultative
process convened at Toronto, Canada, in March 1999, involving representatives of industry,
trade unions, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and Governments,
aimed at identifying elements of a review of voluntary initiatives and agreements launched
in follow-up to its decision 6/2 in 1998;
(c) Recognizes that voluntary initiatives and agreements should complement regulatory
frameworks and other policy instruments, and should foster continuous improvement in all
aspects of sustainable development;
(d) Also recognizes the potential value of processes which involve Governments and all
relevant major groups and other stakeholders for addressing sustainable development
issues, and encourages future work on voluntary initiatives and agreements;
(e) Encourages all relevant major groups and other stakeholders, in cooperation with
relevant United Nations bodies, to continue generating information about voluntary
initiatives and agreements, including the most appropriate means for possible reviews, and
to make this information widely available, and requests its secretariat to facilitate
these efforts, inter alia, through its Internet site;
(f) Stresses the need for better understanding and analysis of the possible impact of
voluntary initiatives and agreements on developing countries, and requests all relevant
major groups and other stakeholders to report periodically, through the Commission's
secretariat, on steps they have taken or progress they have made in assisting developing
countries in understanding and making use of, as appropriate, the lessons to be learned
from the use of voluntary initiatives and agreements;
(g) Takes note of the key elements discussed by the various major groups at the Toronto
meeting, and encourages further dialogue among all relevant major groups and other
stakeholders on voluntary initiatives and agreements and information products, such as the
toolkit proposed by the International Chamber of Commerce, that may assist countries and
interested organizations in understanding the uses and potential value of voluntary
initiatives and agreements in the context of sustainable development.
2. The Commission requests its secretariat to ensure wider participation by the
developing countries in the inter-sessional consultative processes.
3. The Commission also requests the Secretary-General to report to it at its eighth
session on the progress and developments made in this area.

Decision 7/7. Proposed programme of work in the area of
sustainable development for the biennium 2000-2001
[ UP ]
The Commission on Sustainable Development takes note of the proposed programme of work
in the area of sustainable development for the biennium 2000'2001,23 and requests the
Economic and Social Council to invite the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the
Advisory Committee for Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee, in
their deliberations on the programme budget for the biennium 2000'2001, to take into
account, inter alia, as appropriate, relevant outcomes of the special session of the
General Assembly that will carry out the comprehensive review of progress achieved in the
implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States.

Decision 7/8. Matters related to the inter-sessional work
of the Commission
[ UP ]
The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Decides, pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1997/63 of 25 July 1997
on the programme of work of the Commission for the period 1998'2002 and future methods of
work of the Commission, that in order to assist the Commission in its deliberations at its
eighth session, the 2000 sessions of its inter-sessional ad hoc working groups will be
devoted to the following issues:
(i) Integrated planning and management of land resources; and agriculture;
(ii) Financial resources/trade and investment/economic growth;
(b) Also decides, in accordance with paragraph 133 of the Programme for the Further
Implementation of Agenda 21, that the Bureau of the Commission shall continue conducting
transparent and open-ended consultations in a timely manner on matters related to
preparations for the eighth session of the Commission and the sessions of its
inter-sessional ad hoc working groups;
(c) Reiterates that in order to enable the Bureau to carry out its functions
effectively, consideration should be given to providing appropriate financial support,
through extrabudgetary contributions, to members of the Bureau, particularly those from
the developing countries, to enable them to participate in the meetings of the Bureau, in
the inter-sessional meetings of the Commission and in the sessions of the Commission
itself.

Decision 7/9. Preparations for the review of Agenda 21 and
the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21
[ UP ]
The Commission on Sustainable Development:
(a) Recalls General Assembly resolution 53/188, in which the Assembly stressed the
importance of high quality preparations for the forthcoming review of Agenda 21 and the
Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and requested the Secretary-General
to submit to the General Assembly, for consideration at its fifty-fifth session, a report
on possible ways and means of ensuring effective preparations for the review;
(b) Requests the Secretary-General to present a preliminary report for initial
discussion at the eighth session of the Commission, containing, inter alia, suggestions
for the form, scope and nature of the preparatory process for the next comprehensive
review of the implementation of Agenda 21, with a view to providing guidance to the
Secretary-General in preparations for his report to the General Assembly at its
fifty-fifth session.

Decision 7/10. Report of the Secretary-General on
progress on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development
of Small Island Developing States
[ UP ]
At its 14th meeting on 30 April 1999, the Commission on Sustainable Development took
note of the report of the Secretary-General on progress on the implementation of the
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.24

Chapter II Chairman's summary of the multi-stakeholder
dialogue on tourism
[ UP ]
A. Introduction
1. At its seventh session, the Commission on Sustainable Development continued the
tradition, started at its sixth session, of including a multi-stakeholder dialogue as part
of its official proceedings. The purpose of the multi-stakeholder dialogue segment is to
enable participatory elaboration of common approaches for, and exchange of experiences
between, Governments and major groups in specific economic sectors. The tourism segment
involved representatives of business and industry, workers and trade unions, local
authorities and non-governmental organizations, and was held from 19 to 21 April 1999. It
was noted that this dialogue would illuminate subsequent discussions of the Commission on
Sustainable Development both in the high-level segment and in the remainder of the
Commission's work seeking for specific outcomes for the seventh session of the Commission
on sustainable tourism including an agreed work programme in this area.
2. The tourism segment followed the format previously agreed by the Bureau of the
Commission.25 Lead organizations invited by the Commission on Sustainable Development
secretariat to assist in the preparations for the tourism segment were responsible for
consulting with their constituencies to draft the "dialogue starter" papers and
to organize the participation of the delegations from their sectors. These lead
organizations included the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the International
Hotel and Restaurant Association, the International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions/Trade Union Advisory Committee to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI),
and the Commission on Sustainable Development non-governmental organizations Steering
Committee.
3. The segment focused on four themes highlighting important aspects of sustainable
tourism. These themes included (a) industry initiatives for sustainable tourism, (b)
influencing consumer behaviour, (c) promoting broad-based sustainable development while
safeguarding the integrity of local cultures and protecting the environment and (d)
coastal impact of tourism.
4. There was a lively, positive and focused exchange on issues of key concern, with
participants seeking to identify their priorities for consideration and making a genuine
effort to improve mutual understanding and cooperation. The present summary is not a
verbatim record but seeks to reflect the issues on which participants showed general
agreement, areas that would benefit from further dialogue and elaboration, and specific
initiatives announced or proposed by the participants.
B. Industry initiatives for sustainable tourism
5. Participants recognized the global economic significance of tourism. It is a growth
industry accounting for more than 10 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP)
and offers significant employment opportunities. Industry forecasts suggest that there
will continue to be rapid development in this sector. It was noted, however, that many
people are not able to participate in tourism owing to poverty and inadequate wages. It
was also recognized that tourism has significant social, cultural and environmental
impacts.
6. Discussions and presentations demonstrated the various voluntary initiatives
launched by industry to promote sustainable tourism, including certification programmes
and codes of conduct, at the national and international levels. Participants supported
these existing initiatives to encourage sustainable tourism and the commitment of industry
to do more. Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry was highlighted as a policy
framework developed by industry. The willingness of industry to further develop this
framework through multi-stakeholder processes was welcomed.
7. The existing voluntary initiatives were identified as being complementary to
national and local regulatory compliance efforts, as these initiatives are designed to be
cost-effective means of surpassing existing regulatory requirements. It was agreed that
the range of measures from regulation to voluntary initiatives and agreements were
appropriate for further efforts to achieve sustainable development in the travel and
tourism sector. Voluntary measures developed with multi-stakeholder participation, mutual
trust and respect, transparency, monitoring, and assessment and verification were seen as
most likely to generate confidence and support from all parties.
8. Participants referred to numerous public and private systems of certification,
including the Green Globe programme. This was promoted by industry as an example of a
global certification standard in tourism, and industry agreed to put in place a
multi-stakeholder advisory group for this programme. There was general support for greater
discussion and promotion of "best practices" and for further research to
identify such practices that promoted sustainable development in the tourism sector. It
was suggested that consideration be given to a review of existing voluntary initiatives in
this sector, building on the work initiated by the Commission at its sixth session and the
subsequent Toronto Workshop to Identify the Key Elements of a Review of Voluntary
Initiatives and Agreements (10'12 March 1999).
9. Although tourism has significant economic benefits for many countries and
communities, it also has adverse social and economic impacts in many locations. Concerns
in this context included leakage of revenues, low wages, poor working conditions, child
labour and sex tourism. Participants emphasized the need to reinvest in local communities,
to encourage procurement of local products and services, to promote vocational training
and education, and to eliminate the sexual and economic exploitation of women and
children. Programmes for retraining and re-employment could provide a social safety net
for communities adversely affected by tourism development and should be promoted by
Governments, international organizations and major groups. Issues related to the special
needs of older tourists who make up a growing number of travellers were also raised. It
was agreed that special attention should be given to implementing existing agreements,
codes and regulations that seek to regulate or eliminate these conditions, such as those
produced by the International Labour Organization (ILO). On the issue of waste management,
there was agreement to make further efforts to reduce packaging waste associated with the
travel and tourism industry.
10. Participants agreed that multi-stakeholder participation, openness and transparency
at all levels were critical in achieving sustainable tourism. There was particular
reference to the positive role that workers and trade unions could play through
participation in efforts by business to identify and implement sustainability targets.
There was agreement that partnership arrangements and multi-stakeholder processes were
appropriate means of participation and cooperation among the stakeholders in the tourism
sector.
11. There was general agreement by all participants on the need to develop, implement
and use indicators for sustainable tourism. While work is taking place in several
different organizations, better focus and coordination of these efforts are required,
possibly at the international level, keeping in mind the need to base any indicator sets
on local conditions and priorities. Identifying the limits to social and environmental
carrying capacity in tourism destinations was highlighted as an important priority. The
Commission on Sustainable Development should play a role in promoting agreement on tourism
indicators that incorporate environmental, cultural and social criteria. The need for
reliable information and identification of best practices by industry was highlighted.
12. It was emphasized that a global framework and plan of action for sustainable
tourism must be coupled with implementation and decision-making at the local level, as
well as at the regional and national levels. The value of Local Agenda 21 as an enabling
framework for partnerships was recognized. Local Agenda 21 planning is an established
mechanism for facilitating multi-stakeholder cooperation, and can be effectively employed
in tourist destinations to promote sustainable tourism practices. Participants noted with
appreciation the new Memorandum of Understanding signed by ICLEI and WTTC to integrate the
principles of Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry and Local Agenda 21 planning
to support sustainable development in major tourism destinations around the world.
C. Influencing consumer behaviour
[ UP ]
13. Participants emphasized the importance of education as a tool to influence consumer
and producer behaviour so as to promote sustainable tourism, particularly when education
efforts and related educational materials are developed and applied through
multi-stakeholder participation and cooperation. Local Agenda 21 programmes,
workplace-based partnerships for education planning and actions for change,
non-governmental organization networks, tourism industry associations, educators and
educational institutions, tourism information centres, and national and international
institutions of education were identified as important channels for sustainable tourism
education.
14. Education efforts should focus not only on travellers but also on investors,
workers and host communities. Special attention needs to be given to young people and
their participation both as recipients of education and as partners in developing
education programmes. It was emphasized that these efforts should be applied in both
formal and informal education. The ultimate goal of sustainable tourism education should
be to move all relevant actors from short-term to long-term thinking and planning.
15. There was agreement that Governments, the tourism industry and other stakeholders
should establish programmes to raise public awareness about the impact of tourists on
destinations, to promote respect for local communities and their cultures, and to protect
the environment. At the invitation of industry representatives, participants agreed to
support the "Dodo" education project of WTTC and World Wide Fund for Nature
International (WWF), and to participate in development of other, similar programmes. The
value of workplace-based programmes to educate workers both as tourists and as service
providers for travel and tourism was highlighted. The importance of ensuring that such
programmes involved local communities and were relevant to individual destinations and
local cultures was noted. Participants endorsed, as a specific initiative, the proposal of
local authorities to develop, through multi-stakeholder engagement, destination-specific
in-flight educational videos introducing travellers to sustainable tourism practices, and
to promote their extensive use by airlines.
16. Some participants expressed concern about the role of the media and the advertising
industry, noting the impact they have on consumer perceptions and behaviour. Participants
agreed that the media should be encouraged to act as an agent for influencing positive
consumer behaviour. Governments were urged to encourage advertising messages that were
consistent with sustainable development principles and objectives.
17. There was considerable interest on the part of participants in the global code of
ethics being developed by the World Tourism Organization. Multi-stakeholder participation
in its development, implementation and monitoring should be encouraged. It was also
proposed that a sustainable tourism covenant, to be developed with major groups'
participation, could promote higher standards of tourist behaviour.
18. Several programmes for certification of voluntary initiatives were noted. Some
concern was expressed about the proliferation of such schemes without international
guidelines to assist consumers and producers in understanding their value and
effectiveness. There was broad agreement on the need for a set of international guidelines
to promote international consistency and provide decision-making tools for consumers and
communities. The inclusion of an education component in tourism industry initiatives
should be seen as a key criterion in such certification schemes. Several participants
emphasized that criteria used in certification schemes should meet or exceed minimum
national standards, where they exist, and should include social, cultural and economic
aspects as well as environmental considerations. It was emphasized that multi-stakeholder
engagement in developing, implementing, promoting and monitoring such schemes would
increase their effectiveness.
19. Several participants endorsed de-marketing strategies as a means to protect
sensitive or fragile destinations from damage through overloading. Such strategies could
include pricing orientation, omission from guidebooks and promotion among consumers of
other tourist sites. De-marketing strategies that influence societal values can take place
in both originating and destination countries.
20. Participants supported the idea of an inter-agency effort, with stakeholder
participation, to look at current activities aimed at influencing consumer behaviour and
improving consumer advocacy. This effort would consider how to enhance the effectiveness
of existing initiatives and activities, as well as research and evaluate the impact of
price mechanisms and legislation on consumer behaviour. A report on the results of this
work could be submitted to the Commission on Sustainable Development in 2002.
21. Several participants highlighted the link between tourism and health in the context
of contagious diseases. Participants attached importance to the involvement of the tourism
industry in efforts to address health issues associated with tourism, including human
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other contagious
and infectious diseases.
D. Promoting broad-based sustainable development through tourism while safeguarding the
integrity of local cultures and protecting the environment
22. Promoting broad-based sustainable development through tourism while safeguarding
the integrity of local cultures and protecting the environment requires an effective
partnership between key stakeholders at the local, national, regional and international
levels and participation at all levels of tourism planning, development and assessment.
The need to develop employer-employee partnerships (including trade unions) with
multi-stakeholder support and funding was endorsed.
23. Establishment of a multi-stakeholder working group was proposed and endorsed by
several groups. It could work in collaboration with relevant United Nations agencies and
organizations. It might consider such issues as (a) financial leakages and how to maximize
benefits for local communities, (b) preparing a joint initiative to improve information
availability and capacity-building for participation, thus enabling communities to manage
social and environmental change and (c) developing a plan to ensure indigenous peoples and
other local communities their rights to land, water and other natural resources. The
initial results of this working group could be reported to the Commission at its eighth
session in 2000.
24. There was considerable concern about the challenges of globalization. Participants
felt that multi-stakeholder participation could help mitigate the effects of
globalization. The principle of local community participation in decision-making was
endorsed. Participants took note of the differences in the objectives of the World Trade
Organization and Agenda 21.26
25. There was broad agreement that the rights of indigenous peoples and local
communities should be respected. Several participants noted that the use of indigenous or
local cultures as a "product" to market must be approached with sensitivity, and
should include the participation in decision-making of those groups affected by this.
Measures to combat the illegal trade in cultural goods, such as the issuing of
certificates of origin, should be considered. It was suggested that certification schemes
include criteria on local and indigenous participation.
26. In discussing education as an essential tool, participants endorsed the proposal
for stakeholders to jointly develop, and employ musicians and other artists to promote,
Agenda 21 and sustainable tourism. They asked Governments to join them in this initiative
and support the development of networks to provide sustainable development, generally.
[ UP ]
27. It was agreed that local authorities and local communities must play the key role
in determining their "carrying capacity" for tourism development. There should
not be a globally imposed limit and decisions should be based on multi-stakeholder
processes at the local level. Different locations will face different requirements and
problems. Considerations of carrying capacity should include economic, social, cultural
and environmental dimensions. Decisions should be made based on the principle of prior
informed consent. While not all participants endorsed "eco-taxes", there was
support for appropriate pricing of resources, aimed at reflecting the true costs of goods
and services. Industry should, in particular, pay its fair share to maintain the natural
and cultural assets that tourists wanted to utilize.
E. Coastal impact of tourism
28. Participants recognized that many sustainable development issues are focused around
coastal systems, and that tourism is a crucial sector in coastal areas. The particular
importance of the coastal impact of tourism on small island developing States was noted,
as was the significant challenge posed to coastal communities by climate change.
29. In discussing integrated coastal zone management, participants agreed that there
were real biophysical limits to capacity in any particular location as well as cultural
limits that should be determined at the local level by the local community. The need for
decisions to be made at a local level through a multi-stakeholder process with regard to
national and international frameworks was endorsed. Non-governmental organizations
proposed the establishment of a multi-stakeholder group at the international level to
advise on the planning and implementation of a fully integrated process of coastal tourism
development and offered to launch this mechanism in collaboration with government,
industry, trade unions and other major groups. Workplace-based planning was proposed as a
way to influence consumer habits and choices. Schemes of coastal awards to local coastal
communities, such as the Blue Flag campaign in Europe, were highlighted as an effective
incentive mechanism to encourage high-quality coastal zone management. It was proposed
that new tourism developments should be required to include all relevant sustainable
development considerations, including design and implementation of a comprehensive waste
management programme.
30. In discussing financial responsibility for infrastructure development and other
costs associated with sustainable coastal tourism, participants agreed that the level of
financial responsibility from industry and other stakeholders should be determined at the
local level. Where local authorities decided to provide public subsidies for
infrastructure development or maintenance associated with tourism activities, the nature
of the decision should be explicitly understood by the community that would bear the
costs, and the decision should involve the local community through a transparent
multi-stakeholder process. Participants supported the polluter pays principle. While many
participants noted that subsidies could impose costs on the local community, several noted
that subsidies could also be beneficial.
31. A variety of measures aimed at mobilizing resources were mentioned, including
fast-tracking the Global Environment Facility (GEF), achieving agreement on cost- and
profit-sharing formulas for all stakeholders, and encouraging the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and other bodies to help address consequences of coastal
infrastructure development by making available information on practical sustainable
development technologies and ways to monitor the coastal impact of tourism.
32. It was suggested that the Commission on Sustainable Development should invite and
seek funding from international agencies such as the World Bank and regional development
banks for pilot projects in both the North and the South aimed at illustrating best
practices of integrated planning. Some participants emphasized that these programmes
should integrate Agenda 21 for travel and tourism with Local Agenda 21 programmes and
should serve as benchmarks.
33. In discussing indicators, participants proposed that the Commission on Sustainable
Development should encourage international agencies to develop indicators to measure the
environmental, social and cultural impacts of coastal tourism. Indicators should be open
to independent auditing and placed within a transparent, open framework where
stakeholders' various responsibilities were clearly defined. Workshops were noted as a
useful tool for disseminating information derived from indicators.
34. Participants agreed that the Commission on Sustainable Development should
facilitate funding from international agencies such as the World Bank and from national
Governments for integrated environmental, social and economic research on best management
practices in regard to design, development and management of tourism projects in coastal
regions.
35. Regarding the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), industry
representatives proposed that the Commission on Sustainable Development should encourage
international agencies, national Governments and industry to fund and support small and
medium-sized enterprises in respect of their implementing environmental improvement
measures.
36. Local authority representatives proposed that regional coastal management agencies
be established, where appropriate, to act as a mechanism for managing coastal area
planning. Alternatively, private foundations or non-governmental organizations could take
the lead. They also called for a shift from a growth-based economic model to a steady
state model.
37. Participants recommended that the Commission on Sustainable Development consider
asking the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with other relevant international
agencies, to investigate the enforcement and application of internationally agreed
standards and regulations relating to threats to sustainable development/the environment
caused by shipping, with particular attention to coastal areas. Some participants noted
that flags-of- convenience vessels, including cruise liners servicing tourists,
represented an area of particular concern.
38. Union representatives expressed concern at the impact of the recent growth in
tourist-related or recreational fishing on traditional and indigenous fishing rights. They
also called on the Commission on Sustainable Development to support the right of workers
to act as whistle-blowers in respect of unsustainable practices by industry and to promote
the protection of workers who acted as such.

Chapter III Chairman's summary of the high-level segment
[ UP ]
A. General
1. The high-level segment of the seventh session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development focused on the following subjects:
- Tourism;
- Oceans and seas;
- A plan of action for the small island developing States;
- Changing consumption and production patterns;
- Challenges for the future and other matters.
2. This high-level segment attracted more ministers than any previous Commission
meeting and all participated actively in the dialogue. There were also a large number of
other representatives from national Governments, United Nations organizations and other
international organizations and representatives of major groups who made a substantive
contribution. The preparations made by Governments, international organizations and
agencies, and especially the major groups, including industry, local authorities, trade
unions and non-governmental organizations, helped to bring key issues into clear focus.
3. The seventh session of the Commission marked a departure from procedure in previous
years, reflecting the call from the sixth session for a more dynamic and participatory
process. This involved setting time limits for national statements in order to preserve
roughly half the time available on each theme for interactive dialogue. This approach
worked well, with many participants indicating that there was greater value in interactive
dialogue than a more sterile process involving lengthy prepared statements. It may be
worth trying to move further in the new direction next year by increasing the proportion
of time spent on each theme available for dialogue and by requiring prepared interventions
to focus on specific issues associated with the themes under discussion.
B. Tourism
4. Participants focused on the need for the Commission to produce a work programme by
the conclusion of its seventh session. Their attention was drawn in particular to the
draft decision produced by the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Consumption and
Production Patterns and on Tourism and a summary of specific suggestions from the tourism
dialogue circulated by the Chair. Ministers from developed and developing countries
provided useful information on activities, policies and strategies in their countries
pertaining to sustainable tourism development.
5. Tourism was recognized as a key rapid growth sector in the world economy with
important economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts, particularly in small
island developing States and tourist destinations with fragile ecosystems. Tourism had the
potential to make an important contribution to poverty alleviation and economic
advancement, particularly through integrated plans with the inclusion of local
stakeholders in planning and development and where a key objective remained the protection
of the cultural and natural assets of the tourist locality. It was acknowledged that
different forms of tourism and local conditions needed to be taken into account and that
war or civil strife was damaging to tourist industries and the environment.
6. There was also recognition that tourism could have adverse impacts, including drug
abuse, child labour, prostitution, overcrowding, pressure on resources, leakage of
revenues and challenges to established culture. Coastal area development was a particular
concern because of the potential for damage to natural assets, communities' livelihoods
and culture. Education; capacity-building efforts; support for small and medium-sized
enterprises and micro-enterprises; waste minimization; study of "carrying
capacity"; commitment to preserve natural and cultural legacies; and the importance
of focusing on groups like women and indigenous communities in relation to tourism were
identified as ways to address problems. The international community had a special role
through focused financial and technical assistance and the transfer of environmentally
sound technology, particularly in partnership with developing countries, economies in
transition and small island developing States.
7. Participants welcomed the multi-stakeholder dialogue on tourism. It was essential
that local stakeholders be involved at all levels in tourism planning. The commitment of
industry to be part of the solution to identified problems was welcomed. Local authorities
also had a special role, particularly in relation to the identification of best practices
and planning. Initiatives such as Agenda 21 for travel and tourism and Local Agenda 21
were identified as being positive tools for promoting sustainable development, with many
participants expressing the view that stronger emphasis should be given to action at the
local level. Participants also encouraged major groups and other stakeholders in their
plan to develop more active partnerships for progress in tourism.
8. Participants placed the highest priority on the production of a work programme at
the current session that identified clear responsibilities for action and reporting
deadlines for work, wherever possible. They stressed that business and industry efforts to
promote sustainable development, including in partnership with other stakeholders, should
be supported. They also agreed that there were a number of points in the summary of
suggestions from the tourism dialogue that should be included in the Commission's work
programme. A number of ministers made specific recommendations on items that they believed
should be endorsed or ones that might benefit from some further fine-tuning. There was a
general sense that some activities merited Commission endorsement, including minimizing
packaging waste associated with the travel and tourism industry; an International Maritime
Organization (IMO) study on the effectiveness of marine pollution regulations, including
in relation to tourism activities; and an invitation to specific international
organizations and agencies to make information available on practical sustainable
development techniques and ways to address/monitor the impact of tourism development.
9. Ministers and participants expressed abhorrence at the exploitation of women and
children, especially through sex tourism. They called for stronger action to combat this
phenomenon, especially on the part of those countries from which the tourists came, and
noted the special role for the tourism industry in efforts to stamp it out. Governments
were urged to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) agreement to eliminate
child sexual exploitation and to rigorously enforce laws that prohibited this.
10. Some participants expressed strong concern about labour practices in relation to
the tourism sector and emphasized the importance of ILO work in this connection. Other
participants cautioned that there were some differences of view in this area.
C. Oceans and seas
11. Participants focused on the need for the Commission to conclude a decision on
oceans and seas and paid special attention to the observations, recommendations and
proposals produced at the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Oceans and Seas and on
the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, in which connection they
confirmed the four main challenges identified at the Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group:
- Conserving, managing and achieving sustainable use of fisheries and other marine
living resources;
- Preventing pollution and degradation of the marine environment from land-based
activities;
- Better scientific understanding of the oceans and seas and their interaction with the
world climate system;
- Better international coordination and cooperation.
12. Participants noted the progress that had been made in reaching agreements relating
to the oceans and seas and warned about continuing threats which these had not cured. They
therefore urged early ratification of relevant agreements with a view to early entry into
force. It was essential that agreements be implemented by States and that efforts be made
to build capacity and mobilize the resources necessary for implementation (including
possibly by partner conferences). Coordination between the different parts of national
administrations " as set out in section A of Chapter 17 of Agenda 2127 " was
also necessary to ensure both that national action was integrated and that international
bodies did not receive conflicting directions from their member States.
13. On fisheries and other marine living resources, participants stressed the crucial
importance in much of the world of ensuring continuing sustainable supply of food from the
oceans and seas (a matter of particular moment for many communities in developing
countries) as well as the need to protect marine biological diversity. It was important
for the Commission to make clear that these two concerns underpinned the need for
effective and integrated fisheries management and the protection of the habitats of fish
and other biota. Without them, poverty would be exacerbated and the environment would be
degraded. A precautionary and ecosystem-based approach to fisheries was stressed, as was
the need to make sustainable utilization of ocean resources a realizable goal.
14. Participants stressed the urgent need for action to eliminate overfishing and
wasteful fishing practices. Governments were urged to undertake national assessments of
their fish stocks and support the work of regional fisheries organizations in improving
required scientific data. The need to take early steps to eliminate overcapacity in many
fisheries was emphasized. The recent agreement of the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations (FAO) on an International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing
Capacity in this field was commended, but emphasis was laid on the primary role of
regional fisheries organizations in implementing it. Participants also stressed the need
for early action to end illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, which posed
particular threats to artisanal and subsistence fisheries. Capacity-building and resource
mobilization were preconditions for action on IUU in many cases. Participants called on
all States to acknowledge their responsibilities to ensure that ships flying their flags
complied with international law and asked FAO and IMO to cooperate in work to address IUU
problems associated with vessels of flag States which do not fulfil their responsibilities
under international law in respect of their vessels.
15. Participants called for further work by global and regional fisheries organizations
to reduce by-catch, both of non-target fish species and of other forms of wildlife, to
reduce discards and to safeguard breeding stock. Training and capacity-building were
important in this respect. Participants called for the evaluation of the possible negative
impact of subsidies and other fiscal and economic incentives that might promote
overcapitalization, although some expressed the view that certain subsidies could also
assist socio-economic policy goals and contribute to the reduction of excessive fishing.
16. Attention was drawn to the importance of coral reefs, both as indicators of the
health of the oceans and seas and as a basis for tourist activities, especially in
developing countries. The Commission was urged to support the International Coral Reef
Initiative. It was also urged to note the value of the establishment of marine protected
areas, in suitable circumstances and along with other appropriate tools, as a means to
promote protection of the marine environment and the conservation of marine biological
diversity in line with the Jakarta mandate of the Convention on Biological Diversity.28
17. Participants expressed concern about the slow rate of progress in many aspects of
the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land-based Activities,29 while welcoming some recent steps and calling
for early action by the relevant international bodies and by Governments. Regional and
national partnership meetings aimed at accelerating implementation of the Global Programme
of Action received strong support. Adequate treatment of wastes, sewage and industrial
effluents was identified as a serious obstacle to implementation of the Global Programme
of Action, particularly for developing countries and economies in transition whose
representatives cited a need for financial and technological assistance in their efforts
to deal with such wastes. Unsustainable development patterns, including overcrowding, in
coastal areas were identified as particular problems.
[ UP ]
18. Participants welcomed the decision of the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) to convene a global conference to address sewage as a major land-based source of
pollution affecting human and ecosystem health. Efforts to combat the spread of persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) were also welcomed. There was discussion about the possible need
for a global framework treaty to implement the Global Programme of Action, but a number of
participants questioned the feasibility of formulating and implementing such an agreement.
Participants also stressed the importance they attached to UNEP's completing the
establishment of the Global Programme of Action coordination office and establishing a
clearing-house mechanism to provide decision makers with direct access to scientific and
technical expertise, financial assistance and capacity-building.
19. There was considerable emphasis on the need for improved scientific understanding
of the marine environment as a fundamental basis for sound decision-making, improved human
well-being and prevention of environmental degradation including in coastal areas.
Participants observed that interaction between atmospheric and oceanic systems was
changing as a result of climate change and could lead to serious socio-economic and
environmental impacts, such as El Niño. Concerted international action (including
coordinated efforts by the United Nations system) to improve scientific understanding was
urgently required to deal with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
20. With regard to the ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the Joint Group
of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) as a
source of independent scientific advice on oceans and coastal issues, participants
suggested that consideration be given to establishing an international panel on marine
pollution, along the lines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
21. Nearly all participants addressed the issue of international cooperation and
coordination, exhibiting a keen interest in improving the way in which ocean issues are
managed in intergovernmental forums and by international organizations. They attached
priority to the identification of coherent, comprehensive and consistent approaches to
sustainable development questions in relation to oceans and seas. They believed that the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea30 provides the overall legal framework for
the consideration of oceans and seas. Clearly it was appropriate for intergovernmental
deliberations to take place in the General Assembly. However, there was a need to enhance
the effectiveness of the Assembly's annual debate on oceans and the law of the sea,
including by broadening and deepening the Assembly's consideration of oceans and the law
of the sea. The Assembly's consideration of oceans needs to be able to range across all
oceans issues, including those in Agenda 21, and to take account of the linkages between
them. The process should benefit from a thorough and well-prepared analysis. Methods to
improve the review of oceans issues should utilize, to the extent possible, existing
institutions and make use of existing resources. The view was widely shared that there was
a need for "institutional renewal, not new institutions".
22. Participants emphasized the need to identify present gaps and areas where
coordination and cooperation should be enhanced. There was particular need for
improvements in the process of inter-agency collaboration utilizing existing mechanisms
and resources.
23. Participants noted that the Commission's recommendations on how to improve
international coordination and cooperation would be presented to the General Assembly at
its fifty-fourth session for its further consideration and action. They attached
importance to this work and the need to provide clear and detailed guidance to the
Assembly.
D. Small island developing States
24. The co-Chair of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Oceans and Seas and on
the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States briefed the Commission on
progress in reaching agreement on the draft text that the Commission, acting as a
preparatory body for the special session of the General Assembly for the review and
appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development
of Small Island Developing States,31 is required to submit to the special session.
25. Recognizing that small island developing States are the custodians of large areas
of the world's oceans and significant biodiversity resources, participants reaffirmed the
Barbados Programme of Action as the blueprint for the sustainable development of small
island developing States. Attention was drawn to the progress made by small island
developing States since the adoption of the Barbados Programme of Action by the Barbados
Global Conference in implementing sustainable development strategies through action at the
national and the regional level.
26. Attention was drawn to the vulnerability of small island developing States in
relation to their ability to withstand external economic shocks, for example, as a result
of fluctuating commodity prices and susceptibility to natural disasters. Participants
placed particular emphasis on the early development of a vulnerability index to supplement
existing gross domestic product (GDP)-based criteria in the assessment of eligibility of
small island developing States for concessional finance.
27. Concern was expressed at constraints still faced by small island developing States
in fully implementing sustainable development strategies because of insufficient
resources, due particularly to declining levels of official development assistance (ODA).
Concern was further expressed that the decline in financial resources might reflect a
lessening of commitment made at the Barbados Global Conference. It was recognized that the
special session of the General Assembly would provide an opportunity for all countries to
reaffirm commitments that had been made at the time the Barbados Programme of Action was
adopted.
28. In this regard, the recent small island developing States donor meeting was
acknowledged as a positive step. Participants emphasized the need for improved donor
coordination and the importance of partnerships at all levels, including with the private
sector, in order to further assist small island developing States in their efforts to
achieve sustainable development.
29. There were expressions of concern at adverse effects on small island developing
States of globalization and trade liberalization. It was emphasized that the special
circumstances of small island developing States should be taken into account in the next
phase of negotiations under the World Trade Organization.
30. Participants expressed concern at the risks to small island developing States of
trans-shipment of hazardous wastes and materials through their jurisdictions. In this
regard, there was a proposal to have the Caribbean Sea recognized as a special area in the
context of sustainable development, bearing in mind the subregion's high degree of
vulnerability as a result of the large number of ships with hazardous cargo traversing the
Caribbean.
E. Changing consumption and production patterns
31. Participants emphasized that all countries were consumers and producers of a global
and common set of resources. It was recognized that the industrialized countries should
take the lead in changing consumption and production patterns, based on the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities, since consumption and production in developing
countries were often driven by the patterns in developed countries.
32. It was noted that during the twentieth century, world consumption had undergone
tremendous expansion, with substantial positive effects on human welfare for a large
number of people. However, there were huge disparities in consumption between
industrialized and developing countries and widening gaps between the wealthy and the poor
almost everywhere. Furthermore, unsustainable consumption and production patterns,
especially in developed countries, had done great environmental as well as social harm
worldwide, with severe impacts often being experienced in the poorest regions of the
world.
33. Participants noted that unsustainable consumption and production patterns included
both overconsumption of natural resources, particularly in the developed countries, and
poverty and underconsumption of basic goods and services in developing countries. There
was an urgent need to find effective ways to address poverty, particularly in the poorest
countries, and to thereby enable them to attain better life conditions and to achieve
sustainable development.
34. It was noted that the developing countries and countries with economies in
transition needed investment in skills formation and capacity-building, technology
development and transfer, and promotion of greater efficiency in production, in order to
enable them to address the priority goal of poverty eradication. Transfer of skills and
technology, together with financial resources, was required to ensure access to
international markets. Particular attention should be given to the needs of small and
medium-sized enterprises. Participants stressed the need for developed countries, in
particular, to meet their commitments to those ends, as outlined in Agenda 21, in
accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
[ UP ]
35. It was noted that sustainable development required equitable access to resources
and a decoupling of consumption and production from environmental degradation.
36. Participants emphasized that Governments, industry, media, non-governmental
organizations, international organizations and individuals all had important roles to play
in changing consumption and production patterns.
37. It was noted that it was in the interest of all countries to promote cleaner
production and eco-efficiency in various economic sectors. For this purpose, a mix of
instruments should be used, ranging from regulatory through economic to social
instruments, including voluntary initiatives. A key challenge was to find ways to meet
present and future demands, especially for non-renewable resources, food and energy.
38. It was noted that a better understanding about the driving forces that influenced
consumer choice and behaviour was needed, including gender-related issues, and the role of
the advertising sector and the media. It was noted that the further development of
indicators of consumption and production could make an important contribution to this
effort.
39. It was noted there was need for further study of the impacts of urbanization and
urban planning on sustainable consumption and production, particularly in such areas as
transportation, energy, water, sanitation and waste management.
40. Participants stressed the critical importance of education, information and public
awareness, recognizing that broad participation in changing consumption and production
patterns depended on public understanding of the impact of consumption and production
patterns on health, quality of life, poverty and the environment. They encouraged UNEP and
other international organizations, together with Governments, industry, media and other
stakeholders, to contribute to education, information and public awareness.
41. Participants noted that globalization was of particular concern and that
relationships between trade, environment and development should be examined with a view to
promoting more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. It was emphasized that
policies on trade and sustainable consumption should be mutually supportive. It was
emphasized that policies to promote sustainable consumption and production should not be
used for protectionism or in a discriminatory way, nor should they create obstacles to
development in developing countries.
42. It was noted that financing for development must come primarily from domestic
resources, but that ODA is also very important, especially for the least developed
countries. In this context, donor countries were encouraged to make further efforts to
proceed towards the fulfilment of the ODA target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product
(GNP).
43. Participants welcomed the initiative by UNEP to elaborate an International
Declaration on Cleaner Production and encouraged the signing of that Declaration.
44. Participants welcomed the elaboration of, and called for the adoption of, the new
elements on sustainable consumption for inclusion in the United Nations Guidelines for
Consumer Protection.32
F. Focus points
45. The following points were identified by ministers and heads of delegation for
particular consideration by officials in finalizing Commission outcomes:
1. Tourism
Under this topic:
- A focused work programme identifying clearly what actions are required, by whom and,
wherever possible, by when. This would include work that major groups have agreed to
undertake, as well as actions for Governments and international organizations and
agencies;
- The need to reflect the key role of industry and local authorities in achieving
sustainable development in the tourism sector (including through such measures as Agenda
21 for travel and tourism, Local Agenda 21 and other initiatives, desirably with
multi-stakeholder participation, and also monitoring, verification and assessment
arrangements);
- The need for specific measures for capacity-building (for example, education and
training arrangements for tourists, children, workers, educators, women, indigenous people
and other relevant groups), including industry-led initiatives;
- The importance of identifying tourism planning and management activities (including
the development of integrated planning arrangements, with mechanisms for including
stakeholders; development and promotion of "best practices"; development of
inter-agency study on carrying capacity; early efforts to minimize packaging waste
associated with travel and tourism; and arrangements to ensure that international
organizations and agencies take tourism into account in work programmes on relevant
issues);
- Addressing of coastal issues effectively (including through fully integrated planning
processes for coastal development; proactive support for small and medium-sized
enterprises and micro-enterprises; IMO study on effectiveness of marine pollution
regulations and compliance in the context of tourism impacts, especially in small island
developing States;
- Inclusion of relevant direction for research activities;
- Inclusion of direction for stronger action on the exploitation of women and children,
especially through sex tourism, recognizing the particular responsibilities of the home
countries of sex tourists and the special role for the tourism industry in efforts to
stamp out the problem. Governments to be urged to support ILO work in this area, including
through ratifying and enforcing relevant agreements.
2. Oceans and seas
Under this topic:
- The importance for much of the world of ensuring a sustainable supply of food from
oceans and seas as well as the need to protect marine biological diversity;
- Early ratification and entry into force of existing agreements;
- Implementing those agreements and other instruments such as agreed plans of action,
including developing the necessary capacity at the national, regional and global level;
- The potential of Partnership conferences at the regional level involving all relevant
stakeholders for mobilizing the activities and resources needed for the implementation of
agreements and action plans, in particular the Global Programme of Action for the
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities;
[ UP ]
- The significance of regional fishing organizations as the cornerstone for achieving
the sustainable use of fisheries, the need for them to be strengthened and given greater
enforcement capacity and the need to encourage the creation of new regional fishing
organizations in respect of non-regulated fisheries;
- The need for effective action on the problems of illegal, unregulated and unreported
fishing, including by vessels of flag States which do not fulfil their responsibilities
under international law in respect of their vessels and for the closest possible
cooperation between FAO and IMO in resolving these problems;
- The problems of by-catch (both of non-target species and of other forms of wildlife),
discards and destructive fishing practices; and the need for effective further work by
global and regional fisheries organizations to address these issues;
- The problems associated with persistent organic pollutants and the need for an
international agreement in this area; the importance of efforts to reduce the discharge of
hazardous substances and avoiding contamination of the marine environment as a result of
the scrapping of ships;
- The contribution that a global representative system of marine protected areas could
make to the sustainable management of oceans and seas; and the need for sound principles
in the development of the marine protected areas concept;
- The importance of improving scientific understanding of the marine environment in
general and of ensuring that the best scientific information is available to regional and
subregional decision makers; noting of the urgency of the review of GESAMP being
undertaken by IMO; and emphasis on the significant impact on oceans of climatic phenomena
such as the El Niño effect and encouragement of further work towards the understanding of
these phenomena;
- The need for means by which each session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
can review the implementation of its previous recommendations, including country and
inter-agency feedback on progress;
- The importance of ensuring cross-sectoral integration at the national level to ensure
that international agencies in the oceans area do not receive conflicting or inconsistent
directions from their member States;
- The importance of international coordination and cooperation and the need to identify
present gaps and areas where coordination and cooperation should be enhanced; in that
context, the need to broaden and deepen the General Assembly's consideration of oceans and
the law of the sea to more effectively encompass the full range of oceans issues,
including those in Agenda 21; and, in addition, the need for improvements in the process
of inter-agency collaboration utilizing existing mechanisms.
3. Small island developing States
Under this topic:
- The importance of the decision text emphasizing the continuing validity of the
Barbados Programme of Action as a blueprint for the sustainable development of small
island developing States;
- The particular vulnerability of small island developing States in relation to both
economic shocks and natural disasters;
- Concern over declining ODA levels;
- The importance of the special circumstances of small island developing States being
taken into account in the next phase of negotiations under the World Trade Organization;
- The importance of improving donor coordination and strengthening partnerships with
all stakeholders in efforts to implement the Barbados Programme of Action;
' The opportunity provided by the special session of the General Assembly for all
countries to reaffirm the commitments made at the Barbados Global Conference.
4. Changing consumption and production patterns
Under this topic:
- Focus future work through the development of strategies to achieve:
(a) Integrated resource management, cleaner production and eco-efficiency;
(b) Better understanding of globalization and its impact on consumption and production
patterns;
(c) Progress in addressing problems relating to urbanization, and impacts of human
settlements;
- Promotion of investment in capacity-building, technology development and transfer,
and promotion of greater efficiency in production, recognizing the roles of Governments,
international organizations, industry and other stakeholders in this regard;
- Increase and improvement of international cooperation in the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries, with the requisite financial
support.

Chapter IV Sectoral theme: oceans and seas
[ UP ]
1. The Commission considered item 3 of its agenda at its 3rd and 12th to 14th meetings,
on 19, 26 and 30 April 1999. It had before it the following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and seas (E/CN.17/1999/4 and Add.1);
(b) Report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Oceans and Seas and on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States (E/CN.17/1999/17 and Corr.1).
2. At its 3rd meeting, on 19 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with
items 4, 5 and 6 and heard presentations by Navid Hanif (Pakistan), Co-Chairman, Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Consumption and Production Patterns and on Tourism, as
well as by Alan Simcock (United Kingdom) and John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), Co-Chairmen,
Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Oceans and Seas (see chap. V, para. 2; chap. VI,
para 2; and chap. VII, para. 2).
3. At the same meeting, the representatives of Canada and Switzerland reported on
Government initiatives.
4. At its 12th meeting, on 26 April, the Commission heard presentations on item 3 and
item 5 (Economic sector/major group: tourism) concurrently, by the representatives of
Poland, Iceland and Kenya (see chap. VI, para. 12).
5. At its 13th meeting, on 26 April, the Commission heard a joint presentation on item
3 and item 5 (Economic sector/major group: tourism) concurrently, by the representatives
of Panama and Mexico (see chap. VI, para. 13).
Action taken by the Commission
Oceans and seas
6. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
entitled "Oceans and seas", submitted on the basis of informal consultations.
7. At the same meeting, the representative of the United Kingdom reported on the
outcome of final consultations on the draft decision.
8. Also at the same meeting, after statements by the representatives of Germany (on
behalf of the European Union), Mexico, Egypt and the United States, the Commission adopted
the draft text (see chap. I, sect. C, decision 7/6).

Chapter V Cross-sectoral theme: consumption and production
patterns, including recommendations for sustainable consumption for inclusion in the
United Nations guidelines for consumer protection, as requested by the Economic and Social
Council in its resolution 1997/53
[ UP ]
1. The Commission considered item 4 of its agenda at its 3rd and 14th meetings, on 19
and 30 April 1999. It had before it the following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on comprehensive review of changing consumption and
production patterns (E/CN.17/1999/2);
(b) Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Consumption and Production
Patterns and on Tourism (E/CN.17/1999/16);
(c) Draft resolution entitled "Expansion of the United Nations guidelines on
consumer protection to include sustainable consumption", submitted by the
Vice-Chairman, Navid Hanif (Pakistan) (E/CN.17/1999/L.1).
2. At its 3rd meeting, on 19 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with
items 3, 5 and 6 and heard presentations by Navid Hanif (Pakistan, Co-Chairman, Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Consumption and Production Patterns and on Tourism, as
well as by Alan Simcock (United Kingdom) and John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), Co-Chairmen,
Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Oceans and Seas (see chap. IV, para. 2; chap. VI,
para. 2; and chap. VII, para. 2).
Action taken by the Commission
Expansion of the United Nations guidelines on consumer protection to include
sustainable consumption
3. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft resolution
entitled "Expansion of the United Nations guidelines on consumer protection to
include sustainable consumption" (E/CN.17/1999/L.1), submitted by the Vice-Chairman,
Navid Hanif (Pakistan), on the basis of informal consultations.
4. At the same meeting, the Commission recommended the draft resolution to the Council
for adoption (see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution I).
Changing consumption and production patterns
5. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
entitled "Changing consumption and production patterns" submitted by the
Vice-Chairman, Navid Hanif (Pakistan), who reported on final consultations on the draft
decision.
6. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect.
C, decision 7/2).

Chapter VI Economic sector/major group: tourism
[ UP ]
1. The Commission considered item 5 of its agenda at its 3rd and 12th to 14th meetings,
on 19, 26 and 30 April 1999. It had before it the following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on tourism and sustainable development
(E/CN.17/1999/5 and Add.1'3);
(b) Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Consumption and Production
Patterns and on Tourism (E/CN.17/1999/16).
2. At its 3rd meeting, on 19 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with
items 3, 4 and 6 and heard presentations by Navid Hanif (Pakistan), Co-Chairman, Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Consumption and Production Patterns and on Tourism, as
well as by Alan Simcock (United Kingdom) and John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), Co-Chairmen,
Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Oceans and Seas (see chap. IV, para. 2; chap. V,
para. 2; and chap. VII, para. 2).
3. At the same meeting, the representatives of Canada and Switzerland reported on
Government initiatives.
4. At its 4th meeting, on 19 April, the Commission held an interactive dialogue,
focusing on industry initiatives for sustainable tourism.
5. At the same meeting, introductory statements were made by Geoffrey Lipman,
President, World Travel and Tourism; LeRoy Trotman; Beate Weber, Mayor of Heidelberg,
Germany; Velda Dhanoolah, Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago, and Pan African
Movement; Mark Hambley (United States); and Libran Cabactulan (Philippines).
6. At its 5th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission held an interactive dialogue,
focusing on changing consumer behaviour.
7. At the same meeting, introductory statements were made by the following keynote
speakers: Ken Hine, CEO, International Hotel and Restaurant Association; Estafania Blount;
Margarita Najera Aranzabal, Mayor of Calvia (Spain); Sharon James, Voluntary Service
Overseas; Adel Rady (Egypt); and Donal Guilfoyle (Ireland).
8. At its 6th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission held an interactive dialogue,
focusing on promoting broad based sustainable development through tourism, while
safeguarding the integrity of local cultures and protecting the environment.
9. At the same meeting, introductory statements were made by Karen Ford-Warner, Deputy
Secretary-General, Caribbean Tourism Organization; Indira Saxena; Stephen Bewayo Nsubuga,
Mayor, Jinja Municipality Council, Uganda; Wilfredo Alamgui, Tebtebba Foundation, Third
World Network; Alexis Hatzidakis (Greece); and Cecilia Pérez Balladares (Panama).
10. At its 7th meeting, on 21 April, the Commission held an interactive dialogue,
focusing on coastal impact of tourism.
11. At the same meeting, introductory statements were made by Heinz Simonitsch,
Managing Director, Half Moon Bay; Jon Whitlow; Jeremy Harris, Mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii;
Atherton Martin, Dominican Conservation Association; Richard Kenchington (Australia); and
Suphawit Piampongsan (Thailand).
12. At its 12th meeting, on 26 April, the Commission heard presentations on item 5 and
item 3 (Sectoral theme: oceans and seas) concurrently, by the representatives of Poland,
Iceland and Kenya (see chap. IV, para. 4).
13. At its 13th meeting, on 26 April, the Commission heard a joint presentation by
representatives of Panama and Mexico, on item 5 and item 3 (Sectoral theme: oceans and
seas) concurrently (see chap. IV, para. 5).
Action taken by the Commission
Tourism and sustainable development
14. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
entitled "Tourism and sustainable development' (E/CN.17/1999/L.6), submitted by the
Vice-Chairman, Navid Hanif (Pakistan), on the basis of informal consultations.
15. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. 1, sect.
C, decision 7/3).

Chapter VII Comprehensive review of the Programme of Action
for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
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1. The Commission considered item 6 of its agenda at its 3rd and 14th meetings, on 19
and 30 April 1999 (for other action taken by the Commission under agenda item 6, see
(A/S-22/_'E/1999/_). It had before it the following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on progress in the implementation of the Programme
of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
(E/CN.17/1999/6 and Add.1'16);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General entitled "Progress in the implementation of
the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States:
current donor activities" (E/CN.17/1999/7);
(c) Report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Oceans and Seas and on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States (E/CN.17/1999/17 and Corr.1);
(d) Report of the Secretary-General on the meeting of representatives of donors and
small island developing States, which was held at New York from 24 to 26 February 1999
(E/CN.17/1999/18).
2. At its 3rd meeting, on 19 April, the Commission considered the item jointly with
items 3, 4 and 5 and heard presentations by Navid Hanif (Pakistan), Co-Chairman, Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Consumption and Production Patterns and on Tourism, as
well as by Alan Simcock (United Kingdom) and John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), Co-Chairmen,
Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Oceans and Seas (see chap. IV, para. 2; chap. V,
para. 2; and chap. VI, para. 2).
Action taken by the Commission
Comprehensive review of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States
3. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission took note of the documents under
the item (see chap. I, sect. C, decision 7/10).

Chapter VIII Initiation of preparations for the ninth
session of the Commission on issues related to the sectoral theme: energy
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1. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April 1999, the Commission considered item 7 of its
agenda. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Initiation of
preparations for the ninth session of the Commission on issues related to the sectoral
theme: energy" (E/CN.17/1999/8).
Action taken by the Commission
Preparations for the ninth session of the Commission on issues related to the sectoral
theme: energy
2. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft resolution
entitled "Preparations for the ninth session of the Commission on issues related to
the sectoral theme: energy", submitted by the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana),
who reported on final consultations on the draft resolution.
3. At the same meeting, the Commission recommended the draft resolution to the Council
for adoption (see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution II).

1. The Commission considered item 8 of its agenda at its 8th to 11th meetings, on 21 to
23 April 1999. It had before it the following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on emerging issues for the high-level meeting
(E/CN.17/1999/9);
(b) Report of the Inter-sessional Ad Hoc Working Group on Consumption and Production
Patterns and on Tourism (E/CN.17/1999/16);
(c) Report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Oceans and Seas and on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States (E/CN.17/1999/17 and Corr.1).
2. At the 8th meeting, on 21 April, the Deputy Secretary-General addressed the
Commission.
3. At the same meeting, statements on tourism and development were made by the Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Science, Technology and Environment of Thailand; the
Minister of Mines, Environment and Tourism of Zimbabwe; the Minister of Tourism of
Ecuador; the Director-General of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture of
Indonesia; the Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry for the Environment, Physical
Planning and Public Works of Greece; the Director of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism of
Kenya; the Under-Minister of the Environment of Spain; the Minister for Environmental
Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry of Poland; the Minister of State of the United
Republic of Tanzania; the Minister for Science and Technology of Guyana (on behalf of the
Group of 77 and China); the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and
Nuclear Safety of Germany (on behalf of the European Union and also on behalf of Bulgaria,
the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Cyprus and Norway); the Minister of the Environment and Physical Planning of
Slovenia; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Namibia;
the Minister of the Environment of Slovakia; the Permanent Representative of Hungary; the
Minister of Tourism of Turkey; the Head of the State Committee for Tourism of Ukraine; the
Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka; the Deputy Permanent Representative
of Myanmar; the Deputy Minister for Economy of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia;
the Vice-President and Minister of the Environment and Energy of Costa Rica; the Federal
Minister for the Environment, Youth and Family Affairs of Austria; the Secretary of
Tourism of Argentina; the Vice-Minister of Tourism of Peru; the Permanent Representative
of Kyrgyzstan; the Head of the Environmental Policy Division, Ministry of Environment of
the Republic of Moldova; the Permanent Representative of Cyprus; the Permanent
Representative of Tunisia; the Director, National Environmental Centre for Sustainable
Development of Kazakhstan; and the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
4. At the same meeting, the Commission engaged in an interactive dialogue.
5. Also at the same meeting, a statement was made by the Executive Director of the
United Nations Environment Programme.
6. At the 9th meeting, on 22 April, statements on oceans and seas were made by the
Minister, State Environmental Protection Administration of China; the Federal Minister for
the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany; the Head of the
International Relations and Treaty Department, Ministry of Environment of Lithuania; the
Minister of Environment and Forest of Côte d'Ivoire; the Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary
of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions of the United Kingdom; the
Minister of Environment and Protection of Nature of Senegal; the Director-General, Chief
Executive, Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria; the Permanent
Representative of Algeria; the Minister of Environment of Norway; the Administrative
Vice-Minister, Environment Agency of Japan; the Minister for Forests, Environment and
Conservation of Solomon Islands (on behalf of Australia, the Federated States of
Micronesia, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu);
the Minister for Environment and Energy of Denmark; the Secretary, Minister of Environment
and Forests of India; the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of South
Africa; and the Minister for the Environment and Heritage of Australia.
7. At the same meeting, the Commission engaged in an interactive dialogue.
8. At the 10th meeting, on 22 April, the Commission heard statements on oceans and seas
by the Minister of the Environment of Portugal; the Minister of International Cooperation
for Environment and Development of Monaco; the Chairman of the State Committee of the
Russian Federation for Environmental Protection; the Minister for the Marine and Natural
Resources of Ireland; the Minister for Spatial Planning and the Environment of France; the
Minister of Environment of Madagascar; the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning and Chair,
Philippine Council for Sustainable Development; the Permanent Representative of Colombia;
the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development of
Pakistan; the Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of
Malaysia; the Minister for the Environment of Iceland; the Minister for Environment of
Mozambique; the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada; the Permanent Representative
of Papua New Guinea; and the Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries of
Mexico.
9. At the same meeting, the Commission then engaged in an interactive dialogue.
10. At the 11th meeting, on 23 April, the Commission heard statements on consumption
and production patterns by the Minister of the Environment of Finland; the Minister of
Environment of Italy; the Federal Councillor, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of
Switzerland; the Minister of Environment and Forests of Cameroon; the Permanent
Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; the Permanent Representative
of Belarus; the Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic; the Minister for
Spatial Planning, Environment, Urbanization and Habitat of Morocco; the Minister of
Environment, Habitat and Urbanism of Benin; the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil;
the Vice-Minister, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea; and the Minister for
the Environment of Sweden.
11. At the same meeting, the Commission engaged in an interactive dialogue.
Action taken by the Commission
12. At the 11th meeting, on 23 April, the Chairman read out the Chairman's summary of
the high-level meeting.
13. At the same meeting, the Chairman agreed to include the Chairman's summary in the
report of the Commission (see chap. III).
14. Also at the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
Netherlands, Guyana (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China) and India.

1. The Commission considered item 9 of its agenda at its 14th meeting, on 30 April
1999. It had before it the following documents:
(a) Note by the Secretary-General on national reporting to the Commission on
Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/1999/10);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General on implementation of the international work
programme on education, public awareness and training (E/CN.17/1999/11);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on voluntary initiatives and agreements
(E/CN.17/1999/12);
(d) Draft proposals submitted by the Vice-Chairman, Mr. George Talbot (Guyana)
(E/CN.17/1999/L.3);
(e) Draft resolution entitled "Sustainable development in the region of the
Balkans", submitted by the Russian Federation (E/CN.17/1999/L.5).
Action taken by the Commission
Education, public awareness and training
2. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
entitled "Education, public awareness and training".
3. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana) reported on the
outcome of final consultations held on the draft decision.
4. Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I,
sect. C, Commission decision 7/4).
Information provided by Governments and exchange of national experiences
5. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
entitled "Information provided by Governments and exchange of national
experiences".
6. At the same meeting the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana) reported on the
outcome of final consultations held on the draft decision.
7. Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I,
sect. C, Commission decision 7/5).
Voluntary initiatives and agreements
8. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
submitted by the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana), entitled "Voluntary
initiatives and agreements", contained in document E/CN.17/1999/L.3, which read as
follows:
"The Commission on Sustainable Development,
Recalling the interactive dialogue that took place between Governments, industry, trade
unions, non-governmental organizations and international organizations in the industry
segment organized during its sixth session, in 199833 and its decision 6/2 regarding the
"potential value of a review of voluntary initiatives and agreements":
(a) Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General34 and the inter-sessional
consultative process convened in Toronto, Canada, in March 1999, involving representatives
of industry, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and
Governments, aimed at identifying elements of a review of voluntary initiatives and
agreements launched in follow-up to its decision 6/2 in 1998;
(b) Reiterates the value of multi-stakeholder processes for sustainable development,
and encourages their further use both in future work on voluntary initiatives and
agreements and in other sustainable development issues;
(c) Encourages the stakeholder groups, in cooperation with relevant United Nations
bodies, to continue generating information about voluntary initiatives and agreements,
including the most appropriate means for possible reviews, and to make this information
widely available, and requests its secretariat to facilitate these efforts, inter alia,
through its Internet site;
(d) Stresses the need for better understanding of the possible impact of voluntary
initiatives and agreements on developing countries, and requests the various stakeholders
to report periodically, through the Commission's secretariat, on steps they have taken or
progress they have made in assisting developing countries to understand and make use of,
as appropriate, the lessons to be learned from the use of voluntary initiatives and
agreements;
(e) Takes note of the commitments to future action made by the various stakeholders at
the Toronto meeting, and encourages further dialogue among the stakeholders on information
products that may assist countries and interested organizations in understanding the uses
and value of voluntary initiatives and agreements in the context of sustainable
development;
(f) Requests the Secretary-General to periodically report to the Commission on the
progress and developments in this area."
9. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairman reported on the outcome of the final
consultations held on the draft decision and circulated a revised text. The Commission
then adopted the draft decision as revised (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission decision
7/6).
Proposed programme of work in the area of sustainable development for the biennium
2000-2001
10. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision,
submitted by the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana), entitled "Proposed programme
of work in the area of sustainable development for the biennium 2000-2001", contained
in document E/CN.17/1999/L.3.
11. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairman reported on the outcome of final
consultations and orally revised the draft decision by inserting the words "inter
alia" before the words "as appropriate".
12. Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision as orally
revised (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission decision 7/7).
Matters related to the inter-sessional work of the Commission
13. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
submitted by Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana), entitled "Matters related to the
inter-sessional work of the Commission", contained in document E/CN.17/1999/L.3.
14. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairman reported on the outcome of final
consultations on the draft decision.
15. Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I,
sect. C, Commission decision 7/8).
Sustainable development in the region of the Balkans
16. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft resolution
entitled "Sustainable development in the region of the Balkans"
(E/CN.17/1999/L.5), submitted by the Russian Federation.
17. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana) reported on the
outcome of final consultations on the draft resolution.
18. Also at the same meeting, the representative of Germany (on behalf of the States
Members of the United Nations that are members of the European Union) moved adjournment of
the debate, in accordance with rule 49 of the rules of procedure of the functional
commissions.
19. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of Poland and
Canada favouring the adjournment, and statements were made by the representatives of the
Russian Federation and China opposing the adjournment.
20. Also at the same meeting, the motion was carried by a vote of 33 to 4, with 8
abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour Antigua and Barbuda, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia,
Côte d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, France, Gabon, Germany, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Japan,
Mauritania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America.
Against: China, Democratic Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and Zimbabwe.
Abstaining: Benin, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Venezuela.
21. After the vote, the representatives of India and the Russian Federation made
statements and requested that they be placed on record. Those statements are set out
below.
Statement by the representative of India
The problem that the Russian Federation has tried to address in its draft resolution is
a matter of the gravest concern to the international community.
On 19 April 1999, The Times, under the headline "Poison cloud engulfs
Belgrade", reported that "an ecological disaster was unfolding yesterday after
NATO bombed a combined petrochemicals, fertilizer and refinery complex on the banks of the
Danube in the northern outskirts of Belgrade". It reported that "among the
cocktail of chemicals brewing over hundreds of thousands of homes were the toxic gas
phosgene, chlorine and hydrochloric acid". Tonnes of a carcinogen, ethylene
dichloride, had been released into the Danube, and would flow downstream. This is not
propaganda put out by either of the parties in conflict in the Balkans but a dispatch in a
newspaper greatly respected for its objective and independent reporting. Since then, NATO
spokesmen have almost daily listed targets like these among those that they have attacked,
damaged or destroyed.
In addition, as the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs has reported to
the Security Council, the oil embargo which NATO plans to impose, without a shred of
authority from the Security Council, would, because of the current shortage of fuel in the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, make this year's sowing and harvest almost impossible.
Several recent analyses, including those commissioned by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, have warned that a collapse of food production, famine and
displacements of populations act on each other in a vicious chemistry that causes
ecological disasters. We may therefore expect even greater economic and ecological crises
in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over the next few months.
We are appalled by these developments, and we entirely understand, therefore, the
intent behind the Russian Federation's initiative. However, we also believe that it is not
within this Commission's remit to pronounce itself on issues of this nature, of grave
importance as they are, or on other specific incidents. This Commission's charge is to
reach intergovernmental agreements on how we can balance the needs of development with
those of the environment; that is challenge enough, and to meet it, what we need, and by
and large have, is harmony in this forum and a spirit of cooperation among all
delegations. We believe there is great value in the Commission maintaining its tradition
of taking decisions only by consensus. It would be a pity to have this Commission divided
on political lines, particularly on an issue that is beyond its mandate.
Neither do we want the Commission to replicate the problems created in the Commission
on Human Rights, which each year finds itself divided and distracted by politically
inspired country-specific resolutions. The crisis in the Balkans caused by NATO action is
a legitimate cause for international concern, but those concerns can only be addressed in
other forums. The problem addressed in this draft may be almost unique, but if the
Commission acts on it, it would set an uncomfortable precedent. We should be careful about
any steps we take which may have the unintended effect of mutating the Commission on
Sustainable Development into a Star Chamber in which countries are pilloried for not
meeting arbitrarily defined standards of sustainable development, either in retaliation
over this draft, or for other political purposes.
Therefore, while we completely sympathize with the spirit of the Russian draft, and
indeed with the population of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, wracked as they are by
humanitarian crises and the devastation of their infrastructure, we do not think that
their interests, or those of the Commission, would be best served by this course of
action.
In the informal consultations which have been held over the last few days, our
colleagues from the countries addressed by the Russian draft have indicated that they
would use the procedural gambit of a no-action motion to block it. If it saves the
Commission from a divisive vote on the substance, it may have served the objectives which
we had in mind. However, we also know that this move may not have been made with the best
interests of the Commission on Sustainable Development in mind but rather as a purely
defensive measure to fend off criticism. Last week in Geneva at the Human Rights
Commission, these countries argued vehemently that it would thwart the democratic process
if no-action motions were moved against their drafts, targeting other countries.
Therefore, we are as concerned about the motives of those who propose the no-action motion
here as we are about the repercussions on the Commission on Sustainable Development should
the Russian Federation press its draft to a vote.
For these reasons, we will abstain on the no-action motion. Should it fail and the
Russian draft be put to a vote, we will abstain on that as well for the same reasons.
Statement by the representative of the Russian Federation
The Russian Federation deeply regrets that the Commission on Sustainable Development
failed to adopt the draft resolution entitled "Sustainable development in the region
of the Balkans" (E/CN.17/1999/L.5).
We were prepared to discuss the draft in good faith in order to reach consensus. We at
the same time were well aware of options of possible voting outcomes. But we did not
introduce this resolution on "win-lose" considerations. We introduced it because
we believed it was the right thing to do.
It is symbolic that this resolution was voted on procedural grounds, not on substance.
We view that as a de facto recognition that the problem exists.
We firmly believe that the Commission on Sustainable Development, as the main body in
the United Nations dealing with sustainable development, has and should play a role in
addressing the unfolding environmental disaster in Yugoslavia, with unpredictable
consequences for the lives of millions of people in Europe.
The fact that the Commission turned its back on this issue does not mean that the issue
is gone. The truth is, and everyone knows it, that the issue of grave environmental
consequences of events in the Balkans is there, and that the time will come, and it will
come soon, when this issue will be on the agenda of the United Nations, including the
Commission on Sustainable Development and other forums.
Meanwhile UNEP, in accordance with its mandate, should urgently start gathering
information about the environmental situation in Yugoslavia and the region of the Balkans.
This will greatly facilitate work on identifying actions to be undertaken to overcome the
consequences of the environmental damage.
We were among the first in the Commission on Sustainable Development to raise our voice
about this problem, but not the only ones. We express our deep gratitude to the
delegations of Belarus, the People's Republic of China, Cuba, Zimbabwe, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea and others for their support and demonstration of understanding
of the true role the Commission on Sustainable Development should play in addressing acute
challenges to environment and sustainable development.
We insist that this statement be included in full in the report of the Commission on
Sustainable Development on its seventh session.
22. Statements were also made by the representatives of Indonesia, Thailand, Guyana,
Brazil, Egypt, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Sudan.
Preparations for the review of Agenda 21 and the programme for the further
implementation of Agenda 21
23. At its 14th meeting, on 30 April, the Commission had before it a draft decision
entitled "Preparations for the review of Agenda 21 and the programme for the further
implementation of Agenda 21".
24. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairman, George Talbot (Guyana) reported on the
outcome of final consultations on the draft decision.
25. Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft text (see chap. I, sect.
C, Commission decision 7/9).

(This document has been made available in electronic format
by the United Nations. )
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