International and regional SPAC processes
EXPERT MEETING CONCLUDED AT MARRAKECH
The "International Expert Meeting on the 10 year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Production and Consumption" was held in Marrakech, Morocco between June 16th - 19th 2003. This meeting was organized by UN DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) in order to "work towards the development of a 10 year framework in support of national and regional initiatives to promote sustainable production and consumption" (SPAC). Over 100 participants from 54 countries attended the meeting.
The meeting aimed at bringing together experts from around the world in order to discuss various concerns and issues related to SPAC. The results of the meeting were recorded as a "Summary of Discussion" which was to reflect all the points of view that had been presented at the meeting. The organizers emphasized through the meeting that the purpose was not negotiation and compromise, but rather to secure a diversity of opinions. The meeting considered the 10-year cycle of the CSD (Commission on Sustainable Development). However, the aim of the meeting was to feed into the CSD process and not to duplicate it.
UN DESA had prepared a discussion paper that had been distributed to the participants before the meeting. The aim of the discussion paper was stimulate discussion, and did not serve as recommendations on their part. DESA also prepared a background paper titled "Survey of International Activities on Consumption and Production Patterns" which was widely considered during the working group deliberations.
Integrative Strategies Forum has prepared a summary of the meeting outcomes.
Related Links:
Outcome of the International Expert Meeting on Sustainable Production and Consumption
UN DESA website containing background documents
REGIONAL EXPERT MEETINGS ON SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Regional Expert Meetings on Production and Consumption have been organized by UNEP, the UN DESA and other participating governments and international organizations in Argentina and Indonesia.
The Regional meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 23rd and 25th April 2003. The meeting aimed to construct a regional platform on SPAC. The meeting recommended the internalization of environmental costs, elimination of destructive subsidies, promotion of green products and services, information and education, harmonization and strengthening of national regulatory frameworks on SPAC, adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility Codes, promotion of investment in infrastructure and transfer of technologies, co-operation between government, the private sector and civil society, creating a national system of strategic environmental evaluation, and green public procurement. It called for the formation of a regional council of experts on SPAC, a follow up meeting in October 2003 in Nicaragua, and the presentation of the results of this meeting at the 14th Forum of Environmental Ministers.
The regional Expert Meeting for Asia and the Pacific was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between 21st and 23rd May 2003. The meeting called for enhancing the role of developing countries, increasing coherence and integration in both day to day work as well as long term strategies, involving stakeholders through the process, enforcing environmental laws and regulations, implementing the UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection, businesses adopting self assessment mechanisms, SMEs adopting SPAC practices, among other recommendations. The meeting also called upon UNEP to explore the possibility of establishing an International Declaration on SPAC.
Quick links:
UNEP's Report on the meeting in Asia and the Pacific
UNEP Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific - ROAP's report on the expert meeting
Background Document for the Expert Meeting in Argentina
Outcome Report of the Expert Meeting in Argentina
Background Document for the Expert Meeting in Indonesia
Outcome Report of the Expert Meeting in Indonesia