Aug
26-Sept. 4: Ten
years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, the world's
nations will gather again in Johannesburg to review
progress and plan for the future. The
World Summit on Sustainable Development, will bring
together tens of thousands of participants, including
heads of State and Government, national delegates and
leaders from non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
businesses and other major groups to focus the world's
attention and direct action toward meeting difficult
challenges, including improving people's lives and
conserving our natural resources in a world that is
growing in population, with ever-increasing demands for
food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services
and economic security.
WHY
NOW? At
the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, the international community
adopted Agenda 21, an unprecedented global plan of action
for sustainable development. But the best strategies are
only as good as their implementation. Ten years later,
the Johannesburg Summit presents an exciting opportunity
for today's leaders to adopt concrete steps and identify
quantifiable targets for better implementing Agenda
21.
WHEN
& WHERE IS IT? The
Summit will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from
26 August to 4 September 2002. The Summit will be held in
the Sandton Convention Centre, just outside Johannesburg.
A non-governmental forum will take place at the nearby
Gallagher Estate.
WHO
WILL BE GOING? Broad
participation and inclusiveness are key to the success of
sustainable development. All sectors of society have a
role to play in building a future in which global
resources are protected, and prosperity and health are
within reach for all of the world's citizens. In addition
to governments, there will be active participation by
representatives from business and industry, children and
youth, farmers, indigenous people, local authorities,
non-governmental organizations, scientific and
technological communities, women and workers and trade
unions. These represent the Major Groups identified in
Agenda 21.
GETTING
INVOLVED :
If
your organization wants to participate at the
Johannesburg Summit or the global preparatory committee
meetings (PrepComs), it must first be accredited with the
United Nations. Individuals wishing to participate should
be affiliated with an accredited organization. Click here
for more information on registration and accreditation
for Major Groups.
WHO
IS ORGANIZING THE SUMMIT?
The
tenth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development (known as CSD10) is acting as the Preparatory
Committee for the Summit which is the central organising
body. CSD10 is having four preparatory meetings for the
Summit during 2001-2002, known as PrepComs. These
meetings are being held as follows:
PrepCom
1: 30 April - 2 May 2001,New York
PrepCom
2: 28 January - 8 February 2002, New York
PrepCom
3: 25 March - 4 April 2002, New York
PrepCom
4: 27 May - 7 June 2002, Jakarta, Indonesia
CSD10
sessions are steered by a Bureau which consists of 2
representatives from each region of the world (10 members
in total). The Bureau for CSD10 has meetings between the
CSD10 Sessions to guide the process and raise political
awareness and support for the Summit amongst member
governments and major groups.
SECRETARY
GENERAL'S ADVISORY PANEL
The
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has
convened a Panel of Eminent Persons to explore the
challenges of sustainable development and make
recommendations to him for meeting them through the
Summit process. The work of this Panel is also intended
to assist member states, especially in the context of the
substantive preparatory process culminating in the final
global preparatory session to be held in Indonesia in May
2002. The Secretary-General has asked Panel members to
help raise political awareness of the Summit process,
both generally and within their own individual spheres of
influence and impact.
LOGISTICS:
Logistical organization of the Summit within South Africa
is being managed by the Johannesburg World Summit Company
(JOWSCO), on behalf of the Government of South Africa.
For information about logistical issues related to the
Summit, including events and exhibitions during the
Summit outside the Sandton Centre, travel, accommodation
and tourism in the area, visit the JOWSCO website:
www.joburgsummit2002.com
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
* The
1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth
Summit
* Agenda
21
* The
Commission on Sustainable Development
* Earth
Summit +5
..