UNEP-IETC: Another Step Toward Sustainable Development


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United Nations Environment Programme
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics

INSIGHT, Spring '96 Edition

Another Step Toward Sustainable Development
IETC Actively Involved in Preparing for the Fourth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development

The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), at its Fourth Session from 18 April through 3 May 1996, thoroughly assessed the implementation of the work programme on the transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs), Cooperation, and Capacity- Building (Chapter 34 of Agenda 21). In both the Report of the Secretary-General and its Addendum on Chapter 34, IETC's activities of promoting technology cooperation for environmentally sound management of large cities and freshwater resources were appreciated as a step forward in the technological transformation required in order to bring about sustainable development.

In particular, the UNEP IETC, IE/PAC and INFOTERRA "Survey of Information Systems Related to Environmentally Sound Technologies" was regarded as a valuable contribution to the ongoing process of international EST transfer. At the CSD's request, these three UNEP units completed a comprehensive initiative related to the evaluation of: (1) existing and planned systems for providing information on ESTs from the perspective of coverage, quality of information, cost, and accessibility; (2) needs and requirements of potential users of such information, especially in developing countries and economies in transition; and, (3) the idea of a broadly based consultative mechanism that could facilitate communication and the exchange of information among information providers and potential users. As a result, UNEP's 1996-1997 integrated Work Programme includes provisions for: (a) the establishment of the Consultative Mechanism; (b) a range of activities to deliver targeted information on ESTs to industry and national and local authorities; and (c) the development and dissemination of tools for technology selection by decision-makers.

IETC also actively sought to contribute to the preparation of the CSD's 4th Session by providing substantive input at a number of expert meetings on the assessment of technology needs for sustainability that were held in three different regions:

Dakar, Senegal
At the African Regional Workshop on Technology Needs Assessment in Support of the Transfer of ESTs and International Technology Cooperation (Dakar, Senegal, 17-19 January 1996), IETC and IE/PAC made complementary presentations on UNEP's activities in the field of technology needs assessment. This workshop was jointly organized by the African Regional Centre for Technology (ARCT), the United Nations Department of Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development (DPCSD), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Experts at the workshop clearly illustrated how national and regional research institutions in Africa have developed the capacity to undertake sector-specific assessments of technological needs, particularly at the household, community, municipal and institutional levels.

New Delhi, India
An expert group meeting on EST technology transfer between small and medium size enterprises (SME) took place in New Delhi on 22-24 January 1996. Organized by the UN-ESCAP Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), the meeting marked an important step in the run-up to the fourth session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD). Experts from throughout the Asia/Pacific Region came together to analyze the role of different organizations involved in technology transfer and to make recommendations on how to improve commercial technology transfer among SMEs in developing countries. The meeting was scheduled to coincide with the En- Techmart '96 business fair, and both events were sponsored by UNEP IETC, UNDP, UN- ESCAP and two Indian organizations - the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Scheveningen/The Hague, The Netherlands
Findings from the meetings in Dakar and New Delhi were also included in discussions during an International Expert Meeting on the Assessment of Technology Needs for Sustainability, held in Scheveningen/The Hague, 5-7 February 1996. Jointly organized by the governments of The Netherlands and Switzerland, this expert meeting provided new insights into the most favorable conditions and approaches for planning, executing and implementing national needs assessments as supportive tools for the improvement of international cooperation regarding ESTs. Participants formulated a set of conclusions and recommendations on methodological and strategic issues which were presented to the Fourth Session of the CSD.

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