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Impact of WSSD on IETC: |
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Due to the significance of the WSSD outcomes, and its influence
on IETC's work programme for 2003 and 2004-2005, the participants were briefed
on the political declarations, plan of implementation and partnerships that
emerged from WSSD. WSSD was proactive in not only having a declaration, but
also a concrete Plan of Implementation – covering themes such as corporate
responsibility, production and consumption, water, energy, transport, etc.
Fundamental to the operationalization of the WSSD goals, were a series of partnerships
among and between governments, private sector and non-governmental entities,
including the UN.
The participants were provided with some key highlights, targets
and timetables. For example, with respect to water and sanitation, targets
have been set to
halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people without access to safe
drinking water, as also to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people
who do
not have access to basic sanitation. Similarly, for the marine environment,
targets have been set to undertake initiatives by 2004, aimed at implementing
the 'Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
from Land-based Activities' to reduce, prevent and control waste and pollution
and their health-related impacts.
Other issues related to the means of implementation of WSSD's outcomes were
also brought to the attention of the participants, which particularly influences
IETC's work programmes:
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Promote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, access to
and the development, transfer and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies
and corresponding know-how, in particular to developing countries and countries
with economies in transition on favourable terms, including on concessional
and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, as set out in chapter 34 of
Agenda 21, including through urgent actions at all levels to: |
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Provide information more effectively; |
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Enhance existing national institutional capacity in developing countries
to improve access to and the development, transfer and diffusion of
environmentally sound technologies and corresponding know-how; |
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Facilitate country-driven technology needs assessments; |
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Improve the transfer of technologies to developing countries, in particular
at the bilateral and regional levels, including through urgent actions
at all levels to: |
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Improve interaction and collaboration, stakeholder relationships
and networks between and among universities, research institutions,
government agencies and the private sector; |
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Develop and strengthen networking of related institutional support
structures, such as technology and productivity centres, research,
training and development institutions, and national and regional cleaner
production centres; |
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Create partnerships conducive to investment and technology transfer,
development and diffusion, to assist developing countries, as well
as countries with economies in transition, in sharing best practices
and promoting programmes of assistance, and encourage collaboration
between corporations and research institutes to enhance industrial
efficiency, agricultural productivity, environmental management and
competitiveness; |
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Provide assistance to developing countries, as well as countries
with economies in transition, in accessing environmentally sound technologies
that are publicly owned or in the public domain, as well as available
knowledge in the public domain on science and technology, and in accessing
the know-how and expertise required in order for them to make independent
use of this knowledge in pursuing their development goals; |
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Support existing mechanisms and, where appropriate, establish new
mechanisms for the development, transfer and diffusion of environmentally
sound technologies
to developing countries and economies in transition. |
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The provision of clean drinking water and adequate sanitation is necessary
to protect human health and the environment. In this respect, we agree
to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people who are unable to
reach or to afford safe drinking water (as outlined in the Millennium Declaration)
and the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation,
which would include actions at all levels to: |
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Provide support to SIDS to develop capacity and strengthen:
(c) Efforts to reduce and manage waste and pollution and building capacity
for maintaining and managing systems to deliver water and sanitation
services, in both rural
and urban areas. |
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One of the highlights of WSSD was the Local Government Summit, where
IETC has had a strong presence. The complementary 'graduation' of Local Agenda
21 to Local Action 21 has several implications:
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a decade of accelerated, effective action to create sustainable
communities and protect the global common goods. |
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viable local economies, just and peaceful communities, eco-efficient
cities, and secure and resilient communities able to respond to the change,
while ensuring safe and accessible water supplies and protecting our climate,
soil, biodiversity and human health. |
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motto for accelerated implementation of sustainable development in the
decade following the Johannesburg World Summit. |
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mandate given by the World Summit on Sustainable Development to local
authorities worldwide to engage in the implementation of local agendas
and action plans. |
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movement of cities, towns, and counties and their associations towards
action for sustainability. |
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reinforce their commitment to Local Agenda 21 and its implementation
throughout the next decade of Local Action 21. |
The Johannesburg Call sought to "Halve the number of people without access
to safe water and sanitation; Undertake active steps to address public health
problems, in line with the WTO/TRIPS agreement; Improve access to affordable
modern energy services; Increase market access for goods from the developing
world; Move towards technology and knowledge partnerships in the context of
a fair and accessible intellectual property regime; and Ensure equitable access
to quality education at all levels for all"
Opportunities to further review, discuss and implement follow-up activities
to WSSD were also identified, including the upcoming UNEP Governing Council
meeting in February 2003. Other events and timelines included:
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3rd World Water Forum (Kyoto/Shiga/Osaka, March 2003) |
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2nd International Seminar on EST’s for Waste, Water and Construction
(Perth, May, 2003) |
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ICLEI World Congress (Sept-Oct 2003) |
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10th International Lake Conference (Chicago, June 2003) |
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Globe (Vancouver, April 2004) |
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International Conference on Sustainable Buildings (Tokyo, 2005) |
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International Conference on Integrated Resource Recovery and Management
(Perth,
2006) |
The IAB was also informed of the role that IETC with play in the upcoming
World Water Forum from 16-23 March 2003 – in the ministerial conference,
but also more substantially in the themes and sessions that make up WWF3. IETC
was organizing (with various partners) two main thematic events on (a) IWRM
and Basin Management – where the World Lake Vision will be launched,
and (b) Nature and Environment, as well as a sub-theme on IWRM & Cities.
It is also involved in four other sessions (ICM, IUWM, Technology Alternatives
and Ecological Sanitation). IETC will be setting up exhibitions in the Water
Expo in Osaka, and in the Water Fair in Otsu. IETC will be assisting UNEP as
a whole at WWF3, particularly the launch the World Water Development Report
at the World Water Day on March 22, 2003.
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