Parallel and Side Events Contents Page
Capacity Development for Sustainable Development: From Words to Action
Presented by the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD)
Richard Holme, LEAD, said that the event aimed at identifying ways to provide and finance capacity development. He presented two models for business engagement in developing countries: without involving the local communities; and involving them through contracting local suppliers, technology transfer and employee training. He stressed the importance of management training at all levels.
Philip Dobie, UNDP, described his experience as manager of the Capacity 21 programme. He highlighted the need to move from donor- priorities for knowledge transfer toward models based on entrusting people to make decisions and providing the necessary resources.
Julia Marton-Lefèvre, LEAD, described LEAD's network and activities of leadership capacity building for sustainable development through enhancing technical and negotiation skills, cross-cultural communication, and ethical aspects.
John Ashton, British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, noted that elements of capacity building for sustainable development are, inter alia: human networks; understanding the consequence of decisions; and designing policies that go beyond traditional boundaries.
Timothy Wirth, United Nations Foundation (UNF), identified leadership as the horizontal and neutral behaviour that helps to mobilize resources and form partnerships. He described UNF actions as intermediary in the environmental and the financial field.
Alvaro Umana, UNDP, stressed know-how, mobilization of resources and skills, and political will and leadership to help countries in achieving sustainable development.
Kristalina Georgieva, the World Bank, identified necessary trends for capacity building sustainable development, inter alia: ensuring that children attend and complete primary education; securing quality of education and knowledge; and turning passive learning into active learning.
Hans van Ginkel, United Nations University, stressed the need to focus on both capacity development for individuals and for institutions. He urged creation of networks and development of indigenous capacities.
Discussion: Participants emphasized the importance of developing capacity during childhood, and noted the role of media in sustainable development.
Capacity building and training for sustainable urbanization: A public-private partnership
Presented by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Marcel Boisard, UNITAR, noted the wide range of partners involved in the Partnership on Capacity Building and Training for Sustainable Urbanization, and presented the partnership's components, including: establishment of training centers; application of international instruments at the local level; and guaranteed access to vital services. He underscored the importance of working with and training local authorities in achieving sustainable urbanization.
Johan Eigen, UN-HABITAT, noted that sustainable urbanization is a prerequisite for sustainable development. He underscored the critical role of local authorities, stressed the need for partnerships, and advocated capacity building of local authorities to enable them to mobilize local resources and energy. Eigen emphasized the importance of avoiding gaps and overlaps in promoting sustainable urbanization, and suggested to hold meetings to identify options for mutual support, and to report on progress.
The mayors of the cities of Durban, Curitiba, Lyon and Kuala Lumpur shared their experiences in promoting sustainable urbanization, highlighting issues and initiatives relevant to the Partnership, and expressed their willingness be involved in the Partnership.
Mercedes Bresso, United Towns Organization, stressed the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors, and advocated decentralization and city-to-city cooperation.
Dominique Heron, Vivendi Environment, highlighted the Partnership's result-oriented approach, and the Partnership activities' direct link to key issues of sustainable urbanization.
May East, Global Ecovillage Network, noted the success of eco-villages in eradicating poverty and in protecting the environment through a low-impact lifestyle.
Catherine Day, European Commission, emphasized training of local authorities, including politicians, and noted challenges shared by cities in developing and developed countries.
Jean-Louis Lambouray, United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, underscored the human dimension of sustainable development and called upon mayors to take action against AIDS.
Christian de Perthuis, Caisse des Dépôts et Consignation, underscored the importance of local level skills, and advocated North-South partnerships.
Luc Rigouzzo, Groupe Agence Française du Développement, highlighted the importance of long-term capacity building and projects run by local authorities.
Deisi Weber, World Family Organization, underscored families' duties and rights, and called for decentralization at all levels.
Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, stressed the importance of local governance capacity, and highlighted sustainable urbanization through capacity building as a key to sustainable development.
The Sino-Italian co-operation programme on environmental protection towards sustainable development
Presented by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China and the Italian Ministry for Environment and Territory
Xie Zhenghua, China, highlighted China's need for cooperation with the international community. He welcomed the success of the Sino-Italian Partnership, which respects China's environmental and economic priorities.
Altero Matteoli, Italian Minister for the Environment and Territory, expressed Italy's will to accelerate the Sino-Italian cooperation. He noted that the Partnership promotes activities for the compliance with international environment agreements, including the CBD, Montreal Protocol, and Kyoto Protocol. He said that new priorities include desertification, and reduction and phase out of persistent organic pollutants.
Valerio Astraldi, Italy, noted that the Sino-Italian Partnership is a successful example of action for achieving sustainable development. He underscored the need for increased development assistance.
Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of UNEP, stated that UNEP welcomes the Partnership as a means to achieve environmental protection.
Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister, stressed Italy's commitment to the Partnership and highlighted, inter alia, freedom of trade, of expression, and economic freedom as key components of success.
Corrado Clini, Italy, introduced the Partnership, including the Beijing Joint Project Management Office. Highlighting involvement of private companies, he described on-going projects in the fields of: environmental monitoring and assessment; energy efficiency; clean development mechanisms; renewable energy sources; urban sustainable mobility; sustainable agriculture; and phase out of hazardous chemicals.
Liu Yi, China, underscored the uniqueness of the cooperation as a result of its: open and flexible framework; management mechanism, including the establishment of a Project Management Office; cooperative nature which involves industry, scientific researchers and NGOs; and the creation of a Country Compliance Center for Conventions to strengthen Chinese capacity to implement international agreements.
Maria Lodovica Gullino, University of Turin, explained ongoing activities in the agricultural sector.
Jacqueline Aloisi de Larderel, UNEP, welcomed the Partnership, especially as it relates to: improving production and consumption patterns; increasing energy efficiency through the development of a life cycle economy, and establishing national-level cleaner production centres.
Romeo Orlandi, Italy, introduced the forthcoming 2003 exhibition of the Italian Environmental Technologies in Beijing.
Wang Zhijia, China, stressed the: late start but rapid progress of the Partnership; close link with global environmental issues; and partnership's contribution to sustainable development.
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