SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNECE REGION

FIRST REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Palais des Nations, Geneva
9:30 Thursday, 15 January to 13:00 Friday, 16 January 2004

The eleventh session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-11) was held on 9 May 2003. Among other issues CSD decided a number of practical issues relating to its future programme and methods of work, including enhancing the role of regional and sub-regional inputs to the CSD process.

The Commission will now function on the basis of two-year "Implementation Cycles", including Review and Policy Years. The Review Year will evaluate progress made in implementing sustainable development goals and identifying obstacles and constraints, while the Policy Year will decide on measures to speed up implementation and mobilize action to overcome these obstacles and constraints.

It was agreed that for the first two-year cycle (2004-2005), the CSD will focus on water, sanitation and human settlements.

In line with the above, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), at its Ad Hoc Informal meeting on 2 September 2003 decided to hold the First Regional Implementation Forum to provide substantial inputs to the Review Year and contribute to CSD-12 scheduled for 16-30 April 2004.

It was also decided to organise as a preparatory meeting for the Forum an Ad Hoc Informal Meeting of the UNECE. This preparatory meeting took place on 1 December 2003 and resulted in a revised agenda and organisation of work.

The documents for the Forum and information on participation may be found by clicking on the menu to the left.