UNUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

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UNECE wraps up its 58th session

Geneva, 7 March 2003 - On 6 March 2003, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) concluded its 58th session (Geneva, 4-6 March 2003). The highlights of the session were the Myrdal Lecture, the discussions on the implementation of sustainable development strategies in the UNECE member countries, and the release of the Economic Survey. Mrs. Brigita Schmögnerová, the Commission's Executive Secretary, and Mr. Clyde Kull (Estonia), the Chairman of its 58th session, closed the meeting.

More than 400 people attended the lecture by Nobel prize winner Professor Douglass C. North of the United States. The lecture was part of the series of Myrdal Lectures, devoted to major international economic problems and named after Gunnar Myrdal, a distinguished social scientist and the Commission's first Executive Secretary (1947-1957). Professor North gave his lecture, entitled "The Role of Institutions in Economic Development", at the Palais des Nations on Wednesday, 5 March 2003. The full text of his lecture will be issued shortly.

Following the World Summit on Sustainable Development last summer, UNECE seized the opportunity of its 58th session to review the national strategies for sustainable development of its member States. Two panels discussed these strategies. One focused on progress in national strategies for sustainable development; the other on strategy implementation and the role of international cooperation.

Most countries have either already formulated a national strategy for sustainable development or are doing so. However, the task is daunting. It is, therefore, advisable not to tackle all issues raised by Agenda 21, but to limit action to carefully selected priorities. These priorities must be set through a process of consultation with all stakeholders, including local communities, business, civil society, organizations, academics and NGOs, and should encompass the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

Experience in several countries shows that it is important to establish an appropriate institutional framework, such as an interministerial committee or a national council, to develop a national strategy and subsequently fine-tune it. Such a framework ensures that the priorities set are actually the result of the involvement of government at all levels and of all stakeholders (local authorities, NGOs, scientific circles, private sector). It can, consequently, promote a feeling of ownership. In this context, the Internet can serve as a tool to facilitate public consultation, by making information available to the public and receiving feedback from all parts of civil society. The establishment of focal points in government departments and in related organizations can reinforce this institutional framework for sustainable development.

UNECE delegations highlighted that the national sustainable development plan should be a living document, with reviews and monitoring mechanisms put in place. Its development and implementation should be a continual learning process. Progress in implementation should be measured with concrete indicators, clearly identified targets and a fixed timetable.

The role of UNECE in promoting sustainable development and in the follow-up to the World Summit was reviewed against the background of these presentations and discussions. Delegates generally supported UNECE having a significant role in the follow-up to the Johannesburg Summit. However, any decision on specific modalities will have to be taken after the upcoming session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, which starts on 28 April 2003, in order to ensure a consistent linkage between the regional and the global level.

UNECE also discussed the economic developments in its region. The findings of the Economic Survey of Europe 2003 No. 1 served as background for this discussion. In his presentation, Mr. Dieter Hesse, Director of the Economic Analysis Division, noted that global economic development in 2002 had been quite disappointing but that economic recovery was expected to start from the second half of 2003. He reported that while growth had been modest in Western Europe and North America, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States had experienced moderate to high growth based on strong domestic demand and good export performance. (For further information see related press releases.)

The Commission also discussed UNECE reform, the major policy directions of UNECE's work; its achievements and constraints during 2002 and the outlook for 2003; the preparation of world and regional conferences and their follow-up; UNECE's technical cooperation and the report of its Group of Experts on the Programme of Work. The Commission also welcomed the UNECE secretariat's contribution to the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) and strongly supported the UNECE secretariat's role in the preparation of the New Strategy Document as mandated by the OSCE Ministerial Conference in Porto, Portugal (December 2002).

At its last meeting, the Commission re-elected Mr. Clyde Kull (Estonia) Chairman. Mr. Vladimir Thanati (Albania), Mr. Sergei Aleinik (Belarus) and Mr. Michel Adam (Belgium) were elected Vice-Chairpersons.


For further information please contact:

UNECE Information Service
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Tel: +41(0)22 917 44 44
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Web site: http://www.unece.org/commission/2003/58th_index.htm

Ref: ECE/GEN/03/P07