Statement by Archbishop Celestino Migliore,
Permanent Observer of the Holy See,
to the XI Session of the United Nations
Commission on Sustainable Development
30 April 2003
Mr.
Chairman,
The post-Johannesburg
phase is supposed to open a new chapter in global cooperation, by renewing
political commitment to multilateralism, aimed at promoting integral human
development, achieving universal prosperity and peace and safeguarding the
natural environment. In fact, as all of us are aware, the WSSD (World Summit on
Sustainable Development) should not be seen as the end of the process, but as a
point of departure, from which the international community should redefine its
strategies of international cooperation with the involvement of all the
stakeholders.
At the basis of this
process, it is important to recall the first Principle of the Rio Declaration,
which states that "human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable
development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with
nature". The Holy See has often emphasized that the human being is central
to sustainable development. We have to reflect on human ecology; we need to
start an ecological conversion; we have to change our models of production and
consumption; we have to examine seriously the problem of poverty with all its
multidimensional elements.
Mr. Chairman,
The key challenge
emanating now from Johannesburg is to find ways to move forward on the
commitments we made, and the goals and targets we agreed upon. The role of the
CSD (Commission on Sustainable Development) in facing this challenge is one of
primary importance. The task is: how to make the CSD contribute more effectively
to real and positive outcomes; how to revitalize the importance of
multilateralism, which is based upon the values of responsibility, solidarity
and dialogue.
The CSD is intended to
serve as a forum for deep consideration of issues related to the integration of
the three pillars of sustainable development. It should focus on the
inter-relationships and on the inter-linkages between the different
dimensions of the sect oral issues and on the cross-cutting issues, such as
poverty eradication, sustainable production and consumption patterns, and means
of implementation. In pursuing this goal, the CSD is expected to devote its
attention to reviewing implementation, to identifying the critical bottlenecks
impeding implementation and to suggesting measures to overcome obstacles,
through a series of two-year cycles. These cycles should be organized in order
to ensure some level of predictability and flexibility in the programme of work,
with the aim of allowing longer-term preparations, to address emerging issues
and to deal with changing trends.
In order to better realize
this process, there are many gains which can be attained through a broader
participation of stakeholders and through the active involvement of all
actors responsible for implementation, promoting synergies, interaction,
innovation and joint learning between the various participants, on the basis of
the principle of subsidiarity as applied to global governance. In this
context, what is important is to guarantee an appropriate accountability on the
part of those involved and a better balance in their representation from the
different parts of the world.
Talking
about participation, it is important to acknowledge that persons living in
poverty must be considered as participating subjects. Individuals and peoples
are not tools but protagonists of their future and agents of their own
development. In their specific economic and political circumstances, they are to
exercise the creativity which is characteristic of the human person and on which
the wealth of a nation is dependent. Sustainable development is aimed at
inclusion. It can only be attained through responsible and equitable
international cooperation, participation and partnership.
Mr. Chairman,
One of the principal
novelties arising from the WSSD was the number of partnership agreements
made by governments, international organizations and other stakeholders coming
from business and civil society. The CSD should clarify some issues relating to
partnership initiatives. They should not be seen as replacing or substituting
for inter-governmentally agreed commitments, but as playing an important role in
achieving goals and targets agreed upon in Johannesburg, They can supplement and
complement the efforts made by governments. Nevertheless, it is important to
ensure transparency and credibility for the partnership activities, which means
to set clear guidelines, criteria and appropriate monitoring mechanisms.
Without such mechanisms there is the risk of privatizing sustainable development
and of excluding further the weakest groups.
The Holy See agrees with
the need of having Guiding Principles for partnership initiatives, which have
been developed in an informal process during the Preparatory Committee for the
WSSD, but have not been formally agreed upon in Johannesburg. In finding a
remedy for this shortcoming, the first thing we need to do is to develop a sense
of responsibility for our common endeavour, through the establishment of
global partnerships in a spirit of solidarity and burden-sharing. The earth
and all its resources are part of the “common heritage of all humanity”. This
understanding fosters interdependence, stresses responsibility and underlines
the importance of the principle of global solidarity. This reality becomes the
foundation of sustainable development by directing the moral imperatives of
justice, international cooperation, peace, security, and the desire to enhance
the spiritual and material well-being of present and future generations.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
