Regional preparatory process for Rio+20 A Cluster-4 Presentation By Josué Dioné Director, FSSD/ECA 11th Session of the RCM 14-15 November 2010

Outline Background Objectives of Rio+20 Regional Preparatory Process Expected Outcomes Outputs Implementation Strategy and Partnership Roles and Responsibilities Resource Requirements Way Forward: Enhanced partnership through the RCM

Background 1992: UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) - - adopted an agenda for environment and development: Agenda 21 (A21) 1993: UNCED established the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) -follow-up implementation of A21 1997: Five-year review of Rio outcomes -Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 (PFIA21) 2002: World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) - adopted the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) 2009: UNGA adopted a resolution to hold UNCSD in 2012 in Brazil -'Rio+20'

Objectives of Rio+20 The Conference seeks three objectives: Securing renewed political commitment to sustainable development, Assessing the progress and implementation gaps in meeting already agreed commitments, and Addressing new and emerging challenges Will Focus on two themes: Green economy within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and Institutional framework for sustainable development

Regional Preparatory Process Second Committee of GA called for preparations for the Conference at all levels by Governments and UN system Effective regional preparatory process essential: to guide and prepare African countries to collectively articulate their concerns and priorities at the Conference to ensure these are adequately reflected in outcomes of the Conference to strengthen regional consultative mechanism to support implementation of Conference outcomes

Regional Preparatory Process… Objective of the preparatory process to facilitate effective coordination and consultations to ensure that Africa adequately prepares for the Conference to arrive at a consensus on Africa’s key sustainable development concerns and priorities, to effectively articulate them and to ensure that they are adequately reflected in the Conference outcomes Through RECs, all member States in the five subregions of Africa will be actively involved

Expected Outcomes Well-articulated documentation of progress in the implementation of A21, PFIA21 and JPOI commitments, clear understanding of the constraints and challenges, and well-informed recommendations to enhance implementation progress; Enhanced understanding and appreciation of the institutional and strategic frameworks necessary to effectively operationalize sustainable development in Africa; Increased understanding and appreciation of the new and emerging challenges to advancing Africa’s sustainable development agenda and well-informed action oriented recommendations to effectively address the challenges;

Expected Outcomes (…) Clear understanding and appreciation of the prospects and challenges for Africa towards transformation to a green economy, to contribute to the realization of its sustainable development and poverty eradication goals; Clear articulation of Africa’s concerns and priorities in regard to the implementation of sustainable development commitments; and Increased commitment and actions to advance Africa’s sustainable development agenda

Outputs Background report on institutional framework for sustainable development; Background report on a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication in Africa; Background report on new and emerging challenges to advancing Africa’s sustainable development agenda; Five subregional review reports on the implementation of A21, PFIA21 and JPOI commitments; Regional review report on the implementation of A21, PFIA21 and JPOI commitments; and Africa consensus statement to Rio+20

Implementation Strategy and Partnerships Regional preparatory process intended to mirror the same process to WSSD Establishment of a Steering Committee to guide and facilitate the review process Partners include: AUC, AU/NPCA, AfDB, RECs All major groups including African civil society representing the nine major groups identified in Agenda 21 UN agencies Development partners

Roles and Responsibilities Major sub-activities Lead agency Role of other partners Timeframe Establishment of the Steering Committee ECA Partners to communicate name and contact details of representatives Nov 2010 Preparation of the 5 sub-regional review reports RECs Provide financial and technical inputs Jan-Mar 2011 Preparation of background paper on New and emerging challenges AfDB Provide technical inputs Preparation of background paper on a Green economy in the context of sustainable and poverty eradication in Africa UNEP Preparation of background paper on institutional and strategic frameworks for sustainable development

Roles and Responsibilities (…) Major sub-activities Lead agency Role of other partners Timeframe Workshop on Institutional and Strategic Frameworks for sustainable development ECA Provide technical inputs, including resource persons and sponsor participants to attend Feb 2011 Organization of 5 sub-regional consultations RECs Provide technical and financial inputs April-June 2011 Finalization of 5 sub regional review reports  - Aug 2011 Organization of the regional preparatory conference To be jointly organized by all partners Aug-Nov 2011 Consolidation of draft regional review report -  Aug-Sept 2011 Preparation of consensus statement AUC Provide technical inputs  

Roles and Responsibilities (…) Major sub-activities Lead agency Role of other partners Timeframe Organization of the regional preparatory conference To be jointly organized by all partners  - Aug-Nov 2011 Finalization of draft regional review report ECA -  Dec 2011 Finalization of consensus statement AUC Endorsement of Africa Consensus statement to UNCSD by AU Summit   Jan-Feb 2012 Participation in Rio+20 May 2012

Resource Requirements Indicative budget for the regional preparatory process for Rio+20 ~$ 1,500,000 Production of the reports Five Sub-regional and One Regional consultations

Way Forward Call for collaboration Mobilize effective partnerships and adequate resources to ensure the region’s effective participation in this landmark conference Call for collaboration Inviting the RCM & its clusters to effectively support the Regional Preparatory Process for Rio+20 and Africa’s overall sustainable development agenda

Thank you