1 ECOSOC AMR 2008 National Presentation by Belgium How does Belgium implement the international goals and commitments on sustainable development?

2 Presentation outline General principles Implementation at national level Implementation at international level Conference on Climate Change & Development (Brussels, March 7, 2008) Some lessons learned

3 General principles: 1. Voluntarism No multilateralism without voluntarism Pleased to be the first OECD/DAC member to make a National Presentation AMR is a cornerstone of ECOSOC reform ECOSOC reform is strongly supported by Belgium

4 General principles: 2. An integrated approach MDGs 1 to 8 are interdependent and cannot be dissociated – MDG 7 is only relevant in the context of the 8 MDGs Likewise, the 3 pillars of sustainable development are interdependent But implementing such an integrated approach requires trade offs

5 General principles: 3. Partnership A partnership between donor & partner built on a contractual relationship between equal partners with mutual responsibilities with MDGs as a common perspective for action, NOT as a mechanical framework

6 I. Implementation at the national level: Challenges and opportunities Belgium is a federal state: decisions on sustainable development are made at different levels (federal, regional,local, …) This calls for elaborate consultation and coordination mechanisms But this enables decision making also to be more bottom-up

7 I. Implementation at the national level: Consultation and coordination bodies Interdepartmental Commission for Sustainable Development Department for Sustainable Development Bureau for Planning Federal Council for Sustainable Development Together they are responsible for the 4- yearly Federal Plans for Sustainable Development

8 II. Implementation at the international level: Strong political foundations A law of 1999 defines the legal framework of Belgium’s development cooperation: sustainable human development is qualified as the overarching objective A law of 2005 requires the government to annually submit a report to parliament on its efforts to realize the MDGs

9 II. Implementation at the international level: The Belgian Survival Fund Integrates the three components of sustainable development: Concentrates on human and social dimension of development Promotes sustainable management of natural resources Supports small scale income generating activities in rural areas

10 II. Implementation at the international level: The Belgian Survival Fund Created to foster food security among the poorest in Africa Active in 21 countries Total disbursements since creation (1983): 690 mio USD

11 II. Implementation at the international level: Bilateral cooperation Programmes in 18 partner countries 6 priority areas for Belgium cooperation in context of MDG 7: –sustainable water management ; –desertification and soil degradation; –sustainable forest management;

12 II. Implementation at the international level: Bilateral cooperation –biodiversity; –ecology of urban and peri-urban areas; –impact of climate change Programme in Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam) is a good example of challenges and opportunities when implementing an integrated approach

13 II. Implementation at the international level: Multilateral cooperation Belgian support to multilateral initiatives and institutions, e.g.: Multilateral environmental conventions Funding of GEF Partnership with UNEP Contribution to EU in the area of sustainable development

14 III. Conference on Climate Change & Development (Brussels, March 7, 2008) Why a conference ? Risk that efforts for development are wiped out by effects of climate change How to ensure that efforts for development contribute to adaptation and mitigation? Formulate recommendations for Belgian cooperation Report forthcoming

15 III. Conference on Climate Change & Development (Brussels, March 7, 2008) Some recommendations: Need for the Belgian international cooperation to “mainstream” climate change No “one size fits all”-solution. Need to adapt to specific situation of 18 partner countries and to each development programme and project. Need for capacity building …

16 IV. Some lessons learned in implementing MDG 7 Importance of national planning → “greening” the PRSP’s Importance of ownership by “end users” (authorities, local populations, …) Importance of dialogue between “end users” and executing agencies Importance of institution building

17 IV. Some lessons learned in implementing MDG 7 Importance of socio-economic activities on top of sectoral interventions Importance of awareness raising activities on top of sectoral interventions Importance of creating conditions that allow most vulnerable to improve themselves the quality of their life

18 V. Presentation of concrete example of bilateral cooperation NEXT “Sanitation and Urban Upgrading in Ho Chi Minh City”, Vietnam - an example of an integrated approach to MDG 7

19 Further details and debate Side event today 1.30 to 2.45 pm in Conf. Rm 7

20 THANK YOU