1 National Strategies for Sustainable Development (NSSD) nicos georgiades

strategic review of SD in the region the “sustainable development fashion” exerted limited influence on policies sectoral visions and priorities still predominate

the situation not much different

2009 review- (W.G )

5 strengths regional processes- MSSD?; MDGs; EU (SDS, enlargement, Western Balkans, neighbourhood; union for the Med; horizon 2020, water initiative) all countries NSSD (or other) strong (?) political commitment

strengths responsibilities to units or committees steps in institutions, legislation, investments foster multi stakeholder participation awareness raising, information measures in the hundreds 6

7 weaknesses inequalities in level of information reporting erratic, selective, numerical, snapshot in time monitoring and review (biased?) elusive how to reconcile economic growth with economic development

weaknesses usually environmental issues overshadow other two bulk of strategies short to mid-term no overall objectives, list a lot unrelated lack of integrated approach 8

9 weaknesses regulatory instruments overriding tools weak incorporation of new actors governance structures weak, slow, no central node lack of capacity building lack of implementation

weaknesses influence of NSSD – impossible to isolate impacts – policy formulation not clear if guided by a NSSD – many initiatives would be taken anyway – multitude of measures rarely interact 10

other processes assessment of MSSD (WG 358.4) many findings at the regional level coincide with those at the national 11

other processes 2010 SG review 106 countries implementing a NSSD, rarely the principal vehicle mechanisms used in parallel differences in what sd means slippage in terms of commitments national councils ceased to function 12

2010 study of 22 countries 9 - strategic processes with linkages 6- responsibility for NSSD with PM- P 5 - attempted to coordinate national action with local 4- legal mandate 1 - integrated with p&b 13

proposals for NSSD- regional context/ dimension indispensable 14

link with changing wider context (W.G.358.5) shifts towards MDGs global governance contribution of local to global new strategies incorporating SD goals- CBD, WB, FAO, UNDP, UNFCC, CSD Barcelona- ‘ecosystems approach’ 15

link with an MSSD looking to the future accommodate global issues (poverty) introduce new challenges (integration of vulnerable groups) provide guidance for agencies- synergies 16

scope of the MCSD after almost 2 decades still debate role!- WG initial idea of a think tank did not catch up advisory council it can never be return to original scope - forum for review, dialogue, identification of issues 17

scope of the MCSD improve way decisions are made – choosy on participation – reps act outside the box – not expert dominated not a bit of everything no focus on environmental issues 18

CoP ministerial meetings, review, political guidance agree on broader regional goals, priorities gaps between north and south - “regional solidarity” upgrade principles into protocols, e.g precautionary 19

MEDU more resources leadership, cooperation, synergies, coordination of centers interagency coordination pressure on partners unit for sustainable development 20

centers delivery, implementation facilitate technical assistance mobilize financing 21

proposals for NSSD- national 22

broader strategic aspects influence norms and values stimulate action shared vision of the future secure clarity of goals high ambition, no what is possible address all 3 pillars 23

broader strategic aspects integrate short and long term economic, social and environmental objectives ensure synergies, coherence, connections with other strategies/ policies induce institutional change/ make institutions effective and functional bottom-up as well as top down process 24

broader strategic aspects broaden debate beyond environment move incrementally build on what works/ remove barriers unifying tools- – impact assessment – integration – correlation with budget – economic instruments 25

governance “good governance, …is perhaps the single most important factor in promoting development and advancing the cause of peace” (UN) design and execution of policy; process by which society is governed; ways (principles, rules, procedures) through which an agency exercises powers vested by the public 26

governance five principles – transparency – participation – accountability/ responsibility – effectiveness – coherence 27

governance strong governance intervention, political ownership, who does what, how, with what, when national councils upgraded, made relevant- follow up, report on progress, legally mandated, unambiguous responsibility (empowerment, legitimacy) 28

governance critical evaluation of institutions- strengthen (financial stability, authority, dependability, mechanisms) conflict resolution mechanisms enhance cross-sectoral approach 29

local government multilevel governance subsidiarity principle empower local authorities, e.g. devolution strengthen capacity to respond support to local initiatives 30

stakeholder involvement/ participation citizen concerns/ perceptions channels of interaction outreach programs/ understandable systematic dialogue, early targeted consultations 31

stakeholder involvement/ participation representativeness of groups support to NGOs evaluate influence agree on roles access to information prepare institutions to absorb the shock 32

multi stakeholder entities forums for debate across lines rendering advice, ideas establishing options and priorities preparing/ advising on NSSD reviewing results of monitoring raising public awareness 33

process review / future revision open from the beginning to society widely devolved reviews- including peer ones monitoring/ evaluation ensure relevancy to contemporary concerns 34

a model of a potentially broadly relevant structure of a NSSD (W.G ) 35

process for the NSSD preparation necessity information utilized problems encountered key strengths/constraints preparation process participation legitimacy- endorsement, constitution 36

major strategic frameworks and concepts national political commitment long-term vision/ time perspective major challenges balancing different dimensions and priorities goals for the three pillars core strategic objectives policy guiding principles 37

global solidarity (national commitments) regional and international context international and equity considerations how to help meet the MDGs helping to improve international environmental governance working with others 38

key priority themes and sectors priority areas/ sectors and themes comprising action programmes progress and good practices in priority areas, sectors/ themes 39

key priority themes and sectors for each one- vision issues; “hot topics”; challenges priorities; choices; policy approaches institutions to steer the process major programmes and action plans actors 40

processes and mechanisms (cross - cutting issues) ensuring linkages integration and coherence of goals and objectives tools and instruments financing deconcentration communication and awareness-raising knowledge management 41

stakeholders key stakeholder groups and involvement partnerships and networks for stakeholder participation measures to build up knowledge and participation capacity 42

implementation, co-ordination and management governance structures, mechanisms, procedures role of other branches of state conflict resolution and risk management development of critical capacities 43

monitoring, review, evaluation indicators for monitoring implementation, progress, change monitoring and review processes evaluating effectiveness revision and adaptation 44

remember sustainable development- a bridge, a promise, a reasoned basis, a perspective, a means, a way strategy- an interactive process, evolving, flexible, integrating umbrella, a focus for other policies NO “MASTER PLAN” 45