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Johannesburg 2002

Johannesburg 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development

'Achieving sustainable development is no easy task. Significant changes will be needed - in decision making at the highest levels, and in day-to-day behaviour by producers and consumers - if we are to reach our goal of development that meets the needs of today without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs'

Kofi A. Annan
Secretary General of the United Nations

Johannesburg 2002, Rio+10, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Earth Summit - whatever you like to call it, it took place in September 2002 in Johannesburg. But what was it all about? While we can't possibly explain all the ins and outs of the event, its history and workings, we hope to provide a useful and informative guide to help you engage with the Summit - after all it aims to improve all our lives.

What is the World Summit on Sustainable Development?
Ten years after the Rio Earth Summit, Johannesburg 2002 will focus on turning plans into action, plans such as Agenda 21 and the 'Rio Declaration'. It will bring together tens of thousands of participants, including heads of State and Government, national delegates and leaders of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), businesses and other major groups. Their aim - to focus the world's attention on, and direct action towards some of the most critical and urgent issues facing us today. In a world with a growing population and ever increasing demands on food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security, how can we improve quality of life and conserve our natural resources? The World Summit in Johannesburg will provide a new impetus for commitments of resources and specific action towards global sustainable development .

What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development aims to improve quality of life for all the world's people without increasing the use of our natural resources beyond the world's carrying capacity. While sustainable development may require different actions around the world, the efforts to build a truly sustainable way of life require the integration of action in three key areas - economic growth and equity, conserving natural resources and the environment and social well-being.

What is Agenda 21?
At the Rio Earth Summit, the international community adopted the Agenda 21 Treaty, an unprecedented global 'Plan of Action for Sustainable Development for the 21st Century'. It was a landmark achievement in integrating environmental, social and economic concerns into a single policy framework with over 2,500 wide-ranging recommendations for action. Many of these are implemented by local authorities and communities, making this global plan into Local Agenda 21 (LA21).

What will the Johannesburg Summit achieve?
An important outcome will be the strengthening of global commitments to sustainable development. This will include ratification of agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol to combat climate change. It is hoped that governments will make specific commitments towards progressing 'Millennium Development Goals', focusing on the key issues of health, gender, children, water, poverty and education. Johannesburg creates the opportunity to define integrated and time bound plans and strategies to ensure real progress over the next five, ten and fifteen years - we must ensure they do so!

Where can I find out more?
Newspapers, TV and radio covered the Summit at the time and your local library will have information too. But the best way to become informed is probably on the internet. The official UN Commission on Sustainable Development website (http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/index.html), will cover all aspects of follow up to the Summit.  There is a 'virtual exhibition' of projects from around the world and a real chance to participate at the Partnerships Central website. The Stafford Borough Local Agenda 21 Strategy , LA21 website, and Sundial Newsletter detail local actions that you can get involved with and play your part in global sustainable development project.

 

Time Line to the Summit

Local Government Session

New York Report

Glossary

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