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Sustainable development
WORLD
BANK: FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY 2004
(World Bank, February 2005) This report is the first sustainability review
released by the World Bank. It describes the Bank’s activities in support of
the environment, social development, and good governance. The report is
organized in three parts, the first providing an overview of the Bank’s
operations and governance structure, and how environmental and social issues
fit into the broader context of the Bank’s work. The second part highlights
the Bank’s corporate environmental and social footprint, followed by an
outline of the Bank’s operational and corporate commitments for the near
future.
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT LAW: PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES, AND PROSPECTS
(Oxford University
Press, February 2005) Written by Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger and Ashfaq
Khalfan, this book analyzes recent developments in international sustainable
development law, with the aim of providing a coherent approach that can
address conflicts and overlaps between international economic, environmental,
and social law. It surveys international law relevant to sustainable
development, discusses proposed principles, offers case studies that examine
innovative aspects of key international instruments, and reflects on future
legal research agendas.
THE
PLAIN LANGUAGE GUIDE TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(Earthscan, January 2005) Written by Rosalie Callway, Jan McHarry, Janet
Strachan and Georgina Ayre, this book seeks to help promote public
understanding of the agreements arising from the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, and to make the decisions contained in the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation as comprehensible to as wide an audience as possible.
WATER AND
ENERGY – PRECIOUS RESOURCES
(Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 2004) This publication
presents six case studies that involved a combined approach to water and
energy. Each case study reviews the related technology, sustainability,
financial issues, obstacles and replicability, with the intention of
promoting the particular approaches used.
EVALUATING
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(Blackwell, January 2005) Authored by Peter Brandon and Patrizia
Lombardi, this book provides an introduction to the issue of evaluating
sustainable development and suggests techniques that enable progress to be
assessed.
EARTHSCAN LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
DESIGNED FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
Earthscan recently launched its new website, which includes free
articles, features, abstracts and reviews from Earthscan magazines, books and
journals. Earthscan is also offering a 10% discount on all books to celebrate
the launch of its new site.
GEF
AND SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
(GEF, 2004) This GEF publication was produced with the aim of
contributing to discussions at the International Meeting to Review the
Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) held in Mauritius
in January 2005. The publication, which is also available in French and
Spanish, highlights the GEF’s work with SIDS on the GEF focal areas and
outlines its priorities for SIDS over the next five years.
Water, wetlands,
oceans, coasts
CHALLENGES
OF WATER SCARCITY: A BUSINESS CASE FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
(UNEP/SIWI, 2005) UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and Stockholm
International Water Institute (SIWI) have released the results of a joint
project on water-related challenges for financial institutions. In the
report, UNEP FI and SIWI highlight the issues that arise from dealing with
water scarcity and identify opportunities for the financial sector to
contribute to sustainable development through active engagement in mitigating
water-related risks. The report concludes that there is a clear benefit for financial institutions in
incorporating water scarcity risk assessment into financial products and
services. As for governments and policymakers, the report highlights the
importance of the institutional and managerial capacity for water governance
as a factor in producing water scarcity risks.
TSUNAMI
DAMAGE TO CORAL REEFS: GUIDELINES FOR RAPID ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING
(IUCN, 2005) IUCN–The World Conservation Union has released a guide designed
to assist field teams and monitoring programmes to collect relevant
data on tsunami damage to coral reefs and promote comparisons of data from
local to national to regional levels. The guidelines are intended for use by
people with experience in coral reef monitoring or underwater observation.
WATER FOOTPRINT WEBSITE
The website of UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE) answers
questions such as how much water is required to sustain our consumption
patterns, what is the impact of our diet on the globe’s water resources, and
how do we reduce our individual “water footprint.” The website provides
definitions of concepts, research results, downloadable publications and
links to other relevant websites. A “water footprint calculator” will be
available to enable people to estimate their own water footprint.
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Climate change
BEYOND
CLIMATE: OPTIONS FOR BROADENING CLIMATE POLICY
(RIVM, January 2005) This new
report addresses questions of mainstreaming climate change in other policy
areas. Over 250 pages long, the report includes chapters focusing on climate
change in the context of poverty, land use, energy security, international
trade, finance, subsidies, air pollution and health. It also contains
chapters on adaptation and funding in climate change policies, climate
mitigation policies and linkages with non-climate policy areas, and the
“institutional interlinkages of global climate governance.”
CLIMATE CHANGE
AND CLEAN DEVELOPMENT: OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - AN ICLEI GUIDE
(ICLEI, December2004/February 2005) The International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) will launch a guide on clean development
mechanism (CDM) opportunities for local governments on 16 February 2005 - the
day the Kyoto Protocol enters into force. This publication was first released
at COP-10. Published in Portuguese and Spanish, the publication contains an
overview on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol’s flexibility mechanisms,
with a focus on CDM opportunities.
Finance and investment in
sustainable development
OECD
DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION REPORT
(OECD, January 2005) This annual OECD report underscores the need for more
effective aid in order to reach the MDGs. The report notes that while
development aid from OECD countries increased in 2003, most of the increase
arose from inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. The report calls for
improving aid procedures, practices and policies to achieve better
development outcomes. The report also contains a special feature on the need
for more aid in the area of water and sanitation, noting that donors are
committing less to the water sector than in previous years and that most of
the funding has gone towards financing urban infrastructure in middle income
countries rather than assisting marginalized communities in need of clean
water.
ACCELERATING PRO-POOR
GROWTH THROUGH SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
(OECD DAC,
December 2004) This report underscores the need for pro-poor growth to meet
the MDG on poverty, and is premised on the basis that support for private
sector development is necessary to achieve this growth. The report seeks to
help development practitioners understand the factors relevant to pro-poor growth
and the processes needed to bring about such growth. Chapters address issues
such as mainstreaming private sector development in PRSPs, and the role of
donors in supporting private sector development.
WORLD
ECONOMIC AND SITUATION AND PROSPECTS 2005
(UNCTAD 2005) Published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), this
report examines the global economic situation leading into 2005. According
to the report, 2004 saw a 4% increase in growth of gross world product (GWP),
compared to 2.8% in 2003 and a forecast of 3.25% for 2005. The report
highlights the slow growth of employment and the persistence of high rates of
unemployment and underemployment in most developing countries as “universal
weaknesses” in the world economy, and states that poverty reduction will
continue to be evasive unless improved economic growth is reflected in
increased employment. While noting many positive aspects
in the current world economy for developing countries, the report also notes
that few countries in Africa “grew by more than the 7 per cent that is deemed
necessary to attain the UN MDGs” in 2004.
Forests
IUFRO
RE-LAUNCHES NEWS SERVICE, WEBSITE
(IUFRO, 2005) The
International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) has relaunched
its website and IUFRO News publication, which is produced 10 times a
year.
A
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF TIMBER REQUIREMENTS FOR ACEH’S RECONSTRUCTION, AND
ITS IMPLICATIONS
(Greenomics Indonesia and
WWF, January 2005) This study assesses Aceh’s timber needs for reconstruction
and repair of housing, office buildings, schools, hospitals, houses of
worship and the fishing fleet following the tsunami disaster. The authors
recommend the use of imported, sustainably-produced timber to avoid clearing
hundreds of thousands of Indonesian forests. They also suggest that some of
the aid already pledged by donors for the reconstruction of Aceh should be
given in the form of timber.
Human development
PATHWAY TO GENDER EQUALITY:
CEDAW, BEIJING AND THE MDGS
(UNIFEM, January 2005) This UNIFEM publication examines the gender dimensions
of the MDGs through the lens of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the implementation of the
1995 Beijing Fourth World Conference of Women – the two global processes
relevant to women and gender issues. Prepared ahead of the ten-year review of
progress in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, the publication
highlights how CEDAW, the Beijing
process and the MDGs are mutually supportive, and recommends resources and
entry points for engagement. The Beijing+10
review process will take place at the 49th session of the UN Commission on
the Status of Women from 28 February to 11 March 2005.
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Biodiversity and traditional
knowledge
POOR
PEOPLE’S KNOWLEDGE: PROMOTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(World Bank and Oxford University Press, 2004) Edited by J. M. Finger and P.
Schuler, this book contains contributions from several authors, and aims to
highlight a broader range of knowledge that has commercial potential in
developing countries. Rather than addressing legal issues, the book brings an
economic dimension into the consideration of traditional knowledge,
demonstrating that the best “answer” is sometimes a commercial one.
MODELS
FOR RECOGNIZING INDIGENOUS LAND RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA
(World Bank, October 2004) Authored by R. R. Ortiga, this paper discusses
indigenous land rights with the aim of informing policy and legislative
developments. The paper addresses the existence of land rights and land
titling systems across Latin America,
demonstrating that land is not only a physical asset with economic and
financial value, but also an intrinsic dimension and part of peoples’ lives
and belief systems. It contains chapters on: the history of indigenous legal
treatment in Latin America; land tenure regimes in selected countries of Latin America; common problems in the legal framework
for recognition of indigenous lands; and case studies in indigenous land
tenure and implications for natural resources.
NATURE
FOR SALE: THE IMPACTS OF PRIVATIZING WATER AND BIODIVERSITY
(Friends of the Earth International, January 2005) Released at the recent
2005 World Social Forum, this report documents the negative social and
environmental impacts of water and biodiversity privatization through 34 case
studies from around the globe. The report points out that indigenous peoples and
local communities in poor countries are losing their lands, which are handed
over to logging, tourism and private park management companies. It further
notes that the privatization trend is stimulated by the growing market of
so-called carbon parks, developed to offset carbon emissions. In addition,
the report focuses on the granting of patents over life forms and traditional
knowledge.
INDIGENOUS
AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND PROTECTED AREAS: TOWARDS EQUITY AND ENHANCED
CONSERVATION
(IUCN, 2004) Authored by G. Borrini-Feyerabend, A. Kothari, G. Oviedo et
al., this report provides guidance on policy and practice for co-managed
protected areas and community-conserved areas, exploring approaches and
models that see conservation as fully compatible with human communities.
Drawing on recent experiences and best practices from around the world, the
authors offer a menu of options that stakeholders can choose from and adapt
to their circumstances. The report includes chapters on: the necessary
background to understanding the evolving relationship between communities and
protected areas; co-managed protected areas that are established with the
approval of governments and subject to co-management regimes that involve
indigenous and local communities; community conserved areas that are
established and managed by indigenous and local communities; and the policy
context for protected areas.
Chemicals and waste management
EUROPEAN
COMMUNITY STRATEGY CONCERNING MERCURY
(European Commission, 28 January 2005) The European Commission has released
its strategy on mercury. Designed to protect citizens’ health and the
environment, the plan proposes a series of actions to reduce mercury
emissions, including a ban on mercury exports by 2011. The strategy proposes
ways to reduce demand, deal with surpluses, cut emissions, protect against
exposure, and improve knowledge and awareness. The strategy also proposes an
initiative to reduce mercury supply internationally, including a global
phase-out of new mercury production. The strategy further proposes
prohibiting the marketing of measuring devices containing mercury for
consumer use and health care.
WHAT
WE NEED FROM REACH: VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A NEW CHEMICAL LEGISLATION
WITHIN THE EU
(International Chemicals Secretariat,
January 2005) The International Chemicals
Secretariat, a non-profit organization promoting a toxic-free environment,
has released a new publication on the proposed new European Union chemicals
strategy. The proposed strategy, which is called “REACH” (Registration,
Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals), seeks to replace the EU’s
existing array of more than 40 different chemicals laws with a more coherent
single legislative framework. In this report, several companies and
stakeholders describe their motives for supporting stronger chemicals
legislation. Companies presenting their views include H&M, Boots/Marks
& Spencer, NCC, and Electrolux. The report expresses concerns that the
“original proposal [for REACH] has in a number of points been watered down
due to intensive lobbying from the chemical producers.”
WORLD
BANK DISSEMINATION NOTE: GUIDANCE ON WASTE MANAGEMENT
(World Bank, January 2005) The World Bank’s Environment Department has
produced a Dissemination Note on waste management guidance. The publication
identifies resources available to World Bank teams in assisting clients to
dispose of waste in an environmentally-sound manner. It highlights provisions
of the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions and
identifies handbooks and other resources containing further information and
guidelines.
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 Click here for a complete
listing of upcoming meetings
The
following are upcoming meetings recently added to Linkages website:
Sustainable development
SIXTH MEETING OF THE GROUP ON EARTH OBSERVATIONS AND THE THIRD EARTH
OBSERVATION SUMMIT:
14 February 2005 - 16 February 2005. Brussels, Belgium.
The sixth meeting of the Group on Earth Observations will meet from 14-15
February, following which the third Earth Observation Summit will take place.
Ministers are expected to endorse the 10-year Implementation Plan for Earth
Observations (2005-2014) during the Summit.
For more information contact: GEO Secretariat Office; tel: +1-202-482-6120;
fax: +1-202-482-2869; e-mail: geosec@noaa.gov;
Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/space/esw/summit/article_1514_en.htm
SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES CONFERENCE: VISIONARY URBAN LEADERS
USING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO GROW THEIR CITIES: 1 March 2005. New York, US.
This event will consider issues relating to: innovations that city leaders
are developing; financing and structuring of new projects that enable
innovations to impact a city’s life; and the growing network of linkages
between cities around the globe that are enabling cities to learn from each
other. For more information contact: Gordon Feller, CEO of Urban Age
Institute; tel: +1-415-491-4233; e-mail: gordonf20@comcast.net; Internet: http://www.acteva.com/go/MarchOne
G8 ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS MEETING: 17 March
2005 - 18 March 2005. Derbyshire,
UK. This
meeting will be the first time G8 Environment and Development portfolios are
brought together. The joint session will address illegal logging, Africa and climate change. For more information
contact: Internet: http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1078995903839
DFID AFRICA HUNGER SEMINAR: 22 March
2005. London, UK. DFID seeks to prioritize
action on eliminating hunger through this seminar, which will identify
priorities for future policy work, and highlight potential for further
cross-departmental work, with a focus on DFID’s Eliminating Hunger Strategy.
For more information contact: Secretariat to the Commission for Africa; tel:
+44-20-7023-0000; fax: +44-20-7023-1850; e-mail: Africa_Secretariat@dfid.gov.uk;
Internet: http://213.225.140.43/getting_involved/diary_link_entries/22marchafricahungerseminar.htm
UN SYMPOSIUM ON INTEGRATED IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
11 May 2005 - 13 May 2005. Nanchang,
China. The UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the
Provincial Government of Jiangxi, China,
will convene an international symposium on integrated implementation of
sustainable development goals and targets in Nanchang, China,
from 11-13 May 2005. The symposium will explore practical ways and means of
advancing integrated implementation by exchanging lessons learned and best
practice, and by identifying gaps and weaknesses in current implementation
policies. The symposium will bring together senior government policy-makers,
experts in the research community, entrepreneurs, business managers and
representatives of major groups in a series of presentations, case studies
and interactive discussions with a view to enhancing an understanding of
“what works in integrated implementation, and why and how it works.” For more
information contact: Zhu Juwang, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, DESA; tel:
+1-212-963-0380; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail: zhu@un.org;
Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/calendar/symposium_announcement.pdf
SIXTH FORUM ON REINVENTING GOVERNMENT - “TOWARD PARTICIPATORY AND TRANSPARENT
GOVERNANCE: 24 May 2005 - 27 May 2005. Seoul, Korea.
The theme for this Forum is “Toward Participatory and Transparent
Governance.” The event will address issues concerning: government innovation
and governance; democratic governance and social integration; market economy
and corporate governance; local governance and participatory democracy; civil
society and participatory governance. For more information contact:
Secretariat; tel: +82-2-3703-2963; fax: +82-2-3703-2960; e-mail: forum6@mogaha.go.kr; Internet: http://6thglobalforum.org/eng/main.asp
BEST EDUCATION NETWORK THINK TANK V: 16 June 2005 - 19 June
2005. Kingston, Jamaica. The theme of this
Business Enterprise for Sustainable Travel (BEST) meeting is ‘Managing Risk
for Crisis and Sustainable Tourism: Research and Innovation.’ This meeting
will include a think tank discussion on a research agenda for sustainable tourism,
and will also focus on curriculum design for sustainable tourism and
hospitality. For more information contact: Carolyn Hayle, University of the
West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica; tel:
+876-977-0655; fax: +876-977-4368; e-mail: carolyn.hayle@uwimona.edu.jm;
Internet: http://www.besteducationnetwork.org/
14TH INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS CNIC 2005: 40 YEARS AT THE SERVICE OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: 27 June 2005 - 30 June 2005. Havana, Cuba.
This meeting will take place from 27-30 June 2005 in Havana. For more information contact: National Center
for Scientific Research; tel: +537-208-2553; fax: +537-208-0497; e-mail: seminario@cnic.edu.cu; Internet: http://www.cnic.edu.cu/14Congreso/Bienvenida.htm
HELSINKI
CONFERENCE 2005: 7
September 2005 - 9 September 2005. Helsinki, Finland.
The Helsinki Conference 2005 is a multi-stakeholder dialogue and networking
event for addressing the challenge of making ambitious targets of the world
community a reality. As the finale of the Helsinki Process on Globalization
and Democracy, the Conference aims to mobilize political will.
Representatives of civil society, government, the corporate sector, academia
and media are invited to come together to build commitment for the
implementation of needed steps towards a safer, more just and democratic world.
For more information contact: Helsinki Conference Secretariat c/o Crisis
Management Initiative, Pieni Roobertinkatu 13 B; tel: +358-9-698-7024; fax:
+358-9-612-7759; e-mail: webmaster@helsinkiconference.fi;
Internet: http://www.helsinkiconference.fi
SIXTH OPEN MEETING OF THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
RESEARCH COMMUNITY: 9 October 2005 - 13 October 2005. Bonn, Germany.
The title of the 2005 Open Meeting is “Global Environmental Change,
Globalization and International Security.” For more information contact: Lis
Mullin, Open Meeting Coordinator, IHDP Secretariat; tel: +49-228-73-90-50;
fax: +49-228-73-90-54; e-mail: mullin.ihdp@uni-bonn.de;
Internet: http://openmeeting.homelinux.org/
SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENT: 24 December
2005 - 26 December 2005. Indore,
India. This
Congress is held in part to consider issues concerning prevention and
management of disasters, as well as to address research in the area of
chemical and environmental sciences. For more information contact: S.L.
Gargh, Professor of Chemistry and Director of Congress; tel:
+91-731-255-2837; fax: +91-731-255-2837; e-mail: iccechem@sancharnet.in; Internet: http://www.chemenviron.com/c/chemenviron_cong.htm
Biodiversity and
wildlife
CITES PLANTS AND ANIMALS COMMITTEE MEETINGS: 17 May 2005 - 25
May 2005. Geneva, Switzerland. The 15th meeting of
the CITES Plants Committee will take place from 17-21 May, and the 21st
meeting of the Animals Committee will be held from 20-25 May. Both Committees
will convene together on 20-21 May. For more information contact: CITES
Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +4122-797-3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.cites.org/eng/news/calendar.shtml
DIVERSITAS OPEN SCIENCE CONFERENCE: 9 November 2005 - 12
November 2005. Oaxaca, Mexico. This Conference will
based on the theme “Integrating biodiversity science for human well-being.”
For more information contact: DIVERSITAS Secretariat; tel: +33-1-45-25-95-25;
fax: +33-1-42-88-94-31; e-mail: info@diversitas-osc1.org;
Internet: http://www.diversitas-osc1.org/
Climate and
energy
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS ROUNDTABLE: 15 March
2005 - 16 March 2005. London,
UK. Ministers
from about 20 countries with significant energy needs will be considering the
challenge of achieving a sustainable and secure energy future for all in a
lower carbon world. Chancellor Gordon Brown will give a keynote address on
the relationship between economic development, energy investment and climate
change. For more information contact: Internet: http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1078995903839
2005 PLUM CREEK SYMPOSIUM ON
KYOTO,
FORESTS, AND LIVING TREE MARKETS: SCIENCE AND LAND USE POLICY IN CARBON
SEQUESTRATION: 13 April 2005 - 14 April 2005. Missoula, Montana, US. The University
of Montana’s College of Forestry
and Conservation will host this meeting on the latest scientific findings
regarding the role of forests and land use decisions in sequestering carbon,
and the linkages between carbon forestry initiatives and environmental and
social co-benefits. For more information contact: University of Montana’s College
of Forestry and Conservation;
e-mail: carbonconference@forestry.umt.edu;
Internet: http://www.forestry.umt.edu/kiosk/Conference/Carbon/default.htm
THIRD ANNUAL BRUSSELS
CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE: 19 April 2005 - 20 April 2005. Brussels, Belgium.
This year’s conference, which will be held under the theme “EU climate change
policy beyond Kyoto: Building a global climate change agreement,” will
address issues concerning: EU climate change policy after the EU Spring
Council; transport and air transport; further development of the EU ETS; and
impact mitigation and technology solutions. For more information contact:
James Wilmott; tel: +44-1495-300013; fax: +44-1495-309372; e-mail: james.wilmott@euconferences.com;
Internet: http://www.euconferences.com/climatechange05_intro.htm
FOURTH WORLD WIND ENERGY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION: 2 November
2005 - 5 November 2005. Melbourne,
Australia.
Organized by World Wind Energy Association, this conference will consider the
latest issues facing the wind energy sector, including the impact of the
Kyoto Protocol’s entry into force and plans to implement the Millennium
Declaration and Millennium Development Goals. Other issues on the agenda
include the linkages between wind power and water management, desalination,
human health, off-grid systems, financing and training. The conference will
also include an exhibition on wind energy facilities and technologies. For
more information contact: Conference Organizers; tel: +61-3-9417-0888; fax: +61-3-9417-0899;
e-mail: wwec2005@meetingplanners.com.au;
Internet: http://www.wwec2005.com/index.shtml
Forests
INTERACTIVE FOREST & NATURE POLICY IN PRACTICE - MANAGING
MULTI-STAKEHOLDER LEARNING IN SECTOR-WIDE APPROACHES AND NATIONAL FOREST
PROGRAMMES: 12 September 2005 - 1 October 2005. Wageningen, the
Netherlands.
This course aims to provide participants with insights, knowledge and skills
for designing and managing interactive policy development and implementation
processes in forest and nature management. For more information contact:
International Agricultural Centre (IAC); tel: +31-317-495-495; fax:
+31-317-495-395; e-mail: training.iac@wur.NL;
Internet: http://www.iac.wur.nl/iac/courses/module.cfm?code=34/00/2005
Human
development
SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES CONFERENCE: VISIONARY URBAN LEADERS
USING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO GROW THEIR CITIES: 1 March 2005. New York, US.
This event will consider issues relating to: innovations that city leaders
are developing; financing and structuring of new projects that enable innovations
to impact a city’s life; and the growing network of linkages between cities
around the globe that are enabling cities to learn from each other. For more
information contact: Gordon Feller, CEO of Urban Age Institute; tel:
+1-415-491-4233; e-mail: gordonf20@comcast.net;
Internet: http://www.acteva.com/go/MarchOne
ADVANCED COURSE IN UPSCALING PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES: FACILITATING
MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PROCESSES AND SOCIAL LEARNING: 12 September 2005 - 1
October 2005. Wageningen, the Netherlands.
This course covers current thinking about participation from the local to the
global level and introduces the most up-to-date methodologies and approaches
for facilitation and participation. For more information contact:
International Agricultural Centre; tel: +31-317-495-495; fax:
+31-317-495-395; e-mail: training.iac@wur.NL;
Internet: http://www.iac.wur.nl/iac/courses/module.cfm?code=61/50/2005
IRFD WORLD FORUM ON INFORMATION SOCIETY: DIGITAL DIVIDE, GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY: 14 November 2005 - 16 November
2005. Tunis, Tunisia. The International
Research Foundation for Development (IRFD) is organizing the second phase of
its World Forum on Information Society to be held in Tunis in November 2005 in view of the UN
World Summit on the Information Society, which is scheduled for 16-18
November 2005. The deadline for abstracts for the IRFD event is 31 March
2005. For more information contact: IRFD; tel: +1-763-689-2963; fax:
+1-763-689-0560; e-mail: wfis2005@irfd.org;
Internet: http://www.irfd.org
WORLD URBAN FORUM III: 19 June 2006 - 23 June 2006. Vancouver, Canada. Organized by UN-HABITAT
and the Canadian government, the 3rd World Urban Forum will take place from
19-23 June 2006 in Vancouver,
Canada. For
more information contact: Lars.Reutersward, Information Services Section,
UN-HABITAT; tel: +254-20-623120; fax: +254-20-623477; e-mail: Lars.Reutersward@unhabitat.org;
Internet: http://www.unhabitat.org/wuf/2006/default.asp
Intergovernmental
organizations
EUROPEAN SPRING COUNCIL 2005: 22 March 2005 - 23 March 2005. Brussels, Belgium.
During their meeting in December 2004, EU Environment Ministers invited the
Commission to present in time for the Spring Council 2005: a comprehensive
stock tacking of the progress in the implementation of the EU-Sustainable
Development Strategy (SDS) since Göteborg; an analysis of the key-findings of
the Public Consultation; and policy options for a revised EU-SDS. The
European Spring Council 2005 is expected to give political guidance for the
revision of the EU SDS with the aim to adopt a revised strategy at a later
European Council in 2005. For more information contact: Internet: http://www.eu2005.lu/en/calendrier/2005/03/22conseur/index.html
Trade, finance
and investment in sustainable development
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MICROCREDIT: 1 January 2005 - 31 December
2005. Global. In 1998, the UN General Assembly designated 2005 as the
International Year of Microcredit as a means of giving impetus to
microfinance programmes globally. The Year, which was launched at UN
headquarters in New York
in late 2004, will include a series of events aimed at “building sustainable
and inclusive financial sectors to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”
A series of workshops and other events are scheduled, including: a workshop
on “Managing Risk in Microfinance” (5 April 2005, Washington
DC); the Microenterprise Development
Institute of New Hampshire’s microfinance training programme (13 June to 1
July 2005); and the Eighth Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise (Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 5-7 October 2005). The
Year is being coordinated by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). For more information
contact: UN Capital Development Fund; tel: +1-212-906-6611; fax:
+1-212-906-6479; e-mail: yearofmicrocredit@uncdf.org;
Internet: http://www.yearofmicrocredit.org/
WTO COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2005: 1 January 2005 - 2
December 2005. Geneva, Switzerland. Numerous World Trade
Organization Council and Committee sessions are scheduled to take place
throughout 2005. The General Council has sessions scheduled for 15-16
February, 26-27 May, 27 and 29 July, 19-20 October, and 1-2 December (shortly
before the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference). The Committee on Trade and
Development is scheduled to meet on 8, 21 and 22 February, 11 May, 20 July,
and 5-6 October. The Agriculture Committee and/or negotiating group convenes
from 7-11 February, 14-18 March, 13-15 and 18-19 April, 30-31 May, 1-3 June,
11-15 July, 22 September, and 10 November. The Committee on Trade and
Environment is scheduled for 22, 24 and 25 February, 7-8 July, and 12
October. Numerous other meetings relevant to sustainable development and
environmental issues are also scheduled. These include sessions of the
Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries, Working Group on Trade, Debt and
Finance, Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
(TRIPs), and Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. For more
information contact: WTO Secretariat; tel: +41-22-739-5111; fax:
+41-22-731-4206; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org;
Internet: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.pdf
SEMINAR ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE REGION: 21 February 2005. Geneva, Switzerland.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe 2005 annual Spring Seminar has taken as
its theme, “Financing for Development in the ECE Region—Promoting Growth in
Low-Income Transition Economies.” Sessions will consider strategies for
development and growth, economic integration and trade, and financial
management and sustainable growth in resource-rich economies. The meeting is
part of the follow-up to the 2002 International Conference on Financing for
Development held in Monterrey,
Mexico. For
more information contact: Alison Mangin, UNECE; tel: +41-22-917-1234; fax:
+41-22-917-0036; e-mail: alison.mangin@unece.org;
Internet: http://www.unece.org/ead/ead_sprin_sem_new.htm
2005 SPRING MEETINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND WORLD BANK GROUP:
16 April 2005 - 17 April 2005. Washington, DC, US. The International Monetary
and Financial Committee (IMFC) will convene on 16 April and the Development
Committee will meet on 17 April. For more information contact: IMF Annual
Meeting inquiries; tel: +1-202-473-7272; fax: +1-202-623-4100; e-mail: bfcoffice@worldbank.org; Internet: http://www.imf.org/external/am/index.htm
SPECIAL HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF ECOSOC WITH THE BRETTON WOODS INSTITUTIONS AND
WTO: 18 April 2005. UNHQ, New
York. The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
is holding a special high-level meeting with the Bretton Woods Institutions,
World Trade Organization and UN Conference on Trade and Development on 18
April 2005 at UN headquarters in New
York. This is the eighth meeting between ECOSOC and
the Bretton Woods institutions, and it will take place immediately after the
spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The
meeting will focus on �coherence, coordination and cooperation in the context
of the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus.� For more information
contact: Sarbuland Khan, ECOSOC; tel: +1-212-963-4628; fax: +1-212-963-1712;
e-mail: khan2@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/docs/ecosoc/meetings/bwi2005/
OECD FORUM 2005: FUELLING THE FUTURE: SECURITY, STABILITY, DEVELOPMENT AND
OECD MINISTERIAL SUMMIT:
2 May 2005 - 4 May 2005. Paris,
France. The
OECD Forum 2005 will convene from 2-4 May to consider policy issues in the
areas of international trade and investment, economic development, the
Millennium Declaration, and energy. This multistakeholder summit will feed
into the OECD Ministerial Summit, which will take place after the Forum from
3-4 May. For more information contact: John West, Forum Director; tel:
+33-1-45-248-025; e-mail: john.west@oecd.org;
Internet: http://www.oecd.org/site/0,2865,en_21571361_34225293_1_1_1_1_1,00.html
HIGH-LEVEL UN DIALOGUE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT: 27 June 2005 - 28
June 2005. UNHQ, New York.
The High-Level United Nations Dialogue on Financing for Development is
scheduled to take place in late June 2005 at UN headquarters in New York. The meeting
was scheduled by the General Assembly on 22 December 2004, when it adopted a
number of resolutions on financing for development. These included a
resolution (A/C.2/59/L.53) on �Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome
of the International Conference on Financing for Development.� A second
resolution included the specific agreement to hold a high-level dialogue
immediately before the Economic and Social Council's 2005 substantive
session's high-level segment (A/59/L.53). The General Assembly also agreed to
hold a meeting on financing for development during the High-Level Millennium
review in September 2005. For more information contact: Financing for
Development Office; tel: +1-212-963-2587; fax: +1-212-963-0443; e-mail: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/contact6-04.htm;
Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/ffdcalendar2003.htm
2005 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE WORLD BANK GROUP AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND:
26 September 2005 - 27 September 2005. Washington, DC, US. The 2005 Annual Meetings of
the World Bank/IMF will take place from 26-27 September in Washington, DC.
For more information contact: IMF Annual Meeting inquiries; tel:
+1-202-473-7272; fax: +1-202-623-4100; e-mail: bfcoffice@worldbank.org; Internet: http://www.imf.org/external/am/index.htm
2006 ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE WORLD BANK
GROUP: 19 September 2006 - 20 September 2006. Singapore, Singapore. The 2006 Annual
Meetings of the IMF/World Bank will take place from 19-20 September in Singapore.
For more information contact: Clara Goh, Ministry of Finance; tel:
+65-6332-7343; fax: +65-6337-4134; e-mail: clara_goh@mof.gov.sg; Internet: http://app.singapore2006.org/index.asp
Water, wetlands,
oceans, coasts
FIRST MEETING OF THE HIGH SEAS TASK FORCE: 9 March 2005 - 10 March
2005. Paris, France. The Task Force, made up
of a group of fisheries ministers and international NGOs, will meet to
develop an action plan designed to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported
fishing on the high seas. The Task Force will then be able to identify a set
of priorities among a series of authoritative proposals for confronting the
challenges of IUU fishing on the high seas. For more information contact:
Simon Upton, High Seas Task Force Director; tel: +33-1-4524-8032; fax:
+33-1-4524-8408; e-mail: simon.upton@oecd.org;
Internet: http://www.high-seas.org/
CONFERENCE ON THE GOVERNANCE OF HIGH SEAS FISHERIES AND THE UN FISH AGREEMENT
- MOVING FROM WORDS TO ACTION: 1 May 2005 - 5 May 2005. St. John's, Newfoundland
and Labrador, Canada. The Conference will
provide an �opportunity for the international community to join Canada in
determining how management of high seas fisheries can be improved and
identifying what steps need to be taken to ensure the immediate protection
and rebuilding of fish stocks in the years to come.� Participants will
undertake an in-depth examination of modern tools to manage high seas
fisheries, in particular those found in the United Nations Fish Agreement
(UNFA) of 1995, and will determine practical ways to apply these tools in
order to manage global fisheries better. For more information contact:
Conference Secretariat; e-mail: fgccgp@dfo-mpo.gc.ca;
Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fgc-cgp/index_e.htm
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