Report on IFAP participation in the CSD12

U.N. Commission for Sustainable Development, 12th Session

New York, 19-30 April 2004

The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) convened its 12th Session from April 19th to April 30th, at UN headquarters in New York City, USA.

IFAP, representing the Farmers major group was lead during the first week by M. Esa Harmala, Vice-President and the Second week by Jack Wilkinson, President.

The main objective of this first review session , since the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), was to undertake an evaluation of progress in implementation of Agenda 21.

The CSD 12 was the first session of non-negotiated outcome. It mainly focused on identification of constraints, obstacles, successes and lessons learned with respect to the three themes of water, sanitation and human settlements.

This two-week meeting comprised reports from official delegations, UN regional commissions, international organisations as well as Major groups.

The first week was marked by interactive dialogue sessions between Major Groups and other stakeholders. We have to note that major groups interventions were put on equal footing as those from other stakeholders, stimulating real discussions. This definitely represents a real progress towards a better integration of non-state actors in this UN process.

During this first period, the IFAP delegation including M. Esa Harmala, Finland, Dr. Sarala Gopalan, India and M. Ajay Vashee, Zambia, insisted on the critical role of prioritising water for agriculture in national budgets plans, the need for high capital investment in order to prevent water pollution. Raising awareness, education and women involvement as agent of change, were also outlined as of paramount importance if we want to improve water access and efficiency in managing the water resource in rural areas.

M. Harmala, in the name of the IFAP delegation, presented the IFAP discussion paper, which gives a good insight of farmer’s achievements and practical case studies with regard to accessing and managing the water resources. He recognised that “farmers must have a secure access to water and even though agriculture uses the major part of the water available, one must consider the differences between the countries in the world (…..) Farmers are aware that they have to act in a responsible way. Farmers are ready to co-manage water for agriculture and water for environment. It is deep in their heart to be in balance with nature. The real stake for farmers is survival”.

In the second week, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan opened up the high level segment with He insisted on actions be taken at the national and local levels with effective public administration. CSD 12 Chair Brende urged the CSD to become the “global springboard for local action” and that the examination of best practices, lessons learned, obstacles and constraints should pave the way for decision making.

President Wilkinson addressed key remarks on behalf of farmers, to the 100 ministers participating in this high level segment.

He highlighted “the critical role of water for food production, health and for the livelihoods of millions of farm families. His intervention focused on getting back agriculture as the main focus of this UN Commission in order to achieve the “more crop per drop” goal.

He also urged ministers for the need to translate political will into action on the ground and to recognise its responsibility for securing access to water especially in poor and remote rural areas.

“Farmers believe that control of water resources is a public responsibility, and that access to water is a basic human right” said Wilkinson.

He also insisted on farmers participation are real players in decision making processes through appropriate water user association frameworks.

M.Wilkinson also stressed the urgent necessity to build capacity in farmers' organisations without which they will not able to become those key players.

The 9 major groups had a last opportunity to make a joint statement during the wrap up session of CSD 12. They said that CSD-12 has failed to sufficiently prioritise issues of concern in the thematic cluster. They called for their continued involvement and empowerment, and urged: a focus on developing gender disaggregated indicators; the mobilization of political will; equal treatment of all issues; and an emphasis on cross-cutting issues. They proposed that the Commission consider establishing intersessional working groups, an expanded CSD Bureau and regional meetings or other coordinating mechanisms as a means of continuing dialogue. The committed to, inter alia: offering their expertise; enhancing partnerships and actions in civil society; building on their own capacity through education and awareness raising; and monitoring and evaluating progress. They also called on the CSD to establish ground rules for their future participation, and proposed a special session during the intersessional meeting devoted to reviewing and improving the role and contribution of Major Groups in the practical implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and JPOI .

Following the closing session, the Chair and bureau of CSD 13 have been elected. M. John Ashe from Antigua and Barbuda will chair the next session to be held May 2-13 2005 in UN Headquarters. CSD 13 will come to close the two year cycle on “water, sanitation and human settlements” with a negotiation text, to be built on the CSD 12 discussions and results. IFAP will carry on its work on this matter.

Source: Earth Negociatins Bulletin, Vol 5 n° 211 Page 12