A. Background

1. The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2002. The preparatory process of the summit include the 10-year review of progress achieved in the implementation of Agenda 21 after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCRD) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, to identify areas where further efforts are needed to implement Agenda 21 and other outcomes of the Rio conference, and to reinforce the global political commitment to sustainable development. The Summit, including its preparatory process, should ensure a balance between economic development, social development and environmental protection, as these are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.

2. In the Asia-Pacific region, Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established a partnership to assist the preparatory process for the WSSD. The preparations include five subregional and a regional consultation: Northeast Asia (Beijing, 26-28 July); South Pacific (Apia, 5-7 September); Central Asia (Almaty, 19-21 September); South Asia (Colombo, 27-29 September); Southeast Asia (Manila, 17-19 October); and Region (Phnom Penh, 27-29 Noverber). Representatives of four agencies have jointly established a Task Force (TF) and a Steering Committee to guide and co-ordinate the region's preparations.

3. At the subregional level, the implementation of Agenda 21 has been inhibited by many factors. While policy, institutional and governance weakness has been the major barrier, the lack of financing has also restricted the implementation of Agenda 21. The economic development has taken place with negative impacts in the social and environmental domains. Poverty is identified as the biggest hurdle hindering the sustainable development. Population growth and rural-urban migration are of the major concern. There is an expressed need for elimination of poverty in a set timeframe. There is also a need to formulate steps and action oriented programmes to: chart out a development path that are consistent with the cultural values of the region; ensure a more equitable sharing of the benefits of economic growth; and balanced economic development with social development and environmental protection.

B. Objectives

4. The objectives of the South Asia Preparatory Meeting are:

(i) Review of progress achieved in the implementation of Agenda 21 including identification of main achievements, lessons learned and major constraints faced by the sub-region since UNCED in the implementation of Agenda 21; and

(ii) Formulate a mechanism for Implementation outlining:
(a) Identification and analysis of issues for the subregion requiring priority attention and action;
(b) Setting up a vision on the issues for operational implementation mechanism; and
(c) Initiatives and commitments at the sub-region, region and global level for addressing ways of strengthening the institutional framework, governance and financing mechanism for sustainable development.

C. Date and Venue

5. The South Asia Preparatory Meeting will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 27-29 September 2001. The meetings will be convened at Hotel Colombo Hilton (Phone: 941-544644/ 437137, Fax: 941-544645).

D. Programme

6. A draft sub-regional report will be presented and discussed during the meeting. The draft report would be available at the Task Force's website at www.rrcap.unep.org/wssd/documents. Broad agenda for the meeting:

• Day 1 (27 September): A multi-stakeholders meeting with representatives of 9 major groups to review and discuss draft sub-regional report. Synthesis of the meeting and its incorporation would be made into the draft sub-regional paper.
• Day 2 (28 September): Intergovernmental meeting with participation by Environment, Planning, and Finance Agencies. The meeting will discuss the draft sub-regional report including the conclusions of the multi-stakeholder roundtable. Selected representatives from the stakeholders meeting will attend the intergovernmental meeting.
• Day 3 (29 September): The Governing Council Meeting of SACEP.
  A detailed agenda for Day 1 and Day 2 is enclosed in Attachment 1 and 2.

E. Participation in Preparatory Meeting by Major Groups

7. Major civil society groups are encouraged to participate in the preparatory process for the WSSD including in the national assessment. The major social groups identified in Agenda 21 are Women, Indigenous Peoples, Youth, Nongovernmental Organizations, Local Authorities, Workers, Business and Industry, the Scientific and Technical Community and Farmers. The active participation in the preparatory process does not necessarily have to be in the form of actual attendance of a meeting but may also take the form of submitting comments and suggestions to documents. The registration procedure for participation in the South Asian sub-regional meeting by civil society groups and non-governmental organisations is enclosed in Attachment 3.

F. Hotel accommodation:

8. Accommodation has been arranged for participants at the Hotel Hilton with courtesy rates of $60/night for standard room, inclusive of breakfast.

The Conference Secretariat will settle the accounts (for the accommodation only) with the Hotel for the UNEP sponsored participants. Others are requested to settle the bills directly with Hotels.

Individuals seeking direct reservation may please quote the code " WSSD SACEP" through e-mail / fax.

G. Visa

9. Participants who wish to request for visa assistance to Colombo is requested to submit their passport details by fax to conference secretariat. Passport details will be provided to Foreign Ministry of Govt. of Sri Lanka for necessary clearances and intimated to the local embassies for the issuance of visa.

H. Transportation

10. With prior intimation the Conference Secretariat will ensure airport pick up. The "Hotel Colombo Hilton Counter" at the airport will have all the necessary details on the transport services to the Meeting venue in town (approximate distance: 35km.).

I. Subsistence Allowance and Reimbursement of Expenses

11. Due to the local government regulations, there is a limit on foreign currency that can be issued and copies of the passport and air travel tickets are to be sent to the Bank for issuing the foreign currency. This process usually takes two full working days. As such, all the participants are requested to ensure leave a copy of the passport and air ticket at the Hotel Reception at the time of check-in. One of the Conference staff will be at the Hotel Reception to assist you through the process.

Organizers will provide to UNEP sponsored participants a flat per diem for necessary overnight stay (stop over) upon presentation of a photocopy of the air ticket indicating the flight schedules and receipt of the Hotel accommodation.

J. Registration

12. Participants are requested to obtain meeting badges/ID at the Registration Desk located out side the meeting rooms. The ID to be worn by participants at all the times for the duration of the meeting. Registration form will be provided at the time of check-in at Hotel for the foreign participants and others may avail this at the meeting Rooms. Kindly ensure to return the completed Registration forms to the Conference Secretariat.

K. Reconfirmation of air ticket

13. The Conference Secretariat will provide travel assistance if needed. Please submit a copy of the air tickets for reconfirmation to Conference Secretariat for the reconfirmation of your onward flights.

L. Secretariat

14. For further information on the South Asia sub-regional Preparatory Meeting, please contact the Task Force Secretariat or the Conference Secretariat (SACEP) as follows:

Task Force Secretariat
Attn. Dr. Subrato Sinha
Room 304, Outreach Building, Asian Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 4, Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel. (66-2) 516-2124, 524-5365, Fax. (66-2) 516-2125, 524-6233, Email: subrato@ait.ac.th

Conference Secretariat:
South Asia Cooperation Environment Programme (SACEP)
Attn. Mr. P. K. Kotta
#10 Anderson Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka.
Tel.: (94 - 1) 596 443, Fax: (94 - 1) 589 369, Email: pk_sacep@eureka.lk

Attachment 1
Draft Agenda

Stakeholder Meeting for South Asia
for Preparation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)

Date: 27 September 2001

Venue: Hotel Colombo Hilton, Colombo

Attachment 2
Draft Agenda

Intergovernmental Meeting for South Asia
for Preparation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)

Date: 28 September 2001

Venue: Hotel Colombo Hilton, Colombo

Attachment 3
Participation in South Asia Preparatory Meeting for WSSD, 2002
by Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations

A. Input by Civil Society Groups in the Preparatory Process

1. Effective contribution and active participation of all major civil society groups, as identified in Agenda 21, at all stages of the preparatory process, is encouraged. The active participation in the preparatory process can be in the form of actual attendance at a sub-regional meeting but may also take the form of submitting comments and suggestions to documents.

B. Participation in the South Asia Sub-regional Meeting

2. The South Asia sub-regional preparatory meeting starts off with a multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss and review the draft sub-regional report prepared by the Task Force. Participation and input from all major groups in this roundtable is encouraged. The major groups present at the multi-stakeholder meeting shall be organized into issue-based constituencies, such as caucuses or coalitions. Selected representatives from the stakeholders meeting will attend the intergovernmental meeting to be held on 28th September. Stakeholders are encouraged to organize informal side events and briefings. To the extent possible, these will be facilitated by the Conference Secretariat upon request and on a first-come, first serve basis.

C. Registration Procedure

3. The registration procedure for participation in the sub-regional meeting follows the UN system. In the UN system there is a distinction between non-governmental organizations that are formally recognized and can, to an extent, participate in the workings of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) or the Commission on Sustainable Development (such recognition is called "accreditation") and those that are not.

I. Procedure for Accredited Civil Society Organisations

4. Each civil society group and NGOs that is accredited is, in principle, entitled to participate in the sub-regional meeting. An accredited organisation can participate in the South Asian sub-regional meeting by informing the Task Force and the Conference Secretariat by registration (click here for registration form) . Such registration should reach the Conference Secretariat of the Task Force with copy to the Conference Secretariat of two weeks prior to the South Asia meeting.

II. Procedure for Non Accredited Organisations

5. If an NGO is not in consultative status with ECOSOC or on the roster of CSD, but is active in sustainable development within the region, such NGO can apply for participation in the South Asian preparatory meeting. Alongside with the registration for the meeting, the concerned organisation will need to submit information about their activities in the field of the and their organisation in general (click here for registration form). The registration should reach the Task Force with copy to the Conference Secretariat three (2) weeks prior to the meeting.