Environment

Asia and Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

Seoul, 19 – 20 October 2011,

Statement by New Zealand:  Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development

Mr Chair

New Zealand has consistently called for the pragmatic reform of the international environmental governance architecture ensuring that reforms are practical, achievable and effective at the national level.

New Zealand considers the focus should be on supporting and strengthening existing mechanisms and institutions to address any remaining gaps. Closer cooperation and coordination between existing institutions and avoidance of duplication may be more effective than creation of additional bodies. Achieving a more effective, efficient and coherent United Nations is in all our interests.

New Zealand does not want to prejudge the final format of the institutional framework, but will be evaluating proposals against the following elements:

• effective policy integration of the three pillars of sustainable development at all levels (i.e.  aspects of each should be considered in the development of policies for the other.)
• closer cooperation and coordination between and among institutions;
• avoidance of overlap and duplication;
• continuation of the principles of partnership at multiple levels arising from the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21;
• good value for money for member states and effective delivery of assistance;
• adequate resourcing;
• monitoring results (in particular, the effectiveness of development assistance).

New Zealand looks forward to contributing to constructive discussion and the testing of ideas for Rio +20 and to promote the views of our region to achieve the best outcomes for the environment and communities.

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