Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)

(Established 1992)

A functional Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The Commission is composed of 53 members elected for terms of office of three years. It reports to ECOSOC and through it to the General Assembly.

To review progress in the implementation of recommendations and commitments following UNCED; to elaborate policy guidance and options for future activities to follow up UNCED and achieve sustainable development; to promote dialogue and build partnerships for sustainable development.

The CSD reviews progress in selected sectors at each of its annual meetings. At its eleventh session, the Commission decided that its multi-year programme of work beyond 2003 would be organized on the basis of seven two-year cycles, with each cycle focusing on selected thematic clusters of issues. Some areas of particular interest to marine science and technology are:

• Session 2004/2005. Water and Sanitation

• Session 2006/2007. Climate change and Air Pollution/Atmosphere

• Session 2014/2015. Oceans and Seas, and Marine Resources

The Inter-agency Committee on Sustainable Development was established in October 1993 by the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) — the highest inter-agency body of the United Nations. The functions of the Committee include:

• To identify for the ACC overall policy issues, major gaps and constraints affecting UN system co-operation in the UNCED follow up.

• To formulate recommendations to enhance co-operation.

• To ensure clear division of labour through allocation and sharing of responsibilities.

• To monitor new and additional financing requirements relating to Agenda 21.

• To co-ordinate response to the work of the CSD.

There is an ACC Sub-Committee on Oceans and Coastal Areas - for oceans and all kinds of seas. The Secretariat of this Sub-Committee is provided by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Contact: Chris Whaley, Co-Head of Division, Environment Protection International, Environment Protection Strategy Directorate, Defra, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7944 6220  Email: epintdiv@dtlr,gov.uk