A/RES/59/227
Reaffirming the continuing need to ensure a balance between economic
development, social development and environmental protection as interdependent
and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development,
Reaffirming also that eradicating poverty, changing unsustainable patterns of
production and consumption and protecting and managing the natural resource base
of economic and social development are overarching objectives of and essential
requirements for sustainable development,
Recognizing that good governance within each country and at the international
level is essential for sustainable development,
Noting with satisfaction that the Commission on Sustainable Development at
its twelfth session undertook an in-depth evaluation of progress in implementing
Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, focusing on the thematic cluster of issues on
water, sanitation and human settlements, and identified best practices, constraints
and obstacles in the process of implementation, 8
Noting that the organization of work of the twelfth session of the Commission
included plenary sessions, an interactive plenary dialogue and regional meetings, as
well as a partnership fair, learning centres and side events,
Recalling the decision of the Commission at its eleventh session, endorsed by
the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 2003/61 of 25 July 2003, that the
Commission, at its policy sessions, to be held in April/May of the second year of the
cycle, would take policy decisions on practical measures and options to expedite
implementation in the selected thematic cluster of issues, taking account of the
discussions of the intergovernmental preparatory meeting, the reports of the
Secretary-General and other relevant inputs, 9
Recalling also the decision of the Commission at its eleventh session that the
discussions of the intergovernmental preparatory meeting would be based on the
outcome of the review session and reports of the Secretary-General, as well as other
relevant inputs, and that, on the basis of those discussions, the Chair would prepare
a draft negotiating document for consideration at the policy session,9
Looking forward to the upcoming cycles of the work programme of the
Commission as adopted at its eleventh session and their contributions to the further
implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of
Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the activities
1.
undertaken in the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further
Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development; 10
2.
Reiterates that sustainable development is a key element of the
overarching framework for United Nations activities, in particular for achieving the
internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United
Nations Millennium Declaration6 and in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation;5
_______________
8
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2004, Supplement No. 9 (E/2004/29).
Ibid., 2003, Supplement No. 9 (E/2003/29), chap. I, sect. A.
10
A/59/220.
9
2