Clearly, the concept of sustainable development is focused towards ensuring that, while the current generation could make the best use of available resources it must do so in the light of the right of enjoyment of future generations. Sustainable development clearly enshrines the concept of inter and intra-generational solidarity and equity.
When speaking about sustainable development, it is important to dispel one particular myth at the outset: sustainable development is not solely an environmental issue. On the contrary, it hinges on three key pillars: economic, social and environment – a clear indication that sustainable development affects every individual and consequently is of interest to us all.
Sustainable development is a fundamental objective of the Treaty of the European Union. It is an over-arching concept guiding all Union policies, actions and strategies and requires economic, environmental and social policies to be designed and implemented in a mutually reinforcing way. A broad EU Sustainable Development Strategy (EU SDS) was launched by the European Council in Gothenburg in June 2001. Subsequently, an external dimension was added by the European Council in Barcelona to ensure that the EU’s international commitments were adhered to. Following a review process in line with the European Commission’s commitment to review the EU SDS at the beginning of its new mandate, six priority issues were proposed, together with the integration of the external dimension into internal policy-making as well as an effective monitoring procedure and follow-up process.
The six priority issues are:
1. Climate Change & Clean Energy; 2. Public Health; 3. Sustainable transport; 4. Management of Natural Resources; 5. Social Exclusion, Demography & Migration; 6. Global Poverty & Development Challenges
The European Commission intends to adopt, in June this year, an ambitious and comprehensive strategy, comprising targets, indicators and an effective monitoring procedure, which should integrate the internal and external dimensions and be based on a positive long-term vision, bringing together the European Community’s sustainable development priorities and objectives in a clear, coherent strategy that can be communicated simply and effectively to citizens. Subsequently, in 2009, a comprehensive review of this strategy is planned. This goes to show that sustainable development is in itself a dynamic subject that needs to align itself to the pace of global development.
In view of the cross-cutting nature of sustainable development, the review is being dealt with in the Friends of the Presidency Group on Sustainable Development, which was set up to revise the EU SDS and which will complete its work by June. In order to underline the sectoral character of the EU SDS, policy debates are also envisaged in the different council formations between March and June 2006. On the basis of these contributions, the adoption of the renewed strategy is foreseen for the European Council in June.
Malta is also currently finalising its own draft National Sustainable Development Strategy. The final step in the intensive consultation process will be reached this Saturday, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, where a national conference is to be held with the aim of discussing the proposed document. This will offer one final opportunity for all the interested parties to put forward their views, which will be evaluated as part of the final amendments to the Final Strategy.
Malta’s National Sustainable Development Strategy needs to mirror the EU SDS, for it has to feed into the governance and monitoring framework that will be put in place in order to assess member state progress, as well as to obtain a consolidated position of the Union’s status on sustainable development.
The challenge we face is an ambitious one. We cannot afford to be unmoved as it is our duty and obligation to ensure the sustainability of our behaviour, both at a macro and micro level. Sustainable development places the participation of civil society, NGOs, sectoral organisations and the community in general at the very heart of its potential to succeed. It is hoped that both the turnout and the contributions at the conference will send a clear message that Malta and its people are committed to the principle of sustainable development. Together we can do it!
Kevin Gatt is a managing consultant at the Management Efficiency Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister and one of Malta’s representatives in the Friends of the Presidency Group on Sustainable Development.
The conference, which is open to the public, will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those interested in attending are requested to contact Ms Diane Mifsud, Rural Affairs and the Environment, Ministry, Barriera Wharf, Valletta. They may also register online on www.mrae.gov.mt/ncsdform.asp, send a fax on 2295-2231 or call on freephone 8007-2295.