United
Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
held in 2002 in Johannesburg recognized the essential role of science
and technology in support of sustainable development. The Summit adopted
numerous recommendations in support of science and technology for sustainable
development; one focused on the need for increased scientific input into
the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
which was mandated by the Summit to continue to promote and monitor implementation
of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation at the global level.
Consequently, the United Nations (UN) have invited ICSU to continue to
collaborate with the CSD by, on the one hand, acting as a “co-organising
partner”, together with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations
(WFEO), for the participation
of the Scientific & Technological Community as one of nine “Major
Groups” in the work of the CSD devoted to non-governmental stakeholders.
The work of the commission is organized in two year cycles, including
in year 1 a review session and in year 2 a policy session. During the
cycle 2008/2009 (CSD 16/17), the CSD will focus its work on the issues
of agriculture, rural development, improved management of land resources
and combating drought and desertification. The regional focus for this
biennial cycle is Africa.
Sustainable
Development
