CEEC Conference Outcome

Regional Rio+10 Assessment Conference for Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Bucharest, 27 - 28 June 2001

We, the representatives of the Central and Eastern European Countries,

Reaffirming our commitment to the concepts of sustainable development and the recommendations of the Rio Conference on Environment and Development along with its Conventions and Agenda 21.

Understanding that the previous circumstances of our countries have discouraged the participation of civil society in the governance process, thereby placing the Central and Eastern European Countries at a historical disadvantage within the context of sustainable development.

Realising that the current transitional nature, the development and refinement of the process of democratic governance now represent opportunities to rectify this historical shortcoming by incorporating the participatory process into the newly evolving mechanisms of democratic governance.

Aware that conflicts within and between some countries in the region are inevitably threatening human security, biodiversity and natural resources, as well as impacting on social and cultural welfare.

Acknowledging that cooperation on environment and sustainable development issues can create a better atmosphere and opportunity for the enhancement of stability and peace in the region.

Emphasising that the Central and Eastern European Countries share common issues, concerns and challenges related to sustainable development, many of which are specific to the region. 

Recognising that these issues include, inter alia, the need for greater accountability and transparency in governance, a stronger focus on civil and cross-sectoral stakeholder participation in policy and management issues, a realignment of social and cultural attitudes toward a more sustainable lifestyle, and the recognition of linkages between environment, poverty and development.

Accepting the need to develop clear and equitable public-private partnerships that highlight the requirement for responsibility within the sustainable development context.

Encouraging the international donor community to play a more active role within the region in respect of providing assistance to the countries for sustainable development.

Support the following Recommendations for transmission to the preparatory process for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002.

Recommendations

1. The requirement for a regional framework for sustainable development to promote:

• The national support for all municipalities to have an LA21 plan using common tools and standards;

• The recognition of human rights, responsible stewardship, values and respect for life and nature as key themes of sustainable development;

• The means for poverty alleviation and the concerns for health and the quality of life;

•   The emphasis of the importance of values, shared experience, local knowledge and sustainable practices, resources and cultural diversity;

• The development of plans for biodiversity conservation and enhancement, protected areas and areas of ecological stability, integrated river basin management;

•   The use of Strategic Environment Assessment;

•   The use of appropriate economic instruments such as the internalisation of externalities.

2. The requirement for a better understanding of sustainable development at the policy level and its relationship to good governance to promote:

• Strengthening of the role of civil society through increasing awareness, engagement, motivation and participation;

• A transparent process of governance;

•   Accountability of all governance stakeholders reflecting needs as defined at the local level;

•   Strengthening of the 'bottom-up' approach to governance;

•   The use of dialogue at the local level as a tool for conflict prevention and resolution;

•   More efficient use and training of human resources.

3. The promotion of a greater understanding of the participatory process through:

•   Awareness raising of sustainable development issues at the grass-roots level;

•   The dissemination of information on, and the implementation of, the Aarhus Convention;

•   Transparency and involvement of stakeholders and the general public in community management;

•   The encouragement of civil society to act as an overseer of financial and other institlltions.

4. The coordinated exchange of good practice in education for sustainable development

including:

•   The integration of sustainable development as a core element in educational curricula at all levels

•   The use of informal education

•   The promotion of distance-learning programmes

•   The use of learning tools to extend expertise in sustainable development at all levels of government

•   The development of a culture of solidarity and philanthropy in business and society at large

• The education and training of the mass media such that they will deliver sustainable development messages to the public;

5. The facilitation of better use of information including:

•   The use of plain and understandable language

• Informed public debate

• A common understanding of terminology

6. The improvement of the use of technological developments and research in the region

including:

• The incorporation information technology as a core issue in donor assistance

• The need to complement theoretical knowledge with the development of applied skills

• The promotion of a "win-win" culture

• The incorporation of the lessons from Best Available Technologies

• The use of economic incentives to avoid the importation of polluting technologies

• The application of Environmental Impact Assessment as appropriate and required

7. The coordination of donor-country discussion fora to promote better donor contributions within the region including:

• Closer coordination between international donors and the countries through creation of national donor fora

• The identification of local community needs

• The promotion of awareness concerning the role of institutions and instruments such as UNECE, UNDPF Capacitv 21. UNEP. GEF. Earth Council etc