Opening Session,
UNCSD 6
20 April 1998
Speech by Maria Livanos Cattaui , Secretary General
of the ICC "International Chamber of Commerce"
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Chairman, your Excellencies, distinguished participants,
it is indeed a great honour for me to make a presentation on behalf of global
business and industry to the sixth session of the United Nations Commission
on Sustainable Development.
This critically important session, in which industry
has been chosen as the first stakeholder group for direct dialogue with the
CSD, marks a true watershed in relations between the United Nations and the
great diversity of business and industry I represent today.
The role of business and industry in the CSD process
goes to the very heart of the Secretary General’s clearly stated desire
for a better means of consultation between the United Nations and the business
community.
On this basis, we look forward to a constructive
and fruitful dialogue with all stakeholder groups participating in the two-day
Industry Segment and in the High Level Panel ICC will co-host with the United
Nations Environment Programme and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
I speak today as a genuine representative of broad
global industry, large and small, domestic and multinational, covering all sectors.
The International Chamber of Commerce, as the World Business Organisation, draws
its members from more than 130 countries with direct corporate membership exceeding
7500 companies.
In the six-years since the Rio Earth Summit, industry
has been seriously addressing the complex and challenging Sustainable Development
agenda. The generation and implementation of voluntary codes of conduct, the
launch of international environmental management systems, and a business-driven
technological revolution to introduce environmentally sound technologies represents
a significant investment of time, finances and knowledge capital.
This proactive industry approach to fostering Sustainable
Development is set to accelerate as we approach the millennium. It indicates
the broad agreement of industry worldwide to integrate sustainable development
considerations into nearly every aspect of their day to day activities.
At the strategic level, Sustainable Development
is now very firmly on the agenda within corporate boardrooms. This, in turn,
is driving innovative improvements at the operational level as, worldwide, we
are seeing companies improve resource efficiency, make great strides in energy
conservation, reduce waste, and generate new, environmentally-sound products.
Naturally, there is no room for complacency when
the scale of the economic, environmental
and social challenges which make up
the Sustainable Development agenda are considered.
I want to share with you a few brief comments on
the four themes which will be considered during the Industry Segment and which
go to the heart of industry’s Sustainable Development agenda.
First: Responsible Entrepreneurship.
It is clearly apparent that responsible, entrepreneurial businesses are
the driving force for sustainable economic development and, critically, they
provide the managerial, technical and financial resources to contribute to the
resolution of environmental concerns.
But a particular challenge will be bringing Small
and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and companies from the informal sector into
the mainstream of good environmental management. This is an issue ICC considers
a clear priority and a challenge we look forward to working on with various
agencies of the United Nations.
More broadly, business and industry will continue
to champion voluntary environmental initiatives that encourage companies to
go beyond regulatory compliance, in the spirit of responsible entrepreneurship.
Second: Corporate Environmental
Management Tools. I firmly believe the innovative basket of environmental
management tools that have been developed are the mechanism to integrate sustainable
development considerations into everyday business.
Furthermore, developing initiatives for public
and private sector partnerships show great promise for the increased voluntary
use of Environmental Management Systems. Such efforts will contribute to a harmonisation
of environmental regulation and enforcement and will drive further improvements
in corporate policy and practice.
Third: Technology Cooperation. Successful
technology co-operation, tailored to the specific national or corporate case,
is critical to the implementation of sustainable development. There is a concern
that excessive government regulation of technology co-operation could stifle
innovation and limit access to needed technology. Commercialisation of Research
and Development programmes for new technologies to function as part of normal
business life as quickly as possible is important in order to achieve the common
goals.
To this effect governments should enhance an effective
business environment to catalyse the process of commercialisation.
The private sector has an increasing role to play
in delivery of effective technology cooperation which, clearly, involves the
transfer of skills and knowledge not just technological hardware. While it is
apparent that the free market is the main driving force for the efficient introduction
and assimilation of technology, in order to foster successful, long-term technology
co-operation it is necessary that all parties gain from the co-operation, while,
at the same time ensuring the protection of patents and intellectual property
rights of the developer. ICC strongly recommends a concerted effort to create
an efficient framework that promotes successful technology co-operation.
Fourth: Industry and fresh water.
It is apparent that the 21st Century will witness increasing competition
for finite fresh water resources. Industry, which is not the main user of water,
has financial, technical and management resources, and is well positioned to
contribute to the resolution of broader societal problems in this critical area.
It is apparent that all sectors need to co-operate
if society is to avert or minimize adverse effects associated with emerging
fresh water shortages.
The elements of a comprehensive water strategy
are rather straightforward and apply to all parties. Growing evidence demonstrates
that industry has already begun to manage industrial water use more effectively.
One future task is to continue raising awareness
within the business community and encourage others, notably within the agricultural
sector, to take action now. The issue of economic pricing of water, both for
agriculture and domestic use, remains primarily a government and public policy
issue. Subsidies should be phased out since they encourage waste and prevent
better management of finite fresh water resources. The 1992 Dublin Principle
was clear and correct :"Water has an economic value in all its competing
uses and should be recognized as an economic good."
In closing let me say that the ICC’s commitment
to Sustainable Development is absolute. Our 16 point Business Charter for Sustainable
Development, published in 20 languages and now entering its 8th year,
remains one of the key foundation stones for corporate environmental thinking
during the 1990s. ICC is now actively exploring complementary voluntary environmental
assessment tools to build on what the ICC Charter helped achieve. This will
allow business to enter the 21st century with a practical, effective
and pragmatic business tool with which to address critical environmental issues
as well as the broader issues of Sustainable Development.
Speech Ends
Commission on Environment