17- 19 October 2001, Manila, Philippines

A. Background

1. The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2002. The preparatory process of WSSD includes the 10-year review of progress achieved in Agenda 21's implementation after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, to identify areas where further efforts are needed to implement Agenda 21 and other outcomes of UNCED, and reinforce the global political commitment to sustainable development. WSSD, including its preparatory process, should ensure a balance between economic development, social development and environmental protection, as these are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.

2. In Asia and the Pacific region, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established a partnership to assist the preparatory process for WSSD. The preparations include five subregional meetings in (i) Northeast Asia (Beijing, 26-28 July); South Pacific (Apia, 5-7 September); Central Asia (Almaty, 19-21 September); South Asia (Colombo, 27-29 September); and Southeast Asia (Manila, 17-19 October); and (ii) one regional meeting in Phnom Penh, 27-29 November. Representatives of the four organizations have jointly established a Task Force and Steering Committee to guide and coordinate the region's preparations.

3. At the subregional level, the implementation of Agenda 21 has been inhibited by many factors. While weaknesses in policy, institutions, and governance have been major barriers, lack of financing has also been a constraint. Economic development has also brought negative social and environmental impacts. Poverty is identified as the biggest hindrance to sustainable development, along with population growth and rural-urban migration. Thus, there is an expressed need for elimination of poverty in a set timeframe. Action-oriented programs should be formulated to (i) chart a development path that is consistent with the cultural values of the region, (ii) ensure a more equitable sharing of the benefits of economic growth, and (iii) achieve economic development that is balanced with social development and environmental protection.

B. Objectives

4. The objectives of the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting are:(i) Review of progress in implementation of Agenda 21 including identification of (a) main achievements, lessons learned and major constraints; (b) key institutional and policy issues requiring priority attention and action; and (c) new challenges and opportunities, and action-oriented decisions where further efforts are needed, resulting in renewed political commitment to sustainable development. (ii) Formulate policy platforms and mechanisms for implementation outlining: (a) identification and analysis of issues for the subregion requiring priority attention and action, (b) a vision on the issues for operational implementation mechanism, and (c) initiatives, follow-up action proposals, and commitments at the subregional, regional and global levels to strengthen the institutional framework, governance, and financing mechanism for sustainable development.

C. Date and Venue

5. The Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting for WSSD will be held in Manila, Philippines on 17-19 October 2001 at the ADB Headquarters (Phone: [632] 632 6775, Fax: [632] 636 2195).

D. Program

6. A draft subregional report will be presented and discussed during the meeting. The draft would be available at the Task Force website (www.rrcap.unep.org/wssd/documents).

7. Broad agenda: · Day 1 (17 October): Stakeholders' Meeting - representatives of the major civil society groups identified in Agenda 21 will review and discuss the draft subregional report prepared by the Task Force. The outputs of Day 1 will be incorporated into the draft subregional report. · Days 2 and 3 (18-19 October): Intergovernmental Meeting - representatives of government including the Environment, Planning, and Finance agencies. The Meeting will discuss the subregional report including the conclusion of the stakeholder roundtable meeting. Selected representatives from the Stakeholders' meeting will attend the intergovernmental meeting. Tentative agenda is in Attachment 1.

E. Participation of Major Civil Society Groups

8. Effective contribution and active participation of all major civil society groups is encouraged, as identified in Agenda 21 (women, indigenous peoples, youth, NGOs, local authorities, workers, business and industry, the scientific and technical community, and farmers), at all stages of the preparatory process including the national assessment. Such participation does not necessarily mean attendance in the Stakeholders' Meeting, but may take the form of comments and suggestions for the subregional report.

9. The registration procedure for civil society groups and NGOs for the Southeast Asian Subregional Preparatory Meeting, and details regarding the Stakeholders' Meeting are in Attachment 2. F. Hotel Accommodation, Subsistence Allowance, and Transportation

10. The Conference Organizer will take care of hotel and travel arrangements, as necessary, and subsistence allowance for participants supported by funding from ADB (three government officials from Environment, Planning, and Finance agencies, and two stakeholder representatives). Other details will be communicated later.

G. Visa

11. To enter the Philippines, foreigners of all nationalities are required to have a valid passport. Nationals from restricted countries or countries with which the Philippines does not have a reciprocal visa waiver agreement are required to secure a 9(a) temporary visitor's visa to the Philippines. Visa application inquiries maybe addressed to the Conference Organizer, or local embassies or consulates of the Philippines. Upon a participant's request, the Conference Organizer can issue a note verbale to the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines that, in turn, can send a visa authority to the participant's local embassy/consulate (lead time for dispatch of visa authority is 10 working days).

H. Secretariat

12. For further information on the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting for WSSD, please contact the Task Force Secretariat or the Conference Organizer.

Conference Organizer

Asian Development Bank
Attention:Dr. Edy Brotoisworo
6 ADB Avenue,
Mandaluyong City, 0401 MM,
Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel. (632) 632 6775
Fax. (632) 636 2195
Email: ebrotoisworo@adb.org

Task Force Secretariat
United Nations Environment Programme
Attention: Dr. Subrato Sinha
Room 304, Outreach Building,
Asian Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 4, Klongluang,
Pathumthani 12120, Bangkok,
Thailand
Tel. (662) 516 2124/524 5365
Fax. (662) 516 2125/524 6233
Email: subrato@ait.ac.th

Attachment 1
Draft Agenda

Stakeholder Meeting for South Asia
for Preparation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)

Date: 27 September 2001
Venue: Hotel Colombo Hilton, Colombo

Days 2 and 3 (18-19 October 2001): Intergovernmental Meeting

18 October 2001Tentative agenda consist of intergovernmental discussions on environmental affairs on Southeast Asia, presentation of country experience in "process" of implementing Agenda 21, and preliminary discussions on the draft subregional report.

19 October 2001

Attachment 2
Participation of Major Civil Society Groups (NGOs) in
the Southeast Asia Preparatory Meeting for WSSD

A. Proceedings at the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting

1. The Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting would begin with a Stakeholders' Meeting on Day 1 to discuss and review the draft subregional report prepared by the Task Force. Active participation/inputs from all participants is encouraged. The major groups present at the Stakeholders' Meeting would be organized into issue-based constituencies, such as caucuses or coalitions. Selected representatives from the Stakeholders' Meeting will then attend the Intergovernmental Meeting on Day 3. Stakeholders are encourage to organize informal side events and briefings. To the extent possible, the activities will be facilitated by the Conference Secretariat upon request, or on a first-come, first- serve basis.

B. Registration Procedure, and Selection of Participants

2. The registration procedure for participants from the major civil society follows the UN system. There is a distinction between civil society groups (or NGOs) that are formally recognized and can, to an extent, participate in the workings of the UN Economic and Social Council or the Commission on Sustainable Development (such recognition is called "accreditation"); and those that are not.

3. Procedure for Accredited NGOs. Each NGO that is accredited is, in principle, entitled to participate by informing and registering with the Task Force Secretariat and Conference Organizer of the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting. (Click here for registration form). Such registration should reach the Conference Organizer two weeks prior to the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting.

4. Procedure for Non-Accredited NGOs. If an NGO is not accredited, but is active in sustainable development within the region, such NGO should submit information on their organization and activities, along with the registration form to the Task Force Secretariat and Conference Organizer of the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting. (Click here for registration form). Such registration should reach the Conference Organizer tthree weeks prior to the Southeast Asia Subregional Preparatory Meeting.

5. Selection of Participants. Selection of civil society group/NGO representatives will be done by the NGO Network in each country.

6. Other interested parties are also urged to seek financial support from local agencies in their country or international donor organizations, in coordination with the NGO Network in their country. Their registration forms should also be sent to the Task Force Secretariat and Conference Organizer.

C. Hotel Accommodation, Subsistence Allowance, and Transportation

7. ADB will finance the return airfare (economy class) for two civil society group/NGO representatives from each of the Southeast Asian countries from their country of origin to Manila, and subsistence allowance during their stay in Manila. Hotel accommodations will likewise be covered by ADB.