last updated 22nd September 05
by 4ecotips.com

WWF says outcome document highly significant

As the largest gathering of world leaders in history came to a close, WWF, the global conservation organization, said that the World Summit's outcome document addressed key environmental issues, as well as acknowledging the important link between development and the environment.

The document was negotiated by more than 170 nations and sets the United Nations agenda for the next several years, including the distribution of more than US$400 billion of government aid to developing countries.

"With the World Summit concentrating on issues of international concern such as disarmament, terrorism, and UN management reform, there was a real danger that sustainable development and the environment would be traded away in the last small hour negotiations," said Gordon Shepherd, WWF Director of International Policy.

"That environmental sustainability is being recognized by Heads of State as an equal priority on the international agenda is significant."

The outcome document sets priorities for world leaders for the next several years and directs how US$400 bn of government aid to developing countries will be spent. While not as strong as WWF had hoped, critical environmental issues were at least mentioned, including oceans, biodiversity, climate change, forests, toxics, freshwater, long-term sustainable development, and replenishment of the Global Environment Facility.

"We have a long way to go, but as the key 'to do' list for all world leaders, the document provides a crucial hook for environment issues to be integrated in development policy," Shepherd said.