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The
Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) supports OAS member
States in the design and implementation of policies, programs and
projects oriented to integrate environmental priorities with poverty
alleviation, and socio-economic development goals. Translating
sustainable development and environmental protection goals into
concrete actions, DSD supports the execution of multiple-country
projects in such diverse areas as
integrated water
management,
renewable energy,
land-titling,
natural Hazards-climate change adaptation,
biological diversity
and
environmental law and policy. The Department also supports
transparency and
Public Participation, as
practical ingredients of good governance.
Recent policy mandates
emanated from:
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The First Inter-American Meeting of
Ministers and High Level Authorities on Sustainable Development (Santa
Cruz +10) in 2006, |
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the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, |
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the meeting of the Inter-American
Committee on Sustainable Development (CIDS) in Washington DC, in 2002, |
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the III Summit of the Americas held in
Quebec City, Canada, in 2001, and |
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the Summit of the Americas on Sustainable
Development held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 1996. |
Recent
work involves supporting sub-regional trade-related capacity-building;
improving the sound management of chemicals; identifying innovative ways to
support public participation and good governance; and identifying workable
partnerships in the financing of sustainable development.
Objectives
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Provide support, in areas of its technical
expertise, to the political organs of the OAS, and represent the General
Secretariat in technical dialogues in the hemisphere and in
intergovernmental environmental fora especially those of the United Nations.
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Formulate and execute technical cooperation
projects within its field of expertise, including follow-up of the mandates
of the Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development.
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Facilitate exchanges of information on
sustainable development in the region and lay the foundation for
participation by civil society in decision-making on environmental
management.
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Assist countries and regions in preparing investment projects for
consideration by regional and international financing mechanisms.
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Support efforts to promote coordination and
cooperation among bilateral and international agencies and non-governmental
organizations in pursuit of the goals established by the member states of
the OAS.
Stratgics areas
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Challenges
Effective
Institutions: Countries in the Hemisphere have distinct environmental
management sectors and have gone through a renaissance of constitutional
and legal reform and capacity building, but major gains are needed in
accountability, incentives to the private sector for pollution control,
cost recovery, enforcement and compliance. Environment is an important
and measurable component in the marketplace. To apply thee measures to
project evaluation, “best practices” of environmental assessment and
economic analysis of environmental impact should be factored into the
calculations of whether a project is sustainable. Environmental goods
and services are no longer considered free goods. Decentralization and
civil-society involvement are proven factors in building effective
institutions.
Improved data for decision-making. Among the key challenges facing the
Hemisphere is the need to increase statistical information and analysis
on environmental conditions and sustainability indicators at the
country-specific and regional levels. In the area of trade and
integration, countries are seeking ways to ensure that the hemispheric
trade agenda provides an opportunity to advance environmental standards,
institutions, civil society networks and the private sector in assessing
the social and environmental impacts of economic liberalization.
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