Citations on the Earth Charter
1) Citations on Water:
DENMARK
Statement by Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, President of the
EU, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,
2 September 2002
“A key challenge is to solve the serious problem of providing
clean drinking water and sanitation to every village, town and city
on the planet. This should be our primary goal. By doing this we could
save many million lives every year. We could prevent hundreds of million
people from suffering from serious diseases each and every year.
‘And how much would this cost?’ you may ask. It would
be a one-off expense of around $200 billion. But it may very well
be humanity's best investment to achieve development and sustainability.
We have the technology and talent. It is achievable.”
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Statement by Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission,
The North-South Pact at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September 2002
“Tomorrow we will be unveiling a major initiative on water with
our partners in Africa and the Newly Independent States. By bringing
water to millions in Africa, it will make a major, contribution to
halving the number of people without access to safe drinking water
and improved sanitation by 2015.
We also want to foster cooperation on international rivers and lakes
so water can be turned into a factor for peace and not a source of
conflict and war.
Drinking water is a top priority for the EU because for a fifth of
humanity lack of access to clean water is the prime cause of bad health
and underdevelopment. Lack of water deprives hundreds of millions
of men--and above all women--of their energy, their time and, ultimately,
their dignity.”
PORTUGAL
Statement by H.E. Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso, Prime
Minister of Portugal, at the World Summit for Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September 2002
“If we want to avoid the dire predicament of having by 2025
two-thirds of the world population living in water stressed areas,
we must act now, and we must act decisively. Water basin management
projects can play a key role in preventing and avoiding future calamities.
We also believe that a sustainable future is one where renewable energy
sources play far more than just a token role.”
BOTSWANA
Statement by His Honour Lt. General SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, Vice
President of the Republic of Botswana, to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2nd September 2002
“In Botswana water is a scarce resource, and a very critical
economic, social and environmental resource. Access to safe clean
water is a basic human right. The Government of Botswana is currently
reviewing the National Water Master Plan that was completed in 1992.
The Water Master Plan provides for development and better management
strategies for water resources in the country. Achieving the Millennium
development goals of access to safe drinking water and sanitation
remain key elements of poverty eradication and disease prevention.”
NIGERIA
Statement by His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President, at
the World Summit on Sustainable Development , Johannesburg, South
Africa, 2 September, 2002
“May I, at this juncture, present part of the declaration of
the African Ministerial Council on Water adopted in April this year.
After noting various international events on improving the management
and care for water resources, from Rio Principle in 1992 through to
NEPAD programme, the Ministers express their concern in graphic statistical
terms for the dire need for water in Africa.”
HOLY SEE
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Renato Raffaele Martino, Apostolic
Nuncio, Head Of Delegation Of The Holy See at the World Summit On
Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September 2002
“One of the basic elements for human existence is water. Today
substantial numbers of our human family face inadequate supplies of
water and decreased access to freshwater as well as a severe lack
of sanitation services. The primary responsibility for the equitable
and. sustainable use, protection and management of the world's water
resources rests with governments. In the struggle to eradicate poverty,
water plays a vital role, not only as pertains to health but as a
productive element. The World Summit for Sustainable Development must
address this challenge of the availability of this key life-giving
resource since if left untreated, death will result for those unable
to gain access to water.”
LUXEMBOURG
Déclaration de S.E. M. Charles Goerens, Discours du Ministre
de l'Environnement, de la Coopération au Développement
et de l'Action Humanitaire, Sommet mondial pour le développement
durable, Johannesburg, South Africa, 03 septembre 2002
“Un recours massif aux énergies renouvelables de 15 %
par rapport à la consommation globale aura sans aucun doute
des effets bénéfiques au niveau social, économique
et environnemental tout en contribuant, au niveau géopolitique,
à la prévention de certains conflits.
Il est de la plus grande nécessité
de réduire de moitié d'ici 2015 le nombre de personnes
privées d'accès à l'eau potable et d'hygiène
sanitaire. L'eau et l'assainissement constituent un secteur prioritaire
de la coopération luxembourgeoise.”
OMAN
Statement by His Highness Sayyid Assaad bin Tariq Al- Said, Representative
of His Majesty of the Sultanate of Oman at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development , Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 September 2002
“There is a serious need to protect water resources and to ensure
the quality of potable water through the establishment of water purification
and wastewater treatment facilities in the developing countries. This
is even more acute in and around semi-arid areas with depleting stock
of surface and groundwater. These regions should be supported with
the extension of international expertise for the provision of demand-driven
country and regional water management strategies in these areas. Moreover,
we propose that this Summit include in its proceedings the basic recommendations
of the "Muscat Declaration" following the Oman International
Conference on the Development and Management of Water Conveyance Systems.
The Conference stresses the need to recognize the role of traditional
water conveyance systems in the stability of agricultural communities
as well as the challenges and difficulties faced by such communities.
It therefore urges developed countries to transfer the relevant technology
to developing countries so as to assist them to manage and maintain
their water resources.”
TANZANIA
Statement by His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa, President of the
United Republic of Tanzania at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 September 2002
“The wheel of development must turn to provide. and guarantee
safe water, to secure source of water, and to develop the capacity
to access it at affordable cost. Here again, the lime. between water
and sanitation on the one hand, and poverty and. disease on the other
is firmly established. Children die to thousands from preventable
water- borne diseases. I have people going blind in my country from
trachoma for lack of water to wash their faces every day. Let this
Summit make firm commitments to provide safe water and sanitation
for everyone.”
LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA
Statement by H.E. Mr. Abdurrahaman Mohamed Shalgam, Secretary of the
General Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation,
at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South
Africa, 3 September 2002
“Such action requires the tackling of problems that have always
been major obstacles to the protection of the environment and achievement
of sustainable development. First of all comes the combat of desertification,
minimizing the impact of drought, floods and other natural disasters
and set policies aiming at the development of water resources, by
establishing desalination systems, and preventing the flow of rain
water, rivers and melting snow into the seas and the oceans. It is
essential to exert a great international effort to rescue lakes which
shrink increasingly, protect rivers from pollution and address high
rates of erosion in order to avoid a human disaster and not only an
environmental one.”
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Statement by His Excellency Adnan Khozam, Head of the Syrian Arab
Republic, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,
South Africa, 3 September 2002
“Syria has bilateral and multilateral agreements, in the field
of environment , with many countries and it is signatory to many international
agreements about environment including the Non Navigational use of
International waterways treaties. We call, from this platform, on
non-party states to accede to this treaty.”
PALESTINE
Statement by State of Palestine at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 04 September 2002
“The PNA calls upon the international community to help it in
the following aspects:
On the environmental level:
Encouraging integrated
management of water resources including development of the necessary
legislation for optimal utilization and protecting it from pollution,
and supporting the efforts to develop alternative water resources,
develop new technologies for desalination of seawater, harvest of
storm-water and reuse of treated wastewater.”
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2) Citations on Energy:
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Statement by the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, the Prime Minister, at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
Monday 2 September 2002
“[Sustainable Development] means changing the way we consume
resources - particularly energy.
It means the world, the whole world, facing up to the challenges of
climate change. Kyoto is right, and it should be ratified by us all.
But it only slows the present rate of damage. To reverse it, we need
to reduce dramatically the level of pollution. Let us at least set
that direction.”
FRANCE
Statement by His Excellency Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of The French
Republic, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,
South Africa, 2nd September 2002
“We have before us five priority areas of action.
First, climate change. Human activity started it. It threatens us
with a planetary tragedy. Now is no longer the time for an “every
country for itself” attitude. A solemn call should go out from
Johannesburg to all the countries in the world, especially the leading
industrialised countries, to ratify and apply the Kyoto Protocol.
Climate warming is still reversible. Heavy would be the responsibility
of those who refused to fight it.”
CONGO
Allocution de son Excellence Monsieur Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Président
de la République du Congo, au Sommet Mondial pour le
Développement Durable, Johannesburg - Afrique du Sud, 3 septembre
2002
« II n'y aura pas de développement qui soit durable
si notre planète elle-même n'est pas protégée
des facteurs destructeurs de l'environnement. C'est ainsi que nous
demandons aux Etats qui n'ont pas encore ratifié le Protocole
de Kyoto ou qui n'y ont pas encore adhéré, de le faire
sans délai. »
BELGIUM
Discours de Guy Verhofstadt, Premier Ministre, au Sommet Mondial sur
le Développement Durable, Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud, le
2 Septembre 2002
« Nous avons tous constaté récemment, en
Europe, en Asie, en Amérique, que le changement du climat est
une réalité et pas la prédiction de l'un ou l'autre
excentrique. Il est grand temps que tous, je le répète
tous, ratifient le protocole de Kyoto et commencent à le mettre
en oeuvre effectivement. »
TUVALU
Statement by the Honourable Saufatu Sopoanga,OBE, the Prime Minister
of Tuvalu, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,
South Africa, 2 September 2002
“Climate change inevitably affects SIDS and everyone else. Therefore,
we must insist that all parties, especially the highest per capita
emitters of greenhouse gases, take immediate steps to ratify the Kyoto
Protocol as a matter of urgency.”
SWEDEN
Statement by Mr Göran Persson, Prime Minister of Sweden, at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
3 September 2002
“We must be able to provide energy to the two billion people
that today lack access to modern forms of energy, without increasing
pollution and changing our climate. We need to initiate the transition
away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. We need
to mobilize scientists, businesses and trade unions as well as consumers
in a strategy for a decisive change to use new technologies and learn
new behaviours. A global target of 15 percent renewable energy by
2010 would facilitate all this.”
NORWAY
Statement by Kjell Magne Bondevik, Prime Minister, at the World Summit
on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 September
2002
“Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing
humanity. The evidence of global warming caused by human activity
is stronger than ever. The climate is changing, and we are to blame.
What would be the only natural reaction? Simply, take action. Russia
has today announced that they will ratify the Kyoto Protocol. I welcome
this. It means that the Kyoto Protocol will enter into force soon.
I strongly urge other countries to follow suit and ratify. We must
also prepare for more ambitious international commitments after 2012.
As prime minister of Norway I want to declare Norway's readiness to
join forces with EU and other countries in creating a coalition for
increased use of renewable energy globally. With the text now agreed
in this area in the Plan of Implementation, such an alliance is more
important than ever.”
AUSTRIA
Statement by Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Austrian Foreign Minister,
at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South
Africa, 3 September 2002
“For our own sake and for the sake of future generations, we
have to continue to debate this issue and to take concrete action,
such as ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. My country has ratified the
Kyoto Protocol and other related instruments and thus fully endorses
the EU goals in this context, which we consider crucial for reaching
the objectives of this summit. I strongly appeal to those who have
not yet ratified to follow suit. Austria has initiated and has been
the driving force in the Global Forum for Sustainable Energy, which
provides a platform for dialogue between all interested parties -
developed and developing countries, the private sector, international
organizations and NGOs and will take action to provide access to energy
for people in developing countries. Let me assure you that Austria
will continue to play an active part in any future international debate
to advance the idea of renewable energy and of the reduction of green
house gases. The next Global Forum will take place in November in
Graz, Austria.”
SPAIN
Statement by Mr. JAUME MATAS PALOU, Minister of Environment of the
Spanish Government and the Head of Spain's Official Delegation at
the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,
4 September 2002
“One of the environmental challenges we face is combating the
risks associated with climate change. To that end, all states must
carry out the necessary efforts for the rapid entry into force of
the Kyoto Protocol, but that is not enough. We should be capable of
changing our production and consumption patterns and, to that end,
the strong belief in renewable energies is necessary.”
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3) Citations on Ethics:
KENYA
Statement by His Excellency Hon. Daniel T. Arap Moi C.G.H. MP, President
and Commander in-Chief of The Republic of Kenya, at the World Summit
on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2nd September
2002
“Let us not lose an opportune moment to build a new ethic of
global stewardship. Let us seize the opportunity to make the planet
earth a better habitat for the present and future generations.”
FRANCE
Statement by His Excellency Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of The French
Republic, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,
South Africa, 2nd September 2002
“Biological diversity and cultural diversity, both humanity's
common heritage, are threatened. The answer is to assert the right
to have diversity and adopt legal commitments on ethics.”
BOLIVIA
Statement by Jose G. Justiniano Sandoval, Minister of Sustainable
Development and Planning and Head of the Economic and, Social Ministerial
Council Republic of Bolivia, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September 2002
“At this Summit we are advocating for a good governance of the
international threats, in order to minimize the negative impacts on
our internal plans and needs. So the responsibility of the communities
requires also a global answer, including financial, commercial and
ethical foreign responsibilities.”
FINLAND
Statement by Tarja Halonen, the President of the Republic of Finland,
at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,South
Africa, 2 September 2002
“Globalisation can increase ways of overcoming poverty and strengthening
sustainable development. Its benefits must be divided more evenly
within and between countries. Globalisation is not only economic co-operation,
we must pay attention also to social, cultural and environmental concerns.
Global concerns call for global ethics.”
MONACO
Statement by HSH the Crown Prince Albert, Prince of Monaco, at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg,South Africa,
2 September 2002
“Once again, beyond the institutions, it is in the field, day
by day, that we can build a better world, through our solidarity,
through our everyday efforts, which are often far from super-human,
and by the trust and responsibility we feel towards a true ethics
of Sustainable Development.
Let us not hesitate, Mr President, to commit ourselves to this approach.
Otherwise, it is the whole world that will suffer.”
BELGIUM
Discours de Guy Verhofstadt, Premier Ministre, au Sommet Mondial sur
le Développement Durable, Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud, le
2 Septembre 2002
« Nous devons nous engager sur le plan éthique,
social, écologique et donc politique. Cette volonté
politique sera crédible et efficace le jour où on conférera
aux continents un poids et un pouvoir plus égal dans le processus
décisionnel. »
HOLY SEE
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Renato Raffaele Martino, Apostolic
Nuncio, Head Of Delegation Of The Holy See at the World Summit On
Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September 2002
“Juridical, economic and technical measures are not sufficient
to face the problems at the basis of sustainable development. Many
of these problems are issues of an ethical and moral nature, which
call for a profound change in modem civilization's typical patterns
of consumption and production, particularly in the industrialized
countries. In order to achieve this change, “we must encourage
and support the ‘ecological conversion’. (...) At
stake, then, is not only a ‘physical’ ecology that is
concerned to safeguard the habitat of the various living beings, but
also a ‘human ecology’ which rests primarily on ensuring
and safeguarding moral conditions in the actions of the human being
in the human environment.
In order to ensure the fulfilment of human ecology what is needed
is ‘education in ecological responsibility. This education cannot
be rooted in mere sentiment or empty wishes. [...] A true education
in responsibility entails a genuine conversion in way of thought and
behaviour’, promoting a true culture of life, which should be
the basis for the new culture of sustainable development.”
CAP VERT
Discours de Son Excellence, Commandant Pedro Pires, Président
de la République du Cap Vert, Sommet Mondial pour le Développement
Durable, Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud, 2 septembre 2002.
« D'ailleurs, l'humanité est liée par un
destin commun et la construction de ce destin ne saurait être
que de la responsabilité de tous et l'oeuvre de chacun. Pour
cela, nous devrons forger les normes éthiques correspondantes,
fondées sur l'unicité et la communauté de destin,
sur la co-responsabilité dans la gestion du futur et sur la
solidarité internationale intégrant une forte conscience
humaniste et écologique. Faisons-le pour que nos petits-enfants
puissent jouir d'un monde plus équilibré, plus sûr
et prometteur ! »
PHILIPPINES
Statement by Hon. Heherson T. Alvarez, Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 September 2002
“We applaud the recognition of ethics as being central to sustainable
development…
We welcome the reaffirmation of the right of people to information
and to meaningful participation in decision-making.”
4) Citations on the Earth
Charter:
SOUTH AFRICA
Statement by THABO MBEKI, the President of the Republic of South at
the Opening of the World Summit on SustainableDevelopment, Johannesburg,
South Africa, August 26, 2002
“The noble concept of human solidarity has, once again, regained
currency as a driving force in the reconstruction and development
of our common world. This confirms our collective capacity to overcome
cynicism, to outgrow market fundamentalism, to accept the imperative
for people-centred development. Among others, the Earth Charter represents
this healthy development.”
COSTA RICA
Statement by the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. ABEL
PACHECO DE LA ESPRIELLA, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, September 2, 2002
“Our aspiration is to bring an ethical and humanistic perspective
to economic development. Later this month in Costa Rica, we will submit
for the consideration of our Congress a Constitutional Chapter on
Environmental Guarantees that includes the fundamental principles
of the Earth Charter.”
ROMANIA
Statement by H.E. Mr. Ion Iliescu, President of Romania, at the World
Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September
2002
“The targets set in Agenda 21, post-Rio conventions, Millennium
Declaration, and more recently the Doha Agreements and the Monterrey
consensus provide a sound basis for our renewed commitment to specific
action in line with the implementation guidelines to be adopted at
this Summit. The proposed Earth Charter further offers a moral underpinning
for political action.”
JORDAN
Statement by H.E. Dr. Bassem I. Awadallah, Minister of Planning, Head
of Jordanian Delegation at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 September 2002
“We meet here today as we recognize our mutual reliance as people
and as nations. We have reached cross-roads in Earth's history where
we, as humanity, must choose our destiny. As we strive through our
collective efforts to reduce the disparities between countries, and
enhance inclusiveness and equality, we would do well to draw on the
ethical vision of the Earth Charter. It is a vision that seeks to
inspire all peoples with a new sense of global interdependence and
shared responsibility for the well being of the human family and the
larger living world. In our struggle to bring forth a sustainable
global society, we must use this code of conduct as a common standard
by which our actions are to be guided and assessed.”
NETHERLANDS
Statement by Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg,South Africa, 3 September 2002
“Let us also be clear about business. Business can generate
financial flows many times greater than development aid. The investment
schemes must be sustainable. Employers must offer decent terms of
employment, comply with environmental norms and denounce corruption
in all its forms. We should encourage business to commit them to accountability.
Not because they have to. But because they want to, inspired by sustainable
development. Inspiration that might be drawn from the Earth Charter.”
REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA
Declaracion de Dr. RAFAEL F. DE MOYA PONS, Ministro del Medio Ambiente
y los Recursos Naturales de La República Dominicana, Sommet
mondial pour le developpement durable, Johannesburgo, AFRICA DEL SUR,
4 de septiembre de 2002
“Como se puede ver, nuestro compromiso con el desarrollo sostenible
es un compromiso práctico y real, ejercitado todos los días
y sustentado en una concepción ética del desarrollo.
Es por ello que también queremos dejar constancia de que la
República Dominicana apoya los principios enunciados en la
Carta de la Tierra que ponen al ser humano y a su entorno natural
por delante de los intereses económicos de corto plazo.”
Approximate English translation:
[As you can see, our commitment to sustainable development is a real
and practical commitment, exercised every day and sustained in an
ethical concept of development.
It is for this reason that we also wish to confirm the constancy of
the Dominican Republic’s support of the principles laid out
in the Earth Charter that put the human being and his/her natural
environment before short-term economic interests.]
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