[ba-unrev-talk] State of the World Report 2002
This page is worth a read even if you don't buy the report
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/sow/2002/ (01)
Not least:
"Chapter 7 - Breaking the Link Between Resources and Repression
Michael Renner (02)
In several countries around the developing world, abundant natural resources are
at the root of the matter-either triggering violent conflict or financing its
continuation. In fact, about a quarter of the 49 wars and armed conflicts waged
during 2000 had a strong resource dimension. And many of them are taking place
in areas of great environmental value. (03)
In some cases, groups initiate violence to gain and maintain control over
lucrative resources. In others, the pillaging of oil, minerals, metals,
gemstones, or timber allows wars to continue that were initially caused by other
factors, such as unresolved grievances or ideological struggles, as seen in
Sierra Leone (diamonds) and Afghanistan (emeralds, lapis lazuli, heroin).
Conflict has also erupted in countries such as Columbia (oil) and Indonesia
(timber, natural gas), where the benefits accrue to a small elite while the
social and environmental burdens are borne by local communities. (04)
World Summit priorities: Developing stronger global certification systems for
diamonds, timber, and other resources to make it easier to screen out those
produced and traded illicitly in conflict areas. And securing better compliance
with U.N. sanctions against illicit resource trafficking by improving the
capacity of the United Nations, regional and international organizations, and
governments to monitor and enforce embargoes. (05)
Chapter 8 - Reshaping Global Governance
Hilary French
The Rio Earth Summit resulted in several major developments in international
governance, including new treaties on climate change and biological diversity,
the creation of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development, and sections of
Agenda 21 dedicated to broader questions of institutional reform, financing, and
public participation. But a few years later, the World Trade Organization was
created with a starkly different vision of the future global economy. (06)
Ten years after Rio, there are more than 500 environmental treaties and
agreements, but few of them contain specific targets and timetables and most are
weak on provisions for monitoring and enforcement. At the same time, the U.N
Environment Programme and other key ecological initiatives are strapped for
cash, and overall aid spending has declined substantially. Despite this
lackluster track record, at the World Summit in Johannesburg nations will have
another chance to shift the course of the global economy and the institutions
that underpin it away from destruction and toward ecological and social
integrity. (07)
World Summit priorities: Partnering with NGOs, businesses, governments, and
international institutions are key to ensuring a successful outcome at
Johannesburg; promoting greater cooperation and coherence between the United
Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade
Organization; and respecting the goals and provisions of international
environmental, human rights, and labor treaties and standards." (08)
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Peter (09)