A shared future - balanced development - Short version
5. A global deal| Sustainable development and a better environment can only be achieved through broad international cooperation. As a small, internationally oriented country, Denmark has an interest and responsibility in contributing to global sustainable development. At the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, Denmark will endeavour to achieve a global deal regarding sustainable development and global partnership. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries have committed themselves to decoupling economic growth from negative environmental impacts, to assisting developing countries to achieve economic growth, to alleviating poverty, and to achieving good governance. All countries, including the developing countries should agree to abide by international agreements and to consider environmental concerns when developing. |  |
Denmark will continue to contribute to creating a world of peace and stability, with less
poverty and a high level of environmental protection. Global sustainable development
implies that all countries respect human rights and democracy, as well as openness and
responsibility in government administration. Denmark considers it important to balance
economic, social, and environmental considerations in international efforts towards global
sustainable development.
Denmark has contributed to supporting sustainable development and environmental projects in developing and Eastern European countries. In 2002 Denmark provides approximately DDK 12.6 billion in development assistance. The Danish assistance is targeted at alleviating poverty while ensuring that neither natural resources or society's resources are over-exploited. Denmark's assistance has strengthened its international reputation. Denmark is working actively to encourage the many countries - also EU countries - which contribute less development assistance than the UN's goal of 0.7 percent of their GNP, to increase their contributions.
Denmark has increased the funds available for environmental projects in developing countries and Eastern European countries. Denmark will also support developing countries in living up to global environmental conventions, and assist them in solving the enormous environmental problems which arise in conjunction with rapidly growing megacities.
Denmark is working actively via cooperation with the EU to improve European and international environmental protection. Denmark will contribute by implementing, and following up on the EU's Sixth Environmental Action Programme and the EU's Strategy for Sustainable Development. Denmark will, through the Cardiff Process, continue to work towards integrating environmental concerns into EU policies. The Cardiff Process is one of the most important new tools in the EU's sustainable development policy. It is important EU leaders follow these efforts closely.
Denmark will work towards an active followup to the OECD's strategy for sustainable development adopted at the summit on sustainable development when Denmark chaired the OECD, in May 2001.
Denmark strives toward a world market characterised by free trade based on high environmental and social standards, where the precautionary principle is central. Denmark will work actively to ensure that the upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) meetings involve negotiations where the developing countries are active partners and where the results reflect these countries' own interests, as well as the necessity of integrating the developing countries, especially African, into the global economy.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development will be held in South Africa in August September, 2002.With the EU presidency, Denmark will work actively to create a new global deal for sustainable development and a global partnership.The deal should, among others, require the developed countries to commit to the following: decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation; supporting developing countries in their attempts to obtain economic growth; limiting poverty; increasing access to global markets; and establishing good governance. Other issues to be discussed may include debt relief, investments, and technology transfer. Additionally, all countries, including the developing countries, must comply with their international commitments and integrate environmental concerns into their production and administration.
Denmark is hopeful that the World Summit may result in initiatives which will improve public access to information on the environment, sustainable development, and participation in the decision-making processes.