*{Opening Session, UNCSD 6
20 April 1998 

Speech by Maria Livanos Cattaui , Secretary General of the ICC "International Chamber of Commerce" 
United Nations Headquarters, New York [http://www.iccwbo.org/home/environment_and_energy/uncsd_6_20_april_1998.asp]

Chairman, your Excellencies, distinguished participants, it is indeed a great honour for me to make a presentation on behalf of global business and industry to the sixth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.}

This critically important session, in which industry has been chosen as the first stakeholder group for direct dialogue with the CSD, marks a true watershed in relations between the United Nations and the great diversity of business and industry I represent today. 

The role of business and industry in the CSD process goes to the very heart of the Secretary General’s clearly stated desire for a better means of consultation between the United Nations and the business community. 

On this basis, we look forward to a constructive and fruitful dialogue with all stakeholder groups participating in the two-day Industry Segment and in the High Level Panel ICC will co-host with the United Nations Environment Programme and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

I speak today as a genuine representative of broad global industry, large and small, domestic and multinational, covering all sectors. The International Chamber of Commerce, as the World Business Organisation, draws its members from more than 130 countries with direct corporate membership exceeding 7500 companies. 

In the six-years since the Rio Earth Summit, industry has been seriously addressing the complex and challenging Sustainable Development agenda. The generation and implementation of voluntary codes of conduct, the launch of international environmental management systems, and a business-driven technological revolution to introduce environmentally sound technologies represents a significant investment of time, finances and knowledge capital. 

This proactive industry approach to fostering Sustainable Development is set to accelerate as we approach the millennium. It indicates the broad agreement of industry worldwide to integrate sustainable development considerations into nearly every aspect of their day to day activities.

At the strategic level, Sustainable Development is now very firmly on the agenda within corporate boardrooms. This, in turn, is driving innovative improvements at the operational level as, worldwide, we are seeing companies improve resource efficiency, make great strides in energy conservation, reduce waste, and generate new, environmentally-sound products.

Naturally, there is no room for complacency when the scale of the economic, environmental and social challenges which make up the Sustainable Development agenda are considered.

I want to share with you a few brief comments on the four themes which will be considered during the Industry Segment and which go to the heart of industry’s Sustainable Development agenda.

*partie=titre First: Responsible Entrepreneurship. *partie=nil It is clearly apparent that responsible, entrepreneurial businesses are the driving force for sustainable economic development and, critically, they provide the managerial, technical and financial resources to contribute to the resolution of environmental concerns. 

But a particular challenge will be bringing Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and companies from the informal sector into the mainstream of good environmental management. This is an issue ICC considers a clear priority and a challenge we look forward to working on with various agencies of the United Nations.

More broadly, business and industry will continue to champion voluntary environmental initiatives that encourage companies to go beyond regulatory compliance, in the spirit of responsible entrepreneurship.

*partie=titre Second: Corporate Environmental Management Tools. *partie=nil I firmly believe the innovative basket of environmental management tools that have been developed are the mechanism to integrate sustainable development considerations into everyday business. 

Furthermore, developing initiatives for public and private sector partnerships show great promise for the increased voluntary use of Environmental Management Systems. Such efforts will contribute to a harmonisation of environmental regulation and enforcement and will drive further improvements in corporate policy and practice. 

*partie=titre Third: Technology Cooperation. *partie=nil Successful technology co-operation, tailored to the specific national or corporate case, is critical to the implementation of sustainable development. There is a concern that excessive government regulation of technology co-operation could stifle innovation and limit access to needed technology. Commercialisation of Research and Development programmes for new technologies to function as part of normal business life as quickly as possible is important in order to achieve the common goals. 

To this effect governments should enhance an effective business environment to catalyse the process of commercialisation. 

The private sector has an increasing role to play in delivery of effective technology cooperation which, clearly, involves the transfer of skills and knowledge not just technological hardware. While it is apparent that the free market is the main driving force for the efficient introduction and assimilation of technology, in order to foster successful, long-term technology co-operation it is necessary that all parties gain from the co-operation, while, at the same time ensuring the protection of patents and intellectual property rights of the developer. ICC strongly recommends a concerted effort to create an efficient framework that promotes successful technology co-operation.

*partie=titre Fourth: Industry and fresh water. *partie=nil It is apparent that the 21st Century will witness increasing competition for finite fresh water resources. Industry, which is not the main user of water, has financial, technical and management resources, and is well positioned to contribute to the resolution of broader societal problems in this critical area. 

It is apparent that all sectors need to co-operate if society is to avert or minimize adverse effects associated with emerging fresh water shortages. 

The elements of a comprehensive water strategy are rather straightforward and apply to all parties. Growing evidence demonstrates that industry has already begun to manage industrial water use more effectively. 

One future task is to continue raising awareness within the business community and encourage others, notably within the agricultural sector, to take action now. The issue of economic pricing of water, both for agriculture and domestic use, remains primarily a government and public policy issue. Subsidies should be phased out since they encourage waste and prevent better management of finite fresh water resources. The 1992 Dublin Principle was clear and correct: "Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good."

In closing let me say that the ICC’s commitment to Sustainable Development is absolute. Our 16 point Business Charter for Sustainable Development, published in 20 languages and now entering its 8th year, remains one of the key foundation stones for corporate environmental thinking during the 1990s. ICC is now actively exploring complementary voluntary environmental assessment tools to build on what the ICC Charter helped achieve. This will allow business to enter the 21st century with a practical, effective and pragmatic business tool with which to address critical environmental issues as well as the broader issues of Sustainable Development.

*{Speech Ends

Commission on Environment}