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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions are divided into four different topics. Click on each (in the listing to the right) to view the corresponding questions and answers.

Partnerships for Sustainable Development

  1. What are partnerships for sustainable development?
  2. How can I register my partnership?
  3. Are there criteria for partnerships for sustainable development?
  4. What are the benefits of registering a partnership?
  5. What is the CSD Partnerships Fair?
  6. What is the 'value-added' contribution of partnerships?
  7. Can my organization join an existing partnership?
  8. How can registered partnerships update their information?
  9. Are there any UN decisions on partnerships for sustainable development?
  10. How do partnerships relate to governments actions and commitments?
  11. How are partnerships governed or managed?
  12. Is the performance of partnerships monitored or reviewed?
  13. Are there specific themes for partnerships?
  14. What was the Rome Forum on partnerships?
  15. What was the Marrakech Forum on partnerships?

Q1. What are partnerships for sustainable development?

These are voluntary multi-stakeholder initiatives which contribute to the implementation of inter-governmental commitments in Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. They are an important complementary outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).

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Q2. How can I register my partnership?

Partnerships wishing to be associated with the CSD and the follow-up to WSSD can register their initiative by completing the Partnerships Registration Form. The questions in the form directly relate to the criteria and guidelines for partnerships for sustainable development, agreed at the 11th Session of the CSD. Registration is an ongoing process and there is no deadline.

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Q3. Are there criteria for partnerships for sustainable development?

At the 11th Session of the CSD in May 2003, governments agreed that partnerships within the context of the WSSD process and its follow-up should be developed and implemented in accordance with a set of agreed criteria and guidelines, taking note of the preliminary work undertaken on partnerships during the preparatory process for WSSD including the Bali Guiding Principles and General Assembly resolution A/RES/56/76.

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Q4. What are the benefits of registering a partnership?

Registration offers a number of benefits. Detailed information on registered partnerships is accessible via the CSD Partnerships Database. The information provided by registered partnerships forms the basis for summary reports prepared on a regular basis by the CSD Secretariat. Registered partnerships can present information on their partnerships at CSD Partnerships Fairs and other partnership-related events. These information-sharing activities help raise awareness and could lead to expansion in the form of new partners and funding or replication of successful projects.

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Q5. What is the CSD Partnerships Fair?

The Partnerships Fair at the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) provides a venue for partnerships for sustainable development to network, identify partners, create synergies between partnerships and learn from each other's experiences. The Partnerships Fair is part of the official programme of CSD session.

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Q6. What is the 'value-added' contribution of partnerships?

Partnerships enable all stakeholders to make concrete contributions to the implementation of sustainable development goals and commitments outlined in international agreements. They can improve the quality of implementation by involving those relevant stakeholders whose activities have direct impact on sustainable development. The need to actively engage these actors in implementation has become more pressing in view of changes brought about by globalization, making partnerships an effective vehicle for promoting sustainable development in a globalizing world.

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Q7. Can my organization join an existing partnership?

Most partnerships are open to all relevant stakeholders, whose organizational objectives and activities are consistent with the mission and goals of the partnership. If you are interested in joining a specific partnership, please email the Partnerships team at Partnerships Team for assistance in contacting the focal point of the partnership in question.

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Q8. How can registered partnerships update their information?

Lead contacts of registered partnerships have web access to their individual database entries and are able to directly edit and update their partnerships information. If you are a lead contact of a registered partnership wishing to update your information, and do not have the necessary username and password, please contact the Partnerships team for assistance:

Partnerships Team 
CSD Secretariat 
2 UN Plaza, DC2-2220 
New York, NY 10017 
Fax: +1 (212) 963 4260
E-mail

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Q9. Are there any UN decisions on partnerships for sustainable development?

At CSD-11, governments agreed that partnerships in the context of the WSSD process and its follow up should be developed and implemented in accordance with certain criteria and guidelines; in this regard, taking note of the preliminary work undertaken on partnerships during the preparatory process for WSSD, including the Bali Guiding Principles, and General Assembly resolution A/RES/56/76.

Governments also agreed that registration of partnerships should be voluntary and be based on written reporting to the Commission, taking into account the criteria and guidelines mentioned above. Reporting by partnerships should focus on their contribution to the implementation of goals, objectives and targets of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.  Partnerships should submit a regular report, preferably at least on a biennial basis. In December 2003, in its resolution 58/129, the General Assembly recalled the Commission on Sustainable Development's designation as the focal point for partnerships that promote sustainable development and reaffirmed the criteria and guidelines adopted at the eleventh session of the Commission and endorsed by the Economic and Social Council (decision 2003/289) at its substantive session in July 2003.

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Q10. How do partnerships relate to governments actions and commitments?

There is no substitute for governmental action. Partnerships are meant to supplement and complement actions and commitments by governments.

Commitments by governments are the corner stone of national, regional and global efforts to pursue sustainable development.  Agenda 21 is a testimony to that fact.  However, to pursue the goals of sustainable development, there is a need to broaden and strengthen the role of all relevant stakeholders in implementation.  

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Q11. How are partnerships governed or managed?

Partnerships are governed by partner organizations through a variety of mutually agreed mechanisms.  As per the CSD-11 guidelines - partnerships should be designed and implemented in a transparent and accountable manner. Decision-making structures within partnerships range from formal voting procedures to informal consensus.

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Q12. Is the performance of partnerships monitored or reviewed?

Partnerships are self-governing bodies with their own accountability mechanisms.  However, governments decided at CSD-11 that partnerships choosing to register with the CSD should provide transparent, participatory and credible information and reporting.

Reporting by partnerships should focus on their contribution to the implementation of goals, objectives and targets of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.  As per the criteria and guidelines, registered partnerships should submit a regular report, preferably at least on a biennial basis. Any updates received from partnerships are accessible via the Partnerships Database.

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Q13. Are there specific themes for partnerships?

No, partnerships can be related to any theme or area related to implementing sustainable development. Partnerships should contribute to the implementation of goals, objectives and targets of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

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Q14. What was the Rome Forum on partnerships?

The 1st International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development, also known as the Rome Forum was held in Rome, Italy, from 4-6 March 2004. The meeting was organised by the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory in cooperation with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA). The purpose of the Forum was to enhance the contribution of partnerships towards the implementation of sustainable development goals and objectives.

The outcome document of the Forum (E/CN.17/2004/15) was presented during the 12th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-12).

For more information, visit the Forum website at:
http://www2.minambiente.it/Sito/settori_azione/pia/att/forum_svs.asp

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Q15. What was the Marrakech Forum on partnerships?

The 2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development, also known as the Marrakech Forum was held in Marrakech, Morocco from 21 to 23 March 2005 under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Forum was organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Territory Planning, Water and Environment (MATEE) in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA) and other partners. The purpose of the meeting was to advance the implementation of sustainable development by strengthening and fostering water and energy-related partnerships. In particular, the Forum focused on issues related to the partnering process.

The outcome document of the Forum (E/CN.17/2005/7) was presented during the 13th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-13).

For more information, visit the Forum website at:
http://www.matee.gov.ma/forum-part.2005/INDEX.HTM

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