BASIC INFORMATION

What Is Johannesburg Summit 2002?
Johannesburg Summit 2002 – the World Summit on Sustainable Development – will bring together tens of thousands of participants, including heads of State and Government, national delegates and leaders from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses and other major groups to focus the world's attention and direct action toward meeting difficult challenges, including improving people's lives and conserving our natural resources in a world that is growing in population, with ever-increasing demands for food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security.

Why Now?
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, the international community adopted Agenda 21, an unprecedented global plan of action for sustainable development. But the best strategies are only as good as their implementation. Ten years later, the Johannesburg Summit presents an exciting opportunity for today's leaders to adopt concrete steps and identify quantifiable targets for better implementing Agenda 21.

When & Where Is It?
The Summit will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. The Summit will be held in the Sandton Convention Centre, just outside Johannesburg. A non-governmental forum will take place at the nearby Gallagher Estate.

Who Will Be Going?
Broad participation and inclusiveness are key to the success of sustainable development. All sectors of society have a role to play in building a future in which global resources are protected, and prosperity and health are within reach for all of the world's citizens. In addition to governments, there will be active participation by representatives from business and industry, children and youth, farmers, indigenous people, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, scientific and technological communities, women and workers and trade unions. These represent the Major Groups identified in Agenda 21.

Getting Involved
If your organization wants to participate at the Johannesburg Summit or the global preparatory committee meetings (PrepComs), it must first be accredited with the United Nations. Individuals wishing to participate should be affiliated with an accredited organization.

Side Events
Side events are events that take place in the margins of official inter-governmental meetings, organised for the purpose of sharing experiences and increasing opportunities for dialogue among the official meeting's participants. A number of side events coordinated by the UN are being held during the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings. Others will be held inside the Sandton Convention Centre throughout the Summit. Click here for more information on side events.

Parallel Events
Around the time of the Summit, a number of additional events - known as parallel events - will take place in the Johannesburg area. These events are being convened and managed by organisations or groups that are independent of the United Nations. The Johannesburg World Summit Company (JOWSCO) - a non-profit company that is wholly owned by the South African government and which is managing logistical operations on behalf of the Summit’s host nation - is coordinating logistics for these parallel events. Click here for more information on parallel events.

Who Is Organising The Summit?
The tenth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (known as CSD10) is acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Summit which is the central organising body. CSD10 is having four preparatory meetings for the Summit during 2001-2002, known as PrepComs. These meetings are being held as follows:

PrepCom 1: 30 April - 2 May 2001,New York
PrepCom 2: 28 January - 8 February 2002, New York
PrepCom 3: 25 March - 4 April 2002, New York
PrepCom 4: 27 May - 7 June 2002, Bali, Indonesia