According to abbreviationfinder, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) was an international gathering held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The summit was organized by the United Nations (UN) to discuss ways to promote sustainable development and implement the goals set out in the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. The summit was attended by more than 100 heads of state, as well as representatives from civil society, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
The goal of the WSSD was to build a global partnership for sustainable development that would bring together all stakeholders—governments, civil society, industry and international organizations—in order to develop a shared vision for achieving sustainable development. The summit resulted in the adoption of a number of commitments, including the “Johannesburg Plan of Implementation” (JPOI) which outlined specific steps that governments should take to reduce poverty while preserving natural resources. The JPOI also addressed issues such as climate change, water management, biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency and access to health care.
The WSSD also resulted in a number of other outcomes including:
• The establishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), an international financial mechanism designed to assist developing countries with environmental projects;
• The adoption of the “Biodiversity Strategic Plan” which set out strategies for conserving biological diversity;
• A commitment from developed countries to provide developing countries with financial assistance for sustainable development;
• A commitment from developed countries to reduce emissions from fossil fuels;
• A commitment from governments to promote corporate social responsibility among businesses;
• A commitment from governments to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation services;
• An agreement by governments and non-governmental organizations to work together on projects related to sustainable development.
In addition, the WSSD provided a platform for discussion between political leaders on how best to tackle global challenges such as climate change and poverty reduction. It also provided an opportunity for civil society organizations such as NGOs and industry representatives to voice their opinions on how best these challenges can be addressed. Furthermore, it enabled participants from different countries around the world—including those representing less developed nations—to share their experiences with each other regarding successful initiatives or policies related to sustainable development they have implemented in their respective countries. Finally, it enabled participants from different sectors—such as government agencies, private companies and non-governmental organizations—to cooperate more closely with each other towards achieving common objectives related to sustainability.
Overall, the World Summit on Sustainable Development played an important role in raising awareness about global environmental challenges while providing an opportunity for stakeholders around the world—from different backgrounds and perspectives—to come together in order discuss solutions that could lead us towards a more sustainable future.
