Newsletter No. 3, February 2002

PrepCom II - New York 28 Jan - 8 Feb

Dialogues between all major groups and governments were held at PrepCom II held in New York 28 January - 8 February. Representatives from BASD, ICC, WBCSD and 60 other business delegates were present to convey the 'business message' (read the summary documents).

PrepCom III - New York 25 March - 5 April

The next Preparatory Meeting will be held in New York 25 March - 5 April. This will be a governmental meeting with no formal stakeholder dialogue, however, side events by the major groups will take place. Several business representatives will be present for various periods during the PrepCom (more information)

Business Day

BASD will organize a high profile ‘business day’(read the concept paper) at the Summit aiming to bring together leaders from business, government and civil society to express commitments and initiatives in line with the agenda and main objectives of the Summit.

Organisers agreed that the Business Day should be held on Sunday, 01 September 2002. This places it at the end of the first week and one day before heads of state and government meet. This date offers the best opportunity for attracting high profile leaders from all sectors of society.

The proposed programme is organised into four plenary sessions including keynote addresses and panel sessions. Each panel discussion will address a different sustainable development theme - your input is encouraged.

Initiatives

The BASD website features initiatives and relevant links for continuous development in the lead up to the Summit. Initiatives will be displayed with a short description plus a link to the website. We ask you please to send Eric Beynon the web address of initiatives you would like displayed.

'Virtual' Exhibition

The plans for a ‘virtual exhibition' (read the concept paper) are being refined, but the concept remains the same: as a screen-based 'virtual' exhibition of best practices, initiatives and projects. It is intended as a continual presentation in Johannesburg – centrally located in the main conference centre, in exhibition halls and around the city - with screens displaying 'live' and 'prepared' presentations including interactive web pages of sustainable development initiatives and projects from around the world. The exhibition will be co-ordinated in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Legacy Projects

BASD fully supports the idea that the Summit should leave a lasting legacy (read the concept paper). Such projects actually offer business a concrete and sustainable way of contributing to the Summit and the projects should fit in well with normal business social development aims.

Johannesburg Summit Side Events

Side events can now be booked for the Johannesburg Summit.

For official UN side events, arrangements can be made through the United Nations: www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/basic_info/sideevents.html

For Johannesburg World Summit recognised side events, arrangements can be made through Johannesburg World Summit Company (JOWSCO) (Read the application form).

The Ubuntu Village and Ubuntu Exhibition

The Ubuntu Exhibition is targeted to governments, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and representatives of the major groups, including
business and industry. Broad participation is expected.

The exhibition will not only focus on cultural and social matters. The themes of the exhibition are Agenda 21, 101 ways to sustainable development
and the Secretary General's report. Technology is expected to play a role.

The Ubuntu Village will be sited at Wanderers Stadium and Club, in Zone 1. A shuttle service between the main convention centre and the Ubuntu Village
will ensure ease of access. In addition the Ubuntu Village will be the transport hub for Zone 1 - all shuttle services between other venues will route through the Ubuntu Village.

The Ubuntu Village will be a secure location and will be accessable to UN accredited delegates and SA accredited delegates.

A complete update on the exhibition will be available at Prepcom 3 in New York - 25 March. (More information)

Hotel Booking

Priority hotel bedroom booking is now available for business delegates for the period of the Johannesburg Summit - 26 August - 4 September 2002.

Before 15 March 2002 (when the on-line reservation system is activated) business delegates can complete the accomodation form and send it to the Summit organisers to reserve rooms. The contact email is recorded at the top of the form. Rooms must be reserved for the full 10-day period of the Summit.

From 15 March 2002 rooms must be booked via the online booking system which will be available to the wider public on the Destination Management Company website (to be announced).

Business Centre

The Hilton Hotel has been designated for the business community. Meeting rooms will be available for business delegates as well as a business centre providing technical equipment.

Johannesburg Summit Sponsorship

The Johannesburg World Summit Company (JOWSCO) has put together a list of budget items which business can help support. Read the list of these budget relief items!

Please forward this Summit Update to your constituents. If you have not received this update email directly then please sign up for the BASD News Alert on the BASD homepage.

Contact

Eric Beynon
Business Action for Sustainable Development
38 Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris, France
tel: 33 (0)1 49 53 30 65
fax: 33 (0)1 49 53 28 59
email: eric@basd-action.net
web: www.basd-action.net