Costa Rica Hosts Meeting on Sustainable Production

LAST week, Costa Rica hosted the Second International Expert Meeting on the 10-Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption or Production, known as the Marrakech Process.Approximately 150 participants from 80 countries attended the conference, according to Costa Rican Vice-Minister of the Environment Allan Flores. It ran Sept. 5-9 at Hotel San José Palacio in the capital.Flores said the objectives of the meeting included the exchange of experiences in sustainable production between countries and an evaluation of the achievements of the first meeting, held in Marrakech, Morocco, in June 2003.“This being our second opportunity, we believe we have advanced a lot and we will have the chance to develop the program within 10 years,” said Flores, referring to the 10-Year Framework of programs supporting initiatives for sustainable consumption and production. The framework is designed to improve efficiency and sustainability in the use of resources while reducing pollution and waste.Participants at the meeting were divided into five working groups dealing with topics including production and industrial development processes, urban planning and waste management, energy, air pollution, climate change and the atmosphere.The meeting was organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Environment Program, the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Costa Rican National Cleaner Production Center.