Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Regional Preparatory Meeting

I would like to share with you a few thoughts of my government regarding the Summit. The United States is committed to balancing and integrating the goals of economic development, social development, and environmental protection. Economic growth is essential for sustainable development. In pursuing economic growth, countries must also ensure that poverty is reduced and that the many segments of society share in its benefits. Providing for health care and education, protecting the environment, and delinking growth from environmental degradation must be an integral part of development objectives. Such sustainable development reinforces the fundamental objectives of building strong, stable, healthy, prosperous, and secure societies that can offer current and future generations the opportunities to achieve their highest aspirations.

Last month, the United States took this same message to Geneva when we attended the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) preparations for WSSD. We noted several key elements which underpin successful efforts by governments and civil society to achieve sustainable development goals: capacity building; institution building; public access to information; informed and science-based decision-making; public participation, coordination and partnerships; access to a transparent judicial system in environmental matters; and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and standards.

We note and agree with the focus of ECLAC's regional assessment report on the need for domestic action. There are two main themes that I would like to emphasize in this regard. First, is the importance of the role of all major groups -- in particular, the role of the private sector. Together with domestic investments, trade and foreign direct investment have become key financial engines of growth as globalization has made it easier for private firms to invest around the world. It only makes sense, then, that working in partnership with the private sector and its financial, human, and technological resources must be an essential ingredient of any government's successful sustainable development strategy.

The second theme is the importance of sound institutions and the right enabling environment to attract and retain the financial resources that flow from public or private, national, or international sources. The thousands of individual decision-makers that comprise the private-sector -- firms, companies, manufacturers, even individual stock investors judge the strength and fairness ot the regulatory environment, the soundness and enforceability of commercial law, and the degree to which transparency and the rule of law are established, before deciding where their considerable resources flow. Likewise, official development assistance is more effective in meeting its objectives when introduced into an environment where these institutional elements are strong. The United States would like to see the World Summit on Sustainable Development encourage strengthened domestic institutions that can effectively implement the goals we set for ourselves here in Rio 10 years ago, and that we will set for ourselves in Johannesburg next year. Institution-building requires partnerships among governments, civil society, and the business community. We look forward to continuing a dialogue with you on how to forge these partnerships to get results domestically, bilaterally, regionally, and globally. Thank you.