MEETINGOFENVIRONMENTMINISTERSOFTHE.docVIP

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS OF THE AMERICAS MARCH 29-30, 2001 Ministerial Communiqué 1. We, the Ministers of the Environment and Heads of delegations from the 34 democratically elected governments of the Americas, met in Montreal, on March 29-30, 2001, to share our visions and priorities, and discuss how we can meet the most pressing environmental challenges of the hemisphere. In view of the Third Summit of the Americas, which will take place in Quebec City, on April 20-22, 2001, we bring the following environmental issues to the attention of our leaders. 2. We recognize the different levels and patterns of development of countries, their cultural diversity, and the diversity of ecosystems within the hemisphere. We are aware of the relationship between the environment and socio-economic factors such as poverty, unsustainable production and consumption patterns, inequity in distribution of wealth and the debt burden. We therefore resolve to work together with the aim of ensuring that economic, social and environmental policies are mutually supportive and contribute to sustainable development. We know there are many existing initiatives undertaken by relevant regional and international organizations on which to build. 3. We thank Canada for hosting the first meeting of Environment Ministers in support of the Summit of the Americas which is a useful opportunity to advance our environmental agenda. We will take advantage of other international fora, as appropriate, to meet again. International Environment and Sustainable Development Issues 4. Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, the countries of the hemisphere have taken important strides in defining the international sustainable development agenda and have taken some initial but important steps toward implementation. The time has come to make this the decade of action. We undertake to actively participate in the preparatory process for the 2002 World Summit on