持続可能な発展のグローバル公共秩序と国連システム改革プロセス-国連環境計画の事例-
グローバルな公共秩序の理論をめざして-国連・国家・市民社会-
2004 年 2004 巻 137 号 p. 118-137,L13
詳細
2004 年 2004 巻 137 号 p. 118-137,L13
The purpose of this article is to examine the role of the United Nations System in assistance of the management of global environmental problems. To this end, this paper focuses on UNEP as a target of analysis. UNEP was created as the product of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. As the first international organization dedicated to environment protection, UNEP has achieved some of its programs successfully, but due to rapidly expanding dimensions of international environmental issues and dramatic changes in international structure of sustainable development governance, it has not succeeded institutionally in keeping up with the pace of the changing issues.
Given the current problems in the global order for sustainable development, and the shortcomings of UNEP as an effective leader in the international community, there is no escaping the need for some level of reform. Preparations for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development have re-ignited a global interest in strengthening global sustainable development order. Central to this debate is the role of the United Nations System, and the creation of a new World Environment Organization (WEO).
Beginning with an overview of global order for sustainable development, this paper first outlines the strength and challenges in the current UNEP structure. Secondly, how external an environment surrounding the organization threatens its international sustainable development order is discussed. Thirdly, this paper examines the reforming process of UNEP, especially International Environmental Governance (IEG) process.
As a result of this case study, it is clear that, rather than advocating the unlikely creation of a new WEO, the modest reform with a strengthened UNEP at the center is the only practical way forward. In reality, the process of change will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary in nature and will be based on incremental steps rather than radical changes.
