Sustainable Development

"We believe sustainable development begins at home and is supported by effective domestic policies, and international partnerships. Self-governing people prepared to participate in an open world marketplace are the very foundation of sustainable development. President Bush has emphasized that the hopes of all people, no matter where they live, lie in greater political and economic freedom, the rule of law, and good governance."

OES spearheads many partnerships and initiatives that advance our broad development goals of promoting economic growth, social development and environmental stewardship in such areas as forests, water, energy, climate, fisheries, and oceans management. These efforts provide a means by which the USG can reach out to the private sector, civil society, other governments, and multilateral organizations to find common ground with a focus on producing results.

Partnerships are one of main means through which OES seeks to achieve concrete results. For example, our energy partnerships have hooked up 13 million people with access to energy. Our water partnerships have provided 19 million people with better access to safe drinking water. For more information about the USG's partnership activities, please visit (www.SDP.gov).

OES works bilaterally and multilaterally to promote the U.S. government's sustainable development agenda. Within the UN context, for example, OES leads the Department's efforts with the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.