Sustainable consumption and production has different meanings and present different challenges in each region of the world. Therefore the first phase of the Marrakech Process is to hold regional consultations with the main objective to identify key regional priorities and needs for SCP and to support the development of regional and national SCP programmes building cooperation and partnerships among different stakeholders.

Various regional consultations were held during 2003 and 2008 in the different regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Arab region) during which each region identified its needs and priorities in terms of SCP.

The objectives of the Marrakech Process regional consultations are to:

• Strengthen and obtain more institutional and political support for the existing SCP programmes
  
  
• Encourage and support the development of new SCP programmes and initiatives
  
  
• Develop more synergies and integration between the work of the Marrakech Task Forces in the implementation of regional SCP programmes and priorities
  
  
• Obtain the views and inputs of regional experts on the design and development of the 10YFP
  
  
• Enhance the capacity of developing countries to effectively implement SCP programmes, including through developing funding mechanisms

The regional consultations have successfully contributed to the development of regional programmes and other initiatives on SCP in the different regions. Main outcomes of these consultations include:

• The "African 10-Year Framework of Programmes on SCP" (May 2006) with the institutional support of AMCEN, NEPAD, the African Union, UN ECA and UNEP. For more information, click here.
  
  
• The Latin American and Caribbean Regional Strategy on SCP and the creation of the Regional Council of Government Experts on SCP. MERCOSUR joint the Marrakech Process and launched its SCP Action Plan (June 2008).
  
  
• The Regional Help Centre on SCP for Asia Pacific to assist governments in the region to take action on SCP. UNESCAP and the Green Growth embraced the Marrakech Process during the last regional meeting in Cebu in 2008; new joint initiatives with the region are under development. See report.
  
  
• A Francophone network on SCP under the initiative of the Institut de l'Énergie et de l'Environnement de la Francophonie (IEPF).
  
  
• The launch of the European Commission's SCP Action Plan (June 2008). Formore information on the last regional meeting (Prague 2008), please click here.
  
  
• The "First Mediterranean Roundtable on SCP and Resource Efficiency" (November 2008, Barcelona). See roundtable report and the Newsletter in English or French of the Regional Activity Center.
  
  
• The First North American Workshop on SCP (Washington , November 2008). See meeting report and background documents.
  
  
• The Arab Region is currently developing its regional SCP strategy; and organised a regional workshop on sustainable public procurement on 4-6 May 2009 in Cairo, Egypt.

To know more about the regional consultations, progress and latest news, please click on the links in the table below: