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Highlights
from Saturday, 18 November:
 Delegates
met in contact groups and informal consultations during the morning
and afternoon to conclude their work. During an evening session,
the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) adopted draft conclusions
on several topics, including national communications and the
financial mechanism, as well as its report on the session. Following
this, a joint evening session of SBI and the Subsidiary Body for
Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) convened to adopt draft
conclusions on capacity building, compliance under the Protocol,
activities implemented jointly under the pilot phase, the Protocol
mechanisms, and adverse effects. SBSTA then adopted its draft conclusions
on land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); guidelines under
Protocol Articles 5 (methodological issues), 7 (communication of
information) and 8 (review of information); development and transfer
of technologies; "best practices" in policies and measures; and
cooperation with relevant international organizations. With the
conclusion of these formal sessions at 11:15 pm, the thirteenth
sessions of the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies – which began in Lyon in
September and continued from 13-18 November in The Hague – drew
to a close.
Above photo: The dias of the last SBSTA
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Contact Group: Mechanisms
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 In a morning meeting
of this contact group, Chair Chow said revised text based on
the week's "informal informal" discussions would form the basis
for the impending ministerial negotiations. The G-77/CHINA reported
that it had just completed deliberations on the decision portion
of the CDM text, and urged that the results of these deliberations
be reflected in the revised text. Following consultations with the
Chairs of SBSTA and SBI, the contact group was adjourned to allow
consultation within the Friends of the Chair group.
Left photo: SBI Chair John Ashe and Mechanisms Chair Kok
Kee Chow during a session break
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SAUDI ARABIA expressed concern that some of its
comments relating to compliance and participation were not adequately
reflected in this revised text. Various delegations expressed their
gratitude to Chair Chow for his leadership in managing this three-year
process, and the contact group was closed.
Right photo: Mohammad Al Sabban making an intervention during
the joint SBI/SBSTA plenary.
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Contact Group: Financial Issues
The PHILIPPINES, speaking for the G-77/CHINA, said
delaying tactics by the US and other developed countries for obstructing
progress had become evident. She rejected this procedure to consider
these financial issues outside their relevant contact groups,
stating that it was neither transparent nor democratic. The EU
stressed its ongoing efforts to encourage progress and a willingness
and openness to discuss further relevant issues outside this meeting.
Right photo: Bernarditas Muller (Philippines)
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Contact Group: LULUCF
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The
LULUCF contact group convened early in the afternoon to take stock
of progress. Co-Chairs Gwage and Thorgeirsson explained that the
Friends of the Chairs group had met for eleven hours through Friday
night, but had not reached consensus on enough issues to warrant
drawing-up new text. Co-Chair Thorgeirsson distributed draft SBSTA
conclusions that transmitted the work of the first week to the
second week. He said the text he had introduced on Friday, 17
November, had been annexed to it and that the unedited preambular
Principles had been reinserted. A number of delegates urged a
decision on LULUCF that would pave the way for ratification of
the Protocol.
Left photo: Co-Chairs Philip
Gwage (Uganda) and Halldor Thorgeirsson (Iceland) |
Administrative
and Financial Matters:
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GERMANY said it had agreed on 14 November
to offer joint accommodation for the Secretariats of the UNFCCC
and Convention to Combat Desertification in the former parliamentarians'
office building. He noted ongoing efforts on other outstanding
issues. SBI adopted draft conclusions noting these statements,
thanking Germany for its offer, and requesting the Executive Secretary
to report back on progress at future sessions.
Right photo: Members of the German delegation during session
break |
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Contact Group: Financial Mechanism
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The Philippines speaking on behalf of G-77/CHINA,
supported by ARGENTINA, AOSIS, SAUDI ARABIA and several other developing
countries, expressed disappointment at lack of agreement on the
financial mechanism.
Left photo: Bernarditas Muller (Philippines) making an intervention
during the the joint SBI/SBSTA session.
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Activities Implemented Jointly:
Mechanisms |
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 Chair Chow presented the Draft Conclusions on Mechanisms
Pursuant to Articles 6, 12, and 17 (contained in FCCC/SB/2000/CRP.19,
CRP.20, CRP 20.Add1, CRP.21, and CRP.22). He noted that text had
been mistakenly omitted, and that this would be addressed in a revised
document to be circulated by Monday..
Right photo:
Chair Kok Kee Chow (Malaysia) presenting the Draft Conclusion
on Mechanisms during the joint SBI/SBSTA session.
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| Adverse Effects |
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 Contact group Co-Chair Salamat presented the draft
conclusions on implementation of UNFCC Article 4.8 and 4.9 and matters
related to Protocol Article 3.14. (FCCC/SB/2000/CRP.18). Highlighting
the sense of cooperation in the discussions, he stated
that the text was not fully agreed. He noted the guidance
from President Pronk that all issues on financing be considered
by the financial issues group
Left
photo: Co-Chair Mohamad Reza Salamat (Iran) in plenary presenting
the Draft Conclusions on implementation of
UNFCC Article 4.8 and 4.9 and matters related to Protocol Article
3.14 during the joint SBI/SBSTA plenary.
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Extended
Photo Coverage of COP-6