Daily report for 3 May 1995

WORKING GROUP I

The Group met in informal session to discuss the Organization of Work, Including Establishment of Committees and Procedural Matters (A/CONF.165/PC.2/CRP.2/Rev.1) and the Rules of Procedure (A/CONF.165/PC.2/CRP.3/Rev.1). PrepCom Chair Martti Lujanen introduced the two documents. He said the group should define what partnership means for this Conference. He noted that the two documents cover the official activities of the Conference, while unofficial events such as roundtables and the NGO forum are described in A/CONF.165/PC.2/CRP.4.

The Work Programme and Rules of Procedure use standard UN language except for the paragraphs on participation of local authorities. Section VI of the Work Programme notes the instructions from the General Assembly that Habitat II should ensure broad-based participation and quotes Rule 61 of the Rules of Procedure: "Representatives designated by international associations of local authorities invited to the Conference may participate, without the right to vote, in the deliberations of the Conference, its main Committees and all working groups, on questions within the scope of their activities." Rule 62 of the Rules of Procedure permits NGOs to participate as observers at public meetings of the Conference and the Main Committees, making statements when invited by the Chair. In the event of excess speakers, NGOs shall be requested to choose spokespersons for coalitions.

The Work Programme also reaffirms the partnership emphasis of GA resolution 49/109. It schedules pre-Conference consultations for 1-2 June 1996 to deal with procedural matters prior to the main Conference. It organizes work into a Plenary and two Working Groups. Plenary will have two segments: a regular session and a high-level meeting in which Heads of State are invited to present specific commitments. Committee I will deal with the Global Plan of Action, and Committee II will hold hearings for partners, similar in form to the World Hearings on Development in 1994.

India, supported by Mexico, said Rule 61 now ignores the role national committees should play in selecting local authorities' representatives, assigning the role exclusively to international bodies. He suggested the national committees and international associations together should designate the local authorities represented. Brazil supported India, noting that its national committee includes members from national associations of local authorities and that Brazil is planning to bring local authorities as delegates to Istanbul. Regarding NGOs, he said the PrepCom should seek ways of ensuring regional and political balance.

China sought clarification on who will determine the local authority participants and whether they will be delegates or observers. Separate local authority representation might not be necessary because China hopes to have local authorities as part of its delegation. Supported by Kenya, he also asked what arrangements would be made for the participation of other sectors. A representative of local authorities said international associations do not seek to monopolize local authorities' representation but to assist in facilitating their input.

Uganda, on behalf of African member States, recognized its delegations' financial constraints and hoped the General Assembly would seek additional assistance so they can attend the Conference. Supported by Mexico, he said that speakers at the high-level segment could be the head of government or a representative.

The UK said the Secretariat needs to consider whether the rule for local authorities encourages participation. It could discourage their working within national delegations and national committees. Instead of offering a separate track, he recommended a partnership approach so that local authorities' parochial concerns are incorporated into the global concerns of the Conference. Canada expressed concern about selection of local authorities by international groups and giving local authorities privileges not granted to NGOs. The US did not see a problem with local authorities being represented both on national delegations and through separate representation selected by international organizations, which would give them an organized voice. NGOs should also be permitted as observers in working groups. Egypt said local authorities, all other NGOs, the private sector, women and others should be dealt with on the same level of equality as one network working to achieve the same objective. This will be done by national committees.

Habitat II Secretary-General Wally N'Dow agreed that national committees should include local authorities. He said the rule attempts to ensure participation of local authorities but does not give exclusivity to international groups. It is important to emphasize the role of local authorities as captains of the "City Summit," distinct from ordinary partners such as NGOs and the private sector. PrepCom Chair Martti Lujanen said details of the delegations and process need to be determined for local authorities. The Secretariat said representatives of local authorities that are not part of national delegations would be observers.

Israel asked about possible monitoring and timetables for action following Istanbul. The Secretariat said follow-up measures will receive closer examination when the GPA is farther along. Senegal re-emphasized that local authorities would assist, not replace, States in policymaking. Indonesia and Bangladesh supported the participation of local authorities but only as part of national delegations. Brazil asked whether the PrepCom can introduce new modalities for UN conferences without authority from the General Assembly. The PrepCom Chair responded that all decisions are proposals to the GA and are subject to its endorsement.

The drafting group then met to discuss the Organization of Work and the Rules of Procedure. One delegation requested guidelines for NGO accreditation that would require region, gender, mandates and political views, but many delegations stated that clear rules already exist. Another delegation said a paragraph stating that member States have the sole responsibility in decision-making should include the negotiation process as well, but several delegates objected that this negates NGO participation. Other areas of disagreement include establishment of a formal drafting group and the content of the high-level Plenary segment.

WORKING GROUP II

The drafting group met in the morning and prepared draft text on the national and international commitments on the provision of sustainable human settlements. The informal working group met in the afternoon to consider national and international commitments on the provision of adequate shelter for all.

NATIONAL COMMITMENTS: The draft commits governments to ensure an adequate supply of shelter and improving living conditions on a sustainable basis so that everyone will have access to affordable and adequate shelter. To this end, governments shall look into: (a) policies to ensure adequate shelter for everybody, including the poor and disadvantaged; (b) policies that ensure access to serviced land, finance and credit, and affordable building materials; (c) macro-economic and shelter policies which maximize the positive economic impacts of shelter development; (d) the promotion of partnerships among all actors, especially between the private sector and community; (e) the establisment of a regulatory and legal framework to ensure equitable access by all people to resources for shelter development; (f) expanding the supply of affordable rental housing with due consideration to the rights and obligations of the tenant and owners; and (g) the removal of all forms of discrimination that may place disadvantaged groups in a vulnerable position in the housing market.

Kenya proposed "National Commitments for Adequate Shelter for All" as the title. Zambia, supported by the UK and Israel, provided text that highlights the shelter aspect in physical planning. Australia submitted text to indicate where shelter should be provided.

Chapeau: Benin and Turkey pointed out the lack of reference to commitments on adequate sustainable human settlements, but the Chair said these were being translated. Debate ensued on the preference between the terms "shelter for all" and "housing for all." The Secretariat said the Commission used the terms interchangeably, but the PrepComs should use "shelter for all" as called for by the 14th Session of the Commission. Germany said shelter for all refers to both housing and the provision of basic services, but suggested that due to ambiguity in the term "basic services," "public services" be used instead. This triggered another debate. Delegates agreed to use "basic services," and to define the term at the beginning of the document.

Subparagraph a: The Philippines provided text that merges subparagraphs (a) (b) and (c). Turkey said subparagraph (a) and (e) contradicted each other, setting off an economic debate between himself and India. The Chair suggested that they resolve the matter and provide a solution.

Subparagraph b: Benin proposed additional text that was amended by the Holy See and India to provide for the utilization of a master plan for each town and the "promotion of affordable, safe, building materials produced locally, and appropriate technology."

Subparagraph c: Habitat International Coalition said the term "maximize" may contradict socially just policies.

Subparagraph f: Kenya and Benin proposed removal of the brackets around the text. The UK amended it to: "Pay special attention to the promotion of a supply of affordable rental housing...."

Subparagraph g: The Holy See added "age" and "family size" to the discriminatory practices listed.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS: The UK suggested that the GPA should also be implemented "through national actions." Benin said it was not necessary to mention national actions because international commitments are intended to support national commitments. He recommended a number of revisions, including a reference to "new and additional financial resources" in the Chapeau and in a commitment on promoting international support for the GPA. He also suggested orienting several commitments specifically towards assisting developing countries.

Brazil, China, Algeria, the Philippines, Cuba, Senegal and Gabon supported the inclusion of new and additional resources. Zambia said it could be included, but should be matched by a pledge in the national commitments "to adopt and implement measures that will encourage increased domestic savings for shelter development." India said new and additional resources could be added if a conditional clause could be included. Egypt said he supported provision of new and additional resources but proposed "adequate financial resources." Denmark agreed that new and additional resources are necessary but suggested the commitment could include "to the extent possible."

Germany, supported by the UK, the US, Australia and Japan, said new and additional resources did not belong in the international commitments. He said the language was added to documents in Rio only after a careful examination of the financial implications, which has not yet been done for the GPA.

Kenya recommended changing the title from Global Plan of Action to "Commitments in an Urbanizing World" and adding "regional and" before all references to "international." Supported by Poland, he also added "monitoring" in two places where the commitments call for evaluation.

Poland said commitments should not be directed to developing countries only because they should be universal. Israel opposed adding "regional," noting not all member States are part of regional communities. Croatia said a reference to countries in need should mention "particularly those with large numbers of refugees." Bangladesh and the Philippines proposed a paragraph on disaster management. The International Local Government Associations called for language encouraging decentralized cooperation and capacity building.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

WORKING GROUP I: The drafting group will continue its consideration of the Organization of Work and Rules of Procedure for the Habitat II Conference.

WORKING GROUP II: The Group is likely to first convene informally to consider the additional Principles, Goals and the remaining Commitments, and then meet in formal session to consider all the documents prepared so far. Look for new text on National and International Commitments on sustainable human settlements.