Daily report for 27 April 1995

INFORMAL PLENARY

The Plenary met in the morning to finalize its work on the outstanding draftresolutions.

DRAFTING GROUP A: The Chair, Magns Jhannesson, noted that draftson Changing Production and Consumption Patterns and Trade, Environment andSustainable Development were unresolved. Changing Production andConsumption Patterns: In paragraph 16 (work programmes), the reference to a'forum' was replaced with 'an expert meeting with the widest possible participation,hosted by interested governments.' This amendment was accepted. Trade,Environment and Sustainable Development: No consensus was reached on thereference to sustainable development in paragraph 3 (Uruguay Round).

DRAFTING GROUP B: Takao Shibata noted that two paragraphs remainedunresolved: sub-paragraph 10(3) (finance) in Science for SustainableDevelopment and paragraph 12 (finance) in Transfer of EnvironmentallySound Technology, Cooperation and Capacity Building. In paragraph 12, thebracketed references were replaced with 'the provision and the mobilization ofresource flows' and references to Chapters 33.13-16 and 34 of Agenda 21 wereadded. It was agreed to replace paragraph 10(3) with a reference to Chapters 33.14-16and 35 of Agenda 21 in the chapeau. The final formulation was suggested by theChair, and amended by the US and the G-77/China.

DRAFTING GROUP C: In Overall Considerations, paragraph 1(integrated approach) now includes reference to 'freshwater' ecosystems. Inparagraph 3 (financial support), relevant articles of Chapter 33 of Agenda 21 are cited.

Integrated Approach to the Planning and Management of Land Resources:A new paragraph 20 reaffirms commitments in Chapters 33 and 34 of Agenda 21.Brackets were removed in paragraphs 16 (holistic approach to biodiversity)and from 19(d) (ESTs and resources). Combating Deforestation:Paragraph 24 (forest product certification and labeling) is deleted. Inparagraph 23 (EST transfers), 'the provision of new and additionalresources' replaces a reference to 'adequate and predictable new and additional'resources. The terms of EST transfers are qualified, 'as mutually agreed.'An amendment to paragraph 21 (cross-sectoral issues) calls for further studyof voluntary certification.

Annex 1. Intergovernmental Panel on Forests: In paragraph I.3 (forestrelated knowledge), a reference to the Biodiversity Convention was introduced.Reference to 'under national law' was deleted.

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

UNITED KINGDOM: John Gummer, Minister of the Environment, stressedthe need to express CSD decisions in a vocabulary that is comprehensive to the public.He noted the UK's leading role in promoting debt relief and offered to host aninternational workshop on oceans.

UNITED STATES: USAID Administrator Brian Atwood said environmentalprotection and international development are under political attack in the US. USAIDwill increase support for: forest conservation and the development of indicators;environmentally sustainable agriculture; lead abatement; and marine conservation.

SPAIN: Jos‚ Borrell, Minister for Public Works, Transport and theEnvironment, urged increased support for: the Oslo Conference conclusions;environmental management tools and economic instruments; internalization ofenvironmental costs; increased cooperation in the Mediterranean; and a world charteron tourism.

SWEDEN: Margareta Winberg, Minister of Agriculture, stressed the needfor a commitment to long-term food security. Sweden supports a biosafety protocoland the forest panel. She said that gender equality is a prerequisite for sustainabledevelopment.

GABON: Martin Fidele Magnaga, Minister of the Environment, said theGEF should fund reforestation and forest management activities. He proposed theestablishment of a working group on technology transfer, under the auspices ofUNIDO and UNEP, to develop a legally-binding code of conduct.

NORWAY: Thorbj'rn Berntsen, Minister of Environment, highlighted keyrecommendations from the Oslo Roundtable and called for progress reports on theimplementation of Chapter 4 of Agenda 21 by the 1997 CSD session.

JAPAN: Sohei Miyashita, Minister in Charge of Global EnvironmentalIssues, highlighted: Japan's Basic Environmental Plan; the development ofsustainability indicators; the promotion of Local Agenda 21s; and plans to host theWorld Conference on Local Initiatives for Sustainable Cities.

HUNGARY: Katalin Szili, Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment,said Hungary has done its best to harmonize an integrated environmental policy, buteconomic transition, recession and agricultural privatization are creating difficulties.

DENMARK: Svend Auken, Minister for the Environment and Energy, saidthat while there have been important results since Rio, the momentum has been lost.Further progress is necessary before the 1997 review, especially on finance and ODA,trade and the environment, and international legislation.

SWITZERLAND: Federal Councillor Ruth Dreifuss highlighted severalcommitments: financial support for the forest panel; cooperation with the Dutchworkshop on the technology transfer needs of developing countries; a seminar onbiodiversity and biotechnology; and support for UNEP.

TURKEY: Riza Ak‡ali, Minister of Environment, highlighted: the recentnational environmental action plan; the Programme for Environmental Managementand Protection of the Black Sea; formulation of an Agenda 21 for Central Asia and theBalkan Republics; and establishment of a regional environmental center.

BRAZIL: Gustavo Krause, Minister of Environment, Water Resources andthe Amazon, welcomed the establishment of the forest panel, which will help assessthe need for new international agreements, arrangements or mechanisms.

ARGENTINA: Maria Julia Alsogaray, Minister of the Environment, saidArgentina is setting up a national council for sustainable development. She called forthe removal of subsidies and protectionist policies.

GERMANY: Erhard Jauck, Deputy Minister for the Environment, NatureConservation and Nuclear Safety, urged the CSD to: focus on the linkages betweenAgenda 21 chapters; streamline reporting requirements; and ensure expedient work bythe forest panel. Germany will host a workshop on indicators.

THE NETHERLANDS: Jozias J. Van Aartsen, Minister of Agriculture,Nature Management and Fisheries, said that agriculture and nature management havebeen discussed as if they are unrelated and that attention to Chapter 10 has beeninadequate.

COSTA RICA: Dr. Ren‚ Castro, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy andMines, reported success in combating deforestation, and promoting energyconservation, eco-tourism and citizen involvement. He highlighted the CentralAmerican Alliance for Sustainable Development and a regional biodiversity agreement.

MEXICO: Julia Carabias, Minister for the Environment, Natural Resourcesand Fisheries, noted the recently established Advisory Council for SustainableDevelopment. She stressed the need for grassroots involvement and rural development.

CANADA: Sheila Copps, Minister of Environment, said that the CSD mustbe taken out of the UN basement and onto the streets. She stressed the importance ofthe participation of major groups and the work of the forest panel. She proposedholding the fifth session of the CSD away from UN Headquarters.

THE NETHERLANDS: Margaretha De Boer, Minister of Housing, SpatialPlanning and the Environment, said that the Netherlands will introduce an energy taxin 1996, host a workshop on the relationship between government and industry andhost a meeting on national needs assessment studies.

BURKINA FASO: Anatole Tiendrebeogo, Minister of Environment andTourism, said that the CSD must focus on the mobilization of resources forimplementation. He urged countries to ratify the Desertification Convention andachieve the target of 0.7% GDP for ODA, while periodically reviewing this rate.

UNEP: Executive-Director Elizabeth Dowdeswell said the post-UNCEDcontext requires a strengthened role for UNEP to raise the world's consciousnessabout actions harmful to the environment. UNEP's role is to bring the environmentalperspective to the CSD's work.

GERMANY: Dr. Klaus T”pfer, Minister for Regional Planning, Buildingand Urban Development, noted that the IMF, the G-7 finance ministers and the CSDare meeting at the same time without interaction. Sustainability must be integrated inthe economic and financial framework.

EGYPT: Mostafa Tolba proposed: setting a date for developingsustainability indicators and selecting innovative financial mechanisms; country-specific studies of production and consumption patterns; and establishing a task forceto develop a methodology for reviewing implementation of Agenda 21.

BULGARIA: Jordan Uzunov, Deputy Minister of Environment, said thatBulgaria has established a high-level council to integrate environmental concerns insocial and economic activity and polluter-pays legislation. He noted the 1995conference in Sophia to promote Rio goals in Central and Eastern Europe.

COLOMBIA: Ernesto Guhl, Vice-Minister for the Environment, noted thatColombia's new constitution includes the principle of sustainable development. Hewelcomed the creation of the forest panel, but expressed concern about establishing alegally-binding instrument.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Marius Enthoven, Director-General forEnvironment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection, described agricultural policy reformin the EU. The forest panel should concentrate on: criteria and indicators; timbercertification; and examining the need for a Forest Convention.

PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE MEDIA AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

UNCED Secretary-General Maurice Strong said sustainable developmentcannot be presented as a generic term. The relationship between particular events andthemes must be explained. Political interest depends on media interest. DavidLascelles, Natural Resources Editor, Financial Times, London, saidsustainable development must be explained in terms of its application to policy andbusiness decision-making. Sustainable development is not yet an imperative, politicallyor legally. The CSD should avoid presenting the concept on an ethical basis.Barbara Pyle, Vice President for Environment Programmes, CNN/TurnerBroadcasting, said the media needs more knowledge and policy makers need to bemore accessible. Scientific uncertainty is a significant barrier. Censorship, high levelinterference, and training inadequacies also create coverage problems. She suggestedthat the CSD: develop a stake in the issues; adopt a bold charismatic spokesperson;find local role models of sustainable development; and highlight immediate issues.

Michael Keats, IPS World Desk Editor said that media coverage ofdevelopment issues is confined to the occasional disaster story or global conference.Most stories have sustainable development dimensions, although many governmentsoften prevent access to key information. Communications is a two-way street.Blair Palese, Chief Press Officer, Greenpeace International, said that CSDdiscussions must not be carried out in a vacuum. Real problems, people and issuesmust be highlighted. Problems in media coverage include the lack of linkage withother issues and the lack of coverage of available solutions. The Internet, the WorldWide Web, interactive video and CDRom are useful communication tools.Ingebrigt Sten Jensens, JBR Rehlamebyra, described key messages tomarket sustainable development: consumption levels in the developed world areunsustainable; political leaders do not communicate the importance of reducingconsumption for fear of losing political support; the people of the rich world do notlong for more garbage; and a society based on sustainable consumption is not asociety based on unbearable hardship but on a better life.

In the discussion that followed, the UN Correspondents Association said theUN puts its news through a 'blanding' machine. Algeria noted the lack of mediacoverage of desertification and drought. Friends of the Earth (UK) cited theimportance of presenting sustainable development within a wider agenda. Swedensaid television promotes unsustainable life-styles.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: The High-Level Segment will conclude itsdiscussions this morning and the Chair is expected to provide a summary of theSegment when the CSD reconvenes this afternoon at 4:00 pm.

CLOSING SESSION: The final session of the CSD will take place atapproximately 5:00 pm. The Plenary will formally adopt all of the decisions onsectoral and cross-sectoral issues, the provisional agenda of the fourth session of theCSD, and the report of the third session before adjourning.