Daily report for 21 April 1997

CSD-5 delegates met in two Drafting Groups and two informal groups to negotiate thedraft outcome of the Special Session.

DRAFTING GROUP I

In 24 (sectors of concern), delegates noted the potential effects of a failure toreverse current trends on social and economic development “and environmentalprotection for all countries” (EU), “particularly in the developing countries” (G-77/CHINA). A G-77/CHINA reference to the principle of common but differentiatedresponsibilities, inter alia, was added, as were “the need for integration in allsectors” and a list of areas in which integration is urgent. The G-77/CHINA will addsectors to the list.

On 25 (freshwater), the G-77/CHINA proposed two additional paragraphs thatnote the factors leading to freshwater scarcity and call for a commitment for financialresources by the international community. The G-77/CHINA also proposed languagenoting, inter alia, that the lack of freshwater will hinder development unless actionis taken to facilitate an economic transformation for developing countries. Theseproposals will be revisited. The EU proposed: ensuring that the commitments of theInternational Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade are met within ten years;launching an initiative leading to a global programme of action; and concentrating onwater along with land management at the CSD’s 1998 session. The US proposedreplacing “ten years” with “as soon as possible.” The EU will convene an open-endedgroup on its proposed initiative.

On 25(a) (integrated watershed management), AUSTRALIA and the EUsupported, and the G-77/CHINA opposed, a CANADIAN proposal on theinterrelationship between water, “land and air.” Delegates added text on theinterrelationship between water and land, including “estuarine environments”(AUSTRALIA) and “wetlands” (CANADA). The MARSHALL ISLANDS’ insertion of“climate,” supported by the EU and AUSTRALIA but opposed by SAUDI ARABIA, wasbracketed. US language on a watershed basin approach to protecting supplies, opposed bythe G-77/CHINA, remains bracketed. In 25(c) (participation), the EU modified aNORWEGIAN proposal by deleting a reference to the principle of subsidiarity andproposing to manage development and use at the lowest “appropriate,” rather than“possible,” administrative level. The G-77/CHINA objected to prescribingdecentralization and preferred the original formulation. The text remains bracketed. On25(d) (enabling environment), delegates agreed to provide an enabling “national(US) and international (G-77/CHINA)” environment for investment. The EU supportedG-77/CHINA language on commitments to support developing countries’ efforts toprovide access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all, provided that “time-boundcommitments” be bracketed pending consultations on the chapeau. The US said calls forfinancial commitments should be adequately addressed in the cross-sectoral issuessection.

On 25(e) (valuation of water), the G-77/CHINA stressed that water was a basicneed and proposed deleting language on water as an economic good. Delegates agreed toan EU proposal recognizing water as a social and economic good with a vital role in thesatisfaction of basic human needs, food security, poverty alleviation and “ecosystems(AUSTRALIA).” The G-77/CHINA proposed that economic valuation of water should beseen in the context of its social and economic implications. He also proposed thatimplementation of pricing policies “may be appropriate in developing countries.” The USand the EU objected. The US proposed that strategies include programmes to minimizewater consumption and increase wastewater recycling. Delegates agreed, inter alia,that gradual implementation of pricing policies could be considered in developingcountries when they reach an appropriate stage in their development.

On 25(f) (information management), delegates deleted references to specificnon-UN organizations and added language on the importance of technical assistance.Delegates will discuss 25(g) (international support) in the EU-coordinatedinformal group. On 25(h) (international watercourses), the G-77/CHINAproposed language encouraging watercourse states to develop international watercourseswith a view to achieving sustainable utilization and benefits.

On oceans, the Chair summarized proposals for the chapeau, which address, interalia, progress achieved, declining fish stocks and pollution and improved decision-making. Delegates also debated references to support for developing countries, thedefinition of “progress” and fair access to marine resources. The Chair will submit arevised chapeau. Regarding a G-77/CHINA proposal calling for universal membershipand participation in the framework of existing ocean-related instruments, CANADA, theEU and TURKEY objected to “universal membership.” The Chair suggested acompromise encouraging all governments to ratify or accede to and effectivelyimplement relevant agreements as soon as possible.

On 26(a) (implementation and monitoring of existing instruments), theMARSHALL ISLANDS supported a G-77/CHINA proposal for cooperation onintegrated coastal management (ICM) and for institutional links between mechanismsdeveloping and implementing ICM, including identification of funding requirements. TheChair suggested the alternative of adding a reference in the chapeau to assistingdeveloping countries in achieving ICM, but the MARSHALL ISLANDS said this wouldnot address the need to identify funding requirements to apply ICM. The EU supportedthe G-77/CHINA text without the call for identifying funding requirements.

DRAFTING GROUP II

On 17 (economic, social and environmental objectives), the G-77/CHINAexpected SWITZERLAND to drop the labor standards issue. In 17(a) (nationalstrategies), the G-77/CHINA accepted a US reference to assistance provided “asappropriate” through international cooperation. In the G-77/CHINA-proposed text on theinternational economic environment, the US and the G-77/CHINA agreed to consult onmutually acceptable language on globalization and the impact of an unsupportiveinternational environment. The US deleted the “increasingly widening” gap betweendeveloped and developing countries and the “urgent” need for a dynamic internationalenvironment. On 17ter (dialogue and partnership), the US, supported byCANADA, inserted “inter alia” before a reference to “common but differentiatedresponsibilities,” as the Rio Principle 7 applies to the environment and not to theeconomic environment.

In 18 (eradicating poverty), delegates added text noting: the severity of poverty,particularly in developing countries, and that eradication is one of the fundamental goalsof the international community, as reflected in Commitment 2 of the CopenhagenDeclaration (G-77/CHINA); eradication is essential for sustainable development(CANADA); eradication is an overriding theme of sustainable development for thecoming years (EU); national governments’ efforts and international cooperation andassistance should be complementary (revised US); the 20/20 initiative as referred to in theWSSD Programme of Action (revised NORWAY); and the need for urgentimplementation of relevant commitments agreed since Rio (G-77/CHINA). ANORWEGIAN reference to redistributive policies was bracketed.

In US-proposed language on participation in poverty eradication, the G-77/CHINAobjected to participation in monitoring and assessing strategies and ensuring thatprogrammes reflect people’s priorities and perceptions. In 18(d) (poverty andwomen), a BANGLADESH-proposed amendment to include micro-credit was accepted.ARGENTINA inserted after a call for full implementation of the Beijing Platform forAction “consistent with the report of the FWCW.” The US limited the call to “relevantportions.” The amendments were bracketed.

On 19 (changing consumption and production), the G-77/CHINA objected to aCANADIAN reference to changing patterns in “rapidly industrializing countries.” The G-77/CHINA agreed to consider Chair Amorim’s suggestion that their amendment onindustrialized countries be deleted along with existing text on similar patterns indeveloping countries. The references were bracketed. On a US-proposed amendment onelaboration of national policies, the EU advocated policy making at both the internationaland national levels. With the exception of a reference to international [“policy”]elaboration, a reformulation of the US amendment was agreed.

In 19(a) (environmental cost internalization), the EU modified a G-77/CHINAproposal to “seek to avoid potential” effects for market access by developing countries.The G-77/CHINA objected to text calling for a move towards pricing natural resources ina way that fully reflects economic scarcity. A NORWEGIAN proposal suggesting thatgovernments consider shifting the burden of taxation to unsustainable patterns ofproduction and consumption was added. G-77/CHINA-proposed text on the role ofbusiness was added with bracketed text “encouraging/taking” action and calling for“publishing of environmental and social audits on their own activities.”

On 19(b) (core indicators), a G-77/CHINA amendment on monitoring criticaltrends “particularly in the industrialized countries” was bracketed after a US objection.On 19(e) (energy and material efficiency), the G-77/CHINA preferred deleting areference to targets and, with the US, deleting timetables for implementation. The EUwanted to retain both “international” and national programmes and timetables. Thereference to “targets, goals or action” was bracketed. The G-77/CHINA agreed toconsider retaining the call for timetables “as appropriate.” References to EU proposals onstudies to increase resource productivity ten-fold and, as an intermediate step, “by a factorof 4,” were bracketed following objections by the G-77/CHINA. The EU linked itsacceptance of a G-77/CHINA amendment on assisting developing countries to acceptanceof the EU initiative. A new subparagraph regarding voluntary and transparent use of eco-labelling was added.

INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS

FORESTS: Delegates debated whether the purpose of a subparagraph on furtherclarification of issues is to identify issues “arising from the IPF” or issues that remainunresolved from the IPF, and whether technology transfer is among these issues. Onedelegation proposed specifying that such issues include: trade-related measures affectingforest products and services; the potential role of enhanced trade in promoting SFM; andforest-related traditional knowledge. A new subparagraph was proposed calling onnational, regional and international programmes to include synergies in the use of forestsas sources of renewable energy for local communities in least developed countries. A G-77/CHINA position was presented on the paragraph on promoting the implementation ofthe IPF’s action proposals. A revised draft text incorporating these and otheramendments was circulated in the afternoon.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: The group began negotiating a newdraft text. Issues discussed included: the “context of the broader reform agenda of theUN;” administrative and budgetary autonomy for convention secretariats; assessment ofnational reports by the UN Regional Commissions; coordination at the field level; and areference to UNEP’s 19th Governing Council’s decision of 4 April 1997.

IN THE CORRIDORS

Members of the EU delegation were reportedly feeling less than comfortable Mondayafter they found themselves countering an attempt by the G-77/CHINA to get them todrop their Factor 10 initiative on productivity efficiency. Bilaterals are expected and theEU will stress the lead role of industrialized countries in the initiative. The threat to theministerial-led initiative will also heighten the importance of an EU non-paper due outTuesday.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

DRAFTING GROUPS: Morning and afternoon meetings of the two draftinggroups are expected in Conference Rooms 1 and 2. They will commence discussingenergy and trade and environment, respectively.

INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS: Informal consultations are expected on theCSD programme of work, institutional arrangements and forests. Check CSDToday for times and rooms.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!