Daily report for 24 April 1997

CSD-5 delegates met in Plenary, two Drafting Groups and numerous informal groupsthroughout the “last” full day of negotiations. During a brief Plenary, CSD Chair MostafaTolba updated delegates on the negotiations and said they could not leave the UN untilthey reached agreement on almost everything.

DRAFTING GROUP I

SECTORS AND ISSUES: On 39 (natural disasters), delegates agreed,inter alia, to the need for capacity-building for disaster planning and management(AUSTRALIA) in developing countries and economies in transition (RUSSIA).Delegates agreed to a separate paragraph on man-made disasters using revised UKRAINEtext.

On 24 (introduction), the G-77/CHINA added health, desertification and water asissues of widespread concern. On 25 (freshwater), the EU said the freshwaterinitiative should be viewed as a joint concern and proposed that the CSD take earlyaction. The G-77/CHINA supported early action in the CSD or a world conference andsaid developed countries must remove their “embargo” on references to financialresources. The US reiterated that financial issues should be addressed in chapters onfinance. On 25(c) (management), delegates called for continued participation oflocal communities, particularly women, in water resource management (G-77/CHINA).On 25(h) (international watercourses), CANADA, supported by the US, the EUand SWITZERLAND, proposed to develop “and protect” international watercourses. TheG-77/CHINA objected. Delegates agreed to “sustainable utilization and protectionthereof.”

On assisting developing countries to implement relevant agreements in 26(oceans), the US, supported by the MARSHALL ISLANDS, ICELAND, AOSIS,PAPUA NEW GUINEA and JAMAICA, replaced “to secure fair access to marineresources” with “to participate effectively in the sustainable use, conservation andmanagement of their fishery resources.” The G-77/CHINA objected and bracketed thetext. In 26(e) (overfishing), NORWAY proposed “adoption of managementmeasures and mechanisms to ensure” sustainable management and utilization of fisheryresources.

On 28 (energy), the US, CANADA and AUSTRALIA proposed deleting G-77/CHINA text on finance for capacity development and transfer of technology. The G-77/CHINA objected. An EU proposal for a high-level CSD forum on environment andenergy to prepare an upcoming CSD session dedicated to establishing a common strategyfor a sustainable energy future was not supported by the US, CANADA, AUSTRALIAand the G-77/CHINA. CANADA’s alternative formulation, calling for expert meetings toprepare an upcoming CSD session devoted to discussing a framework for futureconsideration of energy issues, was supported by several delegations. The EU proposedbracketing both options. In 28(c) (renewables), the US, CANADA and the EUdeleted a G-77/CHINA call for “time-bound commitments” for technology transfer. TheG-77/CHINA objected. On a revised 28(e), which encourages movementtowards energy pricing that better reflects economic, social and environmental costs andbenefits, including reduction and gradual elimination of energy subsidies inhibitingsustainable development, taking into account specific conditions of developing countries,the G-77/CHINA said developing countries are not exempted clearly enough.

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS SINCE UNCED: On 2 (globalization),the EU emphasized that globalization is more an opportunity than a threat. The US notedthe range of developing countries and the “widening gap” is between the developed andleast developed countries. The G-77/CHINA stressed the need to link globalization toenvironmental and development goals. BELARUS emphasized the needs of countrieswith economies in transition. On 3 (effects of globalization), the G-77/CHINAproposed that international political factors have contributed to the deterioration of socialservices in some developing countries. The US, supported by the EU, found the concepttoo “conspiratorial.” The EU added a reference to “worsening social and environmental”conditions. The G-77/CHINA proposed deleting a reference on expecting a stabilizationof population in the middle of the next century.

On 4 (global environmental trends), the EU and the US objected to G-77/CHINAtext noting that overemphasis on the environment would undermine development.JAPAN proposed deleting text on depletion of renewable resources. In 7 (majorgroups), a reference to indigenous “people/peoples” remains bracketed. PAPUA NEWGUINEA replaced EU-proposed text on limited participation of women with a call formore opportunities for women to participate as equal partners in all sectors of theeconomy. On 8 (agreements since UNCED), delegates disagreed on references tothe GEF.

On 9 (Rio Principles), the CHAIR, supported by the EU, proposed text notingthat progress has been made toward incorporating the Rio Principles, including commonbut differentiated responsibilities (which forms the basis of international cooperation (G-77/CHINA)), the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle (EU) intointernational legal instruments. On 9bis (implementation), delegatesaccepted text on implementing UNCED commitments through international law, butbracketed G-77/CHINA references to technology transfer and financial resources.

On 12 (means of implementation), the EU and the US accepted G-77/CHINAtext stressing that the provision of adequate and predictable financial resources andtransfer of ESTs are critical for Agenda 21 implementation. In 13 (ODA),delegates agreed that most developed countries have still not reached the UN target,reaffirmed “by most countries” at UNCED. CANADA’s 13bis (domesticefforts to increase resource mobilization and expansion of private flows) and 14(debt) were bracketed pending decisions on related text in Drafting Group II. On 15(technology transfer), the G-77/CHINA emphasized that technology does notautomatically flow South and most developing countries have been left out. The EU andUS stressed that developing countries have not always created favorable conditions toattract technology transfer. Delegates continued into the night.

DRAFTING GROUP II

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: On the role of private capital in developingcountries, delegations called for: mobilization of private investment (G-77/CHINA);macroeconomic stability, open trade and investment policies, well functioning legal andfinancial systems (EU); regulatory frameworks and incentives (G-77/CHINA); policiesand measures (CHAIR and G-77/CHINA); and ODA donor and multilateral developmentbank support. On 47 (external debt), delegations: acknowledge that external debtcontinues to “hamper” the sustainable development efforts of [many] (EU) developingcountries; call for “equitable,” comprehensive (G-77/CHINA), development-oriented anddurable [sustainable development-oriented] (US) solutions for the poorest and heavilyindebted countries. The G-77/CHINA proposed that the World Bank and IMF collaboratewith UNCTAD and the UN Secretariat on a comprehensive study on the relationshipbetween indebtedness and sustainable development. CANADA preferred “furthercollaboration.” The US bracketed the amended text.

In 48 (domestic mobilization of resources), the G-77/CHINA preferred a generalreference to fiscal and monetary policies and did not want the text directed at developingcountries only. The US and the EU stressed the paragraph’s importance. The revised textnotes: financing for implementation of Agenda 21 will come from countries’ own publicand private sectors (G-77/CHINA); policies could include sound macroeconomicreforms, including fiscal and monetary reforms, review and reform of subsidies,promotion of personal savings and access to credit; and such policies should be decidedby each country taking into account its characteristics, especially as reflected in nationalsustainable development strategies, where they exist (US).

On 49 (subsidies), delegations called for further research to identify and“consider the phasing out” (NORWAY) of subsidies that have market distorting,“socially” (G-77/CHINA) “and” (EU) environmentally damaging impacts. The US andCANADA preferred to delete the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,which was bracketed. A reference to taking account of conditions “particularly indeveloping countries” (G-77/CHINA) was also bracketed.

On 50 (economic instruments), delegations called for information on economicinstruments and pilot schemes [as appropriate] to, inter alia, demonstrate their bestuse [while avoiding or minimizing adverse impacts] (US) [on terms of trade and tradecompetitiveness] (G-77/CHINA) [particularly on developing countries] (CHAIR). ANORWAY amendment commends, inter alia, environmental taxes.

<M>In 52 (UNCED agreements), the reformulated text notes: developingcountries need greater access to ESTs to meet their UNCED obligations (CHAIR); thereis an urgent need to fulfill the [commitments](G-77/CHINA) [objectives](EU) in Chapter34; current forms of cooperation should be built upon and expanded (CANADA); barriersand restrictions to transfer should be identified (G-77/CHINA); and progress in thisregard should be regularly reviewed by the CSD (G-77/CHINA). The EU said barriers totransfer have been identified and the CHAIR suggested calling for their reduction. The G-77/CHINA stressed the need to identify the barriers.

In 53 (governments’ role), the US said the G-77/CHINA’s proposal, noting agovernment role given that technology transfer to developing countries cannot beconfined to market forces alone, should be “subject to IPR.” The amended proposal wasbracketed. On 54 (enabling environment for EST transfer), the G-77/CHINAagreed to, ad referendum, a call for the facilitation of the transfer of privatelyowned technology on concessional terms as mutually agreed. On 56 (public-private partnerships), the EU called for a conducive legal and policy framework.CANADA called for a “continuing” role for multilateral development banks andinternational development institutions (US). In a G-77/CHINA proposal regarding thecreation of regional centers for technology transfer, AUSTRALIA said UNEP isestablishing similar centers. Delegates called for cooperation of UN bodies for thispurpose, as appropriate.

On 57 (business linkages), the US included a role for multilateral developmentbanks and international development institutions alongside governments. NORWAYadded support for cleaner production. On 58 (South-South cooperation), a G-77/CHINA amendment calls on interested donor countries and international organizationsto support trilateral arrangements and contribute to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund forSouth-South Cooperation. A new 58bis (US) prioritizes technology needsassessment to assist identification of technology transfer projects and capacity-buildingactivities, with environmental technology assessment. On 59 (global electronicinformation and telecommunications), a G-77/CHINA amendment calls for enhanceddeveloping country capacity. JAPAN will re-draft a paragraph on information andcommunications technology and alleviating environmental impacts. Delegates continuedinto the night.

INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS

Informal consultations took place on a number of issues. On institutional arrangements,outstanding issues considered included: the role of the CSD within ECOSOC; IDA andGEF replenishment; reviews by and among countries within regions; and modalities toensure greater participation of major groups’ institutions and networks. The groupconsidering the programme of work and draft decision on streamlining national reportswas to meet after 10:00 pm. Informal group discussions on an EU freshwater proposalmet mid-day and were expected to continue during the night. Delegates also heldinformal consultations on energy and toxic chemicals and hazardous waste issues.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY AND DRAFTING GROUPS: Delegates are expected to completetheir consultations and approve the CSD-5 report. Conference Rooms 1 and 2 are reserved for the morning and Conference Room 1 for the afternoon.