Daily report for 8 April 1997

Delegates to the fifth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-5)elected Dr. Mostafa Tolba (Egypt) as Chair of the session and heard opening statementsand reports on intersessional activities during the morning. The High-Level Segmentbegan in the afternoon. Sixteen ministers and ambassadors and three NGOs madestatements regarding the report of the Ad Hoc Intersessional Working Group.

OPENING SESSION

CSD-4 Chair Rumen Gechev (Bulgaria) opened CSD-5. He called for a reconfirmation ofthe definition of “sustainable development” as it emanated from Rio and for a balance ofactions so the economic, social and environmental components can reinforce each other.He noted the importance of: greater efficiency, including through new technologies andthe elimination of subsidies; intensive cooperation with the business community; new andstrengthened partnerships; and political will to implement commitments.

Delegates elected Dr. Mostafa Tolba (Egypt) as CSD-5 Chair. He noted that the conceptof sustainable development is still very debatable. He noted challenges with regard toclimate change, biodiversity, desertification, ODA, technology transfer, protection of theozone layer, consumption patterns, population and poverty.

Joke Waller-Hunter, Director of the DPCSD Division for Sustainable Development,emphasized that CSD-5 is a special session, as it serves as the “PrepCom” to UNGASSand will determine its outcome and success. The Special Session must reaffirm thehighest levels of support for sustainable development, recognizing the interdependence ofits economic, social and environmental components and reaffirming the developmentaldimension of sustainable development. She said UNGASS should emphasize to the UNsystem, the World Bank, IMF and WTO the need for partnerships at national, regionaland global levels. She stressed the need to send a solution-oriented document toUNGASS.

Delegates nominated Vice-Chairs Monika Linn Locher (Switzerland) from the WesternEuropean and Others Group and John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) from the LatinAmerican and Caribbean Group. The provisional agenda and organization of work(E/CN.17/1997/1) were adopted.

Derek Osborn (UK), Co-Chair of the CSD’s Ad Hoc Intersessional WorkingGroup, invited delegations, in their role as creators and leaders of political will, tostrengthen the Co-Chairs’ draft with new proposals for action and implementation. Healso reported on work with his Co-Chair, Amb. Celso Amorim (Brazil), on the draft preamble, expressing personal and political commitments to implementation andpartnership.

Dr. Manuel Rodriguez (Colombia), Co-Chair of the IPF with Sir Martin Holdgate (UK),presented the IPF’s report to the CSD. He expressed concern about persistent differences between developing and developed countries, including conflicting interpretations ofUNCED agreements. He outlined the options recommended in the report, including theestablishment of a forum to monitor and assist implementation and possibly to considerthe need for a convention, or creation of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee.He stressed the importance of the proposals for action recommended by the Panel.

Birgitta Dahl, Chair of the High-Level Advisory Board, presented the results of the mostrecent Advisory Board meeting, which provided detailed recommendations on energy,transportation and water. The Board also highlighted the need to assume personal andcollective responsibility for changing lifestyles. It stressed democracy as the mostefficient basis for sustainable development, the need for an integrated strategy forsustainable energy development, and the phase-out of subsidies for energy production andconsumption, particularly fossil fuels.

UNEP Executive Director Elizabeth Dowdeswell stated that now is the time to considerhow best to equip and empower UNEP to realize its potential as the UN voice for theenvironment. She reported that the nineteenth session of the UNEP Governing Council,in addition to taking decisions on chemicals and the marine environment, decided toestablish a forum for environmental ministers as part of UNEP's governing structure. Shehighlighted ways that UNEP could advance sustainable development strategies forenergy, freshwater resources, oceans and tourism.

Mohamed El-Ashry, CEO and Chair of the GEF, requested delegates’ support for asubstantial GEF replenishment. He said significant results can be made in four areas:population growth; integrated land and water resource management; sustainable energystrategies; and the reform and strengthening of national and international institutions forsustainable development.

Maurice Strong, Chair of the Earth Council, reported on Rio+5. Recommended actionsinclude: support for local Agenda 21s and national sustainable development mechanisms;new and effective delivery systems for financial assistance; GEF replenishment at ahigher level; and support for UNEP.

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

Delegates offered a range of ideas during the High-Level Segment. SWEDEN highlightedlocal initiatives, the Factor-10 productivity initiative and sectoral integration as key toimplementation. The UK said governments must measure implementation. ARGENTINAstressed the need to incorporate environmental costs in resource pricing, notably waterand energy. WEDO said the issues of nuclear materials, arms, war, energy andenvironmental health are interlinked.

ARGENTINA called for an early meeting of UNEP’s new intergovernmental body andpreparation of guidelines. The UK and GERMANY said governments must make the newgovernance structure work. SWEDEN called for a revitalized UNEP. The US supportedthe new UNEP mandate, but expressed “guarded optimism.”

Regarding consumption and production patterns, COLOMBIA expressed concern that thegap between extremes of wealth and poverty continues to widen and that not all nationsplace the same effort in modifying consumption patterns. The EU called for a newinitiative on eco-efficiency to address unsustainable production and consumptionpatterns.

Regarding financial issues, the G-77/CHINA called on developed countries to reaffirmtheir commitment to reach the 0.7% target by 2000 at UNGASS. Supported by theTHIRD WORLD NETWORK, he cautioned against the assumption that FDI cansubstitute for ODA and stressed the need to ensure that FDI reaches marginalized andleast developed countries and is invested on a long-term basis. He called for a multilateralregime for FDI to assist in the pursuit of environmentally sustainable development.MOROCCO called for new and additional resources, noted falling ODA rates and saidprivate sector resources only assist some countries and do not advance sustainabledevelopment goals. The US said the CSD should make clear to the private sector thatinvestment must aim for sustainable development while encouraging sustainable capitalinvestment.

JAPAN stated that developing countries should bear the primary responsibility for theirown development with the assistance of developed countries. The THIRD WORLDNETWORK said the WTO is the “antithesis” of sustainable development and globalpartnership. He stated that the CSD must reassert the primacy of global partnership andthe right to development, should set up a mechanism to channel globalization towardssustainability, and should press to make the WTO more transparent and accountable.

GERMANY said UNGASS must produce a clear political signal for an adequatereplenishment of the GEF. COLOMBIA noted that GEF resources have been transferredfrom other aid programmes and sources and are not new and additional.

Regarding technology transfer, the G-77/CHINA said there has been too much emphasison the rights and protection of IPR holders since UNCED. He called for the initiation ofpublicly funded projects, particularly regional technology centers, and the creation of aclearinghouse for ESTs. The REPUBLIC OF KOREA offered to fund a feasibility studyon the transfer of publicly-owned technology.

On atmosphere, ZIMBABWE called on all ministers present to attend the high-levelsegment of FCCC COP-3. The EU and JAPAN stressed the importance of reachingagreement on legally-binding commitments for greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions atCOP-3. The EU proposed a 15% reduction by 2010 and urged other industrial countriesto commit to similar targets. Beyond this target, GERMANY advocated a 10% reductionby 2005 as a “realistic, achievable and urgently needed” target. The US said UNGASSshould call for realistic, achievable and legally-binding emissions targets for developednations, including maximum flexibility in reaching targets and the participation of allcountries. The UK called for a North-South partnership of self interest, pointing out thatdeveloping countries will be the least able to combat the effects of climate change.POLAND recounted national efforts, which have led to reductions in particle and GHGemissions.

On freshwater, the EU proposed a global water initiative to ensure access to safe drinkingwater and sanitation for all within ten years. FRANCE called for action to addresspotential conflicts between countries over emerging water-sharing issues.

On energy, the EU called for a common strategy for a sustainable energy future. The USsaid the CSD should lead an effort within the UN system to develop a programme ofaction for sustainable energy use.

Regarding forests, PORTUGAL, FRANCE and GREECE advocated the establishment ofan Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to initiate a global forest convention.JAPAN emphasized the need for a framework to follow up on the results of the IPF, butexpressed skepticism regarding the usefulness of establishing an INC at this time. The USdid not support a convention, but focused on improving national governmentaccountability, building local and national capacity for sustainable forest managementand promoting responsible private sector activities through voluntary codes of conduct.

On oceans, PORTUGAL underlined the importance of creating a code of conduct forcoastal zones and advocated increased support for ocean research. JAPAN called formeasures to prevent oil spills and for greater scientific knowledge for marineconservation measures. The UK called for confirmation of the CSD as the centralcoordinating body on ocean issues and said fisheries discussions must address more thanthe allocation of an increasingly scarce resource. GREECE stressed the issues of coastalmanagement and marine pollution and highlighted their connection to sustainabletourism.

Regarding toxic wastes, the UKRAINE underlined the seriousness of the problem ofnuclear safety, storage, transportation, transboundary movements and burial ofradioactive wastes. The REPUBLIC OF KOREA expressed concern at the transfer ofradioactive wastes from the Taiwan Power Company to the Democratic People’sRepublic of Korea.

IN THE CORRIDORS

In anticipation of the high-level consideration of forests on Thursday, delegations andNGOs are actively lobbying in attempts to sway parties on the pending question of aninternational forest convention. Bilateral consultations involving States who occupy polarpositions on the convention question are expected to be conducted in hopes that they willpave the way for agreement on this issue at CSD-5 or at UNGASS. Last week, the USreleased a seven-point plan on forests. It reportedly highlights the importance ofassessment, capacity-building, forest biodiversity protection and private sectorinvolvement, although it has not been tabled at the CSD.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: The High-Level Segment will continue discussingthe report of the Ad Hoc Intersessional Working Group during the morning andafternoon in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.

SIDE EVENTS: Check “CSD Today” for today’s side events.