Daily report for 8 September 1994

MAIN COMMITTEE

XIII. NATIONAL ACTION: The bracketed text in paragraph 13.16(implementation costs), "and up to one third from externalsources," was considered. Algeria, on behalf of the G-77, proposeddeleting the brackets. Germany, on behalf of the EU, and supportedby Japan, concurred. Brazil, supported by the US, Argentina andothers, pointed out that the French text was different from theEnglish and suggested "in the order of" rather than "up to."Guyana, supported by others, proposed adding, "at least one-third."Finally, the G-77 and the EU agreed that "in the order of" wasacceptable, with the understanding that it would also be reflectedin 14.11.

In paragraph 13.22, the Secretariat noted that the bracketed text,"taking into account the rights and responsibilities of parents andthe need for adolescents," was not bracketed in paragraph 11.9.There was no further discussion.

In paragraph 13.23, Senegal, supported by Zimbabwe, Mali andothers, proposed an amendment where Governments would devote atleast 20% of public sector expenditures to the social sectorsstressing poverty eradication. Algeria, on behalf of the G-77,noted that it could not endorse this concept until the outcome ofdiscussions at the Social Summit. Sweden highlighted its commitmentto social development assistance, but pointed out that adoption ofthe 20/20 Initiative would require increased understanding.Germany, on behalf of the EU, supported by Japan and others,preferred to use the phrase "an increased proportion" rather thanendorsing the 20/20 Initiative. The Chair encouraged Senegal andthe EU to consult. In the afternoon, delegates agreed to acompromise text, which was part of a package deal with paragraph14.11: "In this regard, Governments are urged to devote anincreased proportion of public sector expenditures to the socialsectors, as well as an increased proportion of official developmentassistance...."

The EU later presented compromise text on paragraph 13.15, "Theseare indicative cost estimates prepared by experts based onexperience to date of the four components referred to above. Theseestimates should be reviewed and updated on the basis of thecomprehensive approach reflected in paragraph 13.14 of thisProgramme of Action, particularly with respect to the costs ofimplementing reproductive health service delivery." In addition, insub-paragraph (b), "cost" is deleted as are the brackets insub-paragraphs (a)-(d).

XIV. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: Delegates reached agreementto remove the brackets around paragraph 14.3(b) and it was amended:"To urge that the international community adopt favourablemacroeconomic policies for promoting sustained economic growth anddevelopment in developing countries." Austria then proposed anotheramendment to change "development" to "in the context of sustainabledevelopment." When no other delegates supported this amendment,Austria agreed to withdraw it. The EU later supported Austria'samendment. The Chair insisted that this paragraph was closed tofurther discussion.

Delegates were not able to reach agreement on paragraph 14.3(f)(human rights). China called for its deletion, since it is coveredin the Principles. The G-77, supported by China, proposed a newformulation: "To ensure that all population and developmentprogrammes adhere to basic human rights recognized by theinternational community and the present Programme of Action inaccordance with the specific conditions of each country." The EU,supported by the US, also proposed an alternative: "To ensure thatall population and development programmes, while recognizing thespecific conditions of each country, adhere to basic human rightsrecognized by the international community and recalled in thepresent Programme of Action." Nothing was resolved.

In 14.10(b) (objectives), delegates agreed to remove the bracketsaround "while striving to avoid as far as possible a reduction inthe resources for other development areas." The brackets were alsoremoved from paragraph 14.11, as a result of compromises with 13.23and 13.15. The phrase "in the order of" was inserted before $5.7billion. The last sentence was replaced with: "The internationalcommunity takes note of the initiative to mobilize resources togive all people access to basic social services, known as the 20/20Initiative, which will be studied further within the World Summitfor Social Development."

Paragraphs 14.13, 14.15 and 14.16 all contained reference tocountries with economies in transition. Delegates agreed to: retainthe reference to this group of countries in 14.13 (donorcoordination); delete the reference in 14.14 (allocation ofexternal financial resources); and remove the brackets from 14.15,which was amended to read "...receive temporary assistance forpopulation and development activities..."

In paragraph 14.17 (innovative financing), the brackets wereremoved and the text reads: "Innovative financing, including newways of generating public and private financing resources, interalia, various forms of debt relief, including greater use ofdebt forgiveness for government investment in population anddevelopment programmes, should be explored."

XVI. FOLLOW-UP TO THE CONFERENCE: There were three optionsfor paragraph 16.3 on indicators and the respect for national law,cultural, and religious beliefs. The US, supported by Ethiopia,suggested an amendment to the third draft so that reference wouldbe made to human rights and ethical principles, while Mexicooffered to retain the second version as a compromise. Despite theirconcerns, delegates accepted the retention of the third draft.

III. INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN POPULATION, SUSTAINED ECONOMICGROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The G-77 suggestedretaining the part of paragraph 3.16 that recalls the right todevelopment, but wanted to delete the reference to discriminationagainst women. The EU suggested deleting the reference to the rightto development, but maintaining the part that dealt withdiscrimination against women. Some delegates highlighted that theright to development was recognized at the beginning of thisConference. The US suggested a compromise amendment, which wasaccepted, whereby the right to development is retained as part ofall other human rights and particular attention is granted to womenin developed and developing countries.

The Holy See asked about paragraph 3.19, which calls for specialattention to underserved members of society. This category includeschildren and the paragraph mentions that they should be providedwith jobs, skill development and reproductive health. The Chairagreed that the paragraph does not make sense and asked the HolySee to consult with others.

In paragraph 3.21 (job creation), the G-77 wanted to delete a partof the paragraph that calls for an end to corruption, goodgovernance, democratic institutions, and the reorientation ofbudget priorities toward social sectors and resource development.Mexico agreed that the paragraph deals with internal matters andshould be deleted. The EU wanted to retain the text. Malaysiaagreed to retain the text if the reference to an "environmentallysound basis" was dropped, while Libya said that this was the onlypart of the text that should be retained. The US once more providedcompromise language by suggesting that the paragraph refer to"investment on an environmentally sound basis, greater investmentin human resources development and the development of democraticinstitutions and good governance." Algeria said that this wasacceptable to the G-77 but, despite his best efforts, a number ofG-77 members disagreed and suggested keeping the old text. Theparticipants finally agreed to the compromise text.

IV. GENDER EQUALITY, EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN: The EUagreed to delete the brackets in paragraph 4.18 (universal primaryeducation) and this was accepted. Egypt, supported by Jordan,Tunisia and others, implored the Chair to amend paragraph 4.17because the word "equitable" in the English text has beentranslated differently in Arabic. She also sought to delete"inheritance rights" in the English version and the phrase "inparticular by providing alternatives to early marriage" inparagraph 4.21. The Chair restated that unbracketed text could notbe reopened. Zimbabwe and the British Virgin Islands supported theChair's suggestion. Algeria stated that the Islamic countries wouldneed time to consult.

Pakistan and Iran proposed amendments to unbracketed text. Algeriaand Iran stated that at some point it would be a choice whether tosave the Conference or save the rules of procedure.

V. THE FAMILY, ITS ROLES, COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE: Inparagraph 5.1, Iran wanted to replace "concepts of the family" with"forms of the family," to be consistent with the discussion onprinciples. Once again the Chair said that unbracketed text couldnot be reopened. Canada suggested adjusting this paragraph, ifnecessary, after reaching agreement on principles.

In paragraph 5.5 (elimination of discrimination), Egypt, Pakistanand Morocco had difficulties with the reference to "other unions."Yet again other delegates and the Chair argued that this could notbe reopened. A number of counties also wanted clarification on themeaning of this phrase.

VI. POPULATION GROWTH AND STRUCTURE: In addition to "sexualand reproductive health care," the only brackets in this chapterwere around indigenous people[s]. This matter is currently beingdiscussed in the chapter on principles. A series of countries thenasked that unbracketed text be amended. Argentina, supported byBrazil, asked that the reference to "territories" be replaced with"land." Bolivia argued that these are two different concepts thatshould not be confused. Brazil added that land ownership should notbe substituted for tenure. Swaziland said that unbracketed textshould not be re-opened and this was reiterated by the Chair.

The Chair noted that he would respond on Friday to the amendmentsto unbracketed text in Chapters IV, V and VI.

XII. TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: The footnoteattached to paragraph 12.20, which lists underserved groups,contained brackets around the entire footnote and "indigenouspeople[s]." Australia commented that the decision to "s" or not to"s" is being addressed in the discussion on principles. Germanythought that the footnote included too many groups. Canada proposedadding language at the beginning of the footnote to read "whichcould include." This amendment was accepted.

XV. PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NON- GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR: The Chairnoted that the only brackets in this chapter are around"family planning" and "reproductive health." The Holy See objectedthe language in 15.13, which addresses human rights. She requestedthat the language used in paragraph 14.3(f), which is still undernegotiation, also apply here.

WORKING GROUP ON FAMILY REUNIFICATION

Since the Main Committee could not agree on the language on familyreunification in paragraph 10.12 on Wednesday, Amb. Biegmanannounced the establishment of a working group to try to reachconsensus. The group is chaired by Egypt and its members include:Algeria (G-77), the EU, Turkey, Argentina, Canada, Australia andthe US. The group managed to meet for about half an hour onThursday as it migrated from room to room. Consensus appearspossible and Egypt is expected to distribute compromise text onFriday.

WORKING GROUP ON PARAGRAPH 8.25

The consultations on paragraph 8.25 (abortion) continued onThursday morning. At 6:00 pm, Amb. Biegman distributed new text inEnglish to the Main Committee. He announced that the text will beavailable in all languages on Friday and that it would be discussedin the Main Committee. Malta stated that although a lot of work hasbeen put into this text, his delegation cannot be party to it.

The WHO definition for "unsafe abortion" is now in a footnote: "aprocedure for terminating an unwanted pregnancy either by personslacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking theminimal medical standards or both." In addition, the word "legal"no longer appears and the sentence reads: "In circumstances inwhich abortion is not against the law, such abortion should besafe."

FRIENDS OF THE CHAIR

At 1:00 pm, Main Committee Chair Fred Sai distributed copies ofrevised text for Chapters I and II (Preamble and Principles). The"Friends" met at 5:00 pm for two hours to discuss the Preamble. Theresulting text has some brackets, which are linked to outstandingissues in other chapters. The group reconvened in the evening todiscuss the principles. The Chair intended to continue until workis completed.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will resume this morning. For the list ofspeakers, look in today's Journal.

MAIN COMMITTEE: The Main Committee is "supposed" to finishits work today. It is expected to convene in a formal session toadopt Chapters IX, XI, and XVI, ad referendum, since thesechapters are bracket-free. The Committee will then resume in aninformal session to address the remaining outstanding issues inChapters I, II, VII and VIII and all other bracketed paragraphs.The Chair is also expected to rule on the issue of amendingunbracketed text, which was a constant problem on Thursday.