Daily report for 17 April 1995

EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Before beginning consideration of Agenda Item 5, "Education, science, transfer ofenvironmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity building," the Chairannounced the coordinators of the three working groups, which will commence workon Thursday: Magns Jhannesson (Iceland)' finance; poverty; consumption; trade,environment and sustainable development; and demographics; Takao Shibata (Japan) 'transfer of technology; science; decision making structures; and major groups; andHenry Aryamanya-Mugisha (Uganda) ' sectoral issues and biotechnology.

Dr. Gisbert Glaser, UNESCO, introduced E/CN.17/1995/16 (Science forsustainable development) and identified four strategic priorities: science, education andcapacity building in developing countries; the strategic importance of betterinternational co-operation in scientific research; improved communication betweenscientists and policy makers; and links between research institutions and the economicsector to enhance the application of new science. Lowell Flanders, DPCSD,introduced E/CN.17/1995/17 (Transfer of environmentally sound technology) andidentified three priorities: transfer of environmentally sound technology (EST); accessto and dissemination of information; and financial arrangements. Introducing a UNEPreport, 'Survey of Information Systems Related to Environmentally SoundTechnologies,' he noted emerging trends in ESTs, including a shift from end-of-pipeto cleaner production technologies and a gradual shift from environmental regulationto the use of economic and voluntary instruments. Fritz Schlingerman,UNEP, noted the lack of access to information on available ESTs as an importantbarrier to their transfer to developing countries and countries with economies intransition. He said the UNEP survey should be regularly updated, with evaluations ofinformation systems.

Virginia Campbell, UNIDO, introduced E/CN.17/1995/20 (Environmentallysound management of biotechnology). The key recommendations for CSD actioninclude: enhancing the contribution of the private sector; integrating biotechnologyconcerns into national-level policy-making; calling on governments to identify andexchange information on best practices and environmentally sound applications ofbiotechnology; encouraging the environmentally sound application of biotechnology;and considering the steps required for a possible strategy for meeting sustainabledevelopment objectives, including a periodic review of biotechnology trends.

The Republic of Korea presented the results of the workshop on thepromotion of access to and dissemination of information on environmentally soundtechnologies held in November 1994, in Seoul. The workshop concluded that one ofthe problems in developing and transferring environmentally sound technology is thedifficulty in identifying the key sources of information. It was suggested that aframework for the development and use of environmentally sound technologies beestablished and that a consultative mechanism be established to enhance cooperationand the exchange of information.

The International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) highlighted ICSU'sthree global observing systems that are monitoring the state of the atmosphere, theoceans and land resources. ICSU further noted that: the partnership between scienceand the UN system is evolving positively; the knowledge gap is a real obstacle tosustainable development; and continued governmental support for the major earthsystems research systems is essential. Iran supported CSD recommendationson the transfer of ESTs and underlined the important role of technology centers indeveloping countries.

Switzerland supported future partnerships involving the private sector,venture capital funds for ESTs, and the promotion of applications for private sectortechnologies outside the countries of origin. The EU noted the importanceof addressing the scope and legal status of biotechnology agreements and the need forvoluntary guidelines and capacity building. The Conference of the Parties (COP) to theBiodiversity Convention should be fully involved in developing international voluntarytechnical guidelines.

Canada noted the importance of mobilizing women, non-traditional actorsand civil society. In November 1995, Canada will host an OAS meeting on ESTs andthe related issues of finance, capacity building and case studies. Pakistansaid that the multiple channels for information dissemination highlight the need for anintegrated eco-information superhighway. He also highlighted the importance ofnational needs assessments in light of the institutional and capacity buildingrequirements of developing countries. The concept of EST centers needs furtherclarification. He highlighted the need for greater enhancement of privately-ownedtechnologies.

The Czech Republic called for more efforts to be directed towardscomprehensive education. The general public awareness about the CSD is rather lowand should be enhanced through use of all available media facilities.Hungary said that the problems of developing countries are shared bycountries with economies in transition. The research and development costs in thebiotechnology field are extremely high and increased international cooperation isneeded to share information. He also raised concerns about the hazards ofbiotechnology development.

Martin Khor, Third World Network, expressed disappointment and concernabout the CSD's 'pro-industry' approach to biotechnology and the 'serious scientificflaws and misrepresentations' in the promotion of bio-engineering. He called ondelegates to request the CSD Secretariat to revise its report on biotechnology and tonote the need for a biosafety protocol.

India said that developing countries need support to access ESTs that areappropriate to local conditions and that a clearing-house mechanism is needed. Hesupported the formation of EST centers, capacity building for assessment of ESTs andpreferential terms of access. Brazil said the transfer of ESTs involves social,economic and environmental considerations that go beyond the market. He supported abiosafety protocol in view of the 'exponential growth' of biotechnology development.

Malaysia welcomed a proposal for centers of international excellence indeveloping countries and urged donor countries and multilateral agencies to lendsupport. He called for a clearing-house mechanism for the transfer of ESTs andsupported a biosafety protocol. The US noted the key role of the privatesector in EST transfers and urged governments to provide a stable regulatory andeconomic environment. He objected to the proposal for the establishment of an adhoc expert group on biotechnology.

Algeria noted the establishment of an African Agency for Biotechnology andthe need for a biosafety protocol. The African Agency is strengthening nationalcapacities through training, research and the building of infrastructure and equipment,the dissemination of information at the regional and subregional levels, and theapplication of biotechnology for sustainable development. China said thatdeveloped countries should: prioritize capacity building in developing countries;provide resources to assist them in attaining sustainable development; and provideloans to allow them to obtain EST. He stressed that the key to capacity building isinternational cooperation in the transfer of technology.

Tunisia noted the need for: national environmentally sound biotechnologycenters in developing countries; cooperation in regional projects; and financial andtechnological assistance from developed countries. Australia said thattechnology transfer should be culturally sensitive and needs driven. UNEP shouldreport on its survey of EST transfer to the next session of the CSD. She expressedconcern about the proposal for a technology transfer rights bank and requested moreinformation. She supported the decision of the Biodiversity Convention COP onbiosafety.

Bangladesh called for appropriate institutions and proper attention to humanresources development to promote capacity building efforts. He supported the call fortransnational corporations to facilitate the transfer of EST and endorsed India'sproposal for a clearing-house mechanism. Environmentally sound management ofbiotechnology has immense potential, but there are a lot of uncertainties. ThePhilippines urged that the CSD harmonize efforts to maximize the use ofinformation systems for sustainable development. Measures are needed to make ESTsmore accessible and adaptable. Knowledge in the public domain should be updatedand enhanced to meet environmental standards.

Morocco called for international cooperation to ensure that all countries haveaccess to information networks. He supported the establishment of regional andsubregional centers of excellence, but questioned the availability of resources. Henoted the difficulty for the CSD to deal with the complicated issues of technology andbiotechnology in a one-day debate and called for the establishment of an ad hocworking group. Indonesia referred to the need for the CSD to promoteenvironmentally sound technology at the local and national levels. He also noted hiscountry's 60 field projects, which are supported by international agencies andinstitutions, and through which EST is being transferred. Barbados noted theimportance of education, science and EST transfer to small island developing States,supported the G-77/China proposal on Agenda 21, and noted that lack of funding isthe main obstacle to achieving the goals of Agenda 21.

Mexico urged the Commission to renew its efforts on biotechnology andbiosafety, and stressed the need for the development of international laws and norms.He also noted the need to protect indigenous technology and knowledge. He describedMexico's cooperation with Colombia and Venezuela in the areas of biotechnology,human resources and other multi-disciplinary schemes. Colombia noted thatenvironmental agreements, the protection of intellectual property, biosafety concernsand the Rio precautionary principle must be taken into account in the transfer of EST.

Japan said the key to the transfer of technology lies in the private sector. Hestressed the importance of joint efforts between governments and the private sector topromote technology transfer and cooperation. Japan supports the concept of thetechnology triangle, which stresses private and public partnership. Actions taken onbiotechnology and biosafety must be soundly based on scientific knowledge.

UNIDO, as biotechnology task manager, responded to some of the earlierinterventions. He argued that the report does not have an industry bias and thatbiotechnology was examined not as an industry but as a tool for sustainabledevelopment. UNIDO maintains that the COP for the Biodiversity Convention cannotcover all issues related to biosafety. There is ample ground for UN specializedagencies to take up the same issues from their own perspectives and expertise. What isneeded is the development of tools to assess the safe application of biotechnology.

The African Timber Organization stressed the importance of adequatetransfer of technology and capacity building for forestry management in Africa.Africa's problems include: inadequate infrastructures; low production levels andlimited productivity; the absence of good banking facilities at the local level; and thelack of effective training in the use of new technologies.

IN THE CORRIDORS

Some delegates have expressed frustration with the nature of the CSD thus far. Severalhave remarked that the first four days lacked focus and dynamism. Others suggestedthat two weeks would have been sufficient time to complete the Commission's work.The irony of these comments is that over the past two years delegates havecomplained about the insufficient amount of time for dialogue. In response to thesecomplaints, the CSD decided to allocate more time to ensure dialogue and discussion.However, it is felt that while this may be a step in the right direction, more planningwill be needed in the future to ensure more valuable exchanges.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will hear country presentations and exchanges ofnational experiences in the elaboration of sustainable development plans and strategiesand the establishment of national sustainable development councils. The morningsession will open with a statement by UNDP Administrator James Gustave Speth,followed by presentations by Bolivia and India. In the afternoon, there will bepresentations by Poland, Uganda and the UK.

DAY OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES: The Day of Local Authorities willbegin at 5:00 pm with the release of local Agenda 21 Case Studies. This will befollowed by a panel discussion on implementing Agenda 21 and local authorities.Panelists include local authorities from: Los Angeles, USA; Cajamarca, Peru;Hamilton-Wentworth, Canada; the UK; Tanzania; and Kanagawa, Japan.