Daily report for 22 April 1997

Delegates to CSD-5 met in two Drafting Groups and three informal groups during themorning, afternoon and evening. A draft declaration and a draft decision regarding SIDSwere distributed.

DRAFTING GROUP I

On 28 (energy), the EU proposed developing a common strategy for sustainableenergy and an intersessional high-level CSD forum on environment and energy. The G-77/CHINA said the initiative must ensure developing country input and participation. TheUS, AUSTRALIA and CANADA, among others, stressed the need for flexibility andexpressed concerns on: prejudging the work programme deliberations; the implications of“strategy;” the structure and funding of the forum; integration of regional organizations;and prescription of national energy policies. The proposal was bracketed.

On 28(a) (provision of energy services), the EU added strengthening “domesticefforts” to a G-77/CHINA amendment on strengthening international cooperation, but theG-77/CHINA preferred assisting developing countries’ efforts. On 28(b) (energypolicies), delegates revised a G-77/CHINA redraft on, [where appropriate], promotingpolicies [and plans for sustainable energy production and consumption] taking account ofeconomic, “social” and environmental aspects of production, distribution and use. In28(c) (modern renewable sources), a G-77/CHINA reformulation on time-boundcommitments for relevant technology transfer to increase the use of renewables andcleaner fossil fuels was accepted by the EU with brackets around “time-boundcommitments.” UKRAINE and RUSSIA added economies in transition. AUSTRALIAsaid developed countries should also increase the use of renewables. ICELAND called fortargets in this regard.

On 28(d) (investment and R&D), delegates amended a G-77/CHINA redraft onpromoting efforts in R&D “and use” (US) of renewable technologies. To G-77/CHINAtext on further research, development, application and transfer of technology, the USproposed “cleaner and more efficient” technology. The G-77/CHINA objected and theinsertion was bracketed. ICELAND’s proposal for targets to increase the share ofrenewables was not supported. On 28(e) (subsidies), AUSTRALIA, JAPAN,NEW ZEALAND, the US and the EU made proposals related to, inter alia:specific conditions of countries; reduction and/or elimination of subsidies;environmentally-damaging subsidies; and fossil and nuclear energy. The G-77/CHINAproposed deleting the paragraph. The Chair suggested that Northern countries discuss theproposals and consult with the G-77/CHINA. New subparagraphs on internationalcooperation on countermeasures (JAPAN) and nuclear safety (NORWAY) were added.

On oceans, delegates agreed that the EU-proposed 26(a)bis, calling forcreating and strengthening, where needed, the system of regional and sub-regionalagreements for ocean protection, would replace 26(b), which contains referencesto specific agreements and principles. On 26(c) (overcapacity), the Chairproposed a paragraph noting that States should address the elimination or prevention ofovercapacity (CANADA) and the sustainable management and utilization (G-77/CHINA)of fishery (US) resources (ICELAND) and the reduction of wasteful fishing practices ofdeveloped countries (G-77/CHINA). JAPAN bracketed the reference to developedcountries. The G-77/CHINA proposed a reference to industrial fishing. NORWAY,JAPAN, CANADA and the US emphasized that these problems are not only applicable todeveloped countries. The Chair proposed addressing these problems wherever they occur,especially in relation to large-scale fishing. Delegates agreed ad referendum thatgovernments should consider the positive and negative impacts of subsidies and that theissues will need to be addressed in fora such as COFI.

On 26(d) (government action), NORWAY, supported by CANADA, proposedeliminating all references to specific organizations and adding language on, interalia, improving the quality and quantity of scientific data. He also called for greaterinternational cooperation to assist developing countries. Delegates bracketed26(e) (follow-up) pending progress on the programme of work. On 26(f)(marine pollution), delegates discussed proposals on contingency planning, liability andcompensation mechanisms, UNGA decision 51/189 and oil spills. On 25(h)(international watercourses), delegates agreed to development of internationalwatercourses by “watercourse States” based on recent UNGA Sixth Committee andInternational Law Commission decisions.

On 29 (transport), the Chair proposed a compromise chapeau stating that currenttransport patterns (G-77/CHINA), with their dominant (IRAN) patterns of energy use (G-77/CHINA), are not sustainable and current trends may have damaging effects on theglobal atmosphere, local air quality and human health (CANADA, US, AUSTRALIA andSWITZERLAND). The G-77/CHINA objected to noting specific environmentalproblems.

DRAFTING GROUP II

On 17bis (globalization), the G-77/CHINA and the US agreed toacknowledge that, as a result of globalization, external factors have become critical indetermining the success of developing countries’ national efforts.

On 20 (trade and environment), delegates agreed to Agenda 21 language for theheading: making trade and environment mutually supportive. On 20(macroeconomics), delegates agreed to text on accelerating economic growth,poverty eradication “and environmental protection” (EC) “particularly in developingcountries” (G-77/CHINA) and enabling all, “in particular developing countries,”(G-77/CHINA) to benefit from globalization. On strengthening “international” (G-77/CHINA) support for capacity-building, the EC added calls for greater responsivenessto sustainable development in the WTO, and the US added national governments.Delegates accepted an EC proposal, amended by the G-77/CHINA, stating that tradeobstacles should be removed to contribute to efficient use of natural resources. The G-77/CHINA accepted a reference to least developed countries in its amendment on specialand differential treatment for developing countries, along with a US call for fullimplementation of other Uruguay Round provisions. On a G-77/CHINA amendment onprotectionist practices, the US bracketed a reference to particularly those affectingdeveloping countries and countries with economies in transition.

The G-77/CHINA added Agenda 21 language regarding transparency of trade measuresand avoidance of environmental measures that result in trade restrictions and barriers,along with Rio Principles language recognizing costs “in particular” in developingcountries (RUSSIA). Delegates added EC text calling for action to maximize theopportunities of developing countries, including net food importers (NAMIBIA), inadjusting to changes introduced by the Uruguay Round. The US, the EC and othersobjected to a G-77/CHINA proposal calling for removal of all barriers impedingaccession to the WTO for applying developing countries. Text calling for facilitation, in amutually beneficial way, of applications was agreed with a RUSSIAN addition of“countries with economies in transition.” The Chair reformulated a NORWEGIANproposal regarding consideration of social, economic and environmental effects of furtherliberalization, to note that sustainable development and trade should be mutuallysupportive. It was bracketed.

On 20(c) (disguised trade restrictions), CANADA proposed that“implementation of environmental measures should” not result in disguised “barriers”(US) to trade. A new subparagraph states that, within the Agenda 21 framework, traderules and environmental principles should interact harmoniously (EC). Subparagraph20(f) (positive measures), with EC text on the general system of preferences, wasdeleted. On 20(g) (coordination and strengthening of issues), the G-77/CHINAhighlighted cooperation between UNCTAD, UNEP and other relevant institutions,including the “WTO” (EC). On 20(g)(i) (multilateral environmental agreements),the EC linked MEAs to “a package of measures, including in certain cases, trademeasures.” On (g)(iii) (regional action), the EC added environmentalagreements. On (g)(iv) (sustainable development and investment), the ECaccepted the Chair’s suggestions for a reference to a possible multilateral framework oninvestment and for a call for any future multilateral agreement on investment to beconsistent with sustainable development, instead of a call directed to the OECD MAInegotiations.

On 21 (population), delegates added G-77/CHINA text noting the relationshipbetween economic growth, poverty, employment, environment and sustainabledevelopment and linkages between demographic trends and sustainable development.Delegates agreed to policies that promote “economic development, social developmentand environmental protection” and “poverty eradication” (G-77/CHINA) and theexpansion of basic education with “full and equal” (CANADA) access for girls andwomen. ARGENTINA and MALTA preferred the original reference to “family andmaternal health care” but the US and CANADA called for agreed language from ICPDand FWCW. Delegates bracketed the original language and added “reproductive healthcare which covers both family planning and sexual health (EU) consistent with the ICPDreport” in separate brackets and deleted text identifying priority actions.

On 22 (health), the US added protection for children from “infectious diseases.”The G-77/CHINA and the US agreed to prioritize efforts, “particularly in developingcountries,” to eradicate major infectious diseases. The US specified approaches to diseasereduction and transmission of diseases including malaria and HIV/AIDS. The G-77/CHINA bracketed a US amendment on eliminating lead poisoning. CANADA calledfor “ambient and indoor air pollution” strategies, and the G-77/CHINA bracketed US texton tobacco smoke. Delegates agreed to “emphasize” (US) the linkage between health andenvironment and to address the lack of information on pollution (G-77/CHINA).

INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS

PROGRAMME OF WORK: Delegates proposed alternative scenarios andadditional sectoral, cross-sectoral and economic sectors for CSD consideration, including:land management, including urbanization; poverty eradication; international cooperationfor an enabling environment; sanitation; fisheries; indigenous peoples; trade andinvestment; and forestry. One delegation preferred not to highlight a specific cross-sectoral issue each year. Another preferred to delete the economic sector category.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Delegates agreed on approximately tensections of text. Issues discussed in the agreed text included: reference to the UN reformprocess; co-location of secretariats; a UNEP role in linking conventions; UN regionalcommission review of national reports; and the modalities for the next review of Agenda21. Outstanding issues include: the appropriate location of references to the IDA andGEF; designation of the GEF as the “permanent” funding entity; focusing the CSDagenda; and participation of NGOs in trade and sustainable development issues. Thegroup did not finish reviewing the 22 April draft and may meet Wednesday afternoon.

FORESTS: Delegates reached some consensus on the revised draft. In theintroductory paragraph, text on forests as “one of the major” reservoirs of biodiversitywas agreed but a reference to forests’ function in the climatic balance remains bracketed.The other preambular paragraphs were agreed, with additions stating that the“intergovernmental” dialogue be “integrated” and continue to be “an open, transparentand participatory process.” Subparagraphs were agreed on: national forest programmes;enhanced international cooperation; the Interagency Task Force; and incorporation of theIPF’s action proposals into international institutions’ work programmes. Subparagraphson implementation of the action proposals, clarification of IPF trade and environmentissues, forests as a source of renewable energy for local communities in LDCs, andinstitutional follow-up remain pending.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

DRAFTING GROUPS: Drafting Group I will commence with text on transportin Conference Room 1, and is expected to hold a night session. Drafting Group II will commence with Means of Implementation in Conference Room 6.

INFORMAL GROUPS: Informal consultations are expected to continue on theprogramme of work, institutional arrangements and forests.