Daily report for 24 June 1997

Participants at the 19th UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) heard 45statements in Plenary from 19 Heads of State or Government, 1 Crown Prince, 20governmental leaders, 3 heads of international organizations and 2 NGOs. Copies ofPlenary statements can be found on the Internet at <<gopher://gopher.un.org:70/11/ga/docs/S-19/statements/gov>>. Eight representatives from internationalorganizations addressed the Committee of the Whole (COW). In addition, the COWcontinued negotiating the draft outcome of the Session and informal ministerialconsultations were convened.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

DRAFT POLITICAL STATEMENT

COW Chair Tolba chaired afternoon negotiations on the draft political statement. Onparagraph 1 (purpose of UNGASS), CANADA and AUSTRALIA proposeddeleting the “long-term” goal of sustainable development, noting that immediate steps arealso needed. The G-77/CHINA objected that sustainable development cannot becompleted in the short-term.

On 2 (reaffirmation of UNCED), the G-77/CHINA proposed redefining theglobal partnership for sustainable development as one that respects the “indivisibility ofenvironmental protection and the development process.” CANADA preferred the existing“economic and social development interests of all.” The US proposed using the definitionof sustainable development used throughout the political statement. The EU proposedavoiding definitions since countries could not agree. The G-77/CHINA also proposedreaffirming that “sustained economic growth” as well as sustainable development must beconsidered long-term goals. The US proposed that sustained economic growth should be“in the context” of sustainable development, but the G-77/CHINA objected.

On 3 (recommitment to Rio principles), the G-77/China called for countries to“recommit” rather than “commit” to “work together to meet development andenvironmental needs.” This was not opposed. The group also called for reference to“incremental cost” but it was decided to include this elsewhere. On 4 (humans atthe center of sustainable development), CANADA supported the listing of major groups,but a number of countries suggested deleting the list and/or changing the formulation ofindigenous people[s]. At CHINA’s request, delegates deleted a reference to “civil”society.

On 5 (past and future progress), the G-77/CHINA deleted the reference to theachievement of positive results at the “international” level. The US objected.International results were to be included in an additional sentence. The G-77/CHINAproposed deleting the listing of environmental problems and added a reference to newand additional financial resources. The US said such repetition is unnecessary. TheCHAIR said his version calling for adequate and predictable financial resources wasagreed in the other draft document.

On 6 (problems), the G-77/CHINA deleted the reference to the growing gapbetween developed and “most” developing countries and growing disparities betweenrich and poor “within countries.” The US added rich and poor “within and among”countries. The G-77/CHINA added a reference to unsustainable patterns of productionand consumption “particularly in developed countries,” but the US objected. The G-77/CHINA reintroduced previous amendments regarding common but differentiatedresponsibilities and the sovereign right to exploit resources. On 7 (integration),the G-77/CHINA proposed: referring to “implementation of Agenda 21" rather thansustainable development; adding language on economic growth; and deleting a sentenceon democracy and human rights. The US proposed using the outcome of discussion onparagraph 17 (integration) of the proposed Programme for the Future Implementation ofAgenda 21. The US, the EU and CANADA proposed deleting the final sentence oncoercive economic measures and foreign occupation, but SYRIA argued for its retention.

PROPOSED PROGRAMME FOR THE FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OFAGENDA 21

Vice-Chair John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) chaired morning and eveningnegotiations on outstanding cross-sectoral issues.

Implementation in areas requiring urgent action: On 17 (integration ofeconomic, social and environmental objectives), the G-77/CHINA objected to bracketedtext on, inter alia: the interdependent nature of economic development andenvironmental protection; sustained economic growth; broad-based benefits; anddemocracy. The G-77/CHINA disagreed with the US and the EU on removal of thebrackets and the paragraph remained unresolved. On 18b (policy instruments),NEW ZEALAND and NORWAY disagreed on bracketed text referring to indigenouspeople[s] and the paragraph was not agreed. The G-77/CHINA proposed deleting 18c(job creation), but NORWAY, SWITZERLAND, the US, the EU and CANADAsupported retaining the paragraph, noting the importance of workers rights and povertyeradication. On 21(e) (impact of poverty on women), the EU maintainedbrackets on text regarding the report of the Fourth World Conference on Women.

The chapeau to 22, “Changing consumption and production patterns,” wasagreed ad referendum. On 22, the G-77/CHINA disagreed with the EU,the US, SWITZERLAND and NORWAY on the removal of brackets from two sentencesnoting unsustainable patterns in developing countries and emerging unsustainablepatterns in higher income groups in developing countries. The PHILIPPINES proposednoting the emerging patterns in “other” countries, rather than developing countries, whichwas accepted. Subparagraphs 22(a) (unsustainable patterns of production andconsumption) and 22(b) (role of business in shaping patterns of consumption)were agreed ad referendum. On subparagraph 22(f) (programmes onenergy and material efficiency), delegations agreed to remove brackets from an EU-proposed text on ten-fold and four-fold improvements in resource productivity inindustrialized countries. In subparagraph 22(g) (Governments lead in changingconsumption patterns), CHINA agreed ad referendum to the CHAIR’sreformulation of bracketed text, stating that “Governments in developed countries, inparticular, should take the lead in this regard.” No agreement was reached onsubparagraph 22(j) (eco-efficiency measures), where references to “the need toavoid” negative impacts on developing country export opportunities and “as appropriate,for countries with economies in transition” remain in brackets. In subparagraph 23(f)(strengthening cooperation between UN agencies, WTO and other bodies), INDIAsaid it wanted to keep a reservation.

Means of Implementation: The G-77/CHINA reformulated paragraph103 (high-tech info-communication) to note that a supportive environment needsto be established to enhance national capacity and capabilities for information collection,processing and dissemination, especially in developing countries, and that internationalcooperation is essential.

On paragraph 104 (Environmental Impact Assessment), the EU and USintroduced an introductory reference to Principle 17 of the Rio Declaration. The G-77/CHINA proposed that EIAs be undertaken for activities that are likely to havesignificant adverse impacts on the environment “and” (CANADA) subject to a decisionof a competent national authority. A NORWEGIAN- proposed text on environmentalvalues and EIAs of national or international investment programme[s] remains inbrackets.

On 105 (set of indicators), the text calls for a “practicable and agreed (EU)” setof indicators “suited to country specific conditions (G-77/CHINA),” to be used “on avoluntary basis by the year 2000 (EU).” The G-77/CHINA proposed changing “should”to “could” in reference to the role indicators play in monitoring progress. The US and EUobjected to changing unbracketed text. Paragraph 106 (indicators of sustainabledevelopment) was deleted.

On paragraph 107 (national reports on implementation), delegates agreed to theoriginal Co-Chairs’ draft and dropped all amendments. The G-77/CHINA agreed adreferendum.

MINISTERIAL CONSULTATION ON FINANCE

Ministers Jan Pronk (Netherlands) and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) chaired afternooninformal ministerial consultations on finance issues in the draft political statement andproposed Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21. Minister Pronksummarized the main areas of agreement: many participants said that UNCED’s financialtargets for funding sustainable development have to be reconfirmed and deplored theoverall decline in ODA. Participants committed to do their best to reverse the trend,though some noted domestic political difficulties. They discussed a flexible mechanismto allow States to regularly put their own finance record on the table and to engage indiscussion with the private sector, ministers from a range of government departments,including finance, and States in a position to begin contributing financial assistance.Several participants supported an integrated approach towards ODA, addressing, inparticular, poverty eradication and capacity building. Minister Pronk said the Co-Chairswould report to COW Chair Tolba.

FOREST CONTACT GROUP

The Chair of the Contact Group, Bagher Asadi (Iran), noted that a few things hadchanged since forests were discussed during the informal consultations that precededUNGASS. The Denver communique from the Group of 8 contained two paragraphs onforests. An open-ended informal ministerial working group on forests had also beenformed, which would provide political guidance to the negotiations. The group thenattempted to begin negotiations on paragraph 34 (follow-up action on forests). Thisparagraph consisted of a number of options, which include an intergovernmental forum oran intergovernmental negotiating committee. A number of countries supported using aformulation the Chair had offered as the basis for further negotiations. It was agreed to doso, on the understanding that elements missing from this formulation could bereintroduced during negotiations. Discussion began with the Chair’s text but did notproceed far, as proposals to reinstate missing elements were made. Delegates decided todefer further discussions until after the ministers meet Wednesday morning, but toprovide the ministers with one formulation that contained all positions to assist in theirdeliberations.

IN THE CORRIDORS I

Observers reported that the World Bank recently informed the Secretariat of theConvention to Combat Desertification that it is interested in contributing its expertise tothe Global Mechanism. The form of such contribution and whether the Bank could act asa partner with the institutions that have offered to host the Global Mechanism, IFAD andUNDP, is reportedly still unclear. Several developed countries have responded positively,although they await more details. Some developing countries are reportedly apprehensive,expressing concerns that the Global Mechanism’s assistance then might be tied toeconomic reforms. An informal meeting on outstanding CCD issues is expected Friday.

IN THE CORRIDORS II

A number of G-77 representatives expressed reservations about the establishment of theinformal Ministerial working groups to consider outstanding finance, forest and climatechange issues. One delegate said the Group objected to the deviation from the mainnegotiations and pointed out that a number of States did not have Ministers available toattend the meetings.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: 44 speakers are expected to offer statements regardingimplementation of Agenda 21 during morning and afternoon meetings in the GeneralAssembly Hall.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: The cross-sectoral group will meet from10:00-1:00 in Room 5 and from 6:00-9:00 pm. The group considering the draft politicalstatement will meet from 3:00-6:00 in Room 3. The ministerial group on forests will meetfrom 10:00-1:00 in Room 6. The consultations on sectoral issues will meet from 3:00-6:00 in Room 6.