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Theo-Ben
Gurirab, President of the General Assembly Special Session,
In
his closing remarks, President Theo-Ben Gurirab reaffirmed the
list of renewed commitments, including those regarding full employment;
debt cancellation, women's empowerment and gender equality; and
multilateral trade based on social justice and equity. He underscored
the UNGASS addressed in particular the AIDS epidemic and said
that apart from nuclear weapons of mass destruction, AIDS represented
the greatest danger to the survival of humanity. He underscored
the important role of NGOs and said they must be listened to.
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Vice-Chair
and Rapporteur Bagher Asadi presented the report of the Committee
of the Whole to the General Assembly during the Closing Plenary
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Canada,
speaking for Canada and Norway
Canada
and Norway expressed satisfaction on 111 (e) bis on new
and innovative sources of funding for dedication to social development
and poverty eradication programmes, and welcomed the opportunity
to take a closer look at mechanisms, including a Currency Transaction
Tax.
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Nigeria,
speaking for the G-77/China, in the Closing Plenary
In Closing
Remarks, Bangladesh lamented that there was not more explicit
reference in the document for the need to assess the gender impact
of globalization. He said UNIFEM should take a take the first step
in monitoring such impacts.
Listen
to Gabon's statement on behalf of African Countries
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France,
speaking on behalf of the European Union; France took over the presidency
of the EU on 1 July
The
EU lamented the lack o f explicit reference to good governance in
the Political Declaration, He highlighted 6 new points of progress
in the initiatives, including those related to the ILO, enterprises
and social responsibility, good practices in social development,
and access to health care and better access to essential drugs at
affordable prices. He also highlighted 4 regrets, stating the EU
document did not go far enough on cooperation between major organizations,
or on social indicators, and social protection. He would have preferred
explicit reference to the Global Compact
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Final meeting of the Committee
of the Whole
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Delegates
discussed paragraph 69 on foreign occupation. Many supported retaining
the paragraph, including Syria, Palestine, Indonesia, China, Sudan,
and Egypt. Canada, the US and the France, now speaking on behalf of
the EU, opposed this paragraph. Jamaica proposed that delegates compromise
by strengthening paragraph 18, on self determination. Delegates met
informally and reached agreement to strengthen paragraph 18 with reference
to removing obstacles that are incompatible with the dignity and worth
of the human person and that must be combated and eliminated. The
group agreed to to delete paragraph 69. |
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Gloria
Kan and John Langmore, Division for Social Policy, and Nitin Desai
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Syria
(right) and other delegations called for retention of paragraph
69 on foreign occupation. The EU, Canada and the US opposed. Jamaica
(left) suggested that delegates compromise and strengthen paragraph
18 instead.
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The
informal negotiations on foreign occupation were led by Vice-Chair
Kheireddine Ramoul, Algeria
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Final Session of Working Group
III on the Political Declaration which adjourned at 1:45 Saturday
morning
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Chair
Bagher Asadi reported back to the Working Group after agreement was
reached on the text in informal negotiations. |
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The
US consulting with Japan (left) and the Holy See discussion the
Declaration with Sudan
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Delegates in the final meeting of the Political Declaration
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Barbara
Adams, NGLS, Jocelyn Dow, WEDO, and Chair Maquieira |
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Click
here for ENB's coverage of the informals,
which includes the Summary
Report of WSSD+5 Informal Consultations held from 17-23 May
2000 (also in PDF
and Text formats)
Click
here for ENB coverage of the second PrepCom held 3-14 April in New
York.
The results
of the consultations can be found in the versions dated 23 May of
the two main negotiation documents:
L5
Rev.3 (Part I), as of 23 May 2000, 4:15 PM - Draft political
declaration to be adopted in Geneva. Also available in MS
Word version.
L.5/Rev.3
(Part III), as of 23 May 2000, 1:00 PM - Further actions and
initiatives to implement the commitments made at the Summit. Also
available in MS
Word version
Secretariat web site for the Special Session, which includes
information on the speakers list, agenda and programme, Chairman's
panels, practical information and latest news
The
Geneva 2000 Forum, held in conjunction with the Special Session,
will be a platform for sharing experiences through panels, discussions,
exhibitions, video, etc., with new and innovative approaches in
social and economic development policies and activities, and provide
a fertile ground for new ideas. The Forum is organized and hosted
by the Government of Switzerland. No less than 150 side events are
being planned as part of the Geneva 2000 Forum.
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Linkages Coverage of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen
A summary of the major issues
Agenda for the Special Session
Secretariat web site with official
documents and information
for NGO participants
Secretary-general's
Report on the Implementation of the Outcome of the WSSD
Summary
of the WSSD agreements
Geneva 2000 Forum, to be held in conjunction
with the Special Session
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