You are viewing our old site. See the new one here


Thirteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-13)
11-22 April 2005 | United Nations Headquarters, New York

 Earth Negotiations Bulletin

  English   French Spanish
Daily Web coverage
HTM PDF
TXT
HTM PDF
TXT
HTM PDF
TXT
Curtain
Raiser
15 April
22 April &
Summary

On Photo: CSD Chair John Ashe with Byron Blake of Jamaica, who is speaking on behalf of the G-77/China

 

Highlights from Friday, 15 April

On Friday morning, delegates met in Plenary to provide initial comments on the Chair's draft elements for CSD-13's negotiated decision, which had been distributed the previous day. On Friday afternoon, informal negotiations began on the draft text, beginning with the preambular paragraphs and the section on international institutional arrangements for follow-up of the CSD-13 decision.

CSD Chair John Ashe speaks with Jonathan Margolis, US, and Hossein Moeini Meybodi, Iran, before the morning session begins (left) and JoAnne DiSano, Director, Division for Sustainable Development with Chair Ashe (right)
   
 
 

During the morning session during which delegations made general comments to the Chair's text, Byron Blake of Jamaica, speaking for the G-77/China, commented on the need to identify which actors are responsible for which tasks at all levels.

Jonathan Margolis, US, commended the text, and called on Chair Ashe to ensure that participants produce a final version that is “worthy” of a reformed CSD process.

Elisabeth Colotte, Luxembourg, speaking for the EU, supported giving cross-cutting issues more prominence in the text.

 
 

Ross Dalton, Australia, said that adding to text on cross-cutting issues would lead to reopening of the JPOI consensus, and commended the Chair's draft as “groundbreaking."

Enele Sopoaga, Tuvalu, speaking for AOSIS, suggested including a reference to the unique situation and needs of SIDS, as well as to the convening of regular meetings to review the Mauritius Strategy within the CSD format. He also called for more collaboration among MEAs, including the CBD, CCD and Ramsar Conventions, and arrangements from GEF on water harvesting and other schemes.

Business and Industry urged stronger text on the importance of access to water, sanitation, and quality human settlements, underscored linkages with health issues, and supported anti-corruption measures, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and enabling frameworks to encourage entrepreneurship. He also commented that the distinction between needs and rights-based approach was unnecessary.

 
 

Science and Technology called for text reflecting the ongoing knowledge generated through research, capacity building in science and technology, and education and training, which he suggested be placed in a separate section.

Women focused on the central role of women and the gender factor in achieving the goals and targets related to the CSD themes, and made specific suggestions on textual change in the Chair's text.

NGOs called for a country-specific table of commitments, requested a focus on monitoring as a multi-level process and specific requests for donors, and said efforts to compel countries to adopt pro-privatization policies should be rejected.

 
   
Jonathan Margolis and Uganda proposed adding text on African regional initiatives on water and sanitation.

John Ashe speaks with JoAnne DiSano (left) and JoAnne DiSano with Ralph Chipman and Espen Ronneberg, UN DESA
 
John Ashe meets with EU and G-77/China members to determine the way forward after the G-77/China requested more time before beginning negotiations and the EU asked that the delegates consider the document in just one group rather than two.
 
 
The projector screen collapsed just as the negotiations were about to begin, causing delays

Delegates begin to address the Preamble and Section D on International Arrangement for Follow-Up of CSD-13 Decisions

The G-77/China proposed additions to reaffirm past commitments and principles, and also suggested acknowledging that many countries will be unable to meet targets without “drastic” changes and identifying major implementation constraints.

 
 
On the preambular section, the EU suggested numerous amendments, including adding language noting that progress on CSD-13's key themes underpins the attainability of the other MDGs, and text emphasizing sustainability, land tenure, the need for donor coordination, IWRM, and good and multi-level governance.


 

Vice-Chairs Husniyya Mammadova and Khaled Elbakly with Elisabeth Colotte, EU (left) and Saudi Arabia and Colombia discussing the text (right)

 

 

Ralph Chipman and Espen Ronneberg, Secretariat, enter in the proposed changes to the Chair's text (left)

 

Vice-Chair Khaled Elbakly announces the programme of work for Monday

 


Learning Center: The Institute @ CSD: Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programme & National IWRM Planning
This course addressed the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and the Strategic Action Programme (TDA/SAP) approach in the GEF International Waters Focal Area. It also looked at processes and key elements of national IWRM planning. The workshop also explored linkagesbetween the two "methodologies" and how the TDA/SAP approach and experience can be utilized in national IWRM planning
 

Vadim Sokolov, Global Water Partnership (left)


Side Event: The Role of Education in Building Sustainable Human Settlements: Organized by the UNU, UNESCO Chair, and UN CSD Education Caucus

 


Miscellanous Photos
 
 
Ingvar Andersson, Senior Water Adviser, Water Division, Department for Natural Resources and the Environment, Swedish Internationa, introduces the process for composting human faeces, using a composting toilet. For more information, visit www.ecosanres.org


 
 


RELEVANT LINKS