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Late Breaking News from CSD-5

Updated 23 April 1997

Wednesday was another busy, yet frustrating, day at CSD-5. With only two days left, delegates have discussed about 70% of the text, leaving many contentious issues still in brackets. The Secretariat insists that there is no time or money for an additional negotiating session prior to the Special Session, however, many delegates and observers are wondering what will happen since agreement on this document does not appear to be iminent.

Drafting Group I moved through a number of sectoral issues, including transport, atmosphere, hazardous wastes, toxic chemicals, sustainable agriculture and desertification and drought. Drafting Group II spent the entire day discussing financial resources and mechanisms.

Consultations also continued on forests, institutions and the CSD programme of work. In the informal consultations on institutions, delegates continued to debate references to: the UNEP Governing Council decision of 4 April 1997; UNEP's role; UNCTAD's role; IDA replenishment; GEF designation as a permanent funding mechanism; CSD's role in regard to ECOSOC; reviews by and among countries within regions; arrangements for interaction with major groups; and integration of the committees on renewable energy sources and natural resources into the work of the CSD.

On forests, the group made limited progress on further clarification of issues arising from the IPF, agreeing to highlight "international cooperation in financial assistance and technology transfer and trade and environment relating to forest products" from the IPF report. Several developing countries preferred adding traditional forest-related knowledge but some developed countries objected to specifying issues other than those remaining unresolved from IPF. A footnote on terms of reference for an intergovernmental process and options for institutional follow-up remain pending.

Thursday's issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin summarizes Wednesday's meeting. You can also download the Earth Negotiations Bulletin in either text or PDF format.