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Late Breaking News from CSD-5

Updated 24 April 1997

Scenes from "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" at the United Nations.

Although CSD-5 is rapidly drawing to a close, a sense of urgency was notably absent from the UN on Thursday. Delegates moved slowly through the text of the document to be adopted by the Special Session of the General Assembly, and some observers went so far as to say that the G-77 is stalling. After a brief morning Plenary, where CSD Chair Mostafa Tolba updated delegates on the status of the negotiations and warned them that they would not be allowed to leave the UN until they had completed their work, the two drafting groups and numerous informal groups met throughout the day.

Drafting Group I negotiated elements from the sections on Sectors and Issues and Assessment of Progress Since UNCED. Drafting Group II worked on the section on the Means of Implementation. Informal consultations took place on a number of issues. On institutional arrangements, outstanding issues considered included: the role of the CSD within ECOSOC; IDA and GEF replenishment; reviews by and among countries within regions; and modalities to ensure greater participation of major groups' institutions and networks. The group considering the programme of work and draft decision on streamlining national reports was to meet after 10:00 pm. Informal group discussions on an EU freshwater proposal met mid-day and were expected to continue during the night. Delegates also held informal consultations on energy and toxic chemicals and hazardous waste issues.

While negotiations continued at CSD-5, the corridors of the UN were filled with over 100 girls between the ages of 7 and 15 who participated in the annual "Take Our Daughters to Work Day." UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and others spoke to the girls about career options at the United Nations, among other issues, during the day's activities.

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