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Late Breaking News from CSD-5

Updated 9 April 1997

During the second day of the High-Level Segment, delegates to CSD-5 heard over fifty statements from ministers, ambassadors and NGOs on the proposed outcome of the Special Session of the General Assembly. UNGA President Razali Ismail (Malaysia) also addressed the Commission and said the poor must be the primary beneficiaries of UNGASS. He called for an analysis of cross-sectoral issues on a par with that of sectoral issues. He said the CSD should: place poverty eradication at the center of debates; address unsustainable production and consumption patterns; respect the rights and needs of indigenous people; go beyond the current debate over ODA and FDI; and examine the role of international financial institutions. He also recommended: setting frameworks to examine the speculative nature of capital flows; analyzing the impact of deregulation; and addressing developments in the WTO.

One issue that has received attention both in the Trusteeship Council Chamber as well as in the corridors is the future of UNEP and the relationship between the CSD and UNEP. A number of speakers, including Norway, Gabon and Switzerland, called for strengthening UNEP. Thailand called on Member States to provide the necessary financial support for UNEP and supported a strengthened CSD role in international environmental issues. Mexico emphasized the distinction between the mandates of UNEP and the CSD and the importance of cooperation between them. New Zealand expressed concern that discussions on global environmental issues would be relegated to UNEP.

Along these lines, the US convened a meeting of the Vinci group Wednesday to discuss the outcome of the decision taken by the Governing Council on the future of UNEP. Observers described the meeting as the beginning of an exercise in mending relations between Western countries and the G-77 in the wake of the debate over UNEP's future. They reported that the first meeting of the new ministerial body to oversee UNEP's work will meet during UNGASS. It is understood that Spain became the first of those countries who suspended their contributions to UNEP to declare its intention to resume payments. The UK is reported to be waiting until the new governance structure has been tried and tested, while the US resumption, when it comes, may have strings attached.

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.