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Highlights from Thursday, 21 December
 The
Committee of the Whole (COW) convened in a morning and afternoon
session to consider a report by the Global Mechanism (GM), review
its operational strategy and consider outstanding agenda items on
rule 47 of the rules of procedure. The COW did not hear reports from
the Chairs of the contact groups as they had not completed their
work. The ad hoc working
group on the review of CCD implementation (AHWG) met to hear the
Co-Chairs' interim report. Plenary
was briefly convened later in the afternoon, but did not consider
the reports of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST), the
AHWG and the Interparliamentary Roundtable held in parallel to the
COP on 12-13 December, as expected due to lack of quorum.
Above photo:
The dias during the morning session of the COW chaired by Kabelo
Mafura (Lesotho)
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Committee of the Whole:
GLOBAL
MECHANISM
The Global Mechanism (GM) Managing Director Per Rydén (Left) presented documents
ICCD/ COP(4)/4 and Add.2, as well as Add.1 (A) and Add.1(B) on the GM
operational modalities, provision of guidance to it and operational
strategy. He highlighted some of the GM's activities in the development
of action programmes, the finances it had secured, and innovative
mechanisms used to channel resources. Rydén said the GM is developing a
new paradigm in multilateral conventions' resource allocation and
collaborating with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). He noted that
additional resources were needed, including for additional staff, as the
use of consultants is unsustainable.
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NIGERIA, for the G-77/China, and supported by the Southern
African Development Community, noted the GM's limitations to
mobilize resources due to its mandate, dependence on COP for
resources and limited US$1.3 million budget that could do little
more than pay staff.
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AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON IMPLEMENTATION:
Co-Chair Willem van Cotthem (Left) introduced the
Co-Chairs' interim report of the first session of the AHWG on the
review of CCD implementation (ICCD/COP(4)/INFORMAL/2). He noted that
it was a Co-Chairs' text and should not be negotiated. The report
contains background information on the AHWG session and proceedings,
and highlights best practices and successes, main obstacles and
challenges, linkages and synergies with other conventions, and
strategies established within the framework of sustainable
development plans/policies, as identified in the reports presented.
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FRANCE, for the EU, supported measures to
promote an exchange between stakeholders of the AHWG and maximum
participation. CANADA, supported by NORWAY, underscored further
integration of NGOs, especially women's organizations, and
suggested that more information on participation and gender
mainstreaming be included in future reports.
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AUSTRALIA, supported by CANADA, the US and NORWAY, stressed
that the session had been a learning exercise, and said the
identification of best practices and common challenges had been
of greatest benefit. He emphasized that time should be made
available at the resumed session for an informal wrap-up after
presentations, by clusters of countries.
UZBEKISTAN and MYANMAR
expressed disappointment at the absence of the World Bank, UNDP
and certain donor countries at the session, and called for more
concrete suggestions for implementation.
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