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SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION
Document A/AC.241/66, on a draft proposed programme of work for the Committee on Science and Technology (CST), suggests four priority areas: networking of institutions; benchmarks and indicators; inventories of traditional and local knowledge; and establishment of research priorities. Regarding networking, the G-77 and China suggested identifying potential networks in addition to existing networks. India called attention to regional networks.
Document A/AC.241/INF.4 reports on work being done on benchmarks and indicators. The UK suggested that the informal group that prepared the report: be continued and expanded; extend its work to other regions in addition to Africa; and develop guidelines on ways to apply and use indicators. The Working Group decided to ask delegations, international and non-governmental organizations to send the Interim Secretariat views on how to conduct work on inventories of traditional and local technology, knowledge, know-how and practices as well as on the establishment of research priorities. The NGO working group on the CST proposed a group to focus on local area development. South Africa noted the importance of the bottom-up approach and supported the NGO proposal calling for a consultative group on local area development. It would work in the same manner as the group on benchmarks and indicators and give input to the CST. The Chair and the UK suggested that the CST could discuss the proposal at COP-1.
Document A/AC.241/67, report on the work of other bodies performing work similar to that envisaged for the CST, contains: two areas of cooperation (Convention provisions and methods of cooperation); and bodies identified for cooperation purposes (scientific committees and panels, international organizations and NGOs).
Egypt, supported by Tanzania, Kenya and Senegal, suggested the appointment of a group of experts to take an inventory on how the CST could benefit from other bodies. Tanzania, supported by Kenya, Senegal and the UK, suggested that the report should include regional and subregional bodies and that the Interim Secretariat could forward an inventory of such bodies to COP-1. The UK said there were international organizations missing from the list and noted that the methods of cooperation need to be examined by the COP before giving them to the CST. India suggested that the CST should be instructed to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technology.
The Chair said that the INCD could ask the Interim Secretariat to call together an expert group to take an inventory and to consider regional and subregional bodies. This group could operate similarly to the open-ended consultative process on benchmarks and indicators. Delegations were asked to submit their suggestions on this issue to the Interim Secretariat by 15 March.
Working Group II adopted draft decisions A/AC.241/WG.II(X)/ L.2-6. Document L.2 reports on modalities and timing of future work for the CST on inventories of research, traditional and local technology, knowledge, know-how and practices and on the establishment of research priorities. Document L.3 is a report on work of other bodies performing work similar to that envisaged for the CST. Document L.4 is a report on work being done on benchmarks and indicators.
Document L.5 addresses work to be undertaken by the CST on networking of institutions, agencies and bodies. It requests the Interim Secretariat to solicit proposals from an indicative list of competent organizations, contained in Annex II of the same document, to undertake a survey and evaluation of existing networks, institutions, agencies and bodies willing to become units of a network that shall support the implementation of the Convention. The decision also requests the Interim Secretariat to circulate summaries of proposals from such organizations before COP-1. It finally recommends that the CST review the terms of reference in Annex I and make any recommended changes to the COP, and that the CST recommend for COP consideration and approval an organization to complete the survey. Annex I contains the draft terms of reference and the proposed organization of work to be undertaken on networking of institutions, agencies and bodies.
Document L.6, on the organization of the work of the CST, invites delegations to contribute comments on subjects to be discussed at the first meeting of the CST by 17 March 1997.