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URGENT ACTION FOR AFRICA

Takao Shibata (Japan) has been consulting with heads of delegations on his draft resolution on the urgent measures to be taken during the interim period (between the adoption of the Convention and the first meeting of the COP). The draft resolution apparently requests: the preparation of national and sub-regional action programmes, or a review of existing ones; developed countries to provide the support necessary, consistent with their developed cooperation policies; assistance and necessary funding from relevant organizations, including the UN and its agencies, the private sector, NGOs and other international and multilateral organizations. Additionally, the draft resolution mentions the establishment of national coordinating bodies, where necessary, as well as the establishment of partnership arrangements to facilitate the coordination of activities. It also invites countries to provide information on how they could assist and the actions they will take, when they sign the Convention.

Several groups held consultations Wednesday afternoon to discuss the draft. There was generally a positive response, but some delegations are concerned that the proposals are still too general as they assign responsibility to "no one and everyone." According to some, the resolution should be more specific in answering four questions: who, what, when and how.