Daily report for 24 May 1994

Working Group I completed its first reading of the draft texts oninformation provided by governments and changing consumptionpatterns. By the time it completed its work, it had adopted textson finance, major groups, decision- making structures andinformation provided by governments and organizations. The Chairnotified the delegates of the Bureau's decision that the"Indicators for sustainable development" draft text would not beconsidered, although it is on the agenda for the High-LevelSegment.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENTS: The G-77 suggested thatthe title be changed to: "Information provided by Governments andOrganizations." In paragraph 1 (receipt of reports), the CzechRepublic, supported by Finland and the US, suggested that reportsinclude information on indicators, since the draft text onindicators would not be discussed. The G-77 said that manydelegations had advised the Chair not to take up this issue.Austria offered language to recognize the purpose of theinformation that is reported, and the G-77 followed with acomplementary amendment.

Several of the interventions on paragraph 2 (format for reporting)contained details on follow-up actions. Japan suggested that theSecretariat's format be developed by August 1994. Switzerlandcalled for information to be comparable. In paragraph 3 (assistancefor report preparation), the G-77 requested that the donorsmentioned be identified. The Netherlands corrected the reference to"donors" with "more experienced countries." The Chair suggested afootnote to list countries that have offered to assist others. TheG-77 then expressed its real desire that the paragraph be deleted.Austria and the EU expressed their interest in retaining theparagraph.

CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: The discussion was able toachieve consensus on one point -- the text was too long. Algeria,on behalf of the G-77 and China, suggested that the Working Groupuse their position paper on patterns of consumption. Greece, onbehalf of the EU, disagreed, arguing that the G-77 text was tooprocedural. After hearing general comments, the Chair decided thatdelegates should indicate the paragraphs they feel are redundant aswell as the important elements that should remain. The EU notedthat: unsustainable production patterns should also be considered;the need to change production and consumption patterns detrimentalto the environment must be reaffirmed; and the responsibility ofdeveloped countries is important. The EU also suggested deleting 10of the 25 paragraphs. The G-77 proposed deleting 17 paragraphs, 6of which were the same as the EU's proposed deletions. Saudi Arabiathought the text should be more general and not prejudge certainissues. Austria mentioned some basic elements to be included: therole of governments; strategies available for pricing; the questionof economic instruments; and the Commission's recommendations. TheUS was the only delegation that was willing to work from theChair's text.

FINANCE: Several paragraphs into the text, the EUentertained the G-77's proposal to accept the draft text withoutchanges. However, they wanted to retain changes that had alreadybeen made. Poland and Saudi Arabia wanted to amend certainparagraphs, so the revised draft was consideredparagraph-by-paragraph. In paragraph 8 (trade liberalization), theEU requested that the call for an open trading system be within thecontext of making trade and environmental policies mutuallysupportive and favorable to sustainable development. Moroccodisagreed. The US, India, Norway and Korea expressed theirpreference for the existing text. Agenda 21 language was used toreach a compromise.

On paragraph 9 (debt), the Philippines proposed debt cancellationin meritorious cases. Paragraph 10 (policy reforms) generated muchdisagreement. Saudi Arabia suggested deleting specific referencesto economic instruments such as environmental taxes and usercharges. The G-77 called for policy reforms and changes inproduction and consumption patterns in developed countries.Building upon the EU revised text and G-77 comments, theSecretariat proposed that the reference to developed countries bemoved from after "policy reforms" to after "sustainabledevelopment."

Poland, supported by the Russian Federation, noted the importanceof paragraph 12, the only reference to countries with economies intransition. The G-77 suggested a complementary paragraph referringto the difficult task developing countries face in achievingaccelerated growth. The US added a paragraph that referenced thevalue of national sustainable development strategies.

Considerable disagreement also existed over paragraph 14(innovative financing mechanisms). Saudi Arabia, supported byVenezuela, requested deletion of the examples -- emission charges,tradeable permits, etc. Egypt, Brazil and the EU objected. Acompromise was finally reached to refer to the innovative financialmechanisms in the intersessional working group on finance's reportand call for further study.

In paragraph 17 (goal of sustainable development) the G-77 added asentence noting that a role could be played by FDI and privatecapital flows in diversification of production in developingcountries. The US and Norway noted that this sentence might bebetter placed elsewhere, but at the insistence of Benin paragraph17 was adopted as amended.

MAJOR GROUPS: Only two paragraphs of the revised draft texton major groups gave rise to comment. Tunisia revised paragraph 2(children and youth) so that the CSD encourages "the participationof children, youth and their organizations." China remindeddelegates of its call for the deletion of paragraph 8(international organizations and major groups), but offered apossible reformation that limits the role of internationalorganizations to support major groups within their respectivemandates and in compliance with laws, sustainable developmentstrategies and priorities of countries concerned. Afterconsultations, the EU "reluctantly" accepted the Chineseamendments.

DECISION-MAKING STRUCTURES: The G-77 proposed moving therequest for UNEP to further study the concepts, requirements andimplications of sustainable development and international law fromparagraph 8 to paragraph 2 (international law in support of thegoals of Agenda 21). This was accepted and, as a result, paragraph8 was deleted. India made a small amendment to paragraph 4(high-level advisory board) and China and Morocco amended paragraph6 bis (strengthening capacity in developing countries).

TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION ANDCAPACITY BUILDING: In paragraph 11 (recommendations of theintersessional working group), Poland pointed out that reference tocountries with economies in transition had been omitted. After alengthy discussion, delegates agreed to add the phrase "suchmeasures could also be considered for countries with economies intransition." All references to the intersessional ad hocworking group on technology transfer and cooperation in this textremain bracketed, pending the results of the informal group onintersessional activities.

In sub-paragraph 14(4) (innovative technology transfer mechanisms),Colombia wanted to delete reference to the High-Level AdvisoryBoard. Egypt wanted the text to remain as is. A compromise wasreached and the last sentence now refers to the expertise of boththe Board and eminent technical experts. In sub-paragraph 14(10)(establishment of a consultative group on environmental technologycenters), the EU proposed an amendment, which was not accepted bythe G-77. Egypt's proposed compromise was accepted: inviteappropriate organizations of the UN system to examine thefeasibility of establishing such centers. Sub-paragraph 16(3), onthe involvement of experts, the private sector and NGOs inintersessional work, remains bracketed.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENTS: Paragraphs 1 (receiptof reports) and 2 (work of the Secretariat) were adopted with minorchanges. China objected to the second and third sentences ofparagraph 3, which refer to the development of indicators onsustainable development. After much discussion about theappropriateness of referring to indicators in this chapter, theChair obtained a consensus to delete the second and thirdsentences, as suggested by China, and to add a sentence that refersto last year's decisions regarding indicators. Paragraph 4 (aid inpreparing reports) was adopted after a discussion on the level ofcommitment of aid.

WORKING GROUP I

Working Group I completed its first reading of the draft texts oninformation provided by governments and changing consumptionpatterns. By the time it completed its work, it had adopted textson finance, major groups, decision- making structures andinformation provided by governments and organizations. The Chairnotified the delegates of the Bureau's decision that the"Indicators for sustainable development" draft text would not beconsidered, although it is on the agenda for the High-LevelSegment.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENTS: The G-77 suggested thatthe title be changed to: "Information provided by Governments andOrganizations." In paragraph 1 (receipt of reports), the CzechRepublic, supported by Finland and the US, suggested that reportsinclude information on indicators, since the draft text onindicators would not be discussed. The G-77 said that manydelegations had advised the Chair not to take up this issue.Austria offered language to recognize the purpose of theinformation that is reported, and the G-77 followed with acomplementary amendment.

Several of the interventions on paragraph 2 (format for reporting)contained details on follow-up actions. Japan suggested that theSecretariat's format be developed by August 1994. Switzerlandcalled for information to be comparable. In paragraph 3 (assistancefor report preparation), the G-77 requested that the donorsmentioned be identified. The Netherlands corrected the reference to"donors" with "more experienced countries." The Chair suggested afootnote to list countries that have offered to assist others. TheG-77 then expressed its real desire that the paragraph be deleted.Austria and the EU expressed their interest in retaining theparagraph.

CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: The discussion was able toachieve consensus on one point -- the text was too long. Algeria,on behalf of the G-77 and China, suggested that the Working Groupuse their position paper on patterns of consumption. Greece, onbehalf of the EU, disagreed, arguing that the G-77 text was tooprocedural. After hearing general comments, the Chair decided thatdelegates should indicate the paragraphs they feel are redundant aswell as the important elements that should remain. The EU notedthat: unsustainable production patterns should also be considered;the need to change production and consumption patterns detrimentalto the environment must be reaffirmed; and the responsibility ofdeveloped countries is important. The EU also suggested deleting 10of the 25 paragraphs. The G-77 proposed deleting 17 paragraphs, 6of which were the same as the EU's proposed deletions. Saudi Arabiathought the text should be more general and not prejudge certainissues. Austria mentioned some basic elements to be included: therole of governments; strategies available for pricing; the questionof economic instruments; and the Commission's recommendations. TheUS was the only delegation that was willing to work from theChair's text.

FINANCE: Several paragraphs into the text, the EUentertained the G-77's proposal to accept the draft text withoutchanges. However, they wanted to retain changes that had alreadybeen made. Poland and Saudi Arabia wanted to amend certainparagraphs, so the revised draft was consideredparagraph-by-paragraph. In paragraph 8 (trade liberalization), theEU requested that the call for an open trading system be within thecontext of making trade and environmental policies mutuallysupportive and favorable to sustainable development. Moroccodisagreed. The US, India, Norway and Korea expressed theirpreference for the existing text. Agenda 21 language was used toreach a compromise.

On paragraph 9 (debt), the Philippines proposed debt cancellationin meritorious cases. Paragraph 10 (policy reforms) generated muchdisagreement. Saudi Arabia suggested deleting specific referencesto economic instruments such as environmental taxes and usercharges. The G-77 called for policy reforms and changes inproduction and consumption patterns in developed countries.Building upon the EU revised text and G-77 comments, theSecretariat proposed that the reference to developed countries bemoved from after "policy reforms" to after "sustainabledevelopment."

Poland, supported by the Russian Federation, noted the importanceof paragraph 12, the only reference to countries with economies intransition. The G-77 suggested a complementary paragraph referringto the difficult task developing countries face in achievingaccelerated growth. The US added a paragraph that referenced thevalue of national sustainable development strategies.

Considerable disagreement also existed over paragraph 14(innovative financing mechanisms). Saudi Arabia, supported byVenezuela, requested deletion of the examples -- emission charges,tradeable permits, etc. Egypt, Brazil and the EU objected. Acompromise was finally reached to refer to the innovative financialmechanisms in the intersessional working group on finance's reportand call for further study.

In paragraph 17 (goal of sustainable development) the G-77 added asentence noting that a role could be played by FDI and privatecapital flows in diversification of production in developingcountries. The US and Norway noted that this sentence might bebetter placed elsewhere, but at the insistence of Benin paragraph17 was adopted as amended.

MAJOR GROUPS: Only two paragraphs of the revised draft texton major groups gave rise to comment. Tunisia revised paragraph 2(children and youth) so that the CSD encourages "the participationof children, youth and their organizations." China remindeddelegates of its call for the deletion of paragraph 8(international organizations and major groups), but offered apossible reformation that limits the role of internationalorganizations to support major groups within their respectivemandates and in compliance with laws, sustainable developmentstrategies and priorities of countries concerned. Afterconsultations, the EU "reluctantly" accepted the Chineseamendments.

DECISION-MAKING STRUCTURES: The G-77 proposed moving therequest for UNEP to further study the concepts, requirements andimplications of sustainable development and international law fromparagraph 8 to paragraph 2 (international law in support of thegoals of Agenda 21). This was accepted and, as a result, paragraph8 was deleted. India made a small amendment to paragraph 4(high-level advisory board) and China and Morocco amended paragraph6 bis (strengthening capacity in developing countries).

TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION ANDCAPACITY BUILDING: In paragraph 11 (recommendations of theintersessional working group), Poland pointed out that reference tocountries with economies in transition had been omitted. After alengthy discussion, delegates agreed to add the phrase "suchmeasures could also be considered for countries with economies intransition." All references to the intersessional ad hocworking group on technology transfer and cooperation in this textremain bracketed, pending the results of the informal group onintersessional activities.

In sub-paragraph 14(4) (innovative technology transfer mechanisms),Colombia wanted to delete reference to the High-Level AdvisoryBoard. Egypt wanted the text to remain as is. A compromise wasreached and the last sentence now refers to the expertise of boththe Board and eminent technical experts. In sub-paragraph 14(10)(establishment of a consultative group on environmental technologycenters), the EU proposed an amendment, which was not accepted bythe G-77. Egypt's proposed compromise was accepted: inviteappropriate organizations of the UN system to examine thefeasibility of establishing such centers. Sub-paragraph 16(3), onthe involvement of experts, the private sector and NGOs inintersessional work, remains bracketed.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENTS: Paragraphs 1 (receiptof reports) and 2 (work of the Secretariat) were adopted with minorchanges. China objected to the second and third sentences ofparagraph 3, which refer to the development of indicators onsustainable development. After much discussion about theappropriateness of referring to indicators in this chapter, theChair obtained a consensus to delete the second and thirdsentences, as suggested by China, and to add a sentence that refersto last year's decisions regarding indicators. Paragraph 4 (aid inpreparing reports) was adopted after a discussion on the level ofcommitment of aid.

WORKING GROUP II

Working Group II completed its final reading of the remaining textson human settlements, hazardous wastes, water and radioactivewastes. The texts were not controversial and most amendments wereeditorial, clarifying points and amending minor mistakes.

HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: The Secretariat had failed to includepreviously proposed and accepted text by Antigua and Barbuda, whichreferred to the Programme of Action adopted at the BarbadosConference. Seemingly unwilling to include it, the Chair wasassured by others of its importance. It should appear in paragraph10 of the final text. Paragraph 16(j) (joint programming betweenthe international community and local authorities) caused concernamong some developing countries. The EU's suggestion to add thatsuch alliances would only be established "through the appropriate[national] authorities" was accepted. China was concerned that16(k) (special attention to the status and role of localauthorities) might imply legal status and consequently "status" wasremoved. Australia added a paragraph inviting the Task Manager tocontinue its work.

HAZARDOUS WASTES: Since the revised text was onlydistributed minutes before it was discussed, the lack of adequatetime to fully appraise the text may have accounted for its easyadoption. Malaysia and Australia's newly drafted text on theillegal disposal of tanker sludge and ballast water appears asparagraph 8. Finland noted that 19(c) (assessment of soil and watercontamination) was not strong enough and that governments shouldimplement remedial action. Australia noted that governments do notundertake such work, but should require such action to be taken.Australia added a paragraph inviting UNEP to continue itsmonitoring role.

WATER: Paragraph 7(c) (management of river and lake basins)now answers Pakistan's concerns by referring to "national,international and all appropriate levels." Believing "penalization"of wasteful water consumption in 7(f) was too harsh, Japanrequested it be replaced with "preventive measures for." Paragraph14 (welcoming offers of assistance by France, Morocco, theNetherlands and Tunisia) caused problems again with some Statesrepeating their query of what this assistance would be. A newparagraph 18 bis proposes that the CSD review the results ofthe work outlined in paragraphs 16, 17 and 18 in preparation forthe 1997 special session of the CSD.

RADIOACTIVE WASTES: Paragraph 10 was expanded to include theinadmissibility of exports to countries without the technical,legal and administrative resources. Paragraph 13 now calls ongovernments to promptly begin developing an internationalconvention on radioactive waste management. The French compromisetext on 15(b) calls on the international community to "take allnecessary steps to prohibit the export of radioactive wastes exceptto countries with appropriate treatment and storage facilities."

INFORMAL-INFORMAL ON INTERSESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

The group met during the day to discuss the EU and G-77 proposalson intersessional activities. During the evening session, the Chair(Namibia) presented his text, which the group agreed to adopt"unopened," with minor amendments. The draft recommends thecontinuation of the finance working group and the establishment ofa working group to: examine next year's sectoral issues; take stockof inter- sessional activities; group together initiatives underwayon a particular sectoral theme; and convey the results of therelevant work to the CSD. Technology transfer will be taken up bythe two groups, which will meet for one week each.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary is expected to meet this morning inConference Room 4 to discuss the work of the two working groups.Since Working Group I was unable to adopt revised texts on tradeand environment and consumption patterns, look for the revisedtexts to be circulated and, possibly, discussed this morning. ThePlenary may also take up other proposals, including the decision onintersessional work and a decision on early elections for the CSDBureau (which was proposed by Amb. Razali but has not emerged as adraft decision).

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: The High-Level Segment of the CSD willopen this afternoon at 3:00 pm in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.After introductory statements from CSD Chair Klaus T”pfer and UNSecretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the meeting will hold ageneral discussion based on document E/CN.17/1994/8, Policy issuesthat may be addressed at the High-Level meeting of the CSD.

At 5:00 pm the formal meeting will adjourn and a panel discussionon sustainable development and the economy will begin. Invitedpanelists include: Enrique V. Iglesias (President, Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank); Jonathan Lash (President, World ResourcesInstitute); Dr. Lin See Yan (Deputy Governor-General, Bank ofMalaysia); Maurice Strong (Chair, Ontario Hydro; Chair, EarthCouncil); and Vito Tanzi (Director Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF).