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EVENING INFORMAL SESSION

At the beginning of the evening session, delegates discussed the suggested modifications by AOSIS/G-77 to the agreed text of Chapters I-XIV of the Programme of Action.

I. CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE

Paragraph B(vii): This paragraph was incorporated with one amendment suggesting the provision of "improved" rather than "necessary" access to financial resources.

II. NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS

The Chair noted that the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator no longer existed and that its functions now fall under the auspices of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs and, consequently, the appropriate references should be changed.

IX. BIODIVERSITY RESOURCES

Paragraph A(vii): This paragraph remained in brackets while a group of delegates seek language that reflects the concerns of SIDS to protect the rights of those whose indigenous knowledge and know-how of biodiversity is overtaken by commercial exploitation of the resources.

All other suggested modifications were accepted.

BARBADOS DECLARATION: Amb. Besley Maycock from Barbados introduced A/CONF.167/PC/L.10, elements for discussion for the Barbados Declaration. A number of delegations made preliminary remarks on this document. The reaction was generally positive. Some elements, such as the right to develop and people-centered sustainable development, were highlighted as insufficiently covered. It was agreed that the Declaration should remain accessible to all, as short as possible and reflect wide consensus. As one delegate indicated, this should not be just another UN document. It was agreed that delegates would forward this document to their capitals and that informal consultations would resume at the end of the month.

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