ENB:09:39
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MINISTERIAL SEGMENT
The Ministerial Segment took place on 15-16 November 1995, during which delegates heard statements from 80 speakers, including 36 ministers. At the conclusion of the second day, the Jakarta Ministerial Declaration (UNEP/CBD/COP/2/L.2/Rev.1) was adopted. The Declaration was drafted on the basis of discussions and statements submitted during the Ministerial Segment. The Declaration: reaffirms the CBD as a global partnership; notes that COP-2 provides momentum for global agreement on consideration of the need for and modalities of a biosafety protocol; stresses biodiversity education and the importance of the CHM for national implementation; and welcomes the establishment of a Secretariat position on indigenous and local communities issues. The COP declares the global consensus on marine and coastal biodiversity as the "Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity."
Statements from Parties and observers covered a range of topics, including national implementation experiences, positions on issues under discussion by COP-2, and comments on global issues. The following illustrates the issues discussed and positions that governments took. A number of countries, including the G-77 and China and Denmark, supported negotiation of a biosafety protocol. The EU called for a protocol on transboundary transport of LMOs complementary to UNEP's guidelines. The US said biosafety discussions must develop a framework for deciding whether the need for a protocol is established and how to proceed. Senegal supported a biosafety protocol as a vehicle for technology transfer. AOSIS emphasized the significance of biosafety to small island developing States (SIDS). Peru called for a moratorium and code of ethics on LMOs.
The EU called for designation of the GEF as the permanent financial mechanism. Several countries, including Zimbabwe, called for a transparent and democratic financial mechanism. Switzerland called for medium-sized GEF projects. Mauritius requested a special GEF grant window for biodiversity projects in SIDS. A number of countries, including Indonesia and Ghana, called for new and additional resources.
The Republic of Korea suggested that the CHM's pilot-phase focus on capacity-building in developing countries. Canada called for self-representation of indigenous peoples at COP-3. Australia offered funding for an indigenous person in the Secretariat. Nicaragua wanted to devote COP-3 to indigenous issues. Private sector participation in the CBD was emphasized by Canada, Argentina and UNCTAD, among others. Regional approaches were supported by Monaco and Bulgaria. The UK noted the enormous workload COP-2 is setting for SBSTTA and COP-3.
Additional issues were suggested for COP attention, including: eco-tourism (Germany); freshwater resources (Zimbabwe, Malawi and Swaziland); poverty (Bangladesh); and the underlying causes of forest loss (Thailand).
Coordination with other UN bodies, such as the WTO, was suggested by Norway and others. The Bahamas supported establishment of an expert panel on marine and coastal biodiversity. Finland welcomed COP input into the IPF. South Africa noted the importance of respect for human rights.
A number of countries, including Malaysia and Australia, called for an end to nuclear testing. France explained that it is aware of its responsibilities regarding nuclear testing. The UK stated that COP is not an appropriate forum for discussing nuclear testing.