ENB:09:65
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MINISTERIAL SEGMENT
During the Ministerial Segment, which was held on 13-14 November, delegates heard over 80 statements from governments, IGOs and NGOs, 30 of which were delivered by ministers. COP-3 President Maria Julia Alsogaray, UNEP Executive Director Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Argentine President Carlos Menem also spoke.
A number of developing country ministers reiterated the need to provide financial resources in a timely and predictable manner and characterized the lack of compliance by developed countries with Article 20 on financial resources as the primary hindrance to implementation. Some developing countries said the short-term needs of human existence often take precedence over long-term sustainability, and many emphasized that new and additional financial resources are needed. Several developing countries also stressed that little has been done to transfer technology, while some said the CHM could facilitate transfers. Some developed countries, including JAPAN and FRANCE, also noted the duty of developed countries to assist developing countries.
Many delegations commented on the GEF and other multilateral agencies. URUGUAY, WESTERN SAMOA, TOGO, ALGERIA, BRAZIL, CHAD, CHINA and CUBA called for simplified procedures for funding from the GEF. Developing countries also called for: a review of multilateral agencies to improve the quality of investments; making more resources available for African projects; and expanding GEF funding beyond enabling activities. Capacity building was highlighted by a number of countries, such as LESOTHO, who noted that it should involve not just technology transfer, but also information sharing, awareness building and improvement of indigenous capacity.
Many countries commented on the implementation of Article 8(j), with some recognizing that information could soon be lost forever as cultures are degraded. The GROUP OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES called for an immediate moratorium on bioprospecting and said that indigenous peoples were not satisfied with the decision taken by COP-3 on Article 8(j). IPR was addressed by the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, who called for exploring the possibility of developing IPR systems and contractual mechanisms to better value indigenous knowledge. Developing countries, such as NICARAGUA, said that providing access to biotechnology and establishing IPR will allow for the development of a new international framework. The US and POLAND noted that broad and free access to genetic resources was fundamental to food supplies.
Some delegations commented on the efforts toward a biosafety protocol and expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached soon despite the diversity of views on structure and content. The EUROPEAN COMMUNITY said delegates must negotiate diligently to complete a protocol on biosafety by the end of 1998 with “adequate information sharing” and advance informed agreement. A number of States also stressed the importance of marine and coastal issues, calling for: seriously addressing the concerns of SIDS, with appropriate financial mechanisms; integrated management of coastal zones and other marine environment management; and the sustainable use of coral reefs and reef ecosystems.
Delegations expressed a range of views on the relationship of CBD to other conventions and agreements. Delegates noted the link between the CBD and the IPF, and SBSTTA’s vital role in implementation of the SIDS Programme of Action. ITALY highlighted ill- defined relations with other conventions and called for immediate clarification and reorientation between the CBD and existing agreements in the areas of conservation, agriculture and the seas. DENMARK noted that the CBD’s broad objectives require close cooperation. Delegates also urged sending a strong message to the UN General Assembly to take biodiversity considerations seriously. CANADA challenged other developed countries to contribute to a roster of volunteers to be put at the disposal of developing countries to provide additional assistance in preparation for the next COP.
HUNGARY stressed the importance of national legislation for implementation. Many others highlighted their specific national strategies, plans and programmes. They described the development of new environmental laws, as well as sustainable policies on forests, fisheries and the use of biodiversity. Some countries are implementing legislation on access to genetic resources, as well as national policies on biodiversity, IPR regimes and the rights of indigenous and local communities. Other speakers highlighted the initiation of data collection programmes to assess domestic biological resources, bio- monitoring programmes in protected areas and development of national biodiversity data management systems. Some delegates noted the preparation of national strategies, the establishment of national ecological reserves, and the initiation of decentralized environmental management strategies.
Intergovernmental organizations, such as UNESCO, UNCTAD and FAO, described programmes undertaken to assist the implementation of the CBD. NGO statements were given by IUCN, the LATIN AMERICAN NGO FORUM and the COOPERATIVA TECNICO SCIENTIFICA DI BASE.