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WORKING GROUP II SUBGROUP B

Edmundo Hermosilla chaired negotiations Friday but returned to Chile in the evening. An emergency meeting of Working Group II elected Gaston Ibañez (Peru) as the new Chair.

SECTION B. Adequate shelter for all: In 47 (international cooperation), the EU added a reference to national level cooperation. Delegates also added a revised Croatian-proposal noting the need for cooperation in areas affected by war or natural, industrial or technological disasters where reconstruction needs surpass national resources. Delegates assigned 48 (national shelter policy) to a drafting group.

In 49 (integrate shelter policies with macroeconmic, social and environmental policies), Canada and the EU proposed deleting "national" policies, but the G-77 objected. Delegates agreed that shelter and "demographic" policies should be integrated. In 49(a) (consultative mechanisms), delegates added references to "organizations of the civil society, and the private sector" (Canada). In 49(b) (impacts of macroeconomic policies), delegates agreed to "constantly monitor" policies and take into account effects on "vulnerable and disadvantaged people." In 49(c) (contribution of shelter policies to employment), delegates called for strengthened "linkages between" policies (Israel) and added reference to the "maximization of resource efficiency" (India).

In 49(d) (policies stimulating shelter markets), delegates identified "expenditure, taxation, monetary and planning" policies. The EU opposed a G-77/China proposal for corporate responsibility to ensure equal access for marginalized groups. The Holy See added "particularly those who lack shelter." In 49(e) (integrate shelter policies with poverty reduction and job creation), delegates called for: integration of "land" and shelter policies (G-77/China); provision of clean water and sanitation (Australia); education and health (EU); and the empowerment of members of disadvantaged groups (US), particularly those who lack shelter (Holy See).

The EU amended 49(f) (shelter-related information systems) to read "Strengthen shelter-related information systems (Israel), including the dissemination of information (Canada), and make use of relevant research activities in policy development, including gender disaggregated data.(Norway)" The G-77, supported by the EU, amended 49(g) (shelter policies) to read: "Periodically evaluate and, as appropriate, revise shelter policies, taking into consideration the needs of those who lack shelter and the impact of such policies on the environment, economic development, and social welfare."

Delegates asked the Secretariat to redraft 50 (policies that promote the enablement approach) and include their amendments to: promote the supply of rental housing (Australia); develop and support institutional frameworks (EU); establish priorities for resource allocation (EU); and review and adjust the regulatory framework (EU).

In 51(a) (integrate shelter policies with other policies), delegates agreed to a Canadian reformulation and added references to rural planning (G-77/China) and human resource development (EU). In 51(b) (sustainable development principles), the US, Norway and the EU objected to "sustained economic growth." Delegates added an EU-proposed 51 new(d) (exchange of information on environmental health aspects of construction).

In 52(a) (enabling approach to shelter development), delegates added reference to "renovation, rehabilitation, upgradation and strengthening of existing housing stock." In 52(e) (review shelter policies), delegates called for evaluation, and where necessary, revision of policies (EU), especially as they affect vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Delegates added two US subparagraphs regarding environmentally sound construction and labour-intensive technologies. An informal-informal met on Saturday morning. Delegates considered text up to 56(f).

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