ENB:11:23
[Next] .
[Previous] .
[Contents]
WORKING GROUP II SUBGROUP A
SECTION F. (Implementation and follow-up): In a general statement, the G-77/China noted that their proposals on section F agree with the EU in several ways, but differ on the future role of UNCHS. The G-77/China said the reticence of other governments regarding UNCHS may stem from an inadequate understanding of the organization or because it largely benefits developing countries. On 158 (introduction), delegates debated references to government and international community commitments, responsibility for monitoring and assessment, and "all stakeholders." Delegates accepted the original text as amended. Delegates bracketed the G-77/China's proposal to rename and strengthen the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Settlements (the Commission).
In 159 (tracking progress on the Global Plan of Action), the group considered the roles for all actors in follow-up, including the different responsibilities of national governments and the international community, and the review activities of the UNCHS and other UN agencies. The G-77/China said the EU proposal for 159 and 160 would undermine and practically abolish the Commission and UNCHS. He noted that the EU proposal calls upon the Commission to "monitor" implementation and little else. The G-77/China objected to an EU proposal for a drafting group, stating that the "full house" should know the level of disagreement. The group adjourned early to allow consultations.
In the afternoon, delegates debated at length the order and content of the paragraphs. The EU proposed combining its proposals for 159, 160 and 160bis to form a single paragraph (158bis). The G-77/China characterized this as a step back and said it would reopen their paragraphs bracketed earlier. Delegates agreed to re-order the paragraphs and add the heading "implementation at national level" to the EU proposal. Delegates discussed the EU proposal that gives governments the primary responsibility for implementing the Global Plan of Action and lists groups to be enabled. The G-77/China requested additions to the list and Australia suggested "indigenous" peoples. Morocco proposed a reference to developing country assistance for implementation. The G-77/China disassociated itself from, and later opposed, the Moroccan proposal. Morocco said there was no common G-77/China position on his proposal and called for a suspension of the meeting. Upon resuming, the group adopted the paragraph with the G-77/China and Australian amendments.
Returning to 159 (tracking progress), the G-77/China proposed language noting that effective implementation of the outcome of Habitat II will take into account the integration of human settlements with broader environmental, social and economic development considerations, and the main actors will be the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the ECOSOC, the Commission, UNCHS and all other policy making and implementing organs in the UN system, which was accepted. He proposed following with a paragraph on UNCHS and the role of the Commission. The EU accepted the proposed language, but proposed following with their proposal covering many UN organs. Delegates agreed to references on the UNGA, but debated the timing for review. The EU and the US stated that a special session of the UNGA for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of Agenda 21 represented an existing obligation and was the appropriate forum for the review. The G-77/China proposed, in addition to the Agenda 21 review, an additional UNGA agenda item solely for the purpose of reviewing the follow-up of Habitat II. Delegates bracketed G-77/China-proposed text regarding a special UNGA review session in 2006 and calling on the UNGA to convene high-level meetings to promote international dialogue on Habitat's goals. Delegates also debated the content of an ECOSOC reference. The G-77/China proposed text calling for ECOSOC review. The EU and US supported such a review, but questioned the appropriateness of including the reference in the Habitat Agenda.
At the meeting's end, the Chair proposed bracketing all outstanding text. The US supported the NGO statements in paragraphs 161, 162, and 163 to ensure their inclusion in documentation for Istanbul.