ENB:11:33
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: WORKING GROUP II
F. Implementation and follow-up: Delegates considered the text sentence-by- sentence. In 158bis (national level implementation), the G-77/CHINA added a sentence on coordination of national plans through partnerships with international organizations and the UN system. Delegates accepted a sentence noting that governments "may wish to" coordinate their national plans of action through cooperation and partnerships with UN organizations, which play an important role "in a number of countries."
In 159 (international level implementation), NGOs proposed that the UN Commission on Human Settlements (Commission) be a quadripartite body with representatives from governments, the private sector, local authorities and NGOs. The EU proposed reducing the list of main actors for follow-up to all States and relevant UN bodies. The G-77/CHINA proposed that the main actors be all States, the UN and the General Assembly (GA), which designated the Commission as the global policy forum on human settlements development in accordance with resolution 32/162. The US proposed that the main actors be all States, the UN, as well as all relevant UN bodies, including especially the Commission according to its mandate and roles from all relevant UNGA resolutions. AUSTRALIA and CANADA proposed reference to ECOSOC. AUSTRALIA proposed an additional sentence referring to other actors in the UN system, as well as the private sector, local authorities and NGOs. The G-77/CHINA objected to references to local authorities and NGOs. The final text contains two sentences noting that the main actors are all States, the GA, ECOSOC and, in particular, the Commission, in accordance with GA resolution 32/162 and all other relevant resolutions, and that other relevant UN bodies also have a role to play in implementation.
The G-77/CHINA added a sentence noting that the UN Centre for Human Settlements (Centre) and all relevant UN agencies should take into account the Habitat Agenda. The EU concurred, provided future references to the Centre be confined to three future paragraphs. The US proposed noting that Centre action be "in the context of UN reform efforts," but agreed to place the text in "mental brackets," pending subsequent discussion.
In 161 (GA), the G-77/CHINA deleted language noting that the 1997 GA Special Session to review Agenda 21 should give attention to the issue of sustainable development. Delegates agreed to text mentioning reviews by UNGA 51 and 52, but placed language on the Special Session in the final sentence.
In 163 (ECOSOC review), the G-77/CHINA proposed deleting references to ECOSOC oversight on coordination of the GPA and review of implementation. The EU, supported by the US, AUSTRALIA and CANADA, proposed including a review of the mandate of the Commission by ECOSOC. The G-77/CHINA said including this request assumes that something should be done to the Commission. The EU said an ECOSOC review cannot diminish the Commission’s responsibilities and past reviews have strengthened other commissions. The G-77/CHINA proposed a review "with a view to strengthening" the Commission. The US proposed "with a view to reorienting and, as necessary, to strengthening," but KENYA and ZAMBIA objected. The EU bracketed the reference to the review.
In 166 (GA and ECOSOC), the US added references to "where appropriate" and "within existing resources," but the G-77/CHINA objected. The references were bracketed. The EU proposed a reference to the participation of financial and technical institutions. In 168 (the Commission and the Center), the EU proposed replacing the existing paragraph with language on the functions and roles of the Commission, noting that the Commission should promote, review, monitor and assess progress in implementing the goals of the Habitat Agenda. The G-77/CHINA said the contents of the existing paragraph are not an enumeration of existing relations, but an understanding reached that the Commission must be strengthened. The ideas may be relocated, but must be retained because they represent the "heart of the matter." The US added a reference noting that actions be consistent with ongoing UN reform. The G- 77/CHINA said that the Conference should not be limited by a reform process that may take many years.