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WORKING GROUP II

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: On coordination of activities and instruments, the G-77/CHINA and CANADA rejected a US proposal to delete the entire subparagraph. JAPAN and the US added the CCD and the ITTO, respectively, to the list of organizations. The subparagraph was accepted.

On provision of information, the US and the G-77/CHINA requested clarification of who should provide information and to whom. This paragraph was left pending research into the text’s origins.

On indicators for evaluating programmes supported by international cooperation, there was discussion of the “adequacy” of programmes and whether exploration of indicators is “a priority activity.” This wording was eventually accepted. GABON recommended language from IPF-3 on the adequacy of resources mobilized, or alternatively, with the US, deletion of the subparagraph. The language was referred to the G-77/CHINA for consultations.

As proposed by the G-77/CHINA, delegates transferred a subparagraph on mandatory coordination among UN organizations to programme element V.1.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND CAPACITY- BUILDING: The G- 77/CHINA proposed new language on promoting, facilitating and financing access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies on favorable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms. BRAZIL preferred similar language taken from the Forest Principles. The text was referred to the G-77/CHINA for further consultations.

To a subparagraph on identification of national technological requirements, the G- 77/CHINA added “capabilities.” On cooperation in technology transfer, the US added “partnerships” to a list of avenues for cooperation and requested deletion of a general reference to related work being conducted by the CBD COP. CANADA suggested specifying the clearinghouse mechanism of the CBD. With a minor amendment, the general reference was retained. The PHILIPPINES proposed “strengthening” North- South cooperation.

On national capacity-building, SWITZERLAND added language on adapting technologies to national and local conditions and on their dissemination. PAPUA NEW GUINEA added “implementation” to capacity-building in development of NFPs.

Based on a suggestion by the ALLIANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, the EU proposed a new subparagraph on supporting indigenous people, local communities and other forest-dependent communities by funding SFM projects and capacity-building and supporting their participation in forest policy dialogue and planning. This proposal was accepted after minor amendments by the US, VENEZUELA and the G-77/CHINA. Delegates accepted a G-77/CHINA proposal on inventories of most appropriate technologies and most effective methods in technology transfer. Proposals by MEXICO on benefit-sharing and compensation to local and indigenous communities for technologies developed by these groups and by the G-77/CHINA on regional research and extension centers were agreed but referred to Working Group I.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS: The EU proposed replacing a reference to “new and additional financial resources” with “domestic and external public funding.” The G- 77/CHINA supported the EU’s proposal only as an addition to “new and additional.” This subparagraph was deferred to the contact group.

MARKET ACCESS: On effects of trade measures, the EU opposed JAPAN’s proposed language on environmental measures’ effects on trade. The G-77/CHINA added “economic” to the “impacts” affecting “forest goods and services.” SWITZERLAND changed “trade” to “trade-related” measures.

JAPAN recommended adding measures to improve transparency in text on improving market access. The EU, supported by JAPAN, proposed reducing barriers to trade rather than specifying “tariff and non-tariff” barriers. With the support of several delegations, the US recommended not restricting the proposed action to WTO members. The US also proposed replacing references to mutually supportive trade and environment policies and to conflict between forest-product trade measures and WTO rules with “assisting countries to generate resources to support SFM,” but many countries objected. The G- 77/CHINA recommended language “ensuring that environmental concerns do not lead to disguised non-tariff barriers to trade.” The subparagraph was submitted to the contact group. Discussion of voluntary codes of conduct was deferred pending a Secretariat’s text on a related subparagraph.

SWITZERLAND, the EU, the US and others proposed considering a subparagraph on an agreement on trade in forest products under programme element V and deleting the subparagraph on bans and boycotts. On bans and boycotts, the G-77/CHINA proposed adding reference to the Forest Principles. On the agreement on trade in forest products, the G-77/CHINA, with BRAZIL, added language on extending the ITTA’s Objective 2000. Discussion on these subparagraphs was referred to a contact group.

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