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Drafting Group I on land management and agriculture
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Navid
Hanif (Pakistan) reported that the contact group on biotechnology
and genetic resources had reached agreement on: exploring the
potential of biotechnology, using transparent, science-based risk
assessment procedures as well as risk management procedures; applying
the precautionary approach; encouraging governments to develop
legal frameworks and other measures for the risk analysis and
management of living modified organisms; promoting only those
applications of biotechnology that do not pose unacceptable risks,
bearing in mind ethical considerations; and urging governments
to finalize negotiations on an International Undertaking on Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture "as soon as possible."
The group agreed to delete a paragraph on labelling genetically
modified products.
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JoAnne
DiSano, Director, Division of Sustainable Development, with
Dr. Fernandez Modesto, Cuba, (center)
At an early
evening meeting of Drafting Group I, Chair McDonnell invited
Dr. Fernandez Modesto, Cuba, (center), to report on the contact
group covering the multifunctional "character" of agriculture.
Dr. Modesto said the issues will continue to be controversial.
The contact group conducted a twenty-minute conceptual discussion
and decided to refer the issue back to the Drafting Group.
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| Nigeria,
speaking for the G-77/China, in consultations with Australia
(above left) Egypt (right) intervenes on the issue of water.
. The US proposed adding language on the critical importance
of water resources. Egypt agreed but stated, with support from
TURKEY, that importance "at the national level" should be specified.
Delegates also agreed on a G-77/China-proposed reference to
watershed management providing "one of the commonly understood" frameworks
for achieving a holistic approach to sustainable development. |
The US
intervenes on agriculture
Regarding
agriculture and on data collection and indicators, the G-77/CHINA
proposed deleting reference to "gender disaggregation" and, opposed
by the EU, deleting reference to the Convention on Biological
Diversity. The US proposed keeping the reference and stated
that this was the only way to monitor progress for women in agriculture.
BENIN described gender disaggregation as a new concept.
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The
EU and the G-77/China consult
in the early morning hours
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Drafting Group I on finance and trade
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New
Zealand (left) facilitated a contact group which discussed the
establishment of an ad hoc intergovernmental panel to study
fulfillment of financial commitments. The text remains bracketed.
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The
EU consulting on outstanding issues related to finance. Delegates
agreed to a paragraph on the GEF.
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Chair
Seok-young
with
the US, Indonesia and Brazil after informal consultations
between groups on trade late in the evening. The US opposed reference
to the Precautionary Principle, the Polluter Pays Principle and
the Principle, noting that it is not universally agreed that these
are all "principles." Regarding MEAs and trade agreements,
the US said whether or not they were on equal footing need to
be determined on a case by case basis.
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Drafting Group III on Preparations for Rio+10
and other matters
Delegates met into the early morning hours on Thursday to discuss
preparations for Rio+10. On the relationship between CSD-10 and
Rio+10, and on financial details, the Secretariat referred to a
note describing CSD-10 structure and funding. She said a back-to-back
meeting with CSD-9 could begin preparations and CSD-10 will be devoted
to Rio+10 preparations. Many delegates expressed concern with the
CSD setting the Rio+10 agenda. It was agreed that the review focus
on areas where further efforts are needed to implement Agenda 21
and other outcomes of UNCED, and result in action-oriented decisions.
Regarding the location of Rio+10, delegates agreed that the event
be "preferably"in a developing country. The US noted that in terms
of current policy, the US would not be able to pay its share of
UN funding for a UN.
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The
United Kingdom introduced, on behalf of the EU, introduced
a Proposed Draft on Freshwater, but it was withdrawn, following
expression of concern from many delegations on the existing CSD-9
workload.
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The Netherlands,
on behalf of the EU,
introduced the EU Draft Decision on Education, Public Awareness
and Training. Delegates were invited to resolve differences of opinion
regarding this in an informal session before the Friday Plenary.
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The Sudan stressed
the importance of participation of non-CSD members in negotiations
and decision making.
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 ENB
Summary of Ad Hoc Open-Ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy
and Sustainable Development
CSD-8
Intersessionals
Linkages
CSD page
UN
- CSD website with official
documents
ENB's
"Introduction to CSD"
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