Moderator Juan Luis Mégera
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CCD
COP-6 HIGHLIGHTS: FRIDAY 29 AUGUST, 2003
Delegates
met in formal and informal meetings, contact groups, Plenary
and an Open Dialogue Session (ODS). The CST met to complete
its work regarding the creation of ad hoc panels of experts,
future programme of work, other matters, improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of the CST, and traditional knowledge. The
ODS with NGOs considered water resources management and its
relationship to the CCD. In the evening, delegates convened
in the CRIC to consider the programme of work for CRIC-3,
to elect officers other than the CRIC Chair, and approve the
report of the session, including draft decisions for consideration
by the COP. Informal consultations on the programme and budget
and on the CRIC draft decisions continued throughout the day,
while contact groups on the outcomes of the WSSD, were held
in the morning, and on Regional Coordination Units (RCUs)
in the afternoon.
OPEN
DIALOGUE SESSION
RCOP
President Simeón Negrín welcomed participants
and introduced the first theme of ODS, water resources management.
CCD Executive Secretary Diallo said participation of civil
society in an effective and efficient manner is fundamental
for the successful implementation of the CCD. Juan Luis Mérega,
Fundación del Sur, Argentina, moderated the dialogue.
He highlighted aspects of water resources, including scarcity,
pollution, irregular distribution, mismanagement, and privatization.
 Listen
to:
- Florent
Ouedraogot present: How to combat desertificaton and
poverty through rational management of water in arid zones:
the case of Burkino Faso
- Tanvi
Arif on
a water harvesting project which aims to mobilize communities
to manage water resources, secure participation of stakeholders,
and repair traditional water points.
- Clemente
Outrage present
a case study on the problems of water extraction systems
and their rehabilitation in Burkina Faso. He underscored
the need to maintain water resources and supplies and to
support local communities in repairing wells.
- Patrice
Burger
explain that water resources are poorly distributed and
that irrigation, agriculture, population pressures, and
tourism are increasing water demand in the Mediterranean
region.
- Mounir
Bencharig on the importance of water conservation, awareness
campaigns, local water committees, and the treatment and
reuse of wastewater for agriculture as measures to protect
water resources in Algeria’s oases.
- Paula
Duarte present a project in the northwest of Brazil
to promote water access to communities in semi-arid areas.
She said the project strengthens the participation of civil
society; promotes local cultural values; and empowers women.
water tanks for communities in the semi-arid North-east
of Brazil
President
Simeón Negrín then invited participants to comment
on the presentations and the theme of the dialogue.
Listen to the
interventions of:
CRIC
In the late night
meeting of the CRIC, Chair El Ghaouth noted that Parties had
held informal negotiations throughout the day, resulting in
consensus draft decisions. Parties approved the draft decisions
with minor amendments and forwarded them to the COP for adoption.
The draft decisions address: an overall review of the Secretariat’s
activities and of the progress made by affected country Parties
in implementing the CCD; the review of the policies, operational
modalities and activities of the GM; the programme of work
of CRIC-3; the implementation of the Bonn Declaration to enhance
the implementation of the CCD’s obligations; collaboration
with the GEF; and further steps in the implementation of the
CCD.
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Click
here for a full text report on today's events
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COP-6 President Rosa Elena Simeón Negrín (Cuba)
Hama
Arba Diallo, CCD Executive Secretary
Florent
Ouedraogo, Association des Volontaires pour le Développement
(AVD), Burkina Faso
Tanvi Arif, (Scope) Pakistan
Clement
Ouedraogo, Eau Vive, Burkina Faso (France)
Patrice
Berger, French NGO working on Desertification
Mounir
Bencharig, (AREA-ED, Algeria)
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