EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN (enb@igc.apc.org) PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: Johannah Bernstein Pamela Chasek, Ph.D. Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" Richard Jordan Lynn Wagner A DAILY REPORT ON THE THIRD SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Vol. 10 No. 34 Thursday, 26 January 1995 WSSD PREPCOM III HIGHLIGHTS WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY 1995 WORKING GROUP I In the afternoon session, delegates were first invited to comment on the text from Amb. Butler’s consultative group on Commitments 1, 2 and 3. The Group then broke for consultations within regional groups, and reconvened at 9:00 pm to consider the other commitments. The meeting was expected to last until 2:00 am. PART II. COMMITMENTS In paragraph 25 (global drive for social development), the EU preferred to aim for "equity" rather than "equality," and deleted the reference to respect for "territorial integrity." The G-77/China and Azerbaijan objected. The US preferred "equality." In Commitment 1(a), the G-77/China proposed that a stable legal framework be provided "in accordance with constitutional and national laws." The G- 77/China added reference to land-locked countries in (k) (SIDS) and reserved on (i) (supportive economic environment). In Commitment 2(a) (national policies), delegates accepted the reference to the eradication of absolute poverty. Sub- paragraphs (b) through (i) were accepted, subject to EU confirmation of Switzerland’s proposal to delete "services" in the reference to health care in (b) (root causes of poverty). In the chapeau to Commitment 3 (goal of full employment), the EU proposed "with full respect of workers’ rights and the right to work." There was no agreement and the Chair referred it back to the Butler Group. In (a) (respect for workers’ rights), delegates agreed to replace "participation of employers" with "participation of employers and workers and their organizations." In (h) (informal economy), the G- 77/China replaced the reference to gradual integration of the informal into the formal economy with "increasing its contribution to the eradication of poverty and to social integration, and to strengthening its linkages with the formal economy;". The EU will review the text. Sub-paragraph (i) (ILO conventions) is bracketed. In Commitment 4 (social integration), the list of goals were reordered in the chapeau. The G-77/China and the EU accepted sub-paragraphs (a) through (f), with the deletion of "restrictive policies/discriminatory practices" in (f). Amb. Butler reported that (l) (central role of family) now refers to the "existence of many forms of the family" rather than "the family in its various forms." The text was sent back. In (n) (implementation of human rights instruments), the EU objected to: brackets around "removal" of reservations contrary to international conventions; the bracketed "declarations" in addition to international instruments; and the bracketed reference to "with full respect for the sovereignty of States." The G-77/China objected on all points, and preferred to remove brackets from "full" implementation. A new (o) (humanitarian financial assistance) and the previous (o) (now p) (promote international cooperation) were sent to the Butler Group. In Commitment 5 (women), the EU called for consistency with Cairo language. The G-77/China called for the agreements of the Butler Group to be respected. The US supported EU references to human dignity in the chapeau and added reference to political opportunities in (b) (gender balance in decision-making) and health in (c) (equal access). They opposed the EU suggestions to replace "known" with "make visible" in (m) and the EU deletion of "including contributions in the unpaid and domestic sectors." Commitment 6 will be taken up Thursday morning. Delegates accepted Commitment 7 (SAPs). In Commitment 8 (resources), the G-77/China, opposed by the EU, insisted on deleting the bracketed "available" in (i) (mobilize new resources). In (j) (finance and technology flows), the G-77/China agreed to delete the brackets around "sufficient and adequate" resources, if flows were "increased" rather than "facilitated." The EU objected. The G-77 also indicated that they were drafting new language on countries with economies in transition. The G-77/China insisted on adding "through debt cancellation" in (n) (debt relief). The US accepted this, but reserved on the reference to servicing multilateral debt. Japan accepted the paragraph, but objected to the G-77/China addition. In (q) (economies in transition), the G-77/China objected to the new formulation. In (r) (UN financing), the G-77/China deleted "strive to" in the sentence on operational activities. In Commitment 9 (strengthened framework), the G-77/China preferred (c) bis (coercive measures) and insisted on the reference to holding a second WSSD, which the EU opposed. CHAPTER V. IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP The Working Group took up Chapter V at 12:30 am. Some of the key outstanding issues include references to: mobilization of "available" funding sources; poverty "eradication;" the 20:20 concept; the Barbados Declaration; and debt elimination. WORKING GROUP II The Working Group discussed Chapter IV, Social Integration, in the morning and completed it during an evening session. The Group worked until midnight and completed its second reading of Chapter I and began its second reading of Chapter II. CHAPTER IV: SOCIAL INTEGRATION This summary highlights outstanding issues in Chapter IV. The G-77/China supported the Canadian reformulation of 66(c) (community organization involvement), but proposed a 66(c) bis to include the involvement of "local" community organizations. The Chair asked for a new proposal. In 66(d) (formation of community organizations), the EU objected to the G-77/ China proposal limiting support to groups that make "constructive contributions," and it was bracketed. 66(new f) (women’s equal participation) and 66(new g) (rights of indigenous people) were incorporated into Section D. Norway objected to the Chair’s suggestion to delete 66(new h) (social safety system), and removed the reference to "incentives" for rehabilitation, since the EU objected. 66(new i) (access of disadvantaged to services) was bracketed. The Holy See proposed a reference in 66(new j) (sports and cultural activities) to training in nonviolent conflict resolution. Delegates agreed with the idea, but suggested it be placed elsewhere. B. NON-DISCRIMINATION, TOLERANCE, MUTUAL RESPECT FOR AND VALUE OF DIVERSITY: In 67(b), while delegates agreed to encourage "the early ratification" of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, there was no agreement to include the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women. In 67(g) delegates agreed to: "Recognizing that the languages currently spoken or used in the world should be respected." The Chair, however, asked the Secretariat to resolve the disputed reference to elaborating a convention on the preservation of linguistic diversity. C. EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: In 68(a) bis, the US proposed "ensuring that all people are equal before the law" rather than listing groups. The G-77/China requested language that reflects the UN Charter, so the text was bracketed. The US and the EU reserved on the G-77/China- proposed 68(d) bis (minimizing negative impact of structural adjustment). Delegates agreed to move 68(d) ter (priority to combat HIV/AIDS) elsewhere in the chapter. Benin and the EU did not favor the proposed references in 68(e) (education for those with unique needs) to "partnerships with indigenous peoples" (Australia) and to cultural needs (Canada). Australia objected, so it was bracketed. Canada agreed to merge its proposals for 68(i), (j) and (k) on education for women and girls. D. RESPONSES TO SPECIAL SOCIAL NEEDS: In 69(e) (the rights of indigenous people), both the Canadian and the G-77 proposals remain bracketed. In 69(i) (opportunities for the disabled), the Secretariat will try to merge Canada’s formulation with the original text from L.22. 69(l) (participation of minorities in the development of their society) was bracketed. E. EQUITABLE TREATMENT AND INTEGRATION OF MIGRANTS: A small group negotiated this section, which will be bracketed in the revised text for Chapter IV. F. VIOLENCE, CRIME, THE PROBLEM OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Delegates agreed to change the title to refer to the production, sale and abuse of illicit drugs, as well as abuse of legal substances, such as alcohol. 71(a) (policies to prevent violence) was accepted. In 71(a) bis, the G-77/China proposed: "In order to prevent the participation of children and youth in crime and violence, implementing programmes that channel their energy and creativity to improve themselves and their communities." Fiji called for more consistency within the paragraph. Delegates accepted a new 71(d) bis introduced by the G- 77/China: "Working nationally and internationally to identify narcotics trafficking and money-laundering networks, and prosecuting their leaders and seizing assets derived from these criminal activities." A new 71(d) ter was bracketed: "Supporting comprehensive drug interdiction strategies and strengthening efforts to control precursor chemicals and firearms, ammunition, and explosives to prevent their diversion to drug traffickers and terrorist groups." G. STRENGTHENING OF FAMILY BONDS: Paragraph 72 was bracketed when the Republic of Korea made modifications. CHAPTER I. AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Before delegates began the second reading of Chapter I, the Chair announced that a new version of paragraphs 15-17 had been distributed, since new text (on the right to development) had been introduced in the informal-informals, contrary to UN procedure. The G-77/China protested the omission of their text. Responding to a suggestion by the US, the G-77/China re-introduced sub-paragraphs (15(b) bis, 15(b) ter, 17(d) bis and 17(d) ter). In paragraph 8 (an enabling environment), brackets remain in the 3rd bullet (distribution of the benefits of growth) and the 8th bullet (the role of the family). In paragraph 9 (promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development), brackets remain around "requires." The US and the G-77 are working on a solution to this recurring problem. 9(c) (job creation) was moved to Chapter III. Brackets remain in 9(d) (promoting enterprise, investment and market access) and 9(g) (reorienting agriculture policies). 9(l) (small island developing States) remains in this paragraph rather than in paragraph 11 on Africa and LDCs. In paragraph 10 (benefits of global economic growth), brackets remain in the chapeau and 10(a) (debt reduction). In paragraph 11 (priority to needs of Africa), brackets remain in the chapeau, 11(a) (more favorable economic climate), 11(b) (enabling environment in Africa and LDCs), and 11(h)(ODA). In paragraph 12 (economic growth conducive to social development), brackets remain around "requires" and related items in the chapeau. Brackets also remain in 12(h) around the reference to the development of micro enterprises. In paragraph 13 (public policies geared towards poverty alleviation), the usual brackets around "require" and related items remain in the chapeau. The US bracketed 13(d) (illegitimate accumulation of wealth) and the EU bracketed the last part of 13(f) (double taxation). In paragraph 14 (political support for social development), brackets remain around: "requires" in the chapeau; "in accordance with national laws and regulations" in 14(e) (individual freedoms); and 14(e) bis (conditions for professional organizations). In 14(j), the US proposed: "To create legal and political conditions to address the root cause of the movement of refugees and displaced persons, taking appropriate measures, particularly with respect to conflict resolution." In paragraph 15 (human rights), the US and Japan bracketed 15(b), 15(b) bis and 15(b) ter, which all contain reference to the right to development. Brackets remain around "economic" barriers to education in 16(a) and Belize’s amendment to 16(d) on discouraging the gratuitous depiction of explicit sex, violence and cruelty in the media. In paragraph 17 (favorable national political and legal environment), brackets remain in the chapeau, 17(a) (principles of sovereignty), 17(c) (combating activities contrary to human rights), 17(d), 17(d) bis and 17(d) ter (right to development), 17(e) (right to self-determination), 17(f) (centrality of the human person in development), and 17(g) (capacity of organizations to promote human rights). CHAPTER II. ERADICATION OF POVERTY In paragraph 19 (poverty), the EU, supported by the Holy See, suggested use of "family support systems," which was accepted. The US supported the G-77/China to change "female headed" to "female maintained" households in paragraph 21 (urban poverty). The G-77/China proposed a portion of Chapter 3 of Agenda 21 to replace the first sentence of paragraph 22 (origins of poverty), which was bracketed. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY WORKING GROUP I: The Group is expected to meet this morning to discuss Commitment 6 and other outstanding issues. WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group will not convene this morning, but will convene in the afternoon and continue its second reading of Chapters II, III and IV. Discussion will resume with paragraph 24 of CRP.5/Add.1. Look for copies of Chapter IV to be circulated this morning in Conference Room 3. IN THE CORRIDORS: Look for a paper to be circulated on the organization of work for the Summit. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c) is written and edited by Johannah Bernstein , Pamela Chasek, Ph.D. , Langston James Goree VI “Kimo” , Richard Jordan and Lynn Wagner . 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