Daily report for 24 August 1994

PLENARY

CHAPTER IV. SOCIAL INTEGRATION: The Center of Concern forChild Labour addressed the needs of children who work. TheTemple of Understanding identified compassion, service andlove as key values that are critical for social development.Franciscans International called on national governments tosupport grassroot-level initiatives.

The Women's Caucus called for transparent institutions atall levels. The World Blind Union called attention to thepoverty-disability cycle. Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 andChina, noted that social integration affects the values aroundwhich society is organized. Mexico stressed the needs ofindigenous populations.

Germany, on behalf of the EU, suggested merging severalsections. Canada emphasized the need to respect diversityand human rights. Poland noted that diversity should beaccepted. India called for investing in decentralizedactivities for conflict resolution.

Lebanon indicated a role for the media. Norway, onbehalf of the Nordic countries, stressed that persons withdisabilities have full human rights. Austria emphasized theneed for an adequate national-level framework. Pakistannoted that social disintegration is most acute in areas with civilstrife, violence and conflict.

The Sudan noted the importance of the family and religion.The Russian Federation mentioned the problems of migrants.The United States noted that a commitment to human rights isimportant in addressing the issue of violence.

Indonesia noted that the duties, responsibilities and rightsof individuals should be acknowledged. Croatia calledattention to the needs of the forcefully displaced.Australia stated that increased employment opportunities canalleviate poverty.

China stated that all social groups should be invited tojoin the mainstream of society. Chile stressed the role ofeducation. Bangladesh called for the elimination ofdiscrimination in all its forms. Jamaica emphasized thefamily's role in teaching values and tolerance. Iran alsostressed the role of the family.

Slovenia noted that many of the priorities in the draftalready exist in binding international instruments, thus a largepart of the WSSD's agenda involves calling for the implementationof existing agreements. Japan added that increasedemployment and reduced poverty can contribute to socialintegration. Tunisia stated that national strategies forsocial progress should be elaborated with objectives, a timetableand follow-up at the highest level.

Zimbabwe recalled that this is the Year of the Family, andcalled attention to the more vulnerable parts of families --children, women, the elderly and the disabled. Benin calledattention to children who are discarded at birth and themarginalization of women. New Zealand called for: increasedacknowledgement of the special needs of indigenous people; concreteactions to empower women; and recognition of the capacities of themarginalized.

Guinea called for further elaboration on the means forsocial integration. Malaysia requested reference to the roleof the family as the pillar for social cohesion. The Republic ofKorea called for the establishment of a feasible set ofgoals.

Latvia discussed migration-related problems. The HolySee stated the importance of education. Malta noted thatsocial integration requires a caring society. The InternationalIndian Treaty Council stated that indigenous people aredistinct, and noted their need for security guarantees.

The UN Drug Control Programme identified the need for therehabilitation and reintegration of substance-dependentindividuals. The Cordilera People's Alliance expressedconcern about GATT and intellectual property rights and theirundesirable impacts on indigenous people. The Child's Caucuscalled for reference to children's participation in the draft.GREEFA (Burkina Faso) called for measures to enddiscrimination against women and to promote democracy, solidarityand the rights of all citizens.

CHAPTER V. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP: TheEU expressed concern about holding follow-up summits every fiveyears. Italy called for the promotion of human rights anddemocratic practices as prerequisites to social development.Finland, on behalf of the Nordic countries, said that theprovisions on national strategies are not viable. Finlandand the G-77 called for consideration of the internationaltax proposal. India and Pakistan each questioned theability of the 20:20 Compact to yield sufficient resources.

C“te d'Ivoire said that investment in the industrial sectorshould be accompanied by subsidiary social projects to meet basichuman needs. Egypt said that the means for allocatingadditional financing should be clearly addressed and that aidshould be channelled through the organs of national governments.France announced that the French President plans to attendthe Summit.

The Russian Federation called for references to the povertyproblems in all countries. Bangladesh said that innovativemeasures, like debt for social development swaps, should beconsidered. The Bretton Woods institutions should pay moreattention to the social sectors. Romania encouraged jointventures between Western and developing countries. Senegalexpressed support for the 20:20 concept.

Morocco and Niger each supported the 20:20 Compact.Saudi Arabia called for more reference to disabled persons.Austria stressed regional follow-up. Pakistansupported the tax on international financial transactions and the20:20 Compact, but questioned the viability of the latter inmobilizing sufficient resources, unless the target of 0.7% of GNPfor ODA is met.

China proposed the establishment of national-level socialdepartments to coordinate and oversee social development policy.Malaysia said that international conferences will not besuccessful without concrete implementation measures. Indonesiasaid the CSD must be strengthened to better respond to theneeds of social development. He suggested a special socialdevelopment window in the GEF. WEDO said that no society candevelop fully if it oppresses 50% of its population. The textshould specify measures for the empowerment of women.

Chile proposed reorienting resources to meet the target of0.7% of GNP for ODA. Mexico promoted a better relationshipbetween the Security Council and ECOSOC. Japan cautionedagainst setting a numerical value on aid at this stage and holdingsummits every five years. The Philippines proposedestablishing a social development window at the World Bank.

Iran highlighted the unique opportunity to mobilizepolitical will and financial resources. Papua New Guineanoted the absence of the 0.7% ODA goal from the text. SierraLeone proposed government monitoring and coordination of NGOactivities in social development initiatives.

The Ukraine encouraged socio-economic reforms, adapted tothe specific features of each economy in transition. Malawiproposed greater coordination at national, regional andinternational levels in the follow-up. Benin noted theexclusion of Africa from international trade.

The United States called upon UNDP to present aresults-oriented strategy for the UN System toward attainment ofthe WSSD's goals at PrepCom III. The IMF supported the callto address the social dimensions of structural adjustment policies.UNIDO emphasized the role of industrial development instrengthening productive capacities and in reducing wealthdisparities.

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rightscalled for ratification of the "Covenant on Economic, Social andCultural Rights" by the year 2000. The International Federationof Agricultural Producers called for reference to farmers on anequal footing with workers and employers.

Mali said that additional resources should not be subject toconditionality. Nicaragua said that conflicts can only beresolved through integrated development. Guinea said thatthe availability of resources is central to the achievement of thegoals of the WSSD. The Republic of Korea emphasized the needfor pragmatic and realistic policies and supported the 20:20Compact.

Oxfam urged that the policies and procedures of the UNagencies conform to human rights conventions. The InternationalOrganization of Consumers' Unions noted that consumerprotection can contribute to social integration. The GlobalAlliance for Women's Health expressed concern with some of theprocedural efforts to include women and some of the substantiveissues related to health care.

The American Association of Jurists called for UN controlover the World Bank and IMF. The Woman's Caucus stated thatinstitutional inequalities separate those who have basicnecessities from those who do not. The International Federationof Settlement Houses and Neighborhood Centres called forincreased recognition to community-based organizations. TheCentre for Human and Social Development said that landreform is the key issue for the poorest of the poor and the onemost neglected by governments.

OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP

PREPARATIONS FOR THE WSSD: Under the chairmanship of Amb.Zbigniew Maria Wlosowicz (Poland), the Working Group firstaddressed Agenda Item 3, Status of the preparations for the WSSD(A/CONF.166/PC.15). The Secretariat noted Trust Fund contributionsfrom Austria, The Netherlands and Norway, as well as pledges fromAustralia and Sweden, in addition to those already mentioned inparagraph 16. A representative of the UN Department of PublicInformation provided an overview of its public informationprogramme and media strategy.

RULES OF PROCEDURE: The Working Group then addressed AgendaItem 5, Draft rules of procedure (A/CONF.166/PC/L.6). Rule 6(Elections) generated the most discussion. In response to Denmark'srequest, the Secretariat distributed the Rules of Procedure forUNCED and the ICPD. Benin and Egypt wanted to ensure equitablegeographic representation on the Bureau. Benin also raised thepoint that Denmark, as host country, should be an ex officiomember of the Bureau. Questions were raised about the number ofvice presidents. The Secretariat pointed out that the Bureau sizeand distribution of seats is a political decision. The Chairsuggested that the regional groups consult on this issue.

In Section XI, "Other participants and observers," Algeria, onbehalf of the G-77 and China, proposed the addition of a newparagraph, based on the Rules of Procedure for UNCED and the ICPD.It would permit associate members of regional commissions toparticipate as observers.

Questions were also raised about Rules 11 (General Committee); 20(speeches); 35 (majority required); 45 (voting procedures); 49(Main Committee officers); 51 (languages of the Summit); and 62(NGOs). The Secretariat asked delegates to submit writtenproposals.

PROPOSED ORGANIZATION FOR THE SUMMIT: In the morning, theSecretariat distributed a "Note on the proposed organization forthe Summit." Two key issues needed to be resolved. First, theformat for the pre-Summit meetings (6-10 or 11 March), including ageneral debate and a main committee to negotiate outstandingissues. Second, delegates must decide between a two- or three-daymeeting of Heads of State or Government.

Questions were raised about the length of the meeting of Heads ofState. Benin and Egypt called for a three-day session (10-12March). The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and the US supported atwo-day meeting (11-12 March) to ensure that Heads of Statespeaking on the first day will not leave before the conclusion ofthe Summit. The decision is complicated by the fact that no oneknows how many Heads of State will attend. A decision should betaken by the end of this session of the PrepCom.

The Netherlands suggested that the Summit break new ground in theway the UN structures meetings by having discussions around certaintopics in a format other than a general debate.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will discuss the draft Declarationtoday and, thus, complete its first reading of documentA/CONF.166/PC/L.13.

OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP: Look for an announcement inPlenary this morning about the next meeting of the Working Group.It is likely that the Group will convene this afternoon inConference Room 3 to continue discussing the draft Rules ofProcedure and the organization of the Summit.

NGO SURVEY: A Norwegian-sponsored survey of internationalNGO opinion is currently being conducted to help democratize NGOaccess to the UN and provide input into the current ECOSOC reviewof NGO participation. Copies of the bright yellow survey can bepicked up in Conference Room A. For more information or copies ofthe survey, contact Riva Krut/Harris Gleckman;phone:+1-207-775-9078; Fax: +1-207-772-3539; e-mail:Harris_Gleckman@together.org.