Daily report for 25 January 1995

WORKING GROUP I

In the afternoon session, delegates were first invited to commenton the text from Amb. Butler"s consultative group on Commitments1, 2 and 3. The Group then broke for consultations withinregional groups, and reconvened at 9:00 pm to consider the othercommitments. 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," anddeleted the reference to respect for "territorial integrity." TheG-77/China and Azerbaijan objected. The US preferred "equality."In Commitment 1(a), the G-77/China proposed that a stablelegal framework be provided "in accordance with constitutionaland national laws." The G-77/China added reference to land-lockedcountries in (k) (SIDS) and reserved on (i)(supportive economic environment).

In Commitment 2(a) (national policies), delegates acceptedthe reference to the eradication of absolute poverty. Sub-paragraphs (b) through (i) were accepted, subject toEU confirmation of Switzerland"s proposal to delete "services" inthe reference to health care in (b) (root causes ofpoverty).

In the chapeau to Commitment 3 (goal of full employment),the EU proposed "with full respect of workers" rights and theright to work." There was no agreement and the Chair referred itback to the Butler Group. In (a) (respect for workers"rights), delegates agreed to replace "participation of employers"with "participation of employers and workers and theirorganizations." In (h) (informal economy), the G-77/Chinareplaced the reference to gradual integration of the informalinto the formal economy with "increasing its contribution to theeradication of poverty and to social integration, and tostrengthening its linkages with the formal economy;". The EU willreview the text. Sub-paragraph (i) (ILO conventions) isbracketed.

In Commitment 4 (social integration), the list of goalswere reordered in the chapeau. The G-77/China and the EU acceptedsub-paragraphs (a) through (f), with the deletionof "restrictive policies/discriminatory practices" in (f).Amb. Butler reported that (l) (central role of family) nowrefers 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 EUobjected to: brackets around "removal" of reservations contraryto international conventions; the bracketed "declarations" inaddition to international instruments; and the bracketedreference to "with full respect for the sovereignty of States."The G-77/China objected on all points, and preferred to removebrackets from "full" implementation. A new (o)(humanitarian financial assistance) and the previous (o)(now p) (promote international cooperation) were sentto the Butler Group.

In Commitment 5 (women), the EU called for consistencywith Cairo language. The G-77/China called for the agreements ofthe Butler Group to be respected. The US supported EU referencesto human dignity in the chapeau and added reference to politicalopportunities in (b) (gender balance in decision-making)and health in (c) (equal access). They opposed the EUsuggestions to replace "known" with "make visible" in (m)and the EU deletion of "including contributions in the unpaid anddomestic sectors."

Commitment 6 will be taken up Thursday morning. Delegatesaccepted Commitment 7 (SAPs). In Commitment 8(resources), the G-77/China, opposed by the EU, insisted ondeleting the bracketed "available" in (i) (mobilize newresources). In (j) (finance and technology flows), theG-77/China agreed to delete the brackets around "sufficient andadequate" resources, if flows were "increased" rather than"facilitated." The EU objected. The G-77 also indicated that theywere drafting new language on countries with economies intransition. The G-77/China insisted on adding "through debtcancellation" 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/Chinaaddition. In (q) (economies in transition), the G-77/Chinaobjected to the new formulation. In (r) (UN financing),the G-77/China deleted "strive to" in the sentence on operationalactivities.

In Commitment 9 (strengthened framework), the G-77/Chinapreferred (c) bis (coercive measures) and insistedon 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 thekey outstanding issues include references to: mobilization of"available" funding sources; poverty "eradication;" the 20:20concept; the Barbados Declaration; and debt elimination.

WORKING GROUP II

The Working Group discussed Chapter IV, Social Integration, inthe morning and completed it during an evening session. The Groupworked until midnight and completed its second reading of ChapterI 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 of66(c) (community organization involvement), but proposed a66(c) bis to include the involvement of "local"community organizations. The Chair asked for a new proposal. In66(d) (formation of community organizations), the EUobjected to the G-77/ China proposal limiting support to groupsthat make "constructive contributions," and it was bracketed.66(new f) (women"s equal participation) and 66(newg) (rights of indigenous people) were incorporated intoSection D. Norway objected to the Chair"s suggestion to delete66(new h) (social safety system), and removed thereference to "incentives" for rehabilitation, since the EUobjected. 66(new i) (access of disadvantaged to services)was bracketed. The Holy See proposed a reference in 66(newj) (sports and cultural activities) to training in nonviolentconflict resolution. Delegates agreed with the idea, butsuggested it be placed elsewhere.

B. NON-DISCRIMINATION, TOLERANCE, MUTUAL RESPECT FORAND VALUE OF DIVERSITY: In 67(b), while delegatesagreed to encourage "the early ratification" of the Convention onthe Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and theConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminationagainst Women, there was no agreement to include the NairobiForward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women. In67(g) delegates agreed to: "Recognizing that the languagescurrently spoken or used in the world should be respected." TheChair, however, asked the Secretariat to resolve the disputedreference to elaborating a convention on the preservation oflinguistic diversity.

C. EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: In 68(a)bis, the US proposed "ensuring that all people areequal before the law" rather than listing groups. The G-77/Chinarequested language that reflects the UN Charter, so the text wasbracketed. The US and the EU reserved on the G-77/China-proposed68(d) bis (minimizing negative impact of structuraladjustment). Delegates agreed to move 68(d) ter(priority to combat HIV/AIDS) elsewhere in the chapter. Benin andthe EU did not favor the proposed references in 68(e)(education for those with unique needs) to "partnerships withindigenous peoples" (Australia) and to cultural needs (Canada).Australia objected, so it was bracketed. Canada agreed to mergeits proposals for 68(i), (j) and (k) on education forwomen and girls.

D. RESPONSES TO SPECIAL SOCIAL NEEDS: In 69(e) (therights of indigenous people), both the Canadian and the G-77proposals remain bracketed. In 69(i) (opportunities forthe disabled), the Secretariat will try to merge Canada"sformulation with the original text from L.22. 69(l)(participation of minorities in the development of theirsociety) was bracketed.

E. EQUITABLE TREATMENT AND INTEGRATION OF MIGRANTS:A small group negotiated this section, which will be bracketed inthe revised text for Chapter IV.

F. VIOLENCE, CRIME, THE PROBLEM OF ILLICIT DRUGS ANDSUBSTANCE ABUSE: Delegates agreed to change the title torefer to the production, sale and abuse of illicit drugs, as wellas 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 theparticipation of children and youth in crime and violence,implementing programmes that channel their energy and creativityto improve themselves and their communities." Fiji called formore consistency within the paragraph. Delegates accepted a new71(d) bis introduced by the G-77/China: "Workingnationally and internationally to identify narcotics traffickingand money-laundering networks, and prosecuting their leaders andseizing assets derived from these criminal activities." A new71(d) ter was bracketed: "Supporting comprehensivedrug interdiction strategies and strengthening efforts to controlprecursor chemicals and firearms, ammunition, and explosives toprevent their diversion to drug traffickers and terroristgroups."

G. STRENGTHENING OF FAMILY BONDS: Paragraph 72 wasbracketed when the Republic of Korea made modifications.

CHAPTER I. AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR SOCIALDEVELOPMENT

Before delegates began the second reading of Chapter I, theChair announced that a new version of paragraphs 15-17 had beendistributed, since new text (on the right to development) hadbeen introduced in the informal-informals, contrary to UNprocedure. 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 remainin the 3rd bullet (distribution of the benefits of growth) andthe 8th bullet (the role of the family).

In paragraph 9 (promotion of sustained economic growth andsustainable development), brackets remain around "requires." TheUS and the G-77 are working on a solution to this recurringproblem. 9(c) (job creation) was moved to Chapter III.Brackets remain in 9(d) (promoting enterprise, investmentand market access) and 9(g) (reorienting agriculturepolicies). 9(l) (small island developing States) remainsin 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), bracketsremain in the chapeau, 11(a) (more favorable economicclimate), 11(b) (enabling environment in Africa and LDCs),and 11(h)(ODA). In paragraph 12 (economic growthconducive to social development), brackets remain around"requires" and related items in the chapeau. Brackets also remainin 12(h) around the reference to the development of microenterprises. In paragraph 13 (public policies gearedtowards poverty alleviation), the usual brackets around "require"and related items remain in the chapeau. The US bracketed13(d) (illegitimate accumulation of wealth) and the EUbracketed the last part of 13(f) (double taxation).

In paragraph 14 (political support for socialdevelopment), brackets remain around: "requires" in the chapeau;"in accordance with national laws and regulations" in14(e) (individual freedoms); and 14(e) bis(conditions for professional organizations). In 14(j), theUS proposed: "To create legal and political conditions to addressthe root cause of the movement of refugees and displaced persons,taking appropriate measures, particularly with respect toconflict resolution."

In paragraph 15 (human rights), the US and Japanbracketed 15(b), 15(b) bis and15(b) ter, which all contain reference to theright to development. Brackets remain around "economic" barriersto education in 16(a) and Belize"s amendment to16(d) on discouraging the gratuitous depiction of explicitsex, violence and cruelty in the media. In paragraph 17(favorable national political and legal environment), bracketsremain 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 (rightto development), 17(e) (right to self-determination),17(f) (centrality of the human person in development),and 17(g) (capacity of organizations to promote humanrights).

CHAPTER II. ERADICATION OF POVERTY

In paragraph 19 (poverty), the EU, supported by theHoly See, suggested use of "family support systems," which wasaccepted. The US supported the G-77/China to change "femaleheaded" to "female maintained" households in paragraph 21(urban poverty). The G-77/China proposed a portion of Chapter 3of 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 thismorning to discuss Commitment 6 and other outstanding issues.

WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group will not convene thismorning, but will convene in the afternoon and continue itssecond reading of Chapters II, III and IV. Discussion will resumewith paragraph 24 of CRP.5/Add.1. Look for copies of Chapter IVto be circulated this morning in Conference Room 3.

IN THE CORRIDORS: Look for a paper to be circulated on theorganization of work for the Summit.