| Closing
Plenary |
Chair
Anderson opened the final Plenary by presenting the Draft
Report of the GC/GMEF, and the draft decisions. COW Rapporteur
Franklin McDonald (Jamaica) then presented the report of the
COW (UNEP/GCSS.VII/L.3) and decisions submitted by the COW
(UNEP/GCSS.VII/L.3/Add.1).
Listen to the COW's reports |
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Rapporteur
Kezimibira Miyingo (Minister of the Environment of Uganda)
introduced the Draft Report of the GC/GMEF (UNEP/GCSS.VII/L.2.),
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The
Governing Council/GMEF adopted a decision on chemicals (UNEP/GCSS.VII/L.3/Add.1),
which decides that there is a need to further develop a
strategic approach to international chemicals management
and enforces the IFCS Bahia Declaration and Priorities for
Action Beyond 2002 as the foundation of this approach. Above
photo: John
Buccini, Chair of the POPs Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee (left); and Jim Willis, Director of UNEP
Chemicals (right).
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Seated
from left to right: Shafqat Kakakhel, Deputy Director of UNEP;
Miyingo; Cherif Rahmani, Environment Minister of Algeria;
Töpfer; and Anderson. |
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In
his closing speech, Cherif Rahmani, Algerian Environment Minister,
said the IEG agreement would be a starting point for building
a new institutional architecture and called for a "new global
deal" in harmony with environmental protection.
Listen
to Rahmani's closing address |
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Anderson
closed the meeting by saying that is was a critical step on
the road to Johannesburg, and that there was a strong feeling
that the summit must be about implementation, concrete action
and responsible prosperity. He stated that improved environmental
governance is essential for efficient and effective implementation
of sustainable development.
Listen
to Anderson's statement |
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The
view from the back of the hall just as the final Plenary convened.
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At
the request of Colombia's Minister Mayr, delegates agreed
to express solidarity with Colombia for the sustainable
development for all Colombian people. The original submission
called for expression of condemnation of all forms of
terrorism, with specific reference to "attacks against
the infrastructures or installations such as energy centrals,
pipelines and aqueducts", which had "been taking
place in Colombia". These ideas mirrored the statement
made by Colombian President Pastrana to the GMEF at its
opening session on Wednesday.
Although sympathetic, some delegations could not agree
to the language, which was only introduced at the closing
moments of the final Plenary. Palestine withdrew its submission
to have its name added as another specific victim of terrorism.
Listen
to Colombia's submission and the ensuing discussion: Part
one Part
two
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In
its closing statement, Libya, on behalf of the African Group,
said "without sustainable development, humanity would
be meaningless." |
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Spain, on behalf of the EU, expressed satisfaction with
the outcomes, and said the Cartagena meeting was a positive
event which had strengthened international environmental governance.
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Speaking
for the G-77/China of the Nairobi Committee of Permanent Representatives,
Colombia said the meeting was a turning point for WSSD
preparations. |
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Noting
convergence of decisions, Venezuela, for the G-77/China,
said the meeting was a landmark on the road to Johannesburg
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Klaus
Töpfer, UNEP Executive Director, noted the high degree of
participation at the meeting, underlined poverty as a pressing
problem for the whole world and called for investment to developing
countries to create social solidarity.
Listen
to Töpfer's closing words |
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