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GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS

DISCUSSIONS ON UNCED FOLLOW-UP: 19-24 NOVEMBER 1993

The Second Committee of the 48th session of the UN General Assembly considered the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and other environmental matters on Friday, 19 November, Tuesday, 23 November and Wednesday, 24 November 1993.

During the three days of debate, most delegates seemed pleased with the progress made so far in UNCED follow-up, but expressed concern that the implementation of Agenda 21 has not been as successful as many had hoped. Delegates were heartened by the positive outcome of the first session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), yet fear that it could become bogged down by its own bureaucracy, unless there is more innovative thinking. Most governments attach great importance to the CSD's establishment of two ad hoc intersessional working groups on financial resources and technology transfer.

All governments supported the post-UNCED conferences and negotiations in the form of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (GCSDSIDS), the UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the elaboration of an international convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa (INCD). Recommendations to hold a resumed session of the SIDS PrepCom in March 1994 were largely supported. Delegates also agreed that there was a need to hold two additional sessions of the fisheries conference. The draft resolution submitted to the General Assembly by the INCD was also supported. This resolution would extend the mandate of the INCD until January 1995. The Convention and the instrument for Africa would still be completed by June 1994, but one additional session would be held after adopting the Convention and before January 1995 to review progress on the negotiation of other regional instruments and to prepare for the first Conference of Parties.

There was also much discussion on the preparations for the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the status of the Commission on Human Settlements. Most governments supported the work of the Habitat II PrepCom and are working to achieve shelter for all by the year 2000. There was a difference of opinion, however, on the need for an executive director for Habitat. Currently, Elizabeth Dowdeswell is serving as both the executive director of UNEP and Habitat.

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