ENB:03:04
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FINLAND:
Sirpa Pietikäinen, the Minister of the Environment
of Finland, was encouraged by the first meeting of the CSD in June.
The Secretariat needs bold and innovative working methods to enable
the CSD to draw necessary political conclusions. She suggested that
the high level segment should focus on a few major political issues
on the agenda of the session. They could even consider the
possibility of informal gatherings between ministers, in connection
with the high level segment, to facilitate issues. One major
political issue at the next session will be how to change
production and consumption patterns, and another will concern
international trade. She stressed the importance of the
interrelationship of international economy, trade and environment,
which will be considered by the CSD at its next meeting. She
expressed satisfaction that the GEF negotiations are in the final
stage and noted that a positive outcome of the GEF restructuring
and replenishment negotiations would constitute a major achievement
in international environmental cooperation and provide a solid
financial basis for the implementation of the Conventions on
climate change and biodiversity. A positive experience from the GEF
negotiations would also have a breakthrough effect on the ECOSOC
reform process. Finally, she stressed the importance of sustainable
management of forests and noted that Finland hosted a Ministerial
Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe last June. The
follow-up to this conference will be an important contribution to
the CSD.