ENB:03:05
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THURSDAY MORNING, 20 OCTOBER 1994
CANADA: Amb. John Fraser noted that although significant progress has been made in the two years since UNCED, there is still great distance to go. The Conference on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks has made progress. The tabling of a draft agreement in convention form reflects the consensus to achieve a binding agreement. An effective regime for high seas fisheries should include effective conservation management measures, appropriate surveillance and control, and binding dispute resolution mechanisms. To implement the Conventions on Climate Change and Biological Diversity, Canada is preparing a national action programme on climate change and is organizing a biodiversity technology fair.
With regard to the CSD, Canada supports the idea of convening panel discussions, the participation of ministers of development and planning as well as sectoral issue ministers, and greater opportunities for governments and major groups to showcase national reports. The 1995 session of the CSD presents the opportunity to define more clearly what needs to be achieved by 1997. Canada supports the use of intersessional meetings. He proposed that, where possible, draft texts for the CSD should be prepared in advance of the session, perhaps shortly after intersessional meetings. Last week, Canada and Malaysia played host to the Intergovernmental Working Group on Forests. In March 1995, Canada and the Philippines will host a meeting on toxic substances. The CSD needs indicators of success and open and inclusive dialogue.
NEW ZEALAND: John McKinnon said that the objective of restoring the environment and sustainable development has not slipped from the international agenda, but the focus must remain sharp in order to make the best use of available resources. While the CSD has inherited the Rio mantle, it is still not really the voice of the post-Rio world and its functions need to be better defined. It should be both an instrument for review of the national implementation of Agenda 21 by individual States and serve the role of a "clearing house" for further international negotiations. He emphasized the importance of preparatory work between the annual meetings of the Commission. He also said that the Climate Change Convention needs to be strengthened. He expressed satisfaction with the work of the Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks Conference and concern on the report that drift-net fishing still takes place in the Mediterranean and the Bay of Biscay.
COLOMBIA: Amb. Julio Londo¤o said that in Rio it was recognized that international cooperation is crucial for reaching the targets of Agenda 21. There have been various obstacles and uncertainty. The industrialized countries have not fulfilled their commitments. Some progress has been made at the sectoral level, but these outstanding achievements could be spoiled if the developed countries do not remove restrictions on financial and technological flows. A favorable international environment is fundamental in order to move along the sustainable development path. Only if external obstacles preventing a sustained economic reactivation are removed can the developing countries successfully apply environmental protection policies.
MEXICO: The representative said that the CSD has allowed a close monitoring of the follow-up to UNCED and the progress that has been made in the various areas. Still there is a great deal to do since the necessary political impetus apparent at the high-level segment needs to be translated into concrete international action. An important step was taken by linking the issues of transfer of technology and resources to specific themes. With regard to fisheries, he said that the elaboration of a new draft agreement should be carried out in coordination with the work of the FAO on the Code for Responsible Fishing.
TUNISIA: Amb. Slaheddine Abdellah stressed the human right to a sound environment. Tunisia welcomes the adoption of the Desertification Convention. One must recall that the fight against desertification requires technical and financial commitments. The Convention should be a way of mobilizing the potential of affected countries. Tunisia and Africa hope for the success of this Convention to launch a world partnership to stop desertification that threatens the ecological balance in the world. In November, Tunisia will host a Conference on Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean region. This conference will contribute to a renewed Plan of Action for the Mediterranean.
CHILE: The delegate said that despite past successes, it is still necessary to make progress on the issues of financial resources and transfer of technology. In this area, no adequate progress has been made and efforts to that end should include all the sectors of society, including the private sector. From an institutional standpoint, the task of the CSD is to strengthen the resolve of the international community and to retain its democratic and concessional character.
BANGLADESH: The representative said that developing countries lack the financial resources and technology to implement the provisions of Agenda 21. Continued and enhanced cooperation and solidarity are essential to make UNCED follow-up actions successful. The question of finance and the issue of technology transfer on concessional and preferential terms should receive priority and the commitments of the international community must be implemented. The establishment of the CSD is encouraging, but measures taken so far have fallen short of commitments. The intersessional working groups should work effectively and help implement Agenda 21. Bangladesh has signed the Convention to Combat Desertification and calls for early implementation of its provisions.
CHINA: Yan Yanyi said there is still no sign of improvement with respect to the various negative factors that seriously constrain the efforts of developing countries to achieve the goals of economic development and environmental protection. The question of environment and trade has increasingly become a hot point in the field of international environment and development. The environmental question should not become a reason to engage in protectionism. With regard to the Convention on Climate Change, China does not approve of any attempt designed to make the developing countries accept concrete restrictive targets through amending the convention or carrying out negotiations on new protocols. With regard to the Conference on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, China holds that: the work of the Conference should be consistent with UNCLOS; no agreement has been reached on the form of the final document; developing countries should receive special assistance; coordinated and integrated conservation and management measures should be adopted in the entire range of the stocks; more flexibility should be given to the provisions for regional organizations; no unilateral action should be allowed on the high seas under the pretext of conserving and managing the fish stocks; and there should be greater coordination among UN specialized agencies to avoid duplication of efforts.
ROMANIA: The representative addressed the issues of national implementation, the CSD and the GEF. He called for both vertical integration, between the Secretariat and the other organizations, and horizontal integration among the thematic elements. He expressed his satisfaction with the work of the CSD and said that sustainable development should go beyond the Rio agreements and consist of lasting human development, peace, economic growth, social justice and democracy.
PANAMA: On behalf of the Central American States, the delegate highlighted the importance of forest development and identified the rich biodiversity of fauna and flora in this region. The Central American countries believe that the international community must meet its financial commitments in order to respond to new urgencies. He also stressed the importance of a fresh approach to sustainable development that takes into account human characteristics, new technologies and appropriate production patterns.