ENB:05:43
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UNCED FOLLOW-UP
A draft resolution on the "Special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21" (A/C.2/50/L.23), was first introduced by the Philippines, on behalf of the G-77 and China, on 17 November 1995. During informal consultations, some of the issues that delegates discussed included: how to ensure the participation of major groups in the special session; the contents of the Secretary-General's report assessing progress achieved since Rio; other contributions to the special session; and funding to assist developing countries in participating in the special session and its preparatory process.
The revised draft resolution (A/C.2/50/L.78), adopted on 12 December 1995, decides to convene the special session envisaged in resolution 47/190 for a duration of one week during the month of June 1997 at the highest possible level of participation. It encourages participants at the High-Level Segment of the CSD in 1996 to address matters related to the special session and invites the CSD to devote its Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group meeting, to be held in February 1997, to assisting the Commission in undertaking the review for the special session. The 1997 session of the CSD — which will be open-ended to allow for the full participation of all States — will also be devoted to preparations for the special session.
The resolution invites Governments and relevant regional and subregional organizations to consider undertaking reviews of progress achieved since UNCED. It also welcomes the contributions of: hemispheric, regional and subregional conferences on sustainable development; relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system; and the Conferences of the Parties or other regulatory bodies of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification, as well as the regulatory bodies of other relevant instruments and the GEF.
In recognition of the important role played by major groups, including NGOs, at UNCED and in the implementation of its recommendations, the resolution acknowledges "the need for their active involvement in preparations for the special session as well as the need to ensure appropriate arrangements for their contribution during the special session."
The resolution also invites Governments to assist the developing countries, in particular the least developed among them, in participating fully and effectively in the special session and its preparatory process, and invites them to contribute to the Trust Fund to Support the Work of the CSD.
The Secretary-General is requested to prepare a comprehensive report containing an overall assessment of the progress achieved since UNCED in the implementation of Agenda 21 and related outcomes at all levels, as well as recommendations for future actions and priorities. This report will be considered by the CSD at its 1997 session. The report should include:
- Concise reports containing an assessment of the progress achieved in specific sectoral and cross-sectoral areas;
- Country profiles providing a concise presentation of progress made and constraints encountered in implementing Agenda 21 at the national level, compiled on the basis of national information received and in close cooperation with the Governments concerned;
- Major and emerging trends and issues within the framework of Agenda 21 and related outcomes of the Conference in the area of sustainable development, including the environmental impact of activities that are gravely hazardous to the environment, taking into account the views of States; and
- Recommendations on the future role of the Commission in the follow-up to the outcome of the Conference and related outcomes, building on experience gained since 1992.