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AD HOC OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUPS

The CSD’s Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Sectoral Issues met from 26 February - 2 March 1996 in New York, chaired by Svante Bodin (Sweden). Delegates discussed reports from the Secretary-General on Chapters 17 (oceans) and 9 (atmosphere) of Agenda 21 and considered a UNEP draft proposal regarding implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the protection of the marine environment from land-based activities, drafted at the November 1995 Washington Conference. Delegates were unable to complete consideration of the Chair’s Report, which highlights the following issues: integrated coastal area management; marine environmental protection, including persistent organic pollutants; living marine resources; critical uncertainties; and international coordination. Regarding the atmosphere, the Report highlights: improving the scientific basis for decision making; promoting sustainable development; stratospheric ozone depletion; and transboundary air pollution.

The Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Finance and Production and Consumption Patterns met from 4-8 March 1996 in New York, chaired by Dr. Lin See- Yan (Malaysia). Delegates discussed reports from the Secretary-General on Chapters 4 (changing consumption and production patterns) and 33 (financial resources and mechanisms) of Agenda 21. The Chair’s Report, which was discussed but is not a negotiated text, highlights the following on changing consumption and production patterns: interlinkages with finance; policy implications of trends; impacts on developing countries; evaluating policy measures; progress in implementing voluntary national goals; and revision of the UN guidelines for consumer protection. Relevant to financial resources and mechanisms, the Report highlights: mobilizing external resources; mobilizing national resources; feasibility of innovative mechanisms; transfer of environmentally sound technology; and a matrix of policy options and financial instruments.