Curtain raiser

The fifth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-5) will open this morning at UN headquarters inNew York. During its three-week session, the Commission is expected to draft the document to be considered at the June 1997UN General Assembly Special Session to review implementation of Agenda 21 (UNGASS). The High-Level Segment willbegin this afternoon and continue through Thursday, 10 April. The Commission will also review reports of its Ad HocIntersessional Working Group and the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests during the first week. Dialogue sessions with majorgroups, including the scientific and technological communities, women, indigenous peoples, NGOs and business and industry,will begin on Friday, 11 April and continue through the second week.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CSD

Agenda 21 called for the creation of the CSD to: ensure effective follow-up of the UN Conference on Environment andDevelopment (UNCED); enhance international cooperation and rationalize intergovernmental decision-making capacity; andexamine progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 at the local, national, regional and international levels. In 1992, the 47thsession of the UN General Assembly set out, in resolution 47/191, the terms of reference for the Commission, its composition,guidelines for the participation of NGOs, the organization of work, the CSD's relationship with other UN bodies andSecretariat arrangements.

The CSD held its first substantive session at UN Headquarters in New York from 14-25 June 1993. Amb. Razali Ismail(Malaysia) was elected the first Chair of the CSD. Delegates addressed, inter alia: the adoption of a multi-year thematicprogramme of work; the future work of the Commission; and the exchange of information on the implementation of Agenda 21at the national level.

The second session of the CSD met in New York from 16-27 May 1994. The Commission, chaired by Klaus Tpfer(Germany), discussed cross-sectoral chapters of Agenda 21 including: trade, environment and sustainable development;consumption patterns; and major groups. On the sectoral side, delegates considered health, human settlements, freshwaterresources, toxic chemicals and hazardous, solid and radioactive wastes.

The CSD held its third session from 11-28 April 1995 in New York. The revised format of the Commission, which includednumerous panel discussions, enabled the participants to enter into a dialogue. The Day of Local Authorities, combined with theNGO and government-sponsored panels and workshops throughout the session, enabled the CSD to examine detailed aspectsof implementing Agenda 21. Chaired by Henrique Cavalcanti (Brazil), CSD-3 examined the second cluster of issues accordingto its multi-year thematic programme of work. The sectoral cluster for 1995 included: planning and management of landresources; combating deforestation; combating desertification and drought; sustainable mountain development; promotingsustainable agriculture and rural development; conservation of biological diversity; and environmentally sound management ofbiotechnology. The Commission also established the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests.

CSD-4, held from 18 April-3 May 1996, completed the Commission's multi-year thematic programme of work and beganconsidering preparations for UNGASS. The Commission, chaired by Rumen Gechev (Bulgaria), examined the third cluster ofissues according to its multi-year thematic programme of work, including: financial resources and mechanisms; consumptionpatterns; technology transfer; education and training; capacity-building; trade, environment and sustainable development;combating poverty; demographic dynamics; information for decision-making; major groups; institutional arrangements;international legal instruments and mechanisms; national reporting; and protection of the atmosphere and oceans. In referenceto the Special Session, most delegates agreed that the CSD should continue and that it should not conduct another review ofAgenda 21. Suggestions as to its future work varied from concentrating on certain sectors (e.g. oceans) to cross-cutting issues(e.g. poverty) and specific problems (e.g. megacities). Many held out hope that in the coming year the CSD could redefine itsrole and accelerate progress in achieving the promises made in Rio.

AD HOC INTERSESSIONAL WORKING GROUP

The Ad Hoc Open-Ended Intersessional Working Group met from 24 February - 7 March 1997 at UN Headquarters inNew York. The Working Group focused on the format and substantive contents of the document to be considered at UNGASS.The main output was a draft “Proposed Outcome of the Special Session” prepared by Co-Chairs Derek Osborn (UK) and Amb.Celso Amorim (Brazil) after feedback from delegates on a first draft. The re-draft incorporated delegates’ comments during thesecond week and provided a basis for consultations in the lead-up to CSD-5.

Most delegates highlighted freshwater, energy and transport, forests and oceans as issues of new or priority concern. Delegatesnoted the importance of the cross-sectoral issues of poverty and changing consumption and production patterns. The structureof the Co-Chairs’ “Proposed Outcome” dominated many statements during discussion of the initial draft. An informal group,chaired by Antonio Mello (Brazil), discussed the structure of the draft document. Many agreed that the identification of thedocument’s substance would facilitate further consideration of its structure. The Co-Chairs used the group’s generally-agreedstructure to guide their revised draft, with the understanding that no commitments to the headings had been made. The Co-Chairs’ draft indicates that the “Statement of Commitment” could serve as a preamble or declaration. This section was notdiscussed extensively. Some delegates suggested that it would benefit from high-level input at CSD-5.

Priorities identified during discussion on “Integration of Economic, Social and Environmental Objectives” included:governance; linking energy and transport issues; agriculture and water use; and linking marine resources with food supply andthe impact on fishing communities. Numerous delegations suggested that poverty eradication be an over-arching policy.Delegates also called for urgent action on “Changing Consumption and Production Patterns” and introduced proposals on theemerging patterns in higher income developing countries and internalizing costs in natural resource pricing. On “MakingTrade, Environment and Sustainable Development Mutually Supporting,” delegates discussed macroeconomic conditionsrequired to reconcile economic growth, poverty eradication and sustainability by addressing globalization, trade liberalizationand system-wide cooperation between the UN, WTO and the Bretton Woods institutions.

Delegates identified a number of priority “Sectors and Issues.” Many proposed that the CSD play a key role in consideration offreshwater issues and delegates discussed the merits of an intergovernmental process. A key coordinating role for the CSD onoceans was proposed. Delegates also discussed the problem of over-capacity of fishing fleets. A possible internationalconvention on forests was also discussed and there was some support for a high-level working group at CSD-5 on this issue.Many agreed that energy and transport issues should be among the priorities. A number of delegations expressed hope thatUNGASS would help propel negotiations on the Berlin Mandate under the Framework Convention on Climate Change(FCCC). On “Chemicals and Wastes,” a major concern was the need to control transboundary movements of hazardous wastes.On “Land and Sustainable Agriculture,” several delegates stressed food security. Delegations reaffirmed commitment to theBarbados Programme of Action for SIDS with a possible review in 1999.

Discussion on “Means of Implementation” addressed key concerns on “Financial Resources and Mechanisms,” including abalance between ODA and private sector investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), innovative financing mechanisms andsubsidies. Many developing countries noted that the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) is not taking place,and there were calls for renewed commitment on capacity-building.

Recommendations on “International Institutional Arrangements” addressed the need for continuing improvements in thecoordination of international organizations within and beyond the UN. On the “Role of Relevant Organizations and Institutionsof the UN System,” delegates invited UN organizations and programmes to place more emphasis on country-level activity. Onthe “Future Role and Programme of Work of the CSD,” while delegates reaffirmed its centrality, some sought to delimit itsrole and limit the agenda. On the “CSD’s Methods of Work,” there were proposals to strengthen the high-level segment andfollow-up implementation. Participation of sectoral and finance ministers was also proposed. The key role of major groups wasacknowledged and participation by NGOs at UNGASS discussed.

UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL

The nineteenth session of the UNEP Governing Council met from 27 January - 7 February 1997 but suspended its meeting onthe final day because delegates could not agree on a proposal for the creation of a high-level committee to oversee UNEP. On21 March 1997, officials from 34 countries met in Geneva and decided to create a new multinational committee to mediate thedispute and offer advice on UNEP's future. The exact role of the Committee would be determined at the resumed nineteenthsession.

The resumed nineteenth session met at UNEP Headquarters from 3-4 April 1997. Delegates decided to establish a High-LevelCommittee of Ministers and Officials as a subsidiary organ of the Governing Council. The new Committee will have amandate to consider the international environmental agenda and to make reform and policy recommendations to the GoverningCouncil. It will also provide guidance and advice to UNEP's Executive Director, enhance UNEP's collaboration andcooperation with other multilateral bodies, including the environmental conventions and their secretariats, and will helpmobilize adequate and predictable financial resources for UNEP.

The new High-Level Committee of Ministers and Officials will consist of 36 members, elected by the Governing Council frommembers of the UN and its specialized agencies. Members will serve for two years and represent regions as reflected by thecurrent structure of UNEP's Governing Council. The President of the Governing Council and the Chair of the UNEPCommittee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) will be invited to attend the meetings, which will take place at least once ayear in Nairobi and may also be convened elsewhere in connection with major international environmental meetings. TheEuropean Community and other regional intergovernmental economic organizations may attend.

The Governing Council decided, with a view toward strengthening the CPR, to revise its mandate. The CPR will: review,monitor and assess the implementation of decisions of the Governing Council on administrative, budgetary and programmematters; review UNEP's draft programme of work and budget; review reports requested of the Secretariat by the GoverningCouncil on the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the Secretariat's work; and prepare draft decisions forconsideration by the Governing Council based on inputs from the Secretariat.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

OPENING SESSION: CSD-4 Chair Rumen Gechev (Bulgaria) is expected to offer an introductory statement, afterwhich delegates will consider the election of officers and the adoption of the agenda and organization of work. The CSD-5Chair will then make a statement. Reports of the Ad Hoc Intersessional Working Group, Intergovernmental Panel onForests and the High-Level Advisory Board will be introduced by their respective Chairs.

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: The High-Level Segment is expected to begin in the afternoon. Statements are expectedto focus on the report of the Ad Hoc Intersessional Working Group.