EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: PAMELA CHASEK, PH.D. LANGSTON JAMES GOREE VI KIMO AN INTERIM REPORT ON THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 16 December 1994 Vol. 5 No. 26 COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: YEAR-END UPDATE Although the third meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) will not take place until April 1995, there have been numerous intersessional meetings and activities since the last session of the CSD in May 1994. This special year-end issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin will review CSD-related intersessional activities during the past six months, summarize the results of the General Assemblys consideration of the CSD, and highlight upcoming events. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin is published as part of a series of year-end issues intended to summarize the current state of play in the various sustainable development conferences and negotiations reported on by the Bulletin in 1994. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CSD Agenda 21 called for creation of a Commission on Sustainable Development as a means to ensure effective follow-up of the UN Conference on Environment and Development, to enhance international cooperation and rationalize the intergovernmental decision-making capacity, and to examine progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 at the national, regional and international levels. In 1992, the 47th session of the UN General Assembly set out the terms of reference for the Commission, its composition, guidelines for the participation of NGOs, the organization of work, the CSDs relationship with other UN bodies, and Secretariat arrangements, in resolution 47/191. 1993 SESSION 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 Commission. During the course of the session, the Commission addressed the following items: adoption of a multi-year thematic programme of work; issues relating to future work; exchange of information regarding the implementation of Agenda 21 at the national level; progress in the incorporation of recommendations of UNCED in the activities of international organizations and within the UN system; progress achieved in facilitating and promoting the transfer of technology, cooperation and capacity-building; and initial financial commitments, financial flows and arrangements to give effect to UNCED decisions. On 23-24 June 1993, over 50 ministers gathered to participate in the High-Level Segment on issues related to the future work of the CSD and implementation of Agenda 21. AD HOC OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUPS The CSD held two ad hoc open-ended working groups on financial flows and mechanisms and technology transfer and cooperation from 22 February - 2 March 1994. Although the two working groups succeeded in preparing lists of recommendations to be submitted to the CSD, these lists were not nearly as concrete and forward-looking as some delegates and observers had hoped. Some government- nominated experts complained that the discussions were not technical enough due to the large number of representatives from UN missions who participated in the meeting. NGOs commented that the discussions repeated much of the well-worn rhetoric from Rio and other intergovernmental fora. Delegates noted that smaller fora, such as the government- sponsored intersessional meetings, are often more productive than all-inclusive inter-governmental working groups. Most delegates agreed, however, that little progress was made towards resolving the North-South differences on these critical issues. 1994 SESSION The second session of the CSD met in New York from 16-27 May 1994. During the course of the session, the Commission, under its new Chair, Klaus Topfer, Germanys Minister for the Environment, examined the first cluster of issues according to its multi-year thematic programme of work. Delegates discussed the following cross-sectoral chapters of Agenda 21: Chapters 2 (accelerating sustainable development); 4 (consumption patterns); 33 (financial resources and mechanisms); 34 (technology cooperation and transfer); 37 (capacity building); 38 (institutions); 39 (legal instruments); and 23-32 (roles of major groups). By the conclusion of the session, the Commission adopted seven decisions on: information provided by governments and organizations; decision- making structures; transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-building; major groups; trade, environment and sustainable development; changing consumption and production patterns; and finance. On the sectoral side, delegates examined the progress in implementing the following chapters of Agenda 21: Chapters 6 (health); 7 (human settlements); 18 (freshwater resources); 19 (toxic chemicals); 20 (hazardous wastes); 21 (solid wastes and sewage); and 22 (radioactive wastes). By the conclusion of the session, the Commission adopted six decisions on: protecting and promoting human health; human settlements; toxic chemicals; hazardous wastes; freshwater; and radioactive wastes. The Commission also adopted a decision on intersessional work, which calls for the establishment of a new ad hoc open-ended intersessional working group to examine the sectoral issues that will be addressed by the Commission at its 1995 session (land management, desertification, forests and biodiversity). The session concluded with a two-and-a-half day High-Level Segment, attended by over 40 ministers and high-level officials. The members of the CSD determined that although some progress has been made, until there is an increase in official development assistance and an improvement in the international economic climate, it will continue to be difficult to translate the Rio commitments into action. Likewise, many participants who attended the two- week meeting agreed that unless the CSDs format is changed, it will be impossible to shift from rhetoric and speech-making to dialogue and action. INTERSESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS CSD Chair Klaus Topfer convened two days of open-ended informal consultations on the issues contained in the work programme of the CSD for 1995. During the course of the consultations, which were held in New York from 22-23 November 1994, representatives from governments, UN agencies and NGOs reported on intersessional meetings or activities that they have undertaken in preparation for the third session of the CSD. Topfers consultations were convened as a result of a G-77 initiative to foster greater transparency during the intersessional period. Topfer opened the session by informing delegates that the third session of the CSD will meet from 11-28 April 1995 in New York. The session will open with a presentation of the work of the ad hoc open-ended working groups on finance and sectoral issues. On 12-13 April, there will be panel discussions on the issues considered by the working groups. The CSD will then have two days for the sharing of national experiences. Two members of each regional group will be asked to present their experiences so that there will be a total of ten presentations and an open discussion. There will also be one day for sharing experiences on implementing Agenda 21 at the local level. Three drafting groups will then be established to address the cross sectoral and sectoral issues under consideration. During the High-Level Segment, the Bureau will do its best to ensure productive dialogue. It is also hoped that finance and other development ministers will participate in the High-Level Segment. The following is a summary of the briefings on intersessional activies related to the sectoral and cross-sectoral issues to be considered by the CSD in 1995. The cross-sectoral issues will be outlined first, to be followed by the sectoral issues, according to the order in which they appear in Agenda 21. COMBATING POVERTY Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development Nitin Desai reported on the preparations for the World Summit for Social Development, which will be held from 6-12 March 1995 in Copenhagen. The Social Summit is addressing the issues of poverty, employment and social integration. The next PrepCom will take place in New York from 16-27 January 1995. With regard to poverty, which is to be considered by the CSD at its third session, the dominant theme in Agenda 21 is the need to integrate poverty with aspects of environmental protection. For example, rangeland management programmes should contain an element on poverty reduction. Focus should also be on increasing individual capacity building, changing institutions to empower the poor, expanding opportunities in rural and urban areas, and fulfilling basic needs. CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS Joke Waller Hunter of the CSD Secretariat reported that at the next session of the CSD a work programme on changing patterns of production and consumption will be presented and developed in consultation with governments. The Secretariat has identified four major components of such a work programme: (1) a review of long term trends on changing consumption patterns; (2) a review of commitments by industrialized countries; (3) a discussion on the impact of changing consumption patterns in developed countries; and (4) an overview of social and economic instruments. Norway informed delegates about the upcoming Oslo Roundtable (see Things To Look For). The representative added that possible elements on sustainable patterns of consumption and production that could be included in the CSDs work programme are: (1) an introductory section; (2) setting a new course; (3) focus on the end-use needs; (4) delineation of how responsibility for sustainable consumption and production should be distributed; and (5) a concluding section on the major bottlenecks. The Netherlands then announced the upcoming Workshop on Facilities for Sustainable Households (see Things To Look For). The OECD representative said that the CSD work programme should: examine terminology and key concepts; assess trends and changes in economic and social effects; and identify policy options, drawing on the OECDs body of work. THIRD INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONFERENCE: Spain, Algeria and Mexico organized the Third International Energy Conference in Cartagena, Spain, from 19-20 September 1994. This dialogue between producers and consumers of energy began in France in 1991 and continued in Norway in 1992. At the Cartagena meting, more than 30 countries and international organizations examined energy and the environment, forecasts for the energy market, natural gas, and improving the transparency, communication and efficiency in the relationship between producers and consumers. The principle objective was to strengthen understanding between energy producers and consumers in the political, economic and environmental dimensions of energy. One of the main conclusions of the Conference is that there is a need to achieve compatibility between economic development and preservation of the environment. DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND SUSTAINABILITY Joke Waller Hunter reported that in preparing for the report on demographic dynamics (Chapter 5) for the next meeting of the CSD, the Secretariat is making full use of the outcome of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). David Payton from the ICPD Secretariat reported that there has been significant progress on these issues since Rio. UNCED had a positive impact on the ICPD process by helping to broaden the ICPDs consideration of both population and development. The ICPD also adopted the national reporting process from UNCED. The Secretariat received 170 national reports, which have become a major source of information. The Programme of Action is now available as document A/CONF.171/13 and Add.1. During the UNCED PrepComs negotiation of Chapter 5 on demographics, there was a real concern that population was one of those issues that was a little too sensitive to be addressed. In fact, the PrepCom could not even use the P word (population) and had to resort to a less controversial word, demographics. Essentially, the international community was not ready to address the realities of population within the broader framework of development. On the other hand, the ICPD had little trouble talking about the P word, although the A word proved to be more problematic. There was a reluctance to discuss what had already been agreed to in Agenda 21 with regard to environment and development. The ICPD has succeeded in broadening the concept of population and placing it firmly within the midst of the development debate. TRADE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNCTAD, the task manager for this issue, reported that it has sponsored a number of meetings on trade, environment and sustainable development. The UNCTAD Trade and Development Board met in September and discussed the effect of environment-based activities on market access. UNCTAD and UNEP co-sponsored, from 21-25 November 1994, a high-level meeting on trade, environment and sustainable development where over thirty experts attended. The GATT/WTO Committee on Trade and Environment also met for three days at the end of November and the UNCTAD Ad Hoc Working Group on Trade, Environment and Development met from 28 November - 1 December 1994, in Geneva. UNCTAD and UNEP will also organize a seminar on reconciling environment and trade issues just prior to the CSD meeting in April. Some 20 country case studies in this field are in progress. While UNCTAD cannot say which policy issues will emerge, there is no doubt that these issues constitute a broad and complex agenda. Possible protectionist impacts are a real concern that can undermine international cooperation. UNCTAD is confident that it will have rich material at hand when it prepares the report for the third session of the CSD. OECD WORKSHOP ON ECOLABELLING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE: The UK Government hosted a workshop in London on 6-7 October 1994, on ecolabelling and international trade under the auspices of the OECD Joint Session of Trade and Environment Experts. Ecolabelling aims to identify those consumer products that do least harm to the environment and provide information to consumers to enable those who wish to buy greener products. The workshop focused mainly on the type of ecolabels that have been classified as Type I by the ISO: labels involving a third party granting a seal of approval or a certification to products that meet defined criteria. The workshop looked at some of the ways in which ecolabelling schemes can have implications for trade by influencing the conditions of competition in the market. Other issues included: motivations and approaches to ecolabelling; transparency, access and credibility; testing and certification; and harmonization and mutual recognition. FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MECHANISMS Joke Waller Hunter opened the discussion by presenting the Secretariats ideas on how the report to the CSD on financial resources and mechanisms should be structured. It should include: the international policy environment and financial flows; national policies and mobilization of financial resources; innovative financial mechanisms and policies for sustainable development; financing for sectoral issues; and financing for cross-sectoral issues. Ian Johnson from the GEF Secretariat gave a brief update on the status of the GEF. There are currently 100 projects that have been approved during the pilot phase and are up and running at a cost of US$680 million. The GEF has now been restructured and replenished with over US$2 billion for the next three years. In 1995, the GEF will fund projects for a total of US$300-340 million. The GEF must now ensure that the operational and strategic modalities are in place and that a broad range of actors can get access to funding. The GEF also has to work closely with the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification Conventions to ensure that the GEF adheres to the relevant programme priorities. They are also focusing on how to leverage the GEF up rather than just dividing the pie. They are examining how to generate additional resources through innovative means. Malaysia announced the second meeting on financial issues of Agenda 21 in Kuala Lumpur (see Things To Look For). The Czech Republic announced an upcoming Workshop on Economic Instruments for Sustainable Development (see Things To Look For). Algeria, on behalf of the G-77, pointed out that the forthcoming report to be submitted to the CSD should include a detailed account of the national policies of developed countries after the Rio Conference with regard to mobilization of financial resources, external debt and ODA levels. The G-77 wants to see clearly what the situation is since Rio > what steps have been taken by the relevant parties, and the recommendations the Secretariat can make to further mobilize resources. The G-77 does not want a descriptive report that echoes Agenda 21 or General Assembly resolutions. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OPERATIONALIZING ECONOMICS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Sixty participants attended this Conference, which was held in Manila, The Philippines from 28-30 July 1994. The Conference was divided into four workshops: finance, trade, technology and natural resources. Participants advocated the strong position that there should be no substitution of capital for natural resources. Another issue addressed was the importance of efficient use of resources and maximization of productivity. The question of alternative social organization was also brought up in the context of better organizing communities to address aspects of sustainability. International financial institutions can play an important role in delivering financial resources that would enable these communities to mobilize world class technologies and implement projects. The Conference also expressed fundamental concern with regard to mainstream economics, social equity and integrity, and efficiency in resource allocation. TOKYO CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION: This Conference, which was organized by parliamentarians, took place in Tokyo from 24-26 October 1994. The 20 participants included Maurice Strong, Robert McNamara, Emil Salim, Nafis Sadik and Elizabeth Dowdeswell. The Conference was convened to strengthen the Rio momentum and provide new directions on four critical issues: population and environment; trade and environment; financing and financial mechanisms; and private sector partnerships. Participants welcomed the ICPD Programme of Action and called for immediate implementation. Participants stressed the importance of involving the private sector in government-sponsored environmental initiatives. They proposed convening a Global Partnership Summit in 1997, prior to the special session of the General Assembly. On trade and environment, the participants recognized the view that environmental protection and trade liberalization can be mutually reinforcing. Environmental preservation should not provide a cover for protectionism. On financial mechanisms, they recognized that the financing presently available is inadequate and appealed to donors to fulfill their Rio commitments. TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES, COOPERATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING HIGH-LEVEL ADVISORY SEMINAR ON CLEANER PRODUCTION: This seminar, which was co-sponsored by the Polish Government and UNEP, was held in Warsaw from 12-14 October 1994. This was the third in a series of seminars on cleaner production since 1989 to address the need to reduce industrial pollution and waste. More than 160 participants from 40 countries, including government officials, NGOs, UN organizations and development banks, attended. The seminar reviewed and evaluated progress towards cleaner production over the past two years and recommended the future orientation for the UNEP Cleaner Production Programme. Cleaner production, in general, puts the focus on minimizing pollution and waste during the production process itself, rather than cleaning it up after it is generated. The seminar addressed policy initiatives to promote cleaner production, changes in the industry, and financing cleaner production. The participants also discussed challenges such as lack of proper institutional mechanisms and stabilization of programmes. Participants called for high-level support for cleaner production, regulation, enforcement and use of financial instruments. WORKSHOP ON THE PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES: This workshop was held in Seoul from 30 November - 2 December 1994. The workshop was devoted to creating practical plans of action that will enhance access to and dissemination of information on environmentally sound technologies (ESTs). Participants reviewed the latest ESTs information systems, including inventory, database and networking experiences, and identified some of the obstacles and opportunities involved in ESTs information access and dissemination through the experiences of the users and suppliers. The report of this meeting and recommendations for action will be presented to the CSD at its third session. OECD WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION FOR CLEANER INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: The OECD, in cooperation with UNEP and UNIDO, brought together 90 experts from developed and developing countries from 28-30 September 1994 in Hannover, Germany, to address cleaner industrial production in developing countries. Five priority issues were considered: (1) setting the right policy framework, including increased coordination among donors; (2) putting increased emphasis on capacity development; (3) increasing access to information, especially on cleaner technology options; (4) enhancing private sector action by aid agencies and recipient countries, including joint ventures and feasibility studies; and (5) improving the finance for cleaner production. SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNESCO, the task manager for Chapter 35 of Agenda 21, reported that science is an essential tool for finding solutions to environmental problems and moving towards sustainable development. As part of the preparation of the task managers report, UNESCO hosted inter-agency consultations in March 1994. Generic issues included: building up scientific capacity and capability to address needs of developing countries; improving long-term scientific assessment to ensure the best scientific information is used to transform policy making; and enhancing scientific understanding. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan invited the Heads of State and their representatives to set up a Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South at a meeting that took place in Islamabad from 4-5 October 1994. The objective of this commission is to provide political and economic support to major scientific initiatives and the development of international centers of excellence. The headquarters for this commission is in Islamabad. INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION- MAKING Maurice Strong reported on the Earth Councils meeting of Inter-American Sustainable Development Councils, which was sponsored by the Earth Council and held from 10-11 October 1994, in San Jose, Costa Rica. Governmental and non-governmental representatives from 25 countries attended. Participants agreed that they must be agents of change in implementing Agenda 21. The Earth Council will be holding similar meetings in Asia, Africa and Europe. Strong added that this is a good example of how cooperation among the various actors can make a contribution towards the goals of Rio and be a new instrument for enhancing cooperation at the regional and global levels. Bolivia announced that it will convene a meeting in 1996 covering sustainable development in the Americas. The meeting will evaluate progress made since the 1994 Summit for the Americas and the 1992 Earth Summit. HIGH-LEVEL ADVISORY BOARD ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The Secretary-Generals High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development met in New York the week of 17 October 1994. The High Level Advisory Board was created in July 1993 to act as an independent body of advisers to the Secretary-General and through him to the UN System. The board met in September 1993 and March 1994 and submitted a report to the second session of the CSD. In October the Advisory Board held its third session and focused on the following topics: sustainable food security; trade and environment; capacity building; and forging alliances between the UN system, governments and other actors (NGOs, science and industry) in the field of sustainable development. During its meeting, the Advisory Board met with the CSD Bureau, UNDP Administrator Gus Speth, Paul Kennedy, who is working on the reform of UN System, and UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The Advisory Board does not intend to produce a comprehensive review but rather a critical analysis of issues related to sustainable development. MED 21 CONFERENCE: Ministers from 16 Mediterranean States, along with representatives from UNDP, UNEP and other intergovernmental organizations and NGOs met in Tunis on 1 November 1994 to underline their commitment to sustainable development and address the innumerable threats facing the Mediterranean ecosystem. The Ministers adopted the Tunis Declaration on Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean, which expresses their commitment to work together in the future. The Ministers also adopted an Agenda 21 for the Mediterranean," a resolution that establishes a Commission on Sustainable Development for the Mediterranean and a resolution establishing a protection mechanism for the coastline. INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKING Joke Waller Hunter reported that Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 calls for the development of indicators for sustainable development. Several organizations and governments have been working on developing indicators for sustainable development, however, this work has not been coordinated. The Statistical Division of the United Nations (UNSTAT) and the DPCSD have developed a framework of indicators that could form the basis for a CSD programme of work to be considered at its third session. The framework is based on work done by UNSTAT, UNEP, the World Bank, OECD, the New Economics Foundation/WWF, other international organizations and national governments. The indicators that will be proposed intend to monitor progress at a national level towards sustainable development through the implementation of Agenda 21. The indicators will be presented in a Driving Force -State - Response framework. They will be grouped in categories covering economic, social, institutional and environmental issues. The goal is to have a full set of indicators for sustainable development for use by national governments by 1996 so that governments could make use of the indicators, if they wish to do so, in the voluntary information they submit to the CSD at its 1997 session. Belgium announced that it would hold a workshop on this issue in January 1995 (see Things To Look For). MAJOR GROUPS Michael McCoy, representative of the US Citizens Network for Sustainable Development and co-chair of a steering committee of CSD-related NGOs, said that there is a necessity to link the national reporting process to overall agenda setting. National reports should identify the problems that countries have encountered in implementing Agenda 21 that require assistance from the international community. He noted that while governments maintain missions here at the UN and international organizations have staff to interface with the CSD process, many NGOs who are following the issues to be discussed at this years session do not have the luxury of coming across the street to attend these sessions. It would be useful to have calendars in advance of informal meetings and the CSD intersessionals so that NGOs can participate. INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO LAND USE Brazil reported that since 1990 it has been carrying out the National Ecological and Economic Zoning Programme, which addresses land use based on different social, cultural and economic needs. Brazil needs international cooperation to strengthen institutions at different levels, financial resources, and integration of development plans. UN agencies, such as UNDP, and the Bretton Woods organizations could play a significant role in promoting capacity building for the management of land resources in developing countries. International cooperation for the planning and management of land resources could include: specific financial arrangements to support national plans; reporting to CSD on a voluntary basis on national experiences in this field; promotion of experience sharing meetings; identification of work being done by UN agencies; development of criteria and indicators for the land resources; and development of options for sustainable use of land resources that could be transferred to developing countries. Brazil intends to host an international workshop on land use with emphasis on methodology and exchange of views on criteria for ecological and economic zoning to be held in early 1995. Israel reported on the upcoming symposium on sustainable water management, which it will co-host with Japan. The FAO and the Netherlands announced the workshop they will co-host on integrated applications of tools and instruments for planning and management of rural areas (see Things To Look For). COMBATING DEFORESTATION FAO, the task manager on forests, described its preparations for the next session of the CSD. A draft report has been distributed with information from UN agencies concerned with forests (World Bank, UNDP, UNEP and ITTO) and a number of NGOs and governments. FAO held a Special Meeting of Bureaus of Regional Forestry Commissions in preparation for the 12th session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), which was held in Rome from 19-21 September 1994. A high-level panel of External Experts in Forestry was held in Rome from 19-21 October 1994, which advised on the revitalization of FAOs normative activities and in particular in connection with the role of FAOs Forestry Department in the post-UNCED period. Brazil reported on the initiatives on forests involving the Amazon countries. This is not a formal process, but it does involve cooperation among the Amazon countries, which has gained strength since the last meeting of the CSD. At its third session, the CSD should identify the specific areas of cooperation that are needed on all types of forests. This exercise can be enriched by some amount of voluntary reporting to the CSD. The outcome of the Indo-British initiative should be given appropriate consideration at the CSDs ad hoc working group meeting in February. The CSD needs to identify the difficulties faced by countries in the conservation, management and sustainable development of all types of forests. On the identification of criteria and indicators, Brazil mentioned the need to develop reliable, responsible parameters based on specific characteristics of areas concerned, taking into consideration economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. There is a need to ensure that the utilization of criteria and indicators will not resort to discriminatory practice. Brazil has been developing a set of criteria and indicators for assessment of sustainability in general and forests in particular. The indicators of sustainable development should include three dimensional indicators: economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability. EXPERT LEVEL FOLLOW-UP MEETING TO THE HELSINKI CONFERENCE: The Helsinki Process, which began in 1990, developed the general guidelines for the sustainable management of forests in Europe. The need to identify measurable criteria and indicators for the evaluation of how different countries have progressed in their efforts to follow the principles of sustainable forest management and conservation of the biological diversity of European forests became the most pressing issue in the international follow-up of the 1993 Helsinki Conference. A core set of criteria and indicators was adopted at the first expert level follow-up meeting, which was held in Geneva in June 1994. The six European criteria are as follows: (1) maintenance and appropriate enhancement of forest resources and their contribution to global carbon cycles; (2) maintenance of forest ecosystem health and vitality; (3) maintenance and encouragement of the productive functions of forests (wood and non-wood); (4) maintenance, conservation and appropriate enhancement of biological diversity in forest ecosystems; (5) maintenance and appropriate enhancement of protective functions in forest management (notably soil and water); and (6) maintenance of other socio-economic functions and conditions. NEW DELHI FORESTRY WORKSHOP: The UK and India jointly hosted a workshop on forestry in New Delhi from 25-27 July 1995. The workshop was attended by representatives from 39 countries as well as observers from most of the major international agencies involved in forestry and a number of NGOs. The workshop agreed on a standard framework for countries to use in reporting to the CSDs 1995 session. The workshop found the following headings to be useful in these reports: (1) promotion and implementation of the conservation, management and overall sustainable development of forests; (2) promotion and implementation of the sustainable use of forests and related aspects of economic development, including harvesting and processing of wood and non-wood forest products, recycling of waste, recreation and tourism; (3) the role of major groups and social aspects of forests; (4) institutional building and capacity building; and (5) international and regional cooperation and support. The workshop also noted the work being undertaken on the development of internationally agreed criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. WORKING GROUP ON CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF BOREAL AND TEMPERATE FORESTS: This working group (also known as the Montreal Process) has met five times since Rio, where governments made a commitment to develop criteria and indicators that would characterize sustainable forest management. Nine countries (Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Russian Federation and the United States) are members of this working group that covers over 40% of worlds forests. At the meeting that was held in Tokyo from 17-18 November 1994, participants reached agreement on a first draft of seven criteria for the sustainable development and management of boreal and temperate forests. At its next meeting in February, the seven criteria and associated indicators will be reviewed and finalized. INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON FORESTS: The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Forests (IWGF) was convened in Hull, Canada, from 10-14 October 1994. The first meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 18-21 April 1994. Participation in the second meeting was expanded to cover technical and policy experts from 32 countries, five intergovernmental organizations and 11 NGOs. The objective of the IWGF is to facilitate dialogue and consolidation of approaches to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests leading to the review of forest issues by the CSD at its third session. The IWGF has been considering seven issues: (a) forest conservation, enhancing forest cover and the role of forests in meeting basic human needs; (b) criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; (c) trade and environment; (d) approaches to mobilizing financial resources and technology transfer; (e) institutional linkages; (f) participation and transparency in forest management; and (g) comprehensive cross-sectoral integration including land use planning and management, and the influence of policies external to the traditional forest sector. By the conclusion of the second meeting, the participants had produced synthesis papers on each issue that include the key points raised during the meeting and a set of suggested options, approaches and opportunities specific to each topic. POLICY DIALOGUE ON SCIENCE, FORESTS AND SUSTAINABILITY: The Centre for International Forestry Research and the Government of Indonesia are co-hosting this policy dialogue in Indonesia from 10-16 December 1994. The dialogue brought together 50 scientists, key persons from the post-Rio processes, NGOs, indigenous people, industry, government and development agencies. Participants are expected to visit industrial logging areas, lands degraded by fire and shifting agriculture, communities dependent on forest products and an area protected for biological diversity. The primary objective was to review the results of the various forest initiatives, determine if they adequately incorporate the latest scientific information and determine their implications for future research and information needs. Participants were expected to discuss: the roles of forests in a world of 10 billion people with increasing food production needs; the potential of information technology for decision making on complex forest systems; how different systems of ownership and stewardship of forests influence sustainability and productivity; the implications of fossil fuel depletion and carbon dioxide build-up for forests; and the implications of the present moves towards globalization and multilateralism on forests. COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT Joke Waller Hunter said that the CSDs consideration of Chapter 12 of Agenda 21 is closely linked with the work underway in the context of the Convention to Combat Desertification. Benin reported on the negotiations of the Convention, which was adopted in June 1994 and opened for signature in October in Paris. Over 900 million people in more than 100 countries are affected by desertification, which does not mean solely the advancing of deserts, but rather the degradation of arable lands in arid and semi-arid lands. As called for in Chapter 12 of Agenda 21, an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee was established in 1992 to negotiate the Convention, which is the first instrument to be negotiated out of the Rio process. The Convention establishes the principles that underlie international and regional action to combat desertification and articulates the obligations. The national action programmes outline the specific action to be taken. A global mechanism was created to mobilize financial resources for the implementation of the Convention. The GEF may also play a major role in this regard. He also noted that the Convention has regional implementation annexes for Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Northern Mediterranean. Priority was ensured for Africa through a special resolution. The next meeting of the INCD will be held in New York from 9-20 January 1995. SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT The FAO, as task manager, held interagency consultations on Chapter 13 in March 1994. FAO is also supporting regional workshops, the first of which is being convened by ICIMOD for the Asia region in Katmandu, Nepal, from 13-15 December 1994. The International Potato Centre will be organizing the regional workshop for Latin America in Lima, Peru, from 10-14 April 1995. PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The FAOs point of departure as task manager is the realization that conceptualizing this chapter benefits from the den Bosch Conference on Agriculture and Environment, which was held in April 1991. At this stage, FAO is not planning on holding any more general meetings. Informal workshops are envisaged, but not yet confirmed, on agrochemicals with IFPRI in March 1995 and on incorporating environmental issues into agricultural policy, hopefully with UNEP, in May 1995. A representative from the Womens Food and Agriculture Organization, Kathy Lawrence, said that the CGIAR system has put together a consultative process to enable farmers to have input into the work of the CSD. They met with FAO and provided them with comments on the first draft of the report, specifically that the tone was too positive and lacked the urgency as befits the food and agriculture situation in the world today. The major reason for the slow adoption of SARD principles has been omitted from the FAO report. SARD principles have not been adopted because the export- driven model of development is still the dominant model. The potential impact of GATT in developed and developing countries must be addressed. INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON DECENTRALIZED RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: This workshop was held in Paris from 20- 22 September 1994. Participants were technicians and managers who are directly involved in the implementation of decentralized electrification programmes of significant size. The overall aim was to enable participants to compare their experiences and clarify the main implementation options of these programmes and identify guidelines for conducting other larger-scale operations. The workshop facilitated an exchange between Francophone and Anglophone teams from nine countries/regions regarding their experience in the field. The projects discussed during the workshop are the outcome of ten years experience and a consensus developed around the idea that enough information is now available to allow these actions to be extended and replicated in other regions and countries. Nevertheless, the adaptation of financial mechanisms on a case-by-case basis is a key to large-scale penetration of decentralized rural electrification. A follow-up meeting will be held in 1995. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY EXPERT WORKSHOP ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES ON THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY TO THE 1995 SESSION OF THE CSD: The Government of Spain convened this experts group meeting in Madrid from 11-14 October 1994. Experts from 22 countries, the European Commission, UNEP, FAO, the UN Secretariat and six NGOs participated. Two working groups were established to consider the obligations of the Convention and strategies and processes by which the Convention can contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity within the context of the cluster of topics to be considered by the CSD in 1995. The experts group agreed on the following points. (1) The need to sustain biodiversity must be fully integrated into overall plans for sustainable development and into sectoral plans such as those for forestry, agriculture, marine areas and rural development. (2) The implementation of the Convention and Agenda 21 will involve many tasks of a similar nature, such as information exchange, capacity building and the redefining of rights and obligations. For international efforts to be fully effective and to ensure wise use of scarce resources, international implementation of the Convention and Agenda 21 should be closely coordinated and integrated. (3) The CSD should encourage member States to ratify the Convention and focus on implementation. LATIN AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: This Conference was held in Lima, Peru, from 7-8 November 1994 and participants developed a common position for the Latin American and Caribbean countries for the first Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants agreed on the following recommendations. (1) The Conference of the Parties should meet on an annual basis to expedite the adoption of the measures needed for the effective and efficient application of the Convention. (2) The decision-making system should be consistent for all dealing with the application of the Convention. (3) The Global Environment Facility should be adopted as an interim institutional structure. (4) Projects financed through the Conventions financial mechanisms should support and be compatible with national development priorities. (5) Any subsidiary bodies should be open to membership of all Parties. (6) Access to and transfer of technology should be carried out under fair conditions, in an appropriate and secure manner, and under the most favorable conditions possible. INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY: UNESCO, in cooperation with the International Union of Biological Sciences, the International Council of Scientific Unions and the French Government, hosted this international forum in Paris from 5-9 September 1994. Over 200 scientists, industry representatives, NGOs and policy makers attended. The Forum consisted of three panels on scientific issues, one on in situ and ex situ conservation, three panels on the economics of biodiversity, one on the importance of urban environments, and one on the ethical, cultural and educational aspects of biodiversity. Biodiversity is a high stakes economic actor measured in billions of dollars. Participants also agreed on the importance of the ethical value of biodiversity and that education and awareness-raising activities related to biodiversity need to be stepped up. The forum also called for close partnerships between the major stakeholders for biodiversity, educationalists, major groups, scientists, industry, policy makers and media. BIOTECHNOLOGY UNIDO, the task manager for Chapter 16 of Agenda 21, said that they convened inter-agency consultations in September 1994 to gather information on actions moving towards the goals of this chapter. There have been a number of meetings of experts of governments, regional groups and at the global level relating to biotechnology and sustainable development. There have been positive developments in new initiatives and interagency cooperation since UNCED on biotechnology, in addition to new partnerships between private and public sectors. The Netherlands and the UK announced that they are co-hosting a meeting on biotechnology in January 1995 (see Things To Look For). GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS DEBATE ON ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The Second Committee of the 49th United Nations General Assembly began its consideration of Agenda Item 89, Environment and Sustainable Development, from 19-21 October 1994. Most delegates noted a number of areas where progress has been made over the last year, including: the entry into force of both the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity; the negotiation and adoption of the Convention to Combat Desertification; the successful conclusion of the Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States; the restructuring and the replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF); and the conclusion of the GATT Uruguay Round and its decisions in the area of trade and environment. Many delegates stated, however, that in spite of these accomplishments much more needs to be done to see Agenda 21 translated from words to action, especially in the areas of financial resources, transfer of technology, poverty alleviation and changes in production and consumption patterns. Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development Nitin Desai opened the debate by noting that since the Second Committee met last year, the CSD has held its second session. The high level of participation in the work of the Commission and the commitment of the NGO community are a source of great encouragement. The Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development and the High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development are both functioning and represent the major institutional developments out of the Rio process. Desai also noted other achievements since Rio, including the negotiation of the Convention to Combat Desertification. On 14-15 October 1994, 86 countries signed the Convention in Paris. The Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force on 21 March 1994. The INC is making good progress towards the first Conference of the Parties in Berlin next year. The Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States was a landmark event that recognized the importance of a systematic effort to help SIDS move towards sustainability. In addition to these negotiations, there are other things happening with regard to coastal zone management, marine pollution, toxic chemicals, the ban on the export of hazardous wastes from OECD to non-OECD countries, and the preparations for the first Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Nevertheless, there is a sense that the momentum of Rio is being lost. Some perceive that there is a lack of implementation on the commitments on finance and technology transfer, and this is true. In the year after Rio, ODA declined by 10%. He urged governments to demonstrate greater political will and commitment to action. Desai also highlighted the important role of the non-governmental community in UNCED follow-up and the work of the CSD. The Chair of the Commission on Sustainable Development, Klaus Topfer, also gave a report on the work of the CSD. He highlighted the central points of the 14 decisions taken by the Commission at its second session in May 1994 and then proceeded to list a number of ways in which the work of the Commission can be improved: Greater weight must be given to the political profile of the Commission. The intersessional period must be used intensively to implement the decisions of the second session and prepare for the third. The CSD will only be successful if it makes progress in the cross-sectoral issues of particular importance, namely finance, technology, trade and environment, and consumption and production patterns. The next session of the CSD must be in a position to decide as clearly and concretely as possible what needs to be done in a global perspective in order to enhance the implementation of the Forest Principles and Chapter 11 of Agenda 21. National experiences must be incorporated into the work of the CSD. The development of indicators for sustainable development must be discussed at the next session. The CSD must continue to expand its contacts with other bodies inside and outside the UN system. All major groups must continue to be involved in the work of the CSD. ALGERIA: On behalf of the G-77 and China, Mourad Ahmia said that it has now been two years since Rio and that the results of the implementation of Agenda 21 have been disappointing. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities has not been translated concretely, and there have been no great signs of new and additional funding and transfer of environmentally-sound technology. The developing countries feel bound by their commitments taken at Rio and they have a huge political interest in the implementation of these measures. GERMANY: On behalf of the European Union, Dr. Wolfgang Runge said that there must be more concrete commitments by the international community with regard to sustainable development. The EU also feels that the working methods of the CSD must improve > the CSD needs dialogue instead of debate and an integrated approach to the inter-related questions of sustainable development. Close cooperation with NGOs and the business community are also of great importance. The CSD should be the political motor of sustainable development. ICELAND: Amb. Ossur Skarphedinsson, on behalf of the Nordic countries, said that among the most important means to reduce the pressure on the environment are radical changes in the prevailing patterns of consumption and production. He also mentioned the importance of promoting sustainable development though trade. Countries must take effective steps towards rendering their economic policies conducive to sustainable development and constructive collaboration must be established to make trade and environment mutually supportive. MALAYSIA: Amb. Razali Ismail said that while considerable progress has been made at the organizational level, much more remains to be done on the substantive level. Sustainable development for the South is contingent upon the provision of new and additional financial resources by the developed North, but so far the US$2 billion replenishment of the GEF is the only new money available and it is a mere fraction of figures estimated at Rio. The issue of transfer of technology also remains plagued. While the North claims that all countries have a right to share such natural resources as forests, it will not allow the sharing of man-made resources. He also highlighted the importance of the participation of women, NGOs and indigenous people. REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Wonil Cho expressed satisfaction with the CSD and its year-round intersessional work. He informed the Committee that the Republic of Korea will be hosting a meeting of experts on access to and dissemination of environmentally sound technologies from 30 November - 2 December 1994. AUSTRIA: Gerhard Doujak expressed Austrias concern about preserving the Spirit of Rio. The Rio Conference laid down a milestone for the implementation of sustainable development. These goals more than ever demand unconditional commitment by all partners. He thanked the Secretariat for producing its bi-monthly CSD Update, which makes the intersessional process more transparent. Austria will continue its initiatives on sustainable development and international law. UNITED STATES: Herman Gallegos said that the last session of the CSD highlighted the need for some improvements in the way it carries out its work, including: the use of a set of indicators of sustainable development that would simplify national reporting and facilitate comparisons; encouraging and facilitating the preparation and use of national sustainable development strategies; and more effective coordination of the UN systems support for the implementation of Agenda 21. Intersessional activities should continue to be characterized by freedom and flexibility. Any effort to restrain or restrict intersessional activity, for example by imposing unnecessary bureaucratic formalities, will be counter- productive. JORDAN: Faris Ammarin said that in the context of the implementation of Agenda 21, the three components that need to be respected are human integrity, environmental integrity and the principle of economic efficiency. RUSSIAN FEDERATION: The representative said that on the whole a great deal has been achieved and the CSD is working well. In this process, a number of major legal instruments have been harmonized or are already in force. He called for greater integration and cooperation between the CSD, ECOSOC, the Bretton Woods institutions and other organizations. 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. 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 clearly define 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, perhaps shortly after intersessional meetings. The CSD needs indicators of success and open and inclusive dialogue. NEW ZEALAND: John McKinnon said that while the objective of restoring the environment and sustainable development has not slipped from the international agenda, 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. COLOMBIA: Amb. Julio Londoqo 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 environment and development. The environmental question should not lead to protectionism. 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. POLAND: Wojciech Ponikiewski said that the CSD should have the highest political profile and other ministers, including ministers of finance, should participate in its work. The CSD needs active dialogue and an integrative approach. Poland hopes that the new set of guidelines elaborated by the Secretariat will facilitate the preparation of national reports and improve their comparability. Poland supports the need for indicators, but any situation leading to simplistic conclusions drawn from such measures will have to be avoided. The GEF budget does not meet expectations, but if recipient countries prepare good projects they will, in a way, oblige contributors to increase their pledges. There is also a need for a more focused approach in the sharing of environmentally sound technologies and Poland is ready to contribute to this endeavor. TURKEY: Levent Murat Burhan commended the work done by the CSD so far and hoped that a broader perspective has been brought into its work on sustainable development. He announced that Turkey will continue to support the GEF in the amount of about 4 million SDR. Turkey is engaged in the preparation of Agenda 21s for the Mediterranean region and with the Central Asian republics and Balkan countries. He invited all related international, financial and other organizations, especially the GEF, UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank, to support these efforts. BULGARIA: The representative said that his country has adhered to the goals and commitments of Agenda 21, but a lot still remains to be done to achieve the necessary momentum. He supported debt relief initiatives and indicated that his Government had tabled a proposal for a debt for nature swap, which he hoped will be implemented. He called for greater transfer of resources and capacity building, as well as the transfer of environmentally sound technology on concessional terms. SRI LANKA: Amb. Stanley Kalpage said that Agenda 21 has not been fully implemented by the developing countries because they have not been supported with means of implementation. Little progress has been made with regard to trade and private sector flows, which are important sources of funding. The CSD could play a leading role in developing a consensus to elaborate rules to ensure that international trade is free and fair and an appropriate linkage between the CSD and the WTO should be established. Efforts to address sustainable development will only be achieved if poverty and unemployment are addressed globally. ISRAEL: Amb. Israel Eliashev stressed the need to ensure that the CSD is an efficient and effective body and supported the view that within the next CSD session, interested parties could discuss national experiences in developing and applying sustainable development strategies. The importance of adequate funding mechanisms cannot be overemphasized. Technology must be carefully selected and adapted to the specific needs of countries. He invited all countries to join Israel in the venture of desert research to find practical solutions to desertification. INDONESIA: Marwah Daud Ibrahim noted the important activities that have taken place since the Rio Conference. She regretfully noted that the issues of financial resources and technology transfer are still problematic and that much more needs to be done if the commitments made in Rio are to be met. MYANMAR: Amb. U Hla Maung said that UNCED stands as a landmark, but the environmental degradation caused by negligent human activities is threatening our very existence on earth and, unless timely action is taken, the future of mankind could be in jeopardy. He highlighted the ways in which policies can be adopted to ensure that both the imperative of environmental protection and the opportunity for economic development reinforce each other. He added that in Myanmar, as in many other countries of the region, the source of the problem lies not in industrial development and unsustainable lifestyles, but in under-development and poverty. He called on all States to meet their commitments in good faith. JAPAN: Amb. Shunji Maruyama noted that it is essential that the CSD receive the political support necessary to enable it to tackle the major issues in the area of sustainable development. It must address the root causes of these problems and express its views on controversial issues such as production and consumption patterns and trade and development. Environment and trade policies must be mutually supportive and the interaction between the CSD, the World Trade Organization, UNCTAD and UNEP is important. It is also useful to have the opportunity to share different national experiences in the implementation of Agenda 21 and it might be useful to conduct case studies. The CSDs working methods must also be improved, including shifting time allocated from general debate to discussion and dialogue. Japan is organizing a number of intersessional activities to support the CSD. MICRONESIA: Amb. Yosiwo P. George said that as the international community moves from negotiating to implementation of the Rio and post-Rio agreements, those nations having possession of the resources required to achieve our common goals must not apply those resources grudgingly or with hesitation. BOLIVIA: The representative highlighted the necessity for developing countries to achieve fair and sustainable development. He called on developed States to reach their ODA target of 0.7% of GNP and called for institutions that are manageable. He also emphasized the political dimension of sustainable development. A move to participatory democracy means changing the patterns of development, production and consumption alike. He also highlighted the need to ensure that the most vulnerable States are protected. BELARUS: The delegate called on the establishment of closer ties between the CSD and other regional organizations, such as the UN Economic Commissions. As one of the most environmentally vulnerable States, Belarus has not been able to carry out all the measures that it has agreed to, since it is facing humanitarian crises and conversion requirements. He then described his Governments proposal to hold a conference on the sustainable development of countries with economies in transition. IRAN: The representative noted that ODA has reached its lowest level since 1983, GEF resources have fallen short of expectations, and the question of transfer of environmentally sound technology on preferential and concessional terms has received only lip service. The CSD must focus on critical issues and not become merely a talk show. Priority should be accorded to strengthening the CSDs relationship with the GEF Council. Iran has established a high-level committee on sustainable development and a special commission on desertification. CZECH REPUBLIC: Karel Zebrakovsky said that the CSD has not succeeded in mobilizing enough political will to generate stronger commitments. The CSD intersessional activities need to be more systematic and coordinated. Greater cooperation between UNEP and the CSD is also needed. The Czech Republic is implementing the Climate Change and Biodiversity Conventions, is considering signing the Convention to Combat Desertification and will support a dialogue towards a possible new convention on forests. UKRAINE: The representative said that an important step in improving the work of the CSD is to integrate sectoral and cross sectoral issues. It is also important to link the elaboration of sectoral agreements and the finances to implement them. He said that the proposal made by Belarus to hold a conference on the sustainable development for countries with economies in transition is an interesting one. NEPAL: The representative pointed out the need for additional efforts in the areas of finance and technology transfer. Nepal has ratified the Climate Change and Biodiversity Conventions and participated in the negotiation of the Convention to Combat Desertification. It has set up an environmental policy council and is working on a regional action plan. PAKISTAN: Samiya Waheed Junejo stressed the importance of the CSDs decisions on changing consumption and production patterns, since the CSD is the only intergovernmental forum dealing with this issue. In order for the developing countries to realize the goals of sustainable development, specific policies need to be formulated for a conducive international economic environment. The recent stress on environmental conditionalities contradicts the principles of an open and free multilateral trading system. While the CSD intersessional sectoral meetings have contributed to a thorough analysis of some of the sectoral areas, they should not affect the holistic review of Agenda 21. GUYANA: On behalf of the Caribbean Community, the representative expressed concern about declining ODA flows and said that the specific nature of the GEF financing scope must be emphasized along with the call for new resources. The GEF replenishment is a first step at a minimum level. Changing consumption and production patterns rests with developed countries, but our own societies are confronted with detrimental patterns of production and consumption. Attention should be given to the special situation and needs of developing countries, including eradicating poverty and meeting basic human needs. It is not premature to begin discussion of the format and scope of the special session of the General Assembly to review implementation of Agenda 21 in 1997. VENEZUELA: The representative highlighted the extent of the progress that has been achieved in the short time since Rio, particularly the Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, the Convention to Combat Desertification and the entry into force of the Conventions on Biodiversity and Climate Change. The CSD must be the intergovernmental forum where decisions are taken and, so far, the general speeches have taken too much time and have not left enough room for actual negotiations. It is not enough to have merely a reiteration of the objectives of Agenda 21. NAMIBIA: The delegate said that sustainable development is a global concern that should be addressed with global action. The delegate described the plans that Namibia has implemented to achieve sustainable development and also called for financial commitments to be implemented. She highlighted the importance of the Womens Conference and Habitat II. URUGUAY: The representative said that just because the problems are stated does not mean that they are solved. Uruguay has taken a number of measures to implement Agenda 21, but climate change is a global problem and it should be addressed by the international community as a whole. BRAZIL: Amb. Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg said that Brazil continues to support strengthening the role of the CSD, although it has not reached most of the targets established. He said he was happy with the conclusion of the Convention to Combat Desertification, although it fell short of some legitimate concerns of African States. Its success will depend on the credibility of the international community, with regard to ODA targets and transfer of resources and technology. Unilateral trade measures to protect the environment will jeopardize sustainable development. KENYA: C. M. Kange expressed concern over the lack of implementation of Agenda 21. Despite limited financial and technical resources, Kenya has set up a National Environmental Action Plan, embarked on a review of environmental legislation and integrated environmental considerations into overall national development plans. UNEP headquarters in Nairobi should not be weakened as a result of strengthening UNEPs regional offices. CSD RESOLUTION A draft resolution on the Report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its second session (A/C.2/49/L.8), was first introduced by Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, on Tuesday, 8 November 1994. This draft resolution became the focus of rather intense informal consultations by members of the Second Committee. It was criticized as being highly negative, with too great a focus on the lack of new and additional financial resources and transfer of technology on concessional and preferential terms. There was little, if any, reference to the work done by the Commission so far and the numerous initiatives undertaken by governments and the UN system with regard to implementing Agenda 21 and supporting the work of the CSD. After nearly four weeks of consultations, the Vice Chair of the Second Committee, Arjan Hamburger (Netherlands) submitted a new draft resolution, A.C.2/49/L.58. This resolution was adopted by the Committee on Wednesday, 7 December 1994. The resolution is expected to be adopted by the General Assembly Plenary just before Christmas. After the resolution was adopted, Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, said that the text does not meet all the concerns of all delegations, but that they have joined the consensus. He reiterated the need for support for the implementation of Agenda 21 and the work of the CSD, which must follow the Rio commitments and the concept of common but differentiated responsibilties. Sustainable development is inseparable from new and additional resources and technology transfer. Germany, on behalf of the EU, Austria, Finland and Sweden, said that his group still had misgivings on the paragraph on new and additional resources. Two years after Rio we need to register progress such as the tripling of the size of the GEF core fund and the fact that a number of developing countries have contributed to the GEF. The present resolution fails to reflect this. Furthermore, the positive policy recommendations of the CSD should have been mentioned to balance the resolution. The Ukraine and Belarus expressed their support for the resolution, but noted that the difficulties of States with economies in transition are not mentioned. The operative part of the resolution, as contained in A/C.2/49/L.58 and orally amended, endorses the report of the CSD on its second section, welcomes actions taken in many countries towards elaborating national sustainable development strategies and action plans, and notes the ongoing work on the elaboration of sustainable development indicators. The resolution expresses deep concern that the financial recommendations and commitments of Agenda 21 are short of expectations and requirements and could undermine the basis of the global partnership for sustainable development. The resolution stresses the critical need for and importance of the provision of means of implementation, especially those relating to new and additional financial resources and the transfer of environmentally sound technology to developing countries. The resolution also: calls on the CSD to promote the adoption of urgent steps to implement the relevant chapters of Agenda 21 related to the crucial issue of unsustainable patterns of consumption and production; reiterates that national authorities should endeavour to promote the internalization of environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account that the pollutor should, in principle, bear the costs of pollution; notes the work done so far by the GATT/WTO, UNCTAD and UNEP in the fields of trade, environment and sustainable development; stresses the importance of the decisions adopted by the CSD as concrete steps in the implementation of Agenda 21; and encourages the participation of ministers in the work of the CSD. The resolution also: calls upon the CSD to develop close and clear relationships with other relevant international organizations and entities; urges the international community to further strengthen the funding capacity of international financial institutions, regional banks and other international organizations; recommends that the governing bodies of international financial institutions take the necessary steps to ensure their programmes and activities better reflect Agenda 21; endorses the recommendation of the CSD to draw up a matrix of policy options and financial instruments and mechanisms to facilitate the formulation of optimal financing strategies; requests the Secretary-General to promote further involvement of the High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development in the work of the CSD; and underlines the need for balanced, transparent and coherent intersessional processes. The resolution concludes by underlining the need for effective follow-up of the decisions taken by the Commission at its second session, noting the role of major groups and supporting the work of the Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development. RELATED RESOLUTIONS The General Assembly also adopted a number of other resolutions related to UNCED follow-up. These include: Support for the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Programme (A/C.2/49/L.10/Rev.1). This resolution welcomes the GLOBE initiative launched by the United States on 22 April 1994, which aims to enhance the collective awareness of individuals throughout the world concerning the environment, increase scientific understanding of the Earth, and help all students reach the highest standards in science and mathematics education. Dissemination of the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (A/C.2/49/L.17). This resolution urges all Governments and the organs and bodies of the UN system to promote widespread dissemination of the Rio Declaration at all levels. International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (A/C.2/49/L.18). This resolution proclaims 16 September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date, in 1987, when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed. Observance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (A/C.2/49/L.19). This resolution proclaims 17 June as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, to be observed beginning in 1995, commemorating the date, in 1994, on which the Convention to Combat Desertification was signed. THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN 1995 CSD MEETINGS AD HOC OPEN-ENDED INTERSESSIONAL WORKING GROUPS: At its second session, the CSD agreed to continue the work of the ad hoc open-ended intersessional working group on finance and established a new working group to address the sectoral issues that will be examined by the CSD in 1995 (land management, forests, desertification and biodiversity). The Ad Hoc Working Group on the Sectoral Themes will meet from 27 February - 3 March 1995. The Ad Hoc Working Group on Finance will meet from 6-10 March 1995. Both meetings will be at UN Headquarters in New York. For more information, contact the CSD Secretariat at +1-212-963-5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail: dpcsd@igc.apc.org. THIRD SESSION OF THE CSD: The third session of the CSD will meet from 11-28 April 1995 at UN Headquarters in New York. Focus will be on the following cross-sectoral components of Agenda 21: Chapters 3 (poverty); 5 (demographics); 8 (integrating environment and development in decision-making);16 (biotechnology); 22-32 (major groups); and 40 (information). Financial resources and mechanisms (Chapter 33) and the chapters on transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity building (34), science (35) and education (36) will also be discussed. The sectoral cluster for this session includes: Chapters 10 (land management), 11 (forests); 12 (desertification and drought); 13 (mountains); 14 (sustainable agriculture); 15 (biological diversity); and the Forest Principles. The proposed schedule is to open the session with a presentation of the work of the ad hoc open-ended working groups on finance and sectoral issues. On 12-13 April, there will be panel discussions on the issues considered by the working groups. The CSD will then have two days for the sharing of national experiences. Two members of each regional group will be asked to present their experiences so that there will be a total of ten presentations and an open discussion. There will also be one day for sharing experiences of implementing Agenda 21 at the local level. Three drafting groups will then be established to address the cross sectoral and sectoral issues under consideration. This programme of work is subject to change and for more information contact the CSD Secretariat (see above). CSD-RELATED INTERSESSIONAL MEETINGS WORKSHOP ON ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The Czech Republic is organizing a workshop on Economic Instruments for Sustainable Development, which will be held in Pruhonice from 12-14 January 1995. Topics for discussion include: framework for the application of economic instruments; evaluation of economic instruments applied in national policies; public expenditure for sustainable development on the national level; possible roles for economic instruments on the international level; and private/public partnerships on the national and international levels. For more information, contact Zdenek Sucha'nek, Ministry of Environment, Vrsovicka 65, 100 10 Prague 10, Czech Republic; tel: +422 6712 21 09; fax: +422 6731 00 14. FINANCIAL ISSUES FOR AGENDA 21: Japan and Malaysia will co-host a second meeting on financial issues for Agenda 21 in preparation for the CSDs Ad Hoc Working Group on Finance. This meeting, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur from 24-26 January 1995, will address the following issues: ODA; private financing; the role of the Bretton Woods and other development institutions; national policies; and the mobilization of financial resources. Participants will utilize the results of the Czech meeting to discuss innovative financing mechanisms. The meeting will also review and evaluate economic instruments related to environment and taxation, reducing military expenses and specific sectoral and cross sectoral financing. For more information, contact the Mission of Malaysia to the UN at +1-212-986-6310. SECOND EXPERT LEVEL FOLLOW-UP MEETING OF THE HELSINKI CONFERENCE: This meeting (the Helsinki Process) will be held in Antalya, Turkey, from 23-24 January 1995, with the objectives to finalize the Pan-European interim follow-up report on the sustainable management of forests in Europe and to consider, on the political level, the circumstances for organizing the next ministerial conference and what achievements have been made since the Helsinki Conference in June 1993. The meeting will also complete the European List of the most suitable quantitative indicators for sustainable forest management. EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON FORESTRY: The European Commission on Forestry will meet in Antalya, Turkey, from 25-28 January 1995. OSLO ROUNDTABLE ON SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION: The Norwegian Government is hosting a meeting on sustainable consumption and production patterns that will serve as a follow-up to the symposium that it hosted in 1994. The Roundtable will take place from 6-10 February 1995 in Oslo. The main subjects for discussion will be the elements for the CSD programme of work. The Roundtable will also analyze concepts and trends, via examination of supply chains from cradle to grave, to discussions of possible measures and their effects. The effects of proposals on developing countries will also be addressed. Challenges and trends, options for change as well as suggestions for action will form the point of departure for discussion of elements for the work programme. For more information, contact the Norwegian Ministry of Environment, Myntgt 2, PO Box 8013 Dep., 0030 Oslo, Norway; tel: +47-22-34-90-90; fax: +47- 22-34-95-61. WORKSHOP ON FACILITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSEHOLDS: The Government of the Netherlands is organizing a Workshop on Facilities for Sustainable Households, which will be held at the end of February or the beginning of March. The Workshop will discuss the results of the Oslo meeting and focus on: definition of the obstacles that currently prevent more sustainable behavior in households; identification of the key actors to overcome these obstacles; and identification of opportunities and incentives to encourage actors to change. Participation will be limited to 50 officials from ministries, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs to allow for interactive discussions. WORKING GROUP ON CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF BOREAL AND TEMPERATE FORESTS: The Working Group (the Montreal Process) will hold its sixth meeting in Santiago, Chile, from 2-3 February 1995, to review and finalize the criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of boreal and temperate forests. FAO EXPERT MEETING ON THE HARMONIZATION OF CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT: This meeting will be held in Rome from 13-16 February 1995, to seek information and concurrence on a limited set of core concepts related to sustainable forest management. The meeting will include experts from countries and organizations involved in the international initiatives currently underway on forest management, as well as representatives of those regions and/or ecological zones that presently are not involved in international post- UNCED forestry initiatives. The objectives of the meeting are to review, discuss and report on: thematic and geographical coverage of on-going international initiatives on the formulation of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management; specific aspects of, and conditions for, sustainable forest management in countries and co-regions/regions not covered by on-going initiatives; substantive technical and policy level issues related to the harmonization of initiatives on sustainable forest management at the global level; development of a minimum core set of criteria and indicators for sustainability; and proposed modalities and a time frame for global harmonization of efforts in this respect. For more information, contact Richard Lydiker, Director of Information Division, FAO at +39-6- 5225-3510. FAO COMMITTEE ON FORESTS: The FAO Committee on Forests (COFO) will meet in Rome from 16-17 March 1995. Its agenda includes: major issues for CSD attention related to sustainable management and development of forests; regional perspectives on implementation of UNCED agreements for the attention of the CSD; a summary of post-UNCED initiatives in forestry; efforts towards harmonization of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; and a review of advantages and disadvantages related to initiating the evolution of the Forest Principles into a legally-binding international instrument or convention on forests. COFO will be preceded by a private sector meeting in February and an NGO meeting in March, both of which will focus on preparations for the CSD. Ministers responsible for forestry will meet on 17-18 March 1995, in Rome, in a high-level segment to search for agreement on major issues to be considered by the CSD. For more information, contact Richard Lydiker, Director of Information Division, FAO at +39-6-5225-3510. SYMPOSIUM ON SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT: Israel and Japan will convene a symposium on sustainable water management in early 1995. The seminar will address policies, strategies, capacity building, research and development, irrigation, sustainable agriculture, use of treated sewage water, efficient utilization of rainwater and run off. Approximately 30-35 high-level experts will be invited to participate. For more information, contact the Mission of Israel to the UN at +1-212-351-5208. WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATED PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND RESOURCES: The Netherlands and the FAO are organizing a workshop on the subject of Chapter 10 of Agenda 21. The workshop, which will be held in Wageningen, the Netherlands, from 30 January to 1 February 1995, aims at formulating a set of recommendations and policy options that will be presented to the CSD session in April 1995. The main focus will be on integrated application of tools and instruments for planning and management of rural areas and possibilities for sustainable economic activities within as well as outside the agricultural sector. SCOPE/UNEP WORKSHOP ON INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The Government of Belgium will host this workshop from 9-11 January 1995 in Gent. The workshop aims at bringing together users of sustainability indicators. These users and data producers will examine indicators as sources of information that can measure national sustainability and policy goals. This workshop will contribute to the process of developing indicators for sustainable development within the context of the CSD. MEETING ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY: The Netherlands and the UK are organizing a meeting where international experts attending in their personal capacities will share views on the development and use of biotechnology. The purpose is to collect information and views on focusing on the objectives in Chapter 16 of Agenda 21. The meeting will run from 11-13 January 1995. Experts have been invited from UNCEDs working party on biotechnology, the Biotechnology Advisory Committee of the Stockholm Institute and members from international organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and secretariats, and governments, while trying to achieve a North-South balance. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin) is written and edited by Pamela Chasek and Langston James Goree VI Kimo (kimo@iisd.org), with assistance from Charlotte de Fontaubert (acvdf@chopin.udel.edu). Funding for this issue of the Bulletin has been provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (iisd@web.apc.org), the Government of Denmark, the World Bank and the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship Initiative. The authors can be contacted at their electronic mail addresses and by phone and fax at +1-212-888-2737. 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