Daily report for 2 May 1995

Plenary convened Tuesday morning to continue general debate. Working Group Iconsidered draft decisions on preparations for the Conference. The informal workinggroup of Working Group II completed consideration of the Preamble of the GlobalPlan of Action prepared by the drafting committee.

PLENARY

Plenary heard statements from 26 speakers. Most delegates reported on nationalpreparations for Habitat II and the housing situations in their countries.

Editors Note: Coverage of Plenary statements made Tuesday will be carried in thesummary issue of the Bulletin to be published following this session of the PrepCom.

WORKING GROUP I

Mexico and Sweden suggested amendments to document A/CONF.165/PC.2/2/Add.1.Mexico suggested a section on human settlements legislation since Habitat I. Swedenproposed guidelines for the selection of best practices and the establishment of a juryto make selections.

The informal, open-ended drafting group chaired by India reviewed a series of draftdecisions contained in document A/CONF.165/PC.2/2/Add.3.

PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES

A. National objectives, activities and reporting: China, Sweden and Finlandquestioned the five-year national plan of action. China said the national plans of actionshould follow the Global Plan of Action (GPA), which will not be complete untilHabitat II. Sweden and Finland said their national action plans are not on five-yearscales. The Secretariat said the language is based on recommendations from the firstPrepCom and that the national reports and GPA are to be developed in parallel. TheChair suggested that the decision could refer to 'national plans and five-year plans.'The Netherlands, supported by Sweden and Denmark, added that countries canformulate a plan and also give an overview of existing plans of action. Severaldelegations noted that different decisions designated either 1 August or 1 September asthe deadline for national reports. They preferred 1 September. The decision wasadopted.

B. Regional objectives and activities: Colombia said that a statementemphasizing similarities in regional cultures and economies should instead note theirdifference or diversity. France suggested 'cultural, economic and social convergence.'Gabon suggested convergence and diversity. The decision was adopted.

C. International objectives and activities: Romania suggested substituting'housing' for 'shelter' in a paragraph describing best practices. Swaziland saidsubregional organizations should be included in technical cooperation. The decisionwas adopted but a paragraph on the GPA was deferred, pending further discussions inthe PrepCom.

THE NATURE OF HABITAT II

The decision was deferred because it is still under discussion.

Financing of the Habitat II and its preparatory activities: China added toa paragraph requesting funding from governments, 'especially those of the developedcountries and others in a position to do so, and to international and regional financialinstitutions.' The decision was adopted.

The draft decision on the State of Human Settlements Report, major reviewsand other substantive documentation was adopted.

Draft decisions on accreditation and participation of local authorities,organizational arrangements for the conference, and activities parallel tothe main activities of the Conference were deferred until other discussions onthese matters are complete.

Financing of Habitat II and its preparatory activities: The Netherlandsand Italy asked for an explanation of the budget. Denmark and Uganda noted that thedecision was nearly identical to an earlier one, except for inclusion of a specificbudget of $4 million. They suggested incorporating the two decisions. The decision onthis item was deferred.

Date and agenda of the third session of the Preparatory Committee:Delegates noted that the dates in the decision are blank. The Secretariat said thedates depend on the availability of facilities in New York and on other arrangementsto be discussed Wednesday. He said the third session is likely to take place betweenthe second half of February and first half of March. Sweden said the decision couldnot yet accurately reflect the incomplete GPA work in Working Group II. Adoption ofthe subparagraph was deferred.

Japan said discussions had not been held on accreditation, so that portion of thedecision should be deferred. Finland suggested adding a review of best practices to thestatus of preparations. The portion on the status of preparations and the remainder ofthe decision were adopted.

The Chair introduced a draft resolution from the Bureau stating that the PrepComauthorizes its Bureau to hold, as necessary, meetings between the sessions of theCommittee to guide, inter alia, the Secretariat's work. Canada, China,Colombia and the UK said they would prefer to hear details on possible meetings.Until the details are provided, the resolution should be deferred. Japan said it haddoubts about intersessional meetings because of the budgetary implications.

WORKING GROUP II

Working Group II chaired by Amb. de Silva convened Tuesday morning to hear theprogress report of the informal working group. Dr. Khonje, Chair of the informalworking group, reported that the group had completed consideration of the draftprinciples to be presented to the Working Group later in the week. The WorkingGroup adjourned and the informal working group begun consideration of the Preambleto the Global Plan of Action, as contained in document A/CONF.165/PC.2/L.2.

Paragraph 1 recognizes the centrality of human concerns to sustainabledevelopment, as well as the human being's entitlement to a life in harmony withnature and shared spiritual and moral values. There was a brief debate on the need toinclude 'ethical values.'

Paragraph 2 reviews the state of urban growth and state of humansettlements since Habitat I and notes that there has been no significant improvement inshelter conditions. Japan objected to this statement as it implies that all internationalefforts have been useless. India said that it was a fact that little change had beenmade. Agreement was reached that 'despite the great effort by the internationalcommunity and States, there have been no significant changes....'

Paragraph 3 notes that Habitat II has been preceded by other UNconferences whose contributions are reflected in the Global Plan of Action. HabitatII's function is to continue the process. Italy requested mention of the effects oftechnology on human settlements in developed countries. With few amendments, theparagraph was accepted.

Paragraph 4 underscores the importance of sustainable human settlements inan urbanizing world. Benin, supported by the Philippines, Kenya and the Holy See,said the word 'human' should be deleted as the process aims at achieving'sustainable development.'

Paragraph 5 describes the world situation since the end of the Cold War.After prolonged debate, a small committee was set up to provide consensus text,which now reads, "The current world situation is marked by prospects of hope andelements of concern. The end of the Cold War has provided opportunities for newpatterns of international cooperation and has caused major structural changes indeveloping countries and countries with economies in transition. At the same time,many countries face many economic problems and, as always the poor, disadvantagedand other vulnerable groups, especially women and children suffer the most. It isrecognized that the problem faced by human settlements in many regions are greatlyinfluenced by international economic inequalities, the debt burden, negative impacts ofcertain effects of structural adjustment programmes and unsustainable models ofdevelopment."

Paragraph 6 highlights the effects of poor housing and homelessness inparticular in developing countries, noting that developed countries are also faced theseproblems. It acknowledges the 'right to a place to live in peace and dignity.' Forty-five minutes of debate produced no consensus on the 'right' issue, despite delegates'warnings against reverting to discussions that took a week in the Commission withoutyielding consensus. It was agreed that the two options, 'is equally entitled to' and'have basic human needs, including' will be left in brackets. Belgium noted that theissue here is a moral obligation referring to the right to dignity of living, not the rightto adequate housing.

Paragraph 7 deals with industrialization's effects on the environment indeveloped countries and the lack of personal acceptance of responsibility. UNIDO said'indiscriminate industrialization' is the problem.

Paragraph 8 outlines the constraints facing local authorities in addressinghuman settlements. The International Union of Local Authorities provided alternativetext on measures to strengthen the operational capacity of local authorities, which wasendorsed.

Paragraph 9 highlights the role of cities in economic development as wellas their negative social and environmental effects, which unless resolved will becomean obstacle to stability, well-being and development. Delegates said the paragraph'sorientation is negative. Hungary suggested it should be placed before paragraph 7.

Paragraph 10 focuses on international migration and stresses that education,housing, employment and social integration needs of migrants should be addressed byhost countries. Croatia suggested additional text providing for international assistancefor reconstruction of human settlements for refugees and internally displaced persons.

Paragraph 11 calls for preventive measures beyond the city-level, againstnatural, technological and other disasters. Benin added 'man-made disasters' andintroduced language referencing excessive military expenditures, arms trade andinvestment for arms protection and acquisition.

Paragraph 12 states the need to address urban-rural linkages related toeconomic development in rural areas. Several alternatives were given to eliminate theimpression that urbanization is a negative process.

Paragraph 13 stresses the need for decision-making that is decentralized andincludes participation of affected persons. There was debate on the meaning of'lowest local level possible.' Denmark's proposal, 'decisions made at the level asclose as possible to those affected...,' was accepted.

Paragraph 14 focuses on the status of women as a measure of a nation'sdevelopment and stresses the need for equality in all aspects. Several delegatessupported the approach to have a section on women. Several amendments were made.Delegates requested a new paragraph on children and youth.

Paragraph 15 underscores the justification of the preceding paragraphs andendorses the principles, goals and commitments in the document. Paragraph16 outlines the objective of the principles, goals and commitments adopted byHabitat II. Both were accepted with minor amendments.

IN THE BREEZEWAYS

The possibility -- or necessity -- is growing for an intersessional meeting or resumedsession of the PrepCom to continue work on the Global Plan of Action. An informaldrafting group formed late last week has made progress on a structure and somesections of the GPA, but it is unlikely that this session of the PrepCom will completeits work on a draft text. Large sections of the GPA, notably the programme areas,have not yet been discussed. One possibility is that the small informal drafting groupwill meet occasionally over the coming months. Another option is a meeting of thePrepCom in conjunction with the Second Committee of the General Assembly when itconsiders Habitat in its regular agenda in New York. The main question is how to payfor it. The GA has not authorized funds for an intersessional, and some delegationssay they do not want to foot the bill.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

WORKING GROUP I: The Group will discuss the Organization of Workfor Habitat II, including establishment of committees and procedural matters ascontained in A/CONF.165/PC.2/CRP.2. The Committee also may consider anintersessional meeting.

WORKING GROUP II: The informal working group is likely to beginconsideration of the two remaining Principles, Partnerships and Livable HumanSettlements. They may also begin discussion of the Goals and Commitments.