Daily report for 6 June 1996

Delegates to Habitat II continued to hear general statements during Plenary. The WorkingGroups of Committee I, which are charged with negotiating the Habitat Agenda,continued their negotiations, as did the Drafting Groups considering the IstanbulDeclaration and text related to a “right to housing.” Committee II held hearings involvingrepresentatives of the Parliamentarians Forum and of the Academies of Science andEngineering Forum and the Professionals and Researchers Forum.

WORKING GROUP I

CHAIR Kakakhel announced a new Vice-Chair, Miloslava Paskova (Slovak Republic). Heinvited drafting groups to convene for parallel consultations and stated that languageagreed at PrepCom III will not be re-negotiated.

CHAPTER IV. GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION

B. Adequate Shelter for all: MOROCCO proposed a new subparagraph54(g)bis: “Address the problems related to spontaneous settlementsthrough the implementation of preventive integrated housing programmes.” The EUbracketed the subparagraph.

Paragraph 55 (land tenure and access) was amended to read “while recognizingthat different national laws (G-77/CHINA) and systems (US) of land tenure exist.” NGOs(Peace Caucus) recommended language regarding the removal of land mines. In56(d) (land use taxation), the EU replaced “easily accessible and progressivetaxation” with “fiscal” incentive mechanisms. The US added “accessible” use of land butdeleted “equitable,” which was opposed by the EU, the G-77/CHINA and JORDAN.

In 57 (chapeau) (land use and markets), “equitable” (referring to land use) wasdeleted. In 57(c) (intervention of [stakeholders]), brackets on the entiresubparagraph were removed but those around stakeholders remained. The HOLY SEE,supported by ROMANIA, added a reference to the public and private sectors.

In 58 (chapeau) (barriers to access to land), SYRIA and AUSTRALIA proposeddeletion of the brackets around “equal and equitable” access, and the EU and US wantedto delete “equitable.” The brackets were removed and “equitable” remained. In58(f) (women’s access to economic resources), IRAN, supported by the SUDANand SYRIA, deleted “equal” from the right to inheritance.

In 60 (housing finance institutions), the US inserted “those belonging” tovulnerable and disadvantaged groups. In 63 (facilitate access to housing), the G-77/CHINA supported the CHAIR’s suggestion that brackets be removed from equity. In66 (infrastructure and delivery systems), the EU, supported by the G-77/CHINA,proposed removing from brackets a reference to “equitable” provision. The USpreferred “equal.”

In 68 (availability of skills and financing), delegates removed a reference to“external” impacts of the construction industry from brackets. In 69(o) (supportNGOs and others), a reference to “equal” participation of women was removed frombrackets. In 71(a) (non-renewable resources), the G-77/CHINA deleted“particularly fossil fuels” with the US’ concession. The section on vulnerable groups (72-75) is being examined by a drafting group.

C. Sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world: The G-77/CHINA asked the EU to accept introductory references to the most significanttransformations of human settlements in 76 (rapid urbanization). In 77(sustainability of global environment and human life), the EU suggested simplifying abracketed reference to causes of environmental degradation and resource depletion. TheUS recognized that the paragraph raises sensitive issues and suggested a reference tofailure to account for the social environmental and economic effects of developmentdecisions. The G-77/CHINA proposed removing the brackets. GUATEMALA said somekind of restraint on wasteful consumption and production should be written into thedocument. The US could not accept an EU formulation.

Bracketed language regarding UNCED was deleted in 77bis (localauthorities). The HOLY SEE removed the brackets around 77ter(participation). CANADA added “prevention” to mitigation of adverse environmentalimpacts in 79 (urban expansion). The G-77/CHINA, supported by NORWAY,replaced “trade” with “transboundary movement of” hazardous waste and deleted “byparties to those agreements.” The US conceded on the former proposal but not on thelatter. Brackets were removed from the entire subparagraph of 80bis(partnerships). The EU proposed removing brackets around the precautionary approachtext in 82 (balanced urban development) but the G-77/CHINA wanted to deletethe bracketed text. The CHAIR proposed text from Rio stating that the precautionaryapproach shall be widely applied according to states’ capabilities. The US and NORWAYagreed but wanted to retain the reference to environmental and social impact assessment.In 82bis (water resource protection), NORWAY added “and other” to“land-based sources of pollution” and CANADA added “oceans and coastalareas.”

WORKING GROUP II

The Chair opened the morning session by reiterating that previously agreed provisionswould not be re-opened. He asked delegations to communicate through their regionalgroupings.

E. International cooperation and coordination: In 145bis (newforms of partnerships), delegates agreed to a redraft by the G-77/CHINA, in consultationwith the LOCAL AUTHORITIES, recognizing complementary forms of decentralizedcooperation between and among local authorities and their participation in internationalcooperation within the legal frameworks of each country. In 146, AUSTRALIAreported that the drafting group is considering text that recognizes productivity in thehousing sector. It also states that achievement of Habitat II’s goals would be facilitated by,inter alia, action on questions regarding the financing of development,external debt, international trade and transfer of technology to developing countries.

In 147(b) (macroeconomic policies), the CHAIR proposed calling for policiesconducive to “economic development, social development and environmental protection,as components of sustainable development.” The G-77/CHINA reserved the right toreturn to the text once similar references are resolved.

In 148(d) (local authorities and financial markets), the G-77/CHINA proposed todelete NGOs from a reference to increasing the ability to link directly with global capitalmarkets. The US supported retaining the reference. LOCAL AUTHORITIES said thatdeveloping country local authorities suffer from a double standard because they cannotaccess financial capital markets. The G-77/CHINA, the EU and the US will consultfurther. In 148(e) (investments in shelter and infrastructure), the WOMEN’SCAUCUS proposed language from the Beijing Declaration on ensuring compliance withnational laws by the private sector, including transnational corporations. The US proposedincluding “human rights,” but the G-77/CHINA objected.

In 148(f) (impact of international migration), MEXICO deleted the reference to“negative” impacts. CANADA added “documented” migrants, but the PHILIPPINESobjected. The G-77/CHINA proposed a redraft calling for international cooperation topromote respect for the rights of migrants, particularly by ensuring decent socialconditions, equitable wages and adequate working conditions. In 148(g) (supportto refugees), the US suggested that settlements “should preferably” be in the land oforigin. The G-77/CHINA proposed that repatriation be “in safety and dignity.” The EUrequested time to consult.

In 149 (enhancing financial resources), the G-77/CHINA noted that the humansettlements sector is eligible for financing like other sectors and included a specificreference to multilateral financial institutions. The US said substantial financing alreadyexists. The US, supported by the G-77/CHINA, later proposed accepting the original textwithout changes. The EU requested the right to revisit the text once all related text isresolved.

In 150 (mobilization of financial resources), the US proposed that additionalfinancial resources be “from various sources.” The US and EU proposed retaining150(d) (striving to fulfill the 0.7% GNP ODA target) and deleting 150(e)(achieving the agreed target). The G-77/CHINA proposed the reverse. AUSTRALIAdeleted the reference to 0.15% GNP to least developed countries (LDCs) in 150(d).BANGLADESH suggested raising the target to 1.4% GNP. The US, supported by the EUand JAPAN, stated it is not likely that positions on the target will change at Habitat II.The US proposed a small group to examine Rio language. NORWAY insisted on the LDCtarget. The G-77/CHINA agreed to use 150(d), but added reference to the “agreed” targetand language on human settlements. The US stated that is has not accepted targets. TheCHAIR proposed adopting “mental” brackets on 150(d) with the G-77/CHINA’s changeswhile consultations take place. BENIN proposed adopting the text with reservations. TheUS requested brackets and consultations. NORWAY said the issue should be dealt withby the full group. The CHAIR noted mental brackets, which will be reviewed Friday basedon Thursday evening consultations.

In 150(h) (partnerships), delegates accepted an EU proposal encouragingmultilateral and bilateral donors to support countries, particularly developing countries, inpursuing enabling strategies. In 150(j) (South-South cooperation), the G-77/CHINA and the US preferred the original text. The EU proposed deleting references totriangular cooperation and partnerships between developed and developing countries.Both references were retained.

IN THE DRAFTING GROUPS

The Drafting Group on the Istanbul Declaration discussed which of the three draft texts(G-77/CHINA, TURKEY, and the EU) would serve as the basis for discussion. Thepurpose, structure and tenor of the Declaration and its target audience were alsodiscussed. The document from Turkey was described as a precise summary of theConference agenda. The G-77/CHINA draft, which contains references to new andadditional resources and the future role of the UNCHS, has been debated by the Group.Delegates invited the CHAIR to provide a synthesis draft. Delegates also discussed thequestion of participation of NGOs and Local Authorities in the Drafting Group.

Participants reported progress in the Drafting Group on the “right to housing” and saiddelegates cooperated and agreed on text in 44, 44bis (chapeau)and the majority of 13. Consultations are continuing on 9 and the grouptackled 2bis and 44bis(a) and (b) in an eveningsession. The newly agreed language is essentially that approved at PrepCom III withminor amendments. References to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights andobligations versus responsibilities of governments were among the controversial issuesdiscussed.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will meet in the Plenary Hall in morning and afternoonsessions to continue hearing statements regarding the state of human settlements.

WORKING GROUP I: Working Group I (considering the Habitat Agenda exceptinternational cooperation and follow-up) is expected to meet during the morning andafternoon in Conference Room 1.

WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group considering Sections E and F of theHabitat Agenda is expected to meet during the morning, afternoon and evening inConference Room 3.

DRAFTING GROUPS: The Drafting Group on the Istanbul Declaration isexpected to meet during the morning and afternoon in Conference Room A. The DraftingGroup considering text related to a “right to housing” is expected to meet during themorning and afternoon in Conference Room D.

COMMITTEE II: The Committee is expected to meet in Conference Room 2during the morning and afternoon to hold hearings involving representatives of the LabourUnions Forum and the UN system.