Daily report for 8 June 1996

Working Groups I and II of Committee I met all day Saturday to continue negotiations onthe Habitat Agenda. A Drafting Group that was charged with considering outstanding textfrom Working Group I also met. Little progress was reported from this Group.

WORKING GROUP I

IV. GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION

The CHAIR of the Drafting Group on a right to adequate housing, MarcelaNicodemos (BRAZIL), reported that with the exception of a reference to forced evictionin 44bis, all relevant paragraphs are agreed. In 2bis(access to safe and healthy shelter), a bracketed reference to "the right to adequatehousing" is deleted. In 9 (absolute poverty), reference to the right to an adequatestandard of living is drawn from the International Covenant on Economic, Social andCultural Rights. Paragraph 13bis (formed from 13) (internationalinstruments), reaffirms commitment to ensuring human rights and the right to adequatehousing, taking into account that the right, as included in the cited internationalinstruments, shall be realized progressively. In 24 (obligation of Governments),most of the language from the draft Habitat Agenda (A/CONF.165/L.1) is retained.Paragraphs 44 (right to adequate standard of living) and 44bis(actions by Governments) were merged into one paragraph. A reference tocountries’ responsibilities is replaced with "all Governments." Subparagraph 44(a)refers to discrimination. In 44(c)v "domestic" is deleted from a reference tomobilizing innovative resources. The Group proposed that 48ter(discrimination) be deleted.

C. Sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world: In92bis (population), delegates agreed to split the paragraph and beganinformal consultations. In 93 (human health), delegates amended the original andadded text from the alternative formulation regarding a holistic approach to health. Textregarding the contribution of improved health to economic and social development wasdeleted. The G-77/CHINA proposed to delete "people are entitled to a healthy andproductive life in harmony with nature" but the US and the EU objected. The US amendedthe reference to children. The US introduced a 93bis regarding leadpoisoning prevention.

In 94 (health problems from adverse environmental conditions), the EU,supported by the G-77/CHINA, deleted bracketed text regarding the disproportionateeffect of environmental degradation on vulnerable groups. Brackets were removed from95 (environmental risks in the home and workplace) with the G-77/CHINA’s addition of "children" and AUSTRALIA’s addition of "rates of exposure."

In 95ter (waste management), the US deleted "particularly in industrializedcountries." Paragraph 95quater (design of built environment) was amendedwith "the design of high-rise housing should complement the context of the neighborhoodand community in which it will be located (US). The large-scale development of high-risehousing can bring social and environmental disadvantages and therefore special attentionshould be paid to the quality of its design (EU), including scale and height (NORWAY),proper maintenance, regular technical inspection and safety measures (EU)." TURKEYsubmitted a new 95quinquiens regarding livability of the built environment.

In 98(a) (water), CANADA added practices and patterns of "production."In 98(a)bis (clean water), JAPAN deleted the target date of 2000.Delegates approved a reference to "as soon as possible." The G-77/CHINA introduced areference to hazardous waste and replaced a target date of 2025 with "as soon aspossible." AUSTRALIA included "hazardous waste." In 98(c)bis(generation of waste), the EU suggested "goals for the reduction of packaging."

MOROCCO proposed a new 98bis(b) regarding the establishment ofgreenbelts around urban and rural agglomerations. In 98bis(c) (land-basedmarine pollution), ICELAND, supported by NORWAY and CANADA, added"significantly" reduce and deleted "most" productive areas. CANADA added "coastalareas." The EU added a new 98ter(f)bis regarding recycling ofsewage. CANADA added new subparagraphs on aquatic ecosystem preservation andrestoration; water use efficiency in agriculture and industry; and women’s participation inwater conservation, management and technological choice.

In 99 (transboundary pollution), the US added "can" before a phrase thatpollution represents a serious threat, but the EU objected. "Can" was inserted in brackets.The G-77/CHINA and the US agreed to replace "bilateral and multilateral" with"international" legal mechanisms. In 99bis (preventing transboundarypollution), the US preferred the environmental impact of proposed "activities" and, withTURKEY, suggested adding evaluation of "relevant" comments provided by potentiallyaffected countries. Bracketed references to significant/gravely hazardous/adverse impactson the environment were deleted.

In 100 (sustainable energy use), the G-77/CHINA, supported by AUSTRALIA,replaced energy sources "based on fossil fuels" with "non-renewable" and added "can"lead to climate change. In 101, IRAN and SAUDI ARABIA inserted "efficientand" sustainable energy use. In 101(b) (energy-pricing policies), IRAN added"due consideration should be paid to those countries whose economies are based on oil,"but the US and the EU objected. The subparagraph was bracketed.

WORKING GROUP II

E. International cooperation and coordination: At the suggestion of the G-77/CHINA, delegates merged 156 and 156bis to note that theHabitat Agenda adds new elements to the agenda for national actions and internationalcooperation, and that implementation should take place in a coordinated framework.

The G-77/CHINA proposed a new 156ter, which states that thenature of urban and rural challenges requires better coordination between governments,international bodies, multilateral and bilateral partners, and more effective cooperationbetween UNCHS and entities within and outside the UN system. The US added"governments at all levels," and the EU proposed "local authorities and civil society." TheEU bracketed the reference to UNCHS pending the outcome of Section F (follow-up andimplementation). The G-77/CHINA bracketed the entire paragraph rather than only theUNCHS reference.

In 157 (chapeau) (action by UN system), the EU and the US supported retainingthe bracketed reference to "where appropriate." The G-77/CHINA proposed deleting thereference. During discussion of 157(d), ZAMBIA proposed that action be taken"within the legal, institutional and policy frameworks of each country." AUSTRALIA, theUS and the EU stated that "where appropriate" in the chapeau covered this concern.Delegates included "in accordance with the legal framework of each country" and "whereappropriate" in the chapeau.

In 157(d) (cooperation with civil society), delegates added a LOCALAUTHORITY-proposed reference to cooperation with associations and networks of localauthorities. The US added 150(e)bis, calling for public-private partnershipsin socially and environmentally responsible community investment programmes.

Delegates returned to 145ter (international migration) during theafternoon. MEXICO proposed text noting that international migration can facilitate thetransfer of skills and contribute to cultural enrichment and that it may give rise to racismand acts of violence against migrants. The US and UAE objected to the part regardingracism, which was deleted.

F. Implementation and follow-up of the Global Plan of Action: At the end of themorning session, the Chair opened the floor for statements from regional groups onSection F. The EU said there were many rumors regarding the EU position on follow-up.He said his position provides a comprehensive role for the Commission and UNCHS. Themandate of both organs should be carefully considered and the Commission should give itsadvice on the mandates to ECOSOC, which will review all commissions next year. He saidit was impossible to look at the mandates during this Conference. The substance of theGPA must first be agreed, and steps to implement the commitments must then beconsidered by the Commission, ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The US also noted rumors on its position since PrepCom III, but stated that it remainsunchanged. There can be no effective substitute for UNCHS and the Commission, nor canthere be a substitute for refocusing all UN institutions. The GPA should be completed todetermine what must be done, and then the determination should be made on who will doit.

CANADA noted that the Habitat Agenda goes beyond shelter and urban issues. Thereview should be conducted through ECOSOC, possibly in a report from the Conference,and ultimately in the UNGA. He said delegates should not discuss specific mandates on anAgenda that is not yet complete.

The RUSSIAN FEDERATION said the functioning of these organizations must beimproved and their mandates must be reviewed carefully. UNCHS should play an activerole in areas such as the exchange of experiences and expert review of large-scale projects.

The G-77/CHINA noted that there have been rumors, but they have a "ring ofauthenticity" based on past experiences. At the Rio Conference, the G-77/CHINAemphasized the importance of environmental issues, but UNEP became less important andits resources declined. He expressed concern that a similar fate would befall UNCHS. TheConference knows the shape the Agenda will take, and can reaffirm the central role ofUNCHS in implementation and its need for greater resources. He noted that developmentagencies such as UNIDO, UNCTAD and UNCHS are often "victims" of reform andrestructuring because they benefit primarily developing countries. A political messagemust emanate from Istanbul, and UNCHS must remain in a developing country in Africa.

During the afternoon, the US suggested clearing up outstanding text in Section E. The G-77/CHINA noted its understanding that the Group would begin consideration of SectionF. The US called for adjournment so that the Vinci Group could consult. The G-77/CHINA noted that they adjourned reluctantly.

IN THE CORRIDORS

The early afternoon adjournment of Working Group II left participants discussing the textthat was to be negotiated (follow-up) in the corridors. Some noted that the EU positionhas moved closer to that of the G-77/China than it was at PrepCom III. Differencesbetween positions remain, however, as was evident from the opening statements duringthe Working Group. Some hoped that the Vinci Group, which consists of the OECDcountries, could consolidate a single position.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will meet during the morning in the Plenary Hall to heargeneral statements as well as statements regarding the observance of the InternationalDecade of the World’s Indigenous People.

WORKING GROUP I: The Working Group is expected to meet during themorning and afternoon in Conference Room 1 to begin consideration of Section D(Capacity Building).

WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group is expected to meet during themorning and afternoon in Conference Room 3 to begin consideration of Section F (follow-up).

DRAFTING GROUPS: The Drafting Group on the Istanbul Declaration isexpected to begin consideration of a new draft at 2:00 pm in Conference Room A. TheDrafting Group for Working Group I is expected to meet in Conference Room B.