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CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP II

The Contact Group chaired by Olga Pellicer (Mexico) resumed consideration of the draft Beijing Declaration during an afternoon session. Delegates negotiated much of the Preamble and reaffirmed commitments sections of a revised G77/China draft, which incorporates some amendments from US, EU and other proposals.

The first two preambular paragraphs were accepted. Delegates added a paragraph on equality, development and peace. They also added a paragraph on women's voices and diversity with the first word [Recognizing] in brackets. A paragraph regarding women's status and obstacles was accepted. Language regarding the unfavorable international economic environment was bracketed in a paragraph regarding poverty. In a paragraph regarding women's status, women's empowerment was added to advancement.

In a reaffirmed commitment of rights and principles in conventions, delegates debated which legal instruments should be included, in which order, and whether "human dignity" should be deleted. A paragraph regarding past conferences was accepted. The question of inserting language on promotion of rights and freedoms and full implementation of inalienable rights was sent to an informal group. A paragraph regarding implementation of the Nairobi Strategies was accepted. Delegates sent a paragraph on spiritual and moral values, sustainable development, and women's special role to the informal group after some delegations suggested deletion.