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Negotiations: Working Group I
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Sonia Felicity
Elliott, Guyana, facilitated the contact group on debt. She
reported to the working group that the contact group had reached
consensus on debt paragraphs (5 bis, 15, 105 (g), 112 (a),
112 (b) bis)
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The G-77/China
proposed replacing paragraph 16 and its sub-paragraphs with
language on encouraging corporate social responsibility so that
corporate activities accord with national legislation and serve
national developmental goals. The EU, Canada and Japan
opposed the formulation as too limited. The US noted the
existing language was intended to present ways to promote corporate
responsibility, not define it. The G-77/China maintained
it had its own conception of the phrase, and the paragraph remains
bracketed. Nigeria, speaking on behalf of the G-77/China,
is pictured on the right
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Chair
Koos Richelle, Netherlands (left) with Aurelio Fernandez,
facilitator of the contact group on globalization and labor, and
Kate Newell, Secretariat
Working Group
II reached cleaned text on Commitment 5 on gender equality. Delegates
agreed to text on: training health providers in all areas of HIV/AIDS
and sexually transmitted infection prevention and control in 75
bis (c); developing and implementing strategies to prevent
mother-to-child transmission in 75 bis (d); addressing the
impact of HIV/AIDS on national development in 75 bis (e);
and providing social and educational support to communities, households,
orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS in 75 bis (f).
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In 73 bis, on health, education and social services, delegates
accepted Beijing +5 text on equal access, the highest attainable
standards, and universally accessible health care and services,
including sexual and reproductive health. In 73 ter, delegates
supported Beijing+5 text prioritizing maternal morbidity and mortality
reduction. They also agreed to delete text on appropriate measures
to ensure a wide range of health services. .
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 The
Group debated a paragraph on strengthening information, education
and communication campaigns to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and to
promote responsible sexual behavior. The Holy See requested
including a reference to abstinence, as well as language on the
responsibilities, rights and duties of parents and legal guardians.
Armenia suggested "safe and responsible sexual behavior.
The EU, the US, Canada, Norway and others supported this. The
Holy See and the G-77/China said they needed further consultations.
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Delegates
from Thailand (left) and Swaziland in Working Group II
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In
paragraph 17, on guidelines that promote the private sector's
social responsibility, the US objected to a reference to the Commission
for Social Development. NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND and the EU supported
earlier amendments proposed by Canada, including a reference to
the Global Compact. The paragraph remains bracketed.
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Chair Cristian Maquieira meets with NGOs in response to the
launching of "2000: A Better World for All", a report
released today by the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the OECD
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Chair
Maquieira suggested the report came at a bad time and discussed
the possibility of a meeting in New York with the Secretary-General
to further discuss expressed concerns. He suggested the report is
indicative of a particular climate regarding globalization.
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Donna Shalala, US Secretary of Health and Human Services,
and the US delegation meet with NGOS. The US delegation discussed
the status of negotiations on the political declaration and further
initiatives.
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  In
her address to the General Assembly, Secretary Donna Shalala
highlighted five challenges to meet in order to reach the goals
set in Copenhagen: political rights, free expression and a civil
society in order to end poverty; full equality for women; expanding
access to health care for everyone and teaching prevention and stopping
the worldwide pandemic of infectious diseases; ensuring that the
benefits of development and globalization are shared around the
globe; and partnerships with NGOs, the private sector, government
and local communities and listening to the people. With the NGOs,
she discussed US positions on a currency tax, globalization, unilateral
measures, environment and TRIPs and the issues of pharmaceuticals
and access to medicine.
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Perusing the NGO documents table outside the conference rooms
in the Palais
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Click
here for ENB's coverage of the informals,
which includes the Summary
Report of WSSD+5 Informal Consultations held from 17-23 May
2000 (also in PDF
and Text formats)
Click
here for ENB coverage of the second PrepCom held 3-14 April in New
York.
The results
of the consultations can be found in the versions dated 23 May of
the two main negotiation documents:
L5
Rev.3 (Part I), as of 23 May 2000, 4:15 pm - Draft political
declaration to be adopted in Geneva. Also available in MS
Word version.
L.5/Rev.3
(Part III), as of 23 May 2000, 1:00 PM - Further actions and
initiatives to implement the commitments made at the Summit. Also
available in MS
Word version
Secretariat web site for the Special Session, which includes
information on the speakers list, agenda and programme, Chairman's
panels, practical information and latest news
The
Geneva 2000 Forum, held in conjunction with the Special Session,
will be a platform for sharing experiences through panels, discussions,
exhibitions, video, etc., with new and innovative approaches in
social and economic development policies and activities, and provide
a fertile ground for new ideas. The Forum is organized and hosted
by the Government of Switzerland. No less than 150 side events are
being planned as part of the Geneva 2000 Forum.
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Linkages Coverage of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen
A summary of the major issues
Agenda for the Special Session
Secretariat web site with official
documents and information
for NGO participants
Secretary-General's
Report on the Implementation of the Outcome of the WSSD
Summary
of the WSSD agreements
Geneva 2000 Forum, to be held in conjunction
with the Special Session
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