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Negotiations: Working Group I
Working
Group I discussed Commitments 7, Africa and LDCs, 8, Structural
Adjustment Programmes, and 9, Resource Allocation.
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The
G-77 consults among themselves and with Chair Maquieira. Under
Commitment 7, on
paragraph 94, the G-77/China preferred deletion of reference
to LDCs "committed to poverty reduction and economic and social
reform." The EU suggested "committed to implementing poverty reduction
strategies." Bangladesh, Sudan, Cuba, and Mexico opposed, stating
that the language implied conditionality and required judgment on
the boundaries of commitment. The EU proposed, and Bangladesh opposed,
"in the context of their poverty reduction efforts." Further debate
was deferred, and the text remains bracketed.
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Under
Commitment 7, in 90 bis, Japan agreed to US-proposed
text on "establishes" a World Solidarity Trust Fund. The EU,
with Canada and Australia, preferred "to consider the modalities
for establishing," and advocated deletion of "Trust." The G-77/China
suggested, and Canada supported while the EU opposed, "consider
the establishment of." Chair Maquieira proposed, and delegates accepted,
"encourages interested governments to consider the establishment
of." The sub-paragraph was agreed. (Japan, left, and Chair Maquieira
pictured with the EU, right)
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Working Group II discussed paragraphs under
commitments on poverty eradication, employment, social integration,
education and health and development cooperation.
Working
Group II also addressed certain paragraphs under Commitment 7 on
Africa and LDCs. In Paragraph 99, on UNAIDS, delegates agreed on:
a G-77/China's insertion of "upon request in the chapeau;" the EU's
proposal for text on "wider" access and "quality" medication, and
text from the 53rd World Health Assembly on access to medicine in
99(a); and the EU's proposal for text on youth in 99(b). In 100
bis, delegates agreed to include references to, "inter alia,"
national programmes and social security; and deleted references
to "formation of" and "including abstinence." The paragraph was
agreed. In paragraph 101, delegates accepted: an EU reference to
vaccines; text on improving control and treatment of communicable
and infectious diseases; and language on assisting in making vaccines
and medicines for the control and treatment of these diseases widely
available at affordable prices. The paragraph was agreed.
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Working Group III-Political Declaration
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 Chair
Bagher Asadi proposed a new package deal for paragraphs 5, 6 bis
and 9, including, inter alia: reference to fundamental principles
and rights at work in 5; deletion of bracketed text in 6 bis,
and a strengthened and more stable international financial system
in paragraph 9. The EU, supported by CANADA and SWITZERALND, emphasized
the concept of good governance and their preference for text on
the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
and its follow-up in paragraph 5. The G-77/CHINA noted preference
for references to mobilization of resources, the question of debt
problems, and migrant workers. MEXICO supported reference to fundamental
principles and rights at work and to vulnerable groups such as unemployed
and migrant workers. CUBA emphasized, inter alia, transparent and
responsible governance for international institutions including
IFIs. NORWAY suggested reference to the Copenhagen Declaration.
CHINA highlighted the importance of poverty eradication. With no
consensus, discussion was deferred. |
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Delegates
discussing the Chair's proposal in Working Group III
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Chairman's Panel: Enabling
Environment and Resources for Social Development
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From
left to right: Venerable Dattacheevo Bhikku, Vice-Abbot, Dhammakaya,
Thailand, Eveline Herfkens, Minister for Development Cooperation,
the Netherlands, and Pascoal M. Mucumbi, Prime Minister, Mozambique,
Panel Chair Roberto Bissio, Social Watch, Uruguay, Patricio Aylwin,
former Chilean President, Mamphela Ramphele, Managing Director,
World Bank, and Moussa Para Diallo, President, Federation de Paysans
du Fouta Djallon, T. Madina Pita BP52, Guinea.
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Venerable
Dattacheevo Bhikku, Vice-Abbot, Dhammakaya, Thailand, highlighted
the importance of spirituality in addressing social development
and overcoming poverty, and said a balance between spirituality
and more material approaches was necessary if commitments are to
be met. He led a short meditation session at the end of his presentation
to get participants to reflect inwardly. Eveline Herfkens, Minister
for Development Cooperation, the Netherlands, in discussing
the relationship between donors and recipients compared them to
drivers and passengers. She said recipients should be in the drivers
seat and have ownership, but the donors should check if they have
a license and can help fill the gas tanks, but should keep their
hands off the wheel, not prescribe what kind of gas is used, and
help clear the road. She also highlighted the importance of the
critical eye provided by Social Watch, and Pascoal M. Mucumbi,
Prime Minister, Mozambique
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NGOs call on the UN to Withdraw endorsement of "A Better
World for All" Document
 NGOs
held a press conference to express outrage at the Better World report
released on Monday by the UN, the IMF, the World Bank, and the OECD.
Specific objections to the report were highlighted as the following:
reinforcing Northern perspectives and disempowering the South while
undermining the concept of political inclusiveness that defines
the UN; undermining the UNGASS with the timing of the document's
release; surrendering of the Secretary-General to Bretton Woods
institutions; patronizing to the poor and ignoring poverty in the
North; concept of "pro-poor growth" that puts the responsibility
of overcoming poverty on the poor in the South; and taking a backward
step. In this photo, NGO representatives are symbolically throwing
the document in the garbage.
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The press conference room was packed to capacity. More than
75 NGOs endorsed the NGO statement regarding "A Better World
for All"
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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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