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Working Group III on the Draft Political Declaration
In the
morning, regarding 6 bis, on debt-servicing and relief, delegates
debated proposals from the G-77/China, the EU and Japan. On paragraph
5, the G-77/China proposed new text referring to, inter alia:
respect for basic workers' rights, non-discrimination, tolerance
and diversity; democracy; and transparent and accountable governance.
The EU submitted reformulated text containing references to,
inter alia: effective state institutions; participation of all
citizens in decisions that affect their lives; and attachment to
principles of good governance and rule of law. The EU also proposed
a new 5 bis, calling for ratification and implementation
of ILO conventions addressing workers' rights and child labor. In
the afternoon, Chair Asadi asked delegates to negotiate the remaining
contentious elements in paragraphs 5, 6 bis and 9, and to consider
"package deals."
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| The EU consults
with the US (left) and the G-77/China (right). Groups presented their
bottom lines. The G-77/China stated: a reference to good governance
in paragraph 5 was unacceptable, preferring a reference to accountable
and transparent governments; a qualifying reference to employment
with language on workers' rights in 5 bis would be accepted only with
additional qualifying language on poverty and social development;
a reference addressing debt problems of middle-income countries in
6 bis was essential; and a reference to reform of international financial
institutions in paragraph 9 was negotiable. The EU said: the
elements of good governance and workers' rights were essential, but
remaining text in paragraphs 5 and 5bis was negotiable; agreement
was possible on a reference to middle-income countries; and a reference
to follow-up conferences and summits in paragraph 9 should be kept. |
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| Nigeria,
for the G-77/China (left) and the US, consulting with Chair
Asadi: The US favored reference to workers' rights but supported
alternative placement; opposed text on middle-income countries; and
agreed to negotiate language on reform of international financial
institutions. |
| Chair
Asadi consults with Algeria and Portugal: The EU proposed replacing
good governance with reference to effective, transparent and accountable
governance and including a G-77/China reference to equitable distribution
of wealth within and among nations. |
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In
the evening, Chair Asadi proposed a package, using US language
on workers' rights as a basis for agreement on paragraph 5; deleting
provisions on addressing debt-problems of middle-income developing
countries and on financing and implementation of the HIPC initiative
in 6 bis; and incorporating Mexico's proposal on continuing work
on reforms for a strengthened and more stable international financial
system. When the G-77/China said that it could not accept the Chair's
proposal and suggested going back to early afternoon text. Chair
Asadi, implored that the Group not lose all the work that it had
done in the afternoon.
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| Stressing the
political declaration's sensitivity, Egypt, for the G-77/China
(right), insisted that if US text on workers' rights was accepted
then the reference to middle-income countries must also be included;
called for deletion of reference to mutually reinforcing linkages
between economic and social development in paragraph 5; and suggested
delegates revert to earlier positions to renegotiate.The EU asked
that the G-77/China reconsider its proposal to revert back to the
early afternoon text and preferred going back to the evening text
right before the Chair proposed his package deal. The group decided
to resume discussions at a later date based on the early afternoon
draft of the declaration. Chair Asadi referred arrangement of further
informal meetings to the Chair of the PrepCom. |
| Plenary to review progress of Working
Groups and to hear NGO statements |
John Langmore,
Director, Division for Social Policy and Development, Working
Group II Chair Koor Richelle, and PrepCom Chair Christián Maquieira
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Development
Alternatives with Women for a New Era (left) called
for a global effort to address feminization of poverty.
(Click
here for RealAudio) The Women's Environment and Development Organization
(center) said millions of women fight constantly to be
free of domestic and economic violence. She stated delegates'
words translate into access to critical resources, and women must
be integral to all development efforts. The International Confederation
of Free Trade Unions (right) highlighted, inter alia, social
dimensions to financial architecture, gender equality, poverty
eradication, social protection and cooperation between international
organizations.
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Linkages Coverage of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen
A summary of the major issues
Agenda for the Second Session of the PrepCom
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
Information on the WSSD+5 Special Session
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