ECONOMIC COMMITTEE REVIEWS SCOPE OF PLANNED ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Press Release
GA/EF/2694
ECONOMIC COMMITTEE REVIEWS SCOPE OF PLANNED ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
19951102 Debate Continues on Environmental Issues; Need for Special Help for Developing Countries in Meeting Goals Is StressedThe scope and objectives of the 1997 special session of the General Assembly on Agenda 21, adopted at the United Nations Conference on the Environment, was again a main subject of discussion as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) continued its debate on issues related to the environment and sustainable development.
The representative of the United States said it was important that the session was forward-looking, with the main focus on integrated implementation of the interrelated results of recent major United Nations conferences broadly falling under the umbrella of sustainable development.
The representative of Algeria said the achievement of sustainable development should not constitute a pretext to hinder development efforts of countries of the South. A North-South partnership was the best way to cope with environmental problems. Africa, in particular, should benefit from urgent international action and be given priority in the mobilization of resources.
The representative of Malaysia called for an independent international commission of scientists from the South and neighbouring countries to be sent to the South Pacific region immediately to assess the environmental impact of nuclear testing there.
The representative of Canada called for efforts to address the problems of rapid urbanization and its negative consequences on the earth's surfaces, and ocean issues, including the depletion of fish stocks, which was no less critical. Action on those issues was imperative, he said.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Peru, Malta, Myanmar, Egypt, Mali, Niger, Pakistan, Norway, Costa Rica (on behalf of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica), and Lebanon.
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A representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) also made a statement.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 3 November, to conclude consideration of environment and sustainable development, and to hear the introduction of two draft resolutions concerning, respectively, the foreign debt problem of developing countries and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Committee Work Programme
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this afternoon to continue its consideration of the question of environment and sustainable development, including implementation of decisions and recommendations by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and desertification and drought. (For background, see Press Release GA/EF/2690 of 30 October.)
Statements
ITALO ACHA (Peru) said he believed progress had been made on the strengthening of the central role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the principal body to stimulate action within the United Nations system. Only with responsible, serious participation could UNEP play an important role. Countries needed to maintain their commitments to its financing.
He said Peru's resources were at the service of the international community, and were available in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity. New and additional financial resources were needed, as was greater transfer of technology. Greater and better access to bio-technology would benefit the indigenous communities and farmers.
He called for support and ratification of the Convention on desertification and drought, and appealed to the community of donors to ensure the flow of financial resources to that end, and he encouraged the exchange of debt for nature, or reduction or cancellation of debt or trust funds.
JOHN A. FRASER (Canada) reviewed efforts under way on environmental issues. Canada had devoted particular attention to fisheries and forest issues; there had been real progress in the past year, as with the completion of negotiations on the Convention on Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The Intergovernmental Panel on Forests was also a significant accomplishment. Rapid urbanization had its negative consequences and lasting imprints on the earth's surfaces, and required a sustained effort. Ocean issues, including the depletion of fish stocks, were no less critical, and action on those issues were imperative.
He also supported the efforts of the conference on global action to protect the marine environment from land-based activities, currently under way in Washington. Canada was in the process of creating a Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development. Canada was committed to stabilizing its green gas emissions at the 1990 level by the year 2000.
Over the next few years, he continued, the greatest challenge would be to maintain the momentum created during negotiations of the Convention on
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Biodiversity. Saying that "tinkering on the margins of the current status quo is no longer a viable option", he stressed the need to bolster the role of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. This was an invaluable tool to ensure no slippage in the development of national strategies on environmental issues.
WALTER BALZAN (Malta) said that although the specific problems faced by small island States differed, it was nevertheless imperative to pursue concerted action and cooperation on the international, regional and national levels. The careful management of coastal and marine environments in the pursuit of sustainable economic and human development was particularly necessary to address the unique needs of small island States. In that context, Malta welcomed the establishment of a focal point and a task force within UNEP to coordinate its activities relevant to the Barbados Programme of Action and the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development. He said the pressures exerted on the Mediterranean environment, as a consequence of its being both an important maritime highway and a tourist destination, were of concern to his Government.
Malta believed that implementation of the process of sustainable development necessitated further mechanisms. The setting up of a Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development would have positive impact on social and economic growth in the region. A serious discussion on environmental and economic challenges must take into account the critical climate change with its attendant impact on sea level rise. The conservation of climate was part of the common heritage of mankind. His Government had stepped up action to eliminate the use of ozone depleting gases in Malta by the turn of the century.
He said Malta had called for a review of the role of the Trusteeship Council; it could be entrusted with the role of acting as guardian of, and holding in trust for future generations, the common heritage of humankind.
U ZAW WYNN (Myanmar) said environmental considerations had assumed a major role in decision-making of his Government, with the recent transition to market-oriented economic policy. In anticipation of the changes, the National Commission on Environmental Affairs had been established in 1990, to act as the national focal point for environmental matters. It played a fundamental role in the development of sound environmental policies and the setting of environmental standards.
He said the Government had taken measures to deal with environmental degradation. In the border areas of the country, it launched an integrated programme for development which was expected to generate higher productivity and incomes for the inhabitants, and thereby wean them from depending on poppy cultivation for their survival. The Government had also initiated action to combat land degradation through afforestation and reforestation in nine
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districts of the dry zone. At the same time it was devoting significant resources and funds to developing and strengthening integrated development programmes for the eradication of poverty and promotion of alternative livelihood systems in areas prone to land degradation.
MOURAD AHMIA (Algeria) said problems pertaining to the preservation of a sound environment were clear and striking examples of the increasing interdependence which characterized today's world. The Rio Conference recognized that development and environment had a dynamic interrelationship; development was not sustainable unless it was economically sound, and it could not be separated from ecological issues. Multilateral cooperation in the environment needed an intensification of efforts towards development. With the commitment of developing countries towards reform, the international community should release substantial additional resources and take steps towards the transfer of ecologically sound technologies.
He said the achievement of sustainable development should not constitute a pretext to hindering development efforts of the countries of the south. A partnership with countries of the north and south was the best way to cope with the environmental problems facing the international community. Africa, specifically, should benefit from urgent international action and be given priority in the mobilization of resources. Africa suffered the effects of drought most of all, since 200 million people were affected. Green land had been overtaken by desert. The problems of drought and desertification and deforestation had made an already critical situation more serious, requiring the international community to commit itself to emergency assistance.
VERA P. WEILL-HALLE, a representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), said the Fund would continue to pursue innovative programmes that helped the poor in fragile ecosystems, including dryland areas, to unleash their productive capacity through conservation-based strategies. The IFAD expected to provide $150-200 million annually out of its regular resources for marginal areas. It would also continue to mobilize additional resources for poverty alleviation initiatives in dryland and other areas of high poverty incidence. Through its Special Programme for Sub- Saharan African Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification, it had been able to provide additional resources directly to African countries.
She said that IFAD had worked closely with other bodies in preparing a simplified version of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought. It was launching much needed "national awareness" days in African countries to draw attention to problems of desertification and drought. It had also launched a technical assistance grants programme for assistance to African countries in the implementation of the Convention; the specific objective was to provide financing for activities that would facilitate local involvement in international action programming, with specific emphasis on more marginal groups.
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ABDEL GHAFAR ELDEEB (Egypt) said environmental problems were common to the whole world. The UNCED had been successful in crystallizing a consensus on the need to protect the environment but in that regard financial resources were needed, as well as transfer of environmentally sound technologies. He called on donor countries to implement their official development assistance (ODA) commitments. Consumption patterns in developed countries and poverty in developing countries increased environmental problems and must be tackled.
He said the special session on the review of the Agenda 21 proposals must take into account the outcomes of other development-related conferences. It should be well prepared, and should concentrate on the issues of financial resources and transfer of technology, including institutional mechanism for implementation.
The Convention against desertification highlighted an ambitious international programme. It also asked for flexible financing mechanism. He welcomed the conclusions of the seventh session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa. It had dealt with urgent action for Africa, and he attached special importance to water resources. He noted that his Government was implementing several programmes in that regard as part of its attempts to achieve sustainable development.
SEKOU ALMAMY KOREISSI (Mali) said he wished to limit his statement to the problem of desertification and drought, which affected more than 900 million people. Fifty ratifications or acceptances were required to the Convention to combat desertification. Mali ratified it last February. He welcomed those bilateral partners which contributed to the Convention's adoption, and those United Nations bodies which actively supported the process. The international community must continue its support by replenishing the special trust fund and the voluntary fund.
Responsibility for combating desertification lay with the affected countries, he said. Mali had joined efforts with eight other States that end. In order to meet the commitments entered into at the UNCED in Rio, Mali had decided on a participatory plan of action. This included establishing an institutional framework, organizing workshops and embracing the participation of urban and rural communities. Thematic studies on environmental problems had been organized.
SUZANNE MAIKARFI (Niger) said her country's environmental policies had been based on fighting desertification. The signing on the desertification Convention had given impulse to her country's efforts in that regard. The consistent basis of those policies was to ensure food security. Reviewing measures taken by her Government, she noted the observance of important days, including the World Day to Combat Desertification.
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Niger was firmly committed to the implementation of the Convention, particularly the urgent steps to be taken by Africa, she said. She expressed concern over the lack of voluntary contributions to finance the Convention. The parties dealing with follow-up to environmental activities must have financial resources available to them so that sustainable development could be implemented.
GHULAM QADIR CHANDIO (Pakistan) said the proliferation of inter- sessional meetings was outstripping the ability of developing countries to effectively follow the environment discourse. That had serious consequences since the outcome of those meetings often became the basis of decisions taken by the Commission on Sustainable Development.
There was need to have a balanced agenda while environmental negotiations were being pursued, he stated. Attempts should be made to address pressing sectoral issues, but not at the expense of dealing with structural causes of environmental degradation. He said a balanced agenda would focus not only on issues such as fish stocks and forests but would include the question of the global distribution of consumption, resolution of the debt crisis of the developing countries, sharing the benefits of technology and seeking agreements on the elimination of poverty and under- development. Unless a start was made in addressing those issues, his delegation was convinced that the 1997 special session of the General Assembly on Agenda 21 would yield disappointing results.
SVEIN AASS (Norway) said a separate special Assembly session in June 1997 would allow the Commission on Sustainable Development to increase its visibility. There would be enough time to prepare for any follow-up decisions by the General Assembly. Consultations immediately before the Special Session would be useful. The political momentum which came out of Rio must be carried on and enhanced. The outcome of the special session should provide direction for future action by governments, non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental bodies. A final decision on how many working days would be required should be made later.
He said a comprehensive report by the Secretary-General would be a good starting-point for reviewing progress since UNCED. He noted that the Secretary-General envisaged sustainable consumption and production patterns, as an "umbrella" concept to facilitate the integration of environmental and economic factors. That useful and innovative approach could be pursued at the Special Session; it was important to do more than just assess what had happened since UNCED.
Although it would not be difficult to point to positive developments since Rio, areas where further improvements were required would be equally apparent. Ongoing processes such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests
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would help identify specific initiatives which could be considered at the Special Session.
JOSE MANUEL GUTIERREZ (Costa Rica), speaking also for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, said those countries had formed a Central American alliance on environmental matters which could be a model for other regions. It had two main objectives: economic growth with equity without degrading natural resources, and protecting the unique natural patrimony for future generations. The basis of the alliance included respect and improvement in the quality of life, promoting peace and democracy, and respect for multiculturalism and the ethnic diversity of the region.
Members of the alliance had recently signed an agreement with the United States to reduce greenhouse gases and other forms of pollution, as well as exchange of information. The representative of Costa Rica said the special session to review Agenda 21 would be an opportunity to review the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Central American countries offered their experience in environmental matters. They were fully abiding by the commitments of Rio and had even gone beyond that to expand cooperation in the political and cultural fields.
BISA WILLIAMS-MANIGAULT (United States) said the special session to review Agenda 21 should be conducted with minimal expense. Cost considerations might argue for building the review into the fifty-second General Assembly session. The special session should be forward-looking, with the main focus on integrated implementation of the interrelated results of recent major United Nations conferences, broadly falling under the umbrella of sustainable development.
She said the session should address the future mission and actions of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Commission should oversee and keep under review the integrated plan for implementation of conference outcomes.
She said the United States believed that UNEP faced serious challenges, as a catalyst on international environmental issues; it had pressed the agency to put top priority on its role as a place where global environmental concerns were addressed. UNEP should also continue to emphasize its role as an organization which monitored, assessed and analyzed global environmental trends. She said the United States was pleased with the outcome of the third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development held last April; the Commission's most important function was to build on the progress made at UNCED. National bodies in the field of sustainable development should be brought together to discuss their practical experience. The Commission should also encourage countries to develop sustainable development plans or strategies, and promote donor support for their implementation.
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Another important function of the Commission was to promote improved coordination among United Nations organs dealing with sustainable development. The United States supported the Convention against Desertification and urged all concerned to support its goals.
HICHAM HAMDAN (Lebanon) said that during 16 years of war his country had managed to actively participate in meetings, conferences and other committees dealing with environmental matters. Lebanon's concern in that area was translated into concrete steps, as it re-emerged from years of strife and destruction, by establishing the Ministry of Environment. Environment considerations were soon incorporated into the national agenda on rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Lebanon recognized that the well being of the environment was at the basis of all development, he said. However, it faced the difficult challenges associated with protecting the long-term potential of its natural resources. The Ministry of Environment held a monthly consultative meeting with representatives of environmental concerns, to exchange views and information on ways to protect the environment. Indeed, it remained a top priority of all concerned to rectify existing degradation.
V. YOOGALINGAM (Malaysia) said implementation of programmes under Agenda 21 continued to "suffer from constraints of resources and political will". The burden of change to protect the environment and promote sustainable development continued to be placed disproportionately on the developing countries. One of the serious disappointments was that resources for development activities were shrinking. Official development assistance had declined for the fourth consecutive year, and now stood at only 0.29 per cent of GNP.
He said the transition towards sustainable development should not be used to dictate development policies in developing countries. Also, all nuclear testing must stop. The current testing in the South Pacific was a "flagrant disregard for global environmental concern", and an independent international commission of scientists from the South and neighbouring countries should be sent to the region immediately to access its environmental impact.
The UNEP remained the principal body in the United Nations to implement actions in the area of environment. The decline and unpredictability of contributions to UNEP needed to be resolved.
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