COMMITTEE DRAFT TEXT RECOMMENDS ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION ON IMPLEMENTATION ON AGENDA 21 IN JUNE 1997

17 November 1995

Press Release
GA/EF/2710*

COMMITTEE DRAFT TEXT RECOMMENDS ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION ON IMPLEMENTATION ON AGENDA 21 IN JUNE 1997

19951117 Three Other Drafts Introduced; Committee Concludes Considering Reports on Women, Eradication of Poverty, Human Resources, Business

The General Assembly would decide to convene, in June 1997, a special session to review the implementation of Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted by the 1992 Earth Summit, under the provisions of one of four draft resolutions introduced in the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) this morning.

Sponsored by the Philippines, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, the draft states that the special session would be convened for one week at the highest level of participation. In order to prepare for the special session the Commission on Sustainable Development at its fifth session in 1997 would be open-ended, with all States participating on an equal footing.

Introduced by the representative of Botswana, another draft resolution would have the Assembly call on the United Nations to intensify efforts for the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, particularly the quartering of troops and the creation of a new unified national army as a sine qua non to foster the peace process in Angola. It would also call upon the international community to continue to support the people of Mozambique in their efforts to consolidate their newfound peace and democracy based on national reconstruction and development.

Also sponsored by the Group of 77 and China and by the Non-Aligned Movement, a further draft would request the Secretary-General to submit to the Assembly on a biennial basis, a report entitled "State of South-South cooperation". That report should include quantitative data and indicators on all aspects of such cooperation, keeping in view the importance of the proposal to convene an United Nations conference on South-South cooperation no later than 1997.

_----------_ * Pages 2 through 9 of Press Release GA/EF/2708 of 17 November should carry the symbol GA/EF/2710.

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By another text sponsored by the Group of 77 and China, the United Nations system would be called upon to work in a coordinated manner to develop a catalogue of proven technologies to enable developing countries choose state-of-the-art technologies.

Also this morning the Committee concluded consideration of a series of reports under the general heading of sustainable development and international economic cooperation, addressing issues on women in development, human resources development, business and development, eradication of poverty, and food and sustainable agricultural development.

Statements were made by the representatives of Jamaica, Romania, Sudan, Republic of Korea, Syria, Norway, Slovenia and the United States. A representative of the World Bank also spoke.

In other matters this morning, the representative of Uganda expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment over the continued unavailability of the report on the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa, stressing that the subject was important to Africa's economic growth and development. The Chairman of the Committee, Goce Petreski (The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), said there were objective reasons for the delay in the issuance of the report. Every effort was being made to release documents on time.

The Committee will meet again at a time to be announced.

Committee Work Programme

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this morning to continue consideration of a series of reports under the item on sustainable development and international economic cooperation. The reports address issues relating to women in development, human resources development, business and development, eradication of poverty, and food and sustainable agricultural development.

The Committee is also scheduled to hear the introduction of draft resolutions on science and technology for development, special session of the General Assembly to review Agenda 21 implementation, cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and on South-South cooperation.

A report of the Secretary-General on effective mobilization and integration of women in development discusses gender issues in macroeconomic policy-making and development planning (document A/50/399). Another report (document A/50/330 and Corr.1) states that the United Nations system should continue to move towards greater specificity in its definitions and conceptualization of human resource development as the keystone to empowerment in sustainable social development. Two reports concern international cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries (documents A/50/396 and A/50/551), and include a draft programme for the observance of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996). Also before the Committee is the report of the United Nations Panel on Opportunity and Participation (document A/50/501 and Add.1) and a report of the Secretary- General on business and development (document A/50/417). (For background information, see Press Release GA/EF/2708, of 16 November.)

Draft Resolutions

Sponsored by the Philippines on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, a draft resolution on science and technology for development (document A/C.2/50/L.25) would have the Assembly endorse resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session in July on the basis of the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development at its second session. It would call upon the international community, particularly developed countries and international organizations, to fulfil their commitments on transfer of technology as established in Agenda 21. The United Nations system would be called upon to work in a coordinated manner to develop a catalogue of proven technologies to enable developing countries to make effective choices of state-of-the-art technologies. It would welcome the endorsement by the Economic and Social Council of the Commission's decision to select information technologies as the main substantive theme of its work during the inter- sessional period 1995-1997 and related recommendations.

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By another draft resolution sponsored by the Group of 77 and China (document A/C.2/50/L.23), the Assembly would decide to convene a special session for an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21 for a duration of one week in June 1997 at the highest level of participation. It would invite the Commission on Sustainable Development to convene its Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group meeting in February 1997 as an open-ended meeting to assist the Commission in undertaking the review for the special session. It would welcome the decision of the Commission to devote its fifth session in 1997 to preparations for the special session and decide that that session would be open-ended with all States participating on an equal footing. It would decide to establish a voluntary fund to assist developing countries, particularly the least developed countries in participating fully in the special session. The Secretary-General would be requested to prepare a comprehensive report containing an overall assessment of the progress achieved on the implementation of decisions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

A draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and SADC (document A/C.2/50/L.16) would have the Assembly call upon the countries and organizations that have not yet established contact and relationships with the Community to explore the possibility of doing so. It would renew its appeal to the international community to increase its financial, technical and material support to the Community in order to enable it to implement fully its programme of action and to meet the reconstruction and rehabilitation needs of the region. It would also appeal to the international community to extend assistance to South Africa to enable it to implement its reconstruction and development programme as speedily as possible.

In addition, the Assembly would call upon the United Nations to intensify its efforts for the rapid implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, particularly the quartering of all troops and the conclusion of the creation of a new unified national army as a sine qua non condition to foster the peace process in Angola. It would call upon the international community to continue to extend its support to the people of Mozambique in their efforts to consolidate their newfound peace and democracy based on national reconstruction and development in that country.

The draft is sponsored by Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A draft resolution sponsored by the Group of 77 and China and by the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (document A/C.2/50/L.24) would have the Assembly endorse the recommendations contained in the report on new directions for technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC) (document TCDC/9/3). The recommendations call for the adoption of a more strategic orientation for TCDC, focusing on priority issues such as trade, debt and

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poverty alleviation. It would request the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish a trust fund for the promotion of South-South cooperation and invite developed countries to contribute to that fund. The developing countries would be called upon to increase joint efforts in technology cooperation. The Secretary-General would be requested to present to the Assembly on a biennial basis a report entitled "State of South-South cooperation". It should include quantitative data and indicators on all aspects of South-South cooperation as well as recommendations for strengthening such cooperation, keeping in view the importance of the proposal to convene an United Nations conference on South-South cooperation no later than 1997.

Introduction of Drafts

LIBRAN N. CABACTULAN (Philippines) introduced the texts concerning science and technology for development; special session of the General Assembly for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21; on South-South cooperation including the convening of an United Nations conference on that cooperation no later than 1997.

MASELO MPHATHI (Botswana) introduced the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

PATRICIA DURRANT (Jamaica) speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said the small island developing states placed a premium on effective human resource development. They recognized the importance of operational activities of the United Nations system in human resources development. The work of the regional commissions, particularly the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), had illustrated the importance of the human resources development element. That was also evident in the programmes initiated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the UNDP, she added.

The international community should give greater priority to policies aimed at the satisfaction of basic human needs and the improvement in the quality of life, particularly of the most vulnerable groups, she said. That required a clear commitment in areas such as health, food and housing. Education and training should be directed at the development of creative skills, specialization and self-reliance in such a way that everyone was given an equal opportunity to participate in the development process. The effective mobilization and integration of women was essential for the attainment of the objectives of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and of recent conferences.

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Many of the Caribbean governments were taking steps to improve the quality of life of their peoples, she said. They recognized the importance of adopting practical approaches to human resources development which should be undertaken in an integrated manner. Tertiary educational institutions in the Caribbean Community, such as the University of the West Indies, had made a major contribution in providing the region with a pool of trained personnel for the public and private sector. The United Nations system in collaboration with the developing and poor countries should set a clear course based on a strategic vision of development that emphasized the betterment of the human condition, including environmental sustainability and participation of all groups and countries.

SORIN TANASESCU (Romania) said that given its specific conditions, Romania had chosen a slower pace of privatization programme than other countries with economies in transition. His Government had taken account of the high social costs of a rapid economic transition in its programme of economic reform. The first phase of the privatization programme -- the distribution of vouchers to all citizens who were eighteen years of age and older -- involving 4,000 State-owned companies was already completed. The second phase, expected to be completed in April 1996, consisted of the transformation of the vouchers into shares of the privatized companies. The Romanian stock exchange had been reopened after 50 years. He expressed appreciation for the assistance given to Romania in its privatization programme by governments and international financial institutions.

He said small and medium enterprises would become dominant under the economic transformation programme, and that the training of managers and administrative personnel for the companies would become crucial.

TAGELDIN ELHADI (Sudan) said his Government accorded high priority to the education of women whose number in the universities, government and the professions was on the increase. A coordinating council for productivity of families had been established to help families in their economic activities. The council undertook feasibility studies on their project proposals, and provided them with the means of production and opportunities to market their products. Consequently, there had been further improvements in the living standards of women. The council could be a model for other countries in alleviating poverty. Sudan also gave special attention to the education, health and housing needs of its people. Poverty eradication required international cooperation.

He said Sudan continued to give utmost attention to agriculture, and had achieved great success in that field. Decisions to provide economic assistance should not be influenced by the political positions of recipient countries.

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JUDY GRAYSON of the World Bank said compelling evidence indicated that it was crucial to press hard on two fronts simultaneously: stimulate economic growth, and invest heavily in human capital through improvements in education, health, nutrition, and other social services. Economic growth would stall and be inequitable if too few people were competent enough to fill new jobs and capitalize on new possibilities. And investing in human capital would fail if too few jobs and opportunities were being generated to make full use of that capital. Investment in education, health, nutrition, and other social services directly benefitted individuals, families and society in general.

The World Bank had greatly increased its role in the social sectors, she said. Annual lending for the social sectors had steadily increased, especially over the past 15 years. Annual Bank lending for human resources had tripled since 1981. The Bank was the largest single source of external finance for education, health and nutrition. New lending each year was now some $2 billion for education, $1 billion for health, $150 million for population, and $180 million for nutrition activities. The share of those sectors in total Bank lending had risen from about 5 per cent in the early 1980s to 15 per cent in 1992-1994 and was expected to grow to $15 billion over the next three years. Greater emphasis was given to primary education, girls' education and primary health care.

She said women produced half the food in some parts of the developing world, bore most of the responsibility for household food security, and made up a quarter of the work force in industry and a third in services. Investing proportionally more in women than in men -- in education, health, family planning, access to land, inputs and extension -- was an important part of development strategy, as well as an act of social justice. It directly reduced poverty through substantial economic and social payoffs and led to higher productivity and more efficient use of resources.

The World Bank planned to allocate about $900 million a year in lending to girls' education, at both the primary and secondary level. It had proposed two new goals for the year 2010: all girls would complete primary school and an equal proportion -- 60 per cent -- of both girls and boys would attend secondary school. The Bank was working with United Nations agencies, donors and non-governmental organizations and member countries to meet those targets. The Bank was increasing its commitment to participatory approaches. The participation of directly affected stakeholders -- those who would benefit or lose from Bank-supported operations, particularly the poor and marginalized -- was now a significant feature of the Bank's lending portfolio. The involvement of indirectly affected stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, professional and technical bodies, and other interest groups, was also increasing. In fiscal year 1995, 41 per cent of projects approved by the Bank involved non-governmental organizations.

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WONIL CHO (Republic of Korea) said governments should pay more attention to the productive role of women in the economy. The necessary administrative and institutional measures should be taken to enhance and promote their role while efforts were being made to eliminate discrimination against them. Governments should also incorporate women's issues in national development plans and vigorously promote their participation in the formulation and implementation of those plans. Towards that end, investments should be made in the capacity-building of women, particularly for the enhancement of their accessibility to education and vocational training.

He said education should be utilized as a major vehicle to improve the quality of human resources. In his country's experience, bold investment and vigorous support for basic education and vocational training were essential. Policy objectives for empowering women should be pursued urgently; that policy in turn would be useful for addressing the population problem which remained a serious obstacle to the sustainable development of the developing countries.

An integrated approach should be taken on the question of poverty eradication, he said. A number of coordinating mechanisms should be in place for coordination within the entire domestic system at the country level, and between the United Nations development agencies and governments of developing countries. His country's experience had demonstrated that grass-roots participation should be accommodated in any coordination efforts between the United Nations development agencies and governments of developing countries.

BASSAM AL-KHATIB (Syria) said his country gave high priority to the participation of women in all aspects of economic and social sectors. They were the development engine for building the society. Women's illiteracy rate had been reduced; the number of women in institutions of higher learning was increasing. Legislation on the family was being revised to provide women with opportunities to be fully involved in all aspects of life. Working women were given equal pay for equal work.

He said special attention was being given to the training of women to enable them to contribute effectively to national development. They had complete freedom in agricultural work. They had the same opportunities and rights as men. Efforts had been made to empower them. He stressed the need for the consolidation of national and international efforts to eradicate poverty and the enhancement of the role of women in development.

MARIANNE LOE (Norway) said her Government would like to join the Southern African Development Community in emphasizing women's significant contribution to economic activity and the major force they represented for change and development. Governments must create an enabling environment for women's economic participation through policy measures and legal instruments. Governments must ensure women's rights and opportunities to participate fully and equally in all spheres of life, not least in productive activities. In

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order to halt the trend of feminization of poverty, it was essential to ensure women full and equal access to economic resources and markets, particularly access to credit, the right to inheritance and to ownership of land.

There were few, if any, more effective ways for promoting sustainable social and economic development than to invest in education for women and girls, she said. Economic policy formulation must take into account a gender perspective. Women's real contribution to society and to the economy was often underestimated by policy makers, since so much of their work was unremunerated and therefore invisible in national accounts. Governments must follow up the Beijing recommendation to develop methods to measure and better understand the type, extent and distribution of unremunerated work.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action had implications for the issues under consideration both in the Second and Third Committees, as well as for other organs of the United Nations. She hoped this Committee would give more attention to women's issues in the future and that the two Committees would cooperate in this matter.

IGOR SENCAR (Slovenia) said effective development policy should follow an integrated approach. Business development and entrepreneurship were closely connected with social justice and environmental questions. The ethical dimension of development could not be overlooked. The world economy was becoming more integrated and it was impossible to separate international economic issues from national ones. Domestic markets had been opened up to create a massive global capital market, beyond any government's control. New players in the world economy -- newly independent States, non-governmental organizations and local communities and civil society -- had taken an active role in the process of big changes. Private initiative was becoming the main vehicle of development -- a process seen in economies in transition.

The citizens of Slovenia had been included in the privatization process by way of free ownership certificates which represented 40 per cent of former socially-owned enterprises. The citizens thus had the chance to participate in the establishment of a market economy and in sharing in its benefits. Governments had a crucial role in the redistribution of benefits of development through budget allocation. At a time of quick economic changes, confidence in the market and growth policies should be reinforced by considering the social aspect of economic restructuring. Investment, the most important vehicle of economic development, had to be fuelled by national savings. Developing and transition countries should strive for an efficient mobilization of domestic resources. Development of private initiative and entrepreneurship should not overlook environmental questions.

Victor Marrero (United States) said since the private sector was the engine for sustainable economic, social and infrastructure development, it was appropriate that governments support the creation and enhancement of enabling

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business environments. International business had surged in the new era of open global markets with nearly $3 trillion crossing borders daily. Transparency of information and publicity was the first weapon against corruption in business.

His Government valued the work of the 1994 World Ministerial Conference on Organized Transnational Crime, and accessions to the United Nations Convention on money laundering. While virtually every country outlawed bribery of its domestic public officials, most tolerated the bribery of foreign officials by their own nationals. Many allow business tax deductibles for such illicit payments. Such practices undermined government accountability and economic development and disrupted efforts towards a stable and predictable international business environment and the efficient promotion of fair economic and social development.

He said agreed language in the Committee's draft resolutions in the area of entrepreneurship should continue to direct the United Nations system to improve the private sector's involvement in its programming and for promoting free markets. The draft should also promote the principles of free enterprise, entrepreneurial development and the necessary enabling environments, and encourage small and medium enterprises. In the area of privatization, the language should continue to mandate the United Nations to improve its activities, especially technical assistance, to support national efforts to increase economic efficiency, growth and sustainable development.

HEATHER FRASER (Canada) said it would have been preferable if the Secretary-General's report on women in development had taken a closer look at the downstream effect of macro-policies on women, particularly poor women. It should have made action-oriented recommendations on the matter. The feminization of poverty was a painful reality and was getting worse. It was caused by women's unequal situation in the labour market and their low social status, and not because they lacked participation in economic activities. Supporting education for women and girls was therefore important and it should include vocational education and training in technology.

She said there had to be a change in the monopoly men had of political space. Research indicated that a 30 per cent membership in political institutions was the critical mass necessary for women to exert meaningful influence on policy. Women currently held only 10 per cent of the world's parliamentary seats and 6 per cent in national cabinets. Rapid implementation of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women was therefore essential. The United Nations had an important role in that process.

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