ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL DISCUSSES WORK OF UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY

18 July 1997

Press Release
ECOSOC/5729

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL DISCUSSES WORK OF UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY

19970718 Receives Reports on Habitat, Consumer Protection, Cartographic Conferences, Trade and Environment and Public Administration and Finance

GENEVA, 17 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council this afternoon reviewed the work of United Nations University (UNU), which is faced, according to its Rector, with two difficult but surmountable challenges: poor finances and insufficient visibility.

Rector Heitor Gurgulino de Souza, who is leaving his post after ten years at the head of UNU, said the institution was facing the tasks before it by streamlining and giving relevance to its main research, training and dissemination activities. The University had reorganized its work to concentrate on environmentally sustainable development, peace, security and governance, he added.

The representative of Japan said his country believed UNU, which is headquartered in Tokyo, should be a centre for think tanks contributing to the efforts of the strategic planning unit the Secretary-General would establish to implementing the far-reaching strategic overhaul of the United Nations system. However, he said, UNU itself had to carry out a thorough reform.

Meanwhile, the representative of Jordan outlined the work of the Amman Academy, the first subsidiary of UNU in the Middle East. The study programmes at the academy examined the role of the United Nations and challenges facing international leaders, teaching skills required for the areas of governance, the economy, the environment and international security, he said.

The Council then moved on to discuss "reports, conclusions and recommendations of subsidiary bodies: economic and environmental questions".

Wally N'Dow, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) (Habitat), introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 51/177 on the outcome of the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II).

Also taking the floor to introduce reports on consumer protection, United Nations cartographic conferences and public administration and finance

were, respectively, representatives of the Division for Policy Coordination and Economic and Social Council Affairs; the Division for Economic and Social Development and Natural Resources Management, and the Department for Development Support and Management Services, all offices of the United Nations.

The Council also heard addresses from representatives of Argentina; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; Ukraine; China; Russian Federation; the World Health Organization; Japan; Jamaica, and the Republic of Korea. It was also addressed by the non-governmental organization Consumers International.

The Council resumes its meetings tomorrow at 10 a.m. to vote on matters related to sustainable development, HIV/AIDS, the mainstreaming of a gender perspective into United Nations policies and programmes and regional cooperation.

Work of United Nations University

Among the documents before the Council this afternoon was the report of the Council of the United Nations University for 1996 (document E/1997/7), which states that the focal point of the university is finding solutions to pressing global problems. One of UNU's main areas of study was peace and governance, which involves issues of democracy and human rights, governance, multilateralism and leadership. Other main subjects were the environment, including sustainable resource management; eco-restructuring for sustainable development; natural resources in Africa; water, environment and health. Another main area was science and technology, which involved looking at national systems of innovation, software technology for developing countries, applications of biotechnology for development, microprocessors, informatics and food and nutrition. Among other issues examined were development, including globalization, liberalization and development, distribution, development and the economics of transition.

According to the report, UNU's postgraduate education stressed building capacities and aimed at strengthening developing country academic institutions, enabling them to conduct high quality research and train future scholars. The university also continued to strengthen interaction with other United Nations organizations.

Statements

HECTOR GURGULINO DE SOUZA, Rector of the United Nations University (UNU), said the University was intended to act as a bridge between the international scientific community and the United Nations system. UNU had recently initiated a plan to streamline and give relevance to its main

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research, training and dissemination work. It had reorganized work to concentrate on environmentally sustainable development and peace, security and governance. Much had been accomplished to reach the UNU's goal of establishing a decentralized yet systematically linked worldwide web of programmes and centres coordinated by the Tokyo headquarters; still, much remained to be done. The most immediate and pressing challenge was financial, followed by insufficient visibility. Those and other challenges were not easily dealt with, but they were not insurmountable.

WATARU HAYASHI (Japan) said that as host country, Japan had formed a strong bond with the University and had high expectations for its future development; the UNU should be a centre for think tanks contributing to the efforts of the strategic planning unit the Secretary-General would establish for implementing the far-reaching strategic plan of the United Nations system. Japan also supported participation of UNU in the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC), and to do this the university should carry out a thorough reform. Although much had been achieved, much remained to be done -- there was need to strengthen management and organization, in particular at UNU headquarters; need for a basic set of policies on its organizational structure; need for higher visibility of its activities; and need for better understanding between the university and Governments. Furthermore, UNU should strive to contain and eliminate any unnecessary administrative expenses; Japan also felt that comprehensive review of the activities of UNU should be carried out by an appropriate body, such as the Joint Inspection Unit.

JAFAR HASSAN (Jordan) said the Amman Academy of the UNU was the first such institute in the region. Study programmes at the academy examined the role of the United Nations and the challenges facing international leaders, as well as teaching skills required in the areas of governance, economics, the environment and international security. Jordan ranked high among developing countries in terms of its investment to offer young people scientific education and knowledge. Jordan appealed for support for the academy.

BENEDIKT JONSSON (Iceland) said that since 1979 the Icelandic National Energy Authority and the UNU had operated a Geothermal Training Programme in Iceland, with scientists and engineers from many countries attending courses in highly specialized studies and on the job training; the main emphasis of the training was to provide participants with the means to execute independent projects in their home countries. A new joint programme with UNU, beginning next year, was the Fisheries Training Programme, under the auspices of the Marine Research Institute, which would train participants in various fields of the fishing industry, including policy and planning, marine and inland water resource assessment and monitoring, management of companies, processing of fish products and marketing. Iceland hoped this work would benefit sustainable use of renewable marine resources.

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BAI YONGJIE (China) said the country appreciated the role of UNU in the area of research and believed it would contribute to peace and development in the world. With the rapid changes of science and technology, and with global integration gaining speed, there was a need for the University to constantly adjust its area of work. UNU was a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary institution, yet it had difficulty covering all research areas because of limited financial resources. The institution should therefore concentrate on environment issues.

V.M. ZIMYANIA (Russian Federation) said the report of the UNU would be better discussed in the Second Committee of the General Assembly; Russia would submit a draft resolution to the Council to that effect. Such a measure, if passed, would help to rationalize the Council's work.

WALLY N'DOW, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS/Habitat), introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 51/177 on the outcome of the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)(document E/1997/77). The resolution called upon all governments, organizations of the United Nations system and other actors concerned with human settlements and urban management issues to implement fully and effectively the Habitat Agenda. The Secretary-General's report outlined, among other things, actions taken in response to the resolution to strengthen the mandate of the Commission on Human Settlements, including its working methods. It also outlined action taken to revitalize and strengthen the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to enable it to discharge its expanded responsibilities. The report also highlighted the envisaged modalities of international cooperation, international development assistance and inter-agency coordination in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda.

SARBULAND KHAN, Officer-in-Charge of the Division for Policy Coordination and ECOSOC Affairs, introducing the report of the Secretary General on Consumer Protection (document E/1997/61), said the report indicated that in recent years consumer protection had acquired new importance. First, because of globalization of products, and second because of sustainable development; it was important for the latter because it was a component in developing sustainable consumption patterns, which were vital for sustainable development. The Commission on Sustainable Development recently had recommended that the guidelines for consumer protection should be expanded to include guidelines for such sustainable consumption patterns. Consumers in all countries should be protected in terms of the qualities of the products they used, and that applied to all sectors of economic activity. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were involved in the consumer protection programmes of the United Nations; the result was a good example of the United

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Nations committing a small amount of resources, but with the help of others carrying out an effective global programme.

BEATRICE LABONNE, Director of the Division for Economic and Social Development and Natural Resources Management of the United Nations, introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the Fourteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific (document E/1997/52) and the report of the Secretary-General on the Sixth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for the America (document E/1997/82).

Ms. LABONNE said the two conferences, which attracted countries from other regions, were the prime fora for coordination of programmes and technology exchange in their respective regions. They provided governments, scientists and the private sector with an opportunity to take stock of actions carried out and of future plans; this exchange, among other things, allowed United bodies to better direct their own programmes. The conferences dealt with subjects related to development and focused on land resource management, enabling environments and standardization of data. Yet, there was a need to refocus the conferences because of globalization, the changing needs of member countries and expanded access to Internet.

M. VOSSENAAR, Chief of Trade, Environment and Development Section, Division of International Trade and Commodities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), introducing a report on "Trade and environment: concrete progress achieved and some outstanding issues", said the study took into account the results of intergovernmental work and work conducted at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Recently debate had gotten away from conflict between trade and environment goals and had focused on complementarities; and cooperation and investigation had helped to circumvent some of the fears that incompatibility between trade and environment proponents and their respective goals would rule the day. One matter of concern was that trade and environment issues should be addressed in ways to avoid further marginalization of the world's least-developed countries. The report focused, among other things, on principles, small-and medium-sized businesses, and on outstanding issues that had to be resolved to build a useful approach to trade and environmental matters.

JUANITA BOBBITT, Senior Public Administration and Finance Officer of the Department for Development Support and Management Services (DDSMS), introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the Thirteenth Meeting of the Group of Expert on the United Nations Programme in Public Administration and Finance (document E/1997/86), saying that the gathering at Headquarters last May and June had explored issues of governance, public administration and finance, and reviewed United Nations work in those areas. In view of the rapidly changing environment of public administration, the main theme of the meeting had been •redesigning the State for socio-economic development and change•, with

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recommendations being made for action at the national and international levels. Among the measures proposed, the meeting had recommended that the programme in public administration and finance should focus on advancing global strategies that contributed to sound management and enhanced public services.

HECTOR TORRES (Argentina) said the report on trade and the environment did not properly bring out the work on the subject performed by the World Trade Organization. There had been much liberalizing of trade under its auspices while still providing protection for the environment. The report provided information on a basis of understanding between the two regimes related to trade and environmental protection; there was some competitiveness between trade competitiveness and environmental protection standards and policies; yet it had been recognized that it would be inappropriate that in order to gain competitiveness, Governments should soften their current environmental standards and their observance of them. Environmental standards should not be "exported" under the threat of trade sanctions; on the other hand, it was clear that environmentally damaging processes should not be carried out by countries in order to gain trade advantages. There were important and critical issues yet to be resolved, such as the matter of "eco-labels" and the matter of subsidies related to the environment.

A. CASSAM, of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said that in implementing recommendations made at HABITAT II, UNESCO was carrying out several projects, including one on "cities, social transformation and the environment" in Haiti, Dakar and Sao Paulo. Another was called "urban development and water resources", while a third, on "revitalization of inner city areas", was being carried out in Quito, Lima and Tunis. a fourth project, planned for 1998-1999, was aimed at enhancing university teaching and professional training.

SERHIY YAMPOLSKI (Ukraine) said the report on trade and the environment was interesting and of importance to Ukraine as it reformed its economy. The country supported the recommendation on fostering of activities intended to liberalize trade and increase foreign investment in developing and transition countries. Help for the environmental problems facing Ukraine required an international approach because of their major impact and cross-boundary character. The country was trying to implement standards on air pollutants, reduction of ozone-destroying substances, and prevention of pollution in the Black Sea; it was trying to protect wildlife; it had signed a number of other international conventions on environmental matters. In Ukraine's opinion, it was impossible to discuss environmental problems without discussing the Chernobyl accident; the country had taken steps to shut down all of the relevant reactors by the turn of the century; a positive factor for overcoming the problems caused by the Chernobyl accident had been a United Nations-sponsored mission to look into the consequences of the disaster. It

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was hoped the process would lead to greater contributions to the United Nations's fund for recovery after the Chernobyl accident.

BAI YONGJIE (China) addressed the inter-relationship between trade and development, adding that the report from the UNCTAD secretariat had put forward many stimulating ideas. The relationship between environment and trade was more complicated than anticipated. Studies should be carried out on the effects they had on each other and relevant policies.

V.M. ZIMYANIN (Russian Federation) said it was time to focus on practical resolution of the tasks described in the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development. One vital issue was sustainable use of forests; an organizational session on the international forum on forests should be held as soon as possible to allow the first substantive session to be held in early 1998. On science and technology for development, it was important, among other things, to continue to give major emphasis to sustainable energy issues. On population and development, a particularly topical matter was resolution of problems of current migratory movements. The Habitat II conference should be followed up energetically; and Russia supported the new format proposed for regulations on the transport of dangerous goods. Further emphasis also was needed on programmes to promote effective governance.

FRITZ KAFERSTEIN, of the World Health Organization, said that large segments of its work were directed towards the protection of consumers from hazards to their health and safety. WHO, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), facilitated the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which developed internationally agreed food standards, guidelines and recommendations. WHO continued to assess risks in relation to food additives, pesticide and veterinary drug residues, and microbiological and other hazards in the food supply. With regard to water, WHO continued its work on the promotion of community water supplies and sanitation facilities. In the area of pharmaceuticals, WHO's work had a direct impact on increased safety, with better quality and efficiency of pharmaceutical and biological products, including vaccines.

WATARU HAYASHI (Japan) said Japan commended the reform efforts made by the Habitat secretariat and supported the proposed reorganization of Habitat and UNEP. The country also recognized the importance of the cartographic activities carried out by the United Nations. As for good governance efforts made by the United Nations, they should be more action-oriented. The country, moreover, supported the progress made by the United Nations in consumer protection.

HECTOR TORRES (Argentina) said many countries agreed with the Republic of Korea's expressed concern on the need to strengthen laws on transportation of radioactive waste. Increase cooperation between the various bodies on

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technical and legal aspects of the transportation of such waste and agreement on regulations to limit damages were also needed.

DAVID PRENDERGAST (Jamaica), addressing the topic of science and technology, said discussions held in the Council relating to that subject served to reinforce the importance of that body. The Council debated science and technology and national capacity building, and it was important to see this continued.

The representative of Consumers International said United Nations guidelines for consumer protection were an important tool; the spread of privatization, deregulation, and globalization had enhanced the need for strong consumer-protection measures, especially in countries where access to basic needs was limited and where health and safety measures were weak. Satisfying the subsistence needs and protecting the health of all people were the foremost objective of consumer policy in developing countries; consumer organizations helped by testing products and checking the quality and pricing of goods. In the last two years Consumers International had brought together government protection departments and consumer and international organizations in major conferences in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America; its model consumer protection law for Latin America and the Caribbean had had a positive influence in many countries of the region. The organization was disappointed, however, by the lack of action by the United Nations in implementing the Council's 1995 resolution on consumer protection.

HWANG YONG SHIK (Republic of Korea) said the issue of transboundary movement of radioactive wastes was of serious concern for the country, given attempts to carry out that activity in northeast Asia. Little progress had been seen in that area since Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Radioactive wastes should be disposed of in the territory of the State in which they were generated; storage, transportation and transboundary movement of such wastes should be guided by all the principles of the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21, and should be undertaken in a manner consistent with international law. The international community should make all efforts to prohibit the export of radioactive wastes to those countries that did not possess appropriate treatment facilities.

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