COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEWS SITUATION OF SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
Press Release
ENV/DEV/472
COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEWS SITUATION OF SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
19980423 Small island developing States faced special problems because of their ecological and economic vulnerability, many speakers said this afternoon, as the Commission on Sustainable Development began its discussion of the issues affecting those States.The representative of the United Kingdom, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the special circumstances of small island States had become a growing concern in the past 10 years because of the adverse effects of global climate change. The increasing frequency and severity of tropical storms caused significant damage to ecological and economic resources.
Such environmental concerns were exacerbated by the economic vulnerability of the small economies, which were particularly vulnerable to external shock, he told the Commission. Others stressed the role of capacity- building in reducing such vulnerability, as well as the need for cooperation at the national, regional and international levels in addressing the problem.
The representative of Samoa, speaking on behalf of the 32 members of the Alliance of Small Island States, who are members of the "Group of 77" developing countries, said that fresh water was truly a finite resource for small islands. Investment by the international community in the form of technical assistance was needed so that data might be acquired on both economic and ecological vulnerability factors.
Speakers from small island developing States also stressed the need for sustainable waste disposal and for programmes to prevent pollution. Those problems were exacerbated by increasing populations, particularly in urban areas, combined with limited land areas and efforts to stimulate economic growth, the representative of Papua New Guinea said. In view of the high cost of instituting programmes to solve environmental problems and promote sustainable development, commitment and support was needed from partners in the developed world, Jamaica told the Commission.
Also this afternoon, the Commission continued its discussion of freshwater management, technology transfer and capacity-building.
Sustainable Development Commission - 1a - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
Statements were also made by the representatives of Benin, Indonesia (for the "Group of 77" and China), Barbados, the United States, New Zealand, India, Cuba, Australia, Fiji, Japan, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Canada, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, China, Malta, Norway, Bolivia, Kenya, Syria, Egypt, Colombia, Iran, Sudan and Algeria, as well as by the Observer for Switzerland.
Also addressing the Commission were representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as well as by the representatives of the following bodies: the International Federation on Aging, the International Ocean Institute, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, and the International Federation of Settlement Centers.
The Commission will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 24 April, to hear the introduction of draft texts for discussion by its drafting groups.
Commission Work Programme
The Commission on Sustainable Development met this afternoon to consider the situation of small island developing States. It also planned to hold general discussions on the issues of freshwater management and sustainable development.
The Commission had before it a report of the Secretary-General on progress in implementing the Programme of Action for the sustainable development of small island developing States (document E/CN.17/1998/7), which recommends actions at the national, regional and international levels. They include giving priority to economic and financial considerations, improving the integrated approach to the strengthening of institutions, and making critical efforts to address land resources, including bioresources. It also summarizes recommendations for actions by the governments of small island developing States to strengthen their national sustainable development bodies by enhancing their political and legal status. Recommendations also aim at increasing regional institutions and technical cooperation, and at developing scientific and industrial capacity as well as human resources.
Addendums to the report cover the following key programme components: the effects of climate change and the rise of the sea-level (document E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.1); the management of waste (document E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.2); freshwater resources (document E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.3); land resources (document E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.4); biodiversity resources (document E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.5); national institutions and administrative capacity (document E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.6); regional institutions and technical cooperation for sustainable development (E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.7); science and technology (E/CN/17/1998/7/Add.8); and human resources (E/CN.17/1998/7/Add.9).
The Commission also had before it a report of the Secretary-General on developing a vulnerability index for small island developing States (document A/53/65-E/1998/5). The index is intended to assess their vulnerability to external shocks.
On the topic of freshwater, the Commission had before it the report of the International Dialogue Forum on Global Water, Politics, and Cooperation for Transboudary Water Management, held at Petersberg, Germany, from 3 to 5 March (E/CN.17/1998/17). The Forum included the participation of government ministers, high ranking policy-makers, experts from research institutions, and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations. It identified a number of recommendations for further action for the effective development and implementation of cooperative water resource management programmes between countries. The Forum found that priority should be given to supporting measures, including the development of regional conventions and strategic action programmes, and that measures should be taken to support interested governments in working through non-governmental organizations and
Sustainable Development Commission - 4 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
other parties to create public backing for water management efforts. It also found that support should be provided for the use of environmental management tools, such as environmental impact assessments, evaluation of water quantity and quality issues, and actions for the maintenance of ecosystems.
The Forum also stressed the need for an integrated approach to water resource management, and to strengthen institutional frameworks and the development of human resources. It also stressed the need to facilitate public/private partnerships and to share knowledge and experience on freshwater management programmes.
Also before the Commission was the report of a High-level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development for the 1997 review of the Rio commitments, made at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (document E/CN.17/1997/17/Add.1). It focuses on critical issues and policies for sustainable development in the areas of energy, transportation and water resources. Among actions suggested for enhancing sustainable development in these areas were the creation of an adequately financed and effective educational system at all levels; support for innovation and technology transfer, and the creation of markets and market-based instruments. Other suggested action include making trade and environmental policy mutually supportive at the national, regional and global levels, and allowing low- income rural areas to have access to modern sustainable development technologies.
The Board's general recommendations included strengthening democratic and participatory processes to involve all concerned social groups; improving capacities for the efficient and sustainable use of resources through increased investments in scientific and technological research; and increasing economic incentives for sustainable development, based on full and comprehensive pricing.
Cross-Sectoral Issues
GRACE IIJIMA, of the International Federation on Aging, said the fact that people were living longer gave an opportunity to recognize older people as a group. Most older persons were consumers and had life skills which could improve their communities. Since 1998 had been designated as the international Year of Older Persons, delegates should work to strengthen institutions that gave older persons access to measures enabling their full participation in society in such areas as housing and education, for example.
For all countries, a foremost challenge was to identify and meet the challenges of the ageing, she said. Efforts should be made to implement appropriate policies at all levels. National programmes should be instituted to promote active ageing. Key roles should be provided for older persons in education and public education campaigns.
Sustainable Development Commission - 5 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
ELIZABETH MANN-BORGESE, of the International Ocean Institute, said the Institute was a network of 10 training centres, mostly located in developing countries, which emphasized training. The proposals mentioned in the Commission were important with respect to freshwater. Creating legal and institutional frameworks for cooperation between developing and developed countries was important. It was also important to exchange views and make decisions about who paid for the cooperation and how intellectual rights were to be handled.
Not enough attention had been given to the changed nature of technology transfer, she said. Modern technology was qualitatively different from the traditional. New technology was software-dependent and rested on human resources. Modern technology could not be bought -- it had to be learned. Further, a number of conventions and agreements were emerging, and each had separate provisions. That was wasteful and not cost-effective. A single system of cooperation with respect to technology must be created, and that was best done at the regional level.
Coordinators could solicit cooperative opportunities and ministers of science and technology could select projects, she said. Project funding would be split between those proposing the projects and their governments. Development of such a system was imperative because water scarcity and conflicting demands posed threats to such regions as the Middle East.
GUSTAVO LOPEZ OSPINA, of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said that by setting priorities, identifying key actors, and generally giving greater visibility to education, a momentum has been created in the promotion of sustainable development education. In implementing action plans on education, however, it was important to remain realistic in terms of what could be achieved. Nearly all institutions, governments and major groups were grappling with far-reaching and often difficult changes, and they had limitations. The challenge remained for all nations to reorient education towards sustainable development, to promote public understanding and changes in lifestyles, and to pursue appropriate training.
ROGATIEN BIAOU (Benin) said the data provided in the national reports submitted by States on their sustainable development efforts should be taken more into account by the Commission and the United Nations Secretariat in preparing reports. Efforts made by the various countries for sustainable development must be recognized and encouraged. There should be more consideration given to making funding available for nations to prepare such national reports. That would allow nations to include more detailed and integrated data in their reports.
Sustainable Development Commission - 6 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
Small Island Developing States
MAKARIM WIBISONO (Indonesia), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said that given the unique vulnerabilities and constraints of small island developing States, there was a dire need for international cooperation and assistance to enable them to fully participate in implementing Agenda 21. Among the issues facing small island States were the effects of climate change, such as greenhouse gases and rises in sea levels. Those factors had a profound effect on small island economies, even to the extent of threatening the very survival of some islands.
Those factors were out of the control of small islands, and it was imperative that they be supported by international cooperation, he said. Such cooperation was needed, not only to implement preventive policies, but also to help curtail any negative consequences of climate change. Global partnership was critical also for waste management, especially with respect to the disposal of toxic and hazardous waste. It was clear that many current practices were unsustainable, and many sustainable policies were beyond the capacity of those islands.
TUILOMA NERONI SLADE (Samoa), speaking on behalf of the 32 members of the Alliance of Small Island States who were members of the Group of 77, said that greater political will was needed to enable small island developing States to achieve sustainable development. The reports on implementing the programme for such small States very comprehensively summed up the steps needed to be taken on the national, regional and international levels to promote such development. However, the reports did not always reflect the steps that had already been taken on the national level.
For small island developing States, freshwater was truly a finite resource, he said. Similarly, the report stated that not enough data was available on the particularly vulnerable group of developing States that were small islands. Both those problems required investment by the international community in the form of technical assistance, whereby data could be acquired on both the economic and ecological vulnerability factors to which the islands were particularly prone.
RICHARD DEWDNEY (United Kingdom), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the special circumstances of small island developing States were becoming of greater concern because of adverse effects of global climate change. The increasing frequency and severity of tropical storms over the past decade had resulted in significant damage to ecological and economic resources, and also to human settlements.
Sustainable Development Commission - 7 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
Those environmental concerns were exacerbated by the economic vulnerability of the States, he said. They were small, open economies, and particularly vulnerable to external shock. Among the most pressing concerns at the national, regional and international levels was to increase capacity- building to reduce vulnerability.
PATRICIA DURRANT (Jamaica) said assistance in capacity-building was critical for small island developing States. Assistance should include the development of systematic approaches to programme development, to ensure that they took all factors into account, including participatory approaches based on the principle of local ownership. In Jamaica, grant funds had been provided to ensure that capacity was developed to solve environmental problems and to promote sustainable development.
Caribbean countries faced a number of constraints which undermined the effectiveness of such programmes, including the insufficiency of human and financial resources to carry out core programmes, she said. Regional institutions and governments were attempting to work more closely to develop realistic regional and subregional programmes. In view of the high cost of instituting such programmes, commitment and support from partners in the developed world was needed to ensure their timely and effective implementation.
ADAM DELANEY (Papua New Guinea) said that all small island developing States shared the same problems of waste disposal and pollution prevention. Those problems were exacerbated by increasing populations, particularly in urban areas, combined with limited land areas, and efforts to stimulate economic growth. His Government was taking steps to strengthen pollution control and environmental management through such measures as the issuance of licenses and permits for resource use and development. Efforts were under way to use existing legal regimes to improve waste disposal. The Government was also undertaking a review of its legislative instruments under an environmental regulatory framework, with a view to making them more efficient and effective.
CARLSTON B. BOUCHER (Barbados) said the 1997 Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States laid out a comprehensive set of proposals to address the special vulnerability of those States. Such upcoming events as the proposed donor's conference, leading to a special session of the General Assembly in 1999 to review and appraise the Programme of Action, would indicate how well those proposals were being implemented.
MARK HAMBLEY (United States) said the issue of freshwater management was particularly relevant to small island developing States. Integrated resource management was all the more important on the small islands, both in freshwater use and in waste management. Instead of developing new mechanisms to study
Sustainable Development Commission - 8 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
how to improve those systems, existing mechanisms for information exchange should be used. Regional cooperation had improved greatly in recent years, enabling the small island developing States to attain economic levels which they would not have been able to reach alone.
MICHAEL JOHN POWLES (New Zealand) said his country had long-standing and close links with small island developing States in the Pacific. Much had been done to help their situation but much remained to be done, especially in the areas of climate change and waste management. Scores of low-lying Pacific islands were vulnerable to the rising level of tides and to problems involved with waste disposal. Major waste problems included the removal of such toxic substances as pesticides. Assistance had to be provided at the national level to help those islands develop their technical capacity.
RAJIV CHANDER (India) said his country welcomed the review of conditions of small island developing States that would take place during the forthcoming special session of the Assembly.
GISELA ALONSO (Cuba) said that small island developing States were vulnerable because they had a narrow range of resources and managing those resources was made difficult by ecological conditions. Those conditions impacted on both the economy and society, making tourism and agriculture very important to their well-being. The international community must increase cooperation with those States, through technological exchange and a reduction of contaminants. The capacity of the small island developing States to make efficient use of their native resources must be improved. Regional cooperation mechanisms must be strengthened, and the equal rights of all countries must be ensured, without favoritism or exclusions.
GEOFFREY TOOTH (Australia) said his country was committed to helping small island developing States and had worked to improve their environmental and economic development. Much remained to be done, however, particularly in the area of climate change, which posed a significant threat to small islands. While the Kyoto Protocol was an important step forward, there was still need for an effective response from the world community to curb climate change problems. Australia, for its part, had undertaken a comprehensive programme to limit its greenhouse gas emissions.
JONE DRAUNIMASI (Fiji) said that small island States were faced with substantial challenges in the pursuit of sustainable development. Fiji had made steady progress though broad-based process of discussions on improving the environment and the development of an environmental strategy. A bill on environmental management would involve all sectors in the creation of environmental policy. The problem of water scarcity continued to be urgent in Fiji, and efforts were needed to ensure access to fresh water. The development of human capital was also a major challenge for small island countries; it was often difficult to train and retain skilled people.
Sustainable Development Commission - 9 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
KAZUHIKO TAKEMOTO (Japan) said the problems of small island developing States should be considered within the overall framework of world development. Climate change was a major problem facing those States, and Japan had given high priority to combating climate change domestically. The Kyoto Protocol was also a major step forward in addressing that issue. His country had also taken part in programmes to support private-sector development in small island States by helping industry and local businesses. That process often involved making sustainable use of local materials.
RAPHAEL LOTILLA (Philippines) said it was important for countries to live up to the commitments made in the Kyoto Protocol, in order to reduce problems cased by climate change. Global climate change was a key problem for small islands, and there was a need for urgent and immediate action on that issue. Although much ground remained to be covered with respect to climatic issues, small islands had taken many positive steps in adapting to climate change. They should be aided further in those efforts.
JACKEO A. RELANG (Marshall Islands) said that small islands were the custodians of a large proportion of the world's biological resources and shared a significant responsibility for their care. However, such conservation and management became daunting in the face of limited capacity. For example, his country had only one fisheries patrol boat to control an area of nearly a million square miles of ocean. While that was a difficult task, his country did benefit from international support in its efforts.
KEN MACARTNEY (Canada) said that action to address the challenges facing small islands which were vulnerable to environmental changes and pollutants had so far been inefficient . Small island States faced inadequate education facilities, instability of export markets, and a dependence on tourism, which made financial development difficult. The international community must focus on those special problems in order to support sustainable development in the island States.
GEORGE WILFRED TALBOT (Guyana) said that as a low-lying State, Guyana was particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Such changes continued to threaten sustainability in small island States, and the recent ravages of El Nino had set back development efforts substantially. Resources had been diverted from development projects to meet emergency needs. Also, economic circumstances had created a severe drain on human resources, making it difficult for small islands to hold qualified personnel. The Caribbean countries had attached the highest importance to human resource development as a goal for sustainability in the twenty-first century.
ROSLYN KHAN-CUMMINGS (Trinidad and Tobago) said that small island developing States faced a variety of constraints with respect to fresh water. Many did not have permanent rivers or lakes and had limited resources. They had to employ alternative means to secure fresh water, such as through the use
Sustainable Development Commission - 10 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
of rain water, which required technical assistance from developed countries. Much progress had been made, but much remained to be done. Her Government was developing a national plan that included forecasting measures. In addition, industries were introducing waste water recycling programmes.
WIEXUE CHENG (China) said that problems must be solved at the global level if sustainable development was to be achieved. The Barbados Programme of Action should be implemented. Small island developing States understood that overcoming their difficulties and ensuring sustainable development required their full commitment.
GAETANO BRINCAU (Malta) said that small island developing States faced economic problems as a result of environmental vulnerability, such as that which resulted from ozone depletion. Malta was determined to safeguard the environment and so had developed a programme based on the principles of priority, precaution and polluters paying. The programme resulted in decreased waste production and limited the irresponsible dumping of waste by making offenders pay for the expenses associated with clean-up efforts.
HAJIME SASAKI, of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said that information mechanisms on environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building should be improved. The International Environmental Technical Center would be publishing a source book for use by the small island developing States. Next year, Mauritius would host a conference organized by the UNEP on eco-efficient tourism in small island developing States.
Freshwater Management; Cross-Sectoral Issues
EDDI HARIYADHI (Indonesia), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said he disagreed with the conclusion that water was mainly an economic good. Water was a basic human need, of vital importance in meeting food security requirements, alleviating poverty and protecting the environment. Water should not be seen solely as an economic good at the expense of its social aspects. Economic and social development should carry equal weight with environmental protection.
OLE KRISTIAN HOLTHE (Norway) said he wanted to see more voluntary initiatives. Governments, stakeholders and representatives of developing countries should participate in the review of such initiates. That review should aim at developing policy through voluntary actions. It should also focus on the need for a gender perspective in its recommendations. The General Assembly had called for mainstreaming of gender issues.
ALBERTO SALAMANCA PRADO (Bolivia), speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, reported on a ministerial meeting which had affirmed a number of important understandings for the region. The Group's members had identified shared positions on such issues as the desire for
Sustainable Development Commission - 11 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
effective environmental protection and the mutual promotion of sustainable development. Shared positions on freshwater management included a common recognition of each country's needs, as well as the need for cooperation between all the countries to meet those needs. They considered it vital to promote both sound freshwater use and waste management for the benefit of all States in the region. They also agreed to promote eco-efficiency and to adopt economic policies which promoted cleaner technologies.
NJUGUNA MAHUGU (Kenya) said his country was 80 per cent arid, and water distribution was very uneven. Kenya was revising its national water policy to preserve, conserve and protect available water resources in a sustainable manner. It sought to ensure constant water supply, establish an efficient institutional framework to achieve systematic development and management of its water sector, and develop a sound and sustainable financing system for effective water resource and sanitation management.
MEDANI ABDUL-RAHMAN (Syria) said the intersessional working group on freshwater had been successful because it was open-ended, whereas the other meetings were not. It was important for coastal States on international watercourses to reach agreements on water use. Transboundary issues should be addressed directly and not subsumed by other issues. Watercourse policy required national and regional cooperation in an international context. It was in the interest of developing countries for governments to agree on the rational uses of ground water.
SHEILA McCABE (United Kingdom), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that to ignore the economic aspects of freshwater management in favour of its social aspects would be as bad as ignoring the social in favour of the economic aspects. The emphasis should be on local and national aspects of management. The Commission should promote local and national action where needed, and follow-up was vital. The entrepreneurial aspects of industry should be emphasized, trade should be open, and voluntary measures should be employed as much as possible.
WIEXUE CHENG (China) said sustainable development had become more important to the international community during the past year, but not enough attention was being given to the vastly differing conditions between developed and developing countries. The special needs of developing countries had to be taken into consideration. Those countries lagged behind in developing water resources, and the backwardness of their economies made it difficult to catch up. Each country should adopt appropriate standards and legislation to reflect its economic state. Industry should promote eco-efficient consumption patterns. The developed countries had a responsibility to promote the transfer of capital and technology.
Sustainable Development Commission - 12 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
ADEL ABDELLATIF (Egypt) said that coordination between the different actors was essential in developing water management policies that would ensure the availability of resources for future generations. When countries reached a certain level of development, some type of cost recovery approach could be introduced.
Mr. CHANDER (India) said that any discussion on the role of industry in sustainable development should take account of the historical circumstances of developing countries and their relationship with industry. Special emphasis should be placed on total quality management and better business practices. It was important to stress the important social and cultural aspects of the questions when discussing freshwater management.
MARTA INES GALINDO (Colombia) said the Commission should engage in a comprehensive analysis with respect to such issues as freshwater management and industry. Nevertheless, efforts in developing countries required an adequate flow of finance. Without sufficient funding, development goals would not be attained.
ALI ASHRAF MOJTAHED-SHABESTAR (Iran) said that water availability was key to poverty alleviation and to the solution of other social problems in developing countries. Immediate action must be taken to ensure its availability of drinking water. As investment in water resources by the private sector would be inadequate, the public sector had the responsibility for providing fresh water. The uses of water in his country went far beyond agriculture and industry; it also had great importance in cultural and religious life.
YAHIA BAKOUR, of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, said that recovering the costs of water distribution should not put an undue burden on the poor. Attention should also be given to transterritorial water management, because many water sources were shared by different countries. Adequate mechanisms should be employed to assess the quality of such shared water resources.
Mr. HAMBLEY (United States) said the round-table discussion on industry was very beneficial and should be continued in subsequent years. With respect to freshwater and industry, it was imperative that discussions remain within the limits of Agenda 21 of the UNCED and that the Commission not introduce new issues and initiates. A major challenge in sustainable development efforts was to use existing funds efficiently and effectively. New financial mechanisms would entail increased costs and were unnecessary. While it was imperative to tap the vast resources of the private sector in development efforts, that did not mean that Governments had no responsibilities. The goal was private and public cooperation to ensure sustainable development.
Sustainable Development Commission - 13 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
MUBARAK HUSSEIN RAHMTALLA (Sudan) said there was a need to reinforce regional negotiation mechanisms and cooperation for sustainable development. There was also a crucial need for early planning to mitigate the impact of catastrophes. The public and private sectors must cooperate for the protection of water resources. The United Nations and its relevant bodies also had an important role to play in that effort.
DIAZ MOREGON (Cuba) stressed the need for the international community to assist developing countries in their efforts for sustainable development by providing access to technologies, without exclusions or barriers. Water was indispensable for health and food security. The management of water systems must consider those needs. In cleaning up the effects of pollution, governments should enforce the "polluter pays" principle.
JOHN FRASER (Canada) said it was important to ensure that all discussions on industry and sustainable development included representatives of developing countries. Further discussions were needed on the issue of voluntary initiates by businesses. A number of successful voluntary initiatives had been taken by Canadian industries. During the Commission's deliberations, a process should be developed to review voluntary initiatives.
SALOME SPILLMANN-STEIB, Observer for Switzerland, said that mountain ecosystems provided an important source of fresh water and that the protection of those ecosystems was crucial to freshwater management. Ensuring adequate freshwater resources was a prerequisite for sustainable development. The increase in pesticides and other pollutants threatens development in many areas. Specific mechanisms for freshwater protection must emerge from the Commission's discussion on the subject.
ANGELO D'AMBROSIO, of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), said water was a key resource for industry. While its importance varied among countries, water was vital to industrial development. Between now and the year 2025, industry would be the fastest growing water-use sector. However, as industry grew, so did water pollution. Action must be taken now if industrial growth in developing countries was to follow a sustainable path.
LYESSE BENAZOUT (Algeria) said that all countries needed to preserve freshwater resources. In the fight against water pollution, industry should take a proactive role. While efforts were under way to address the effects of pollution, they were difficult and costly because the situation was not addressed at the appropriate time. There was a need to improve the ability of existing purification plants in dealing with wastes, so they might supply water to the main industrial areas and meet all of society's water needs.
Sustainable Development Commission - 14 - Press Release ENV/DEV/472 9th Meeting (PM) 23 April 1998
CAROL LUBIN, of the International Federation of Settlement Centers, said the Commission's discussions had not placed sufficient emphasis on social issues and on meeting the needs of individuals and families. Its discussions on freshwater management made no mention of household use of water. Household use was in competition with industry and agriculture for fresh water; that issue should be addressed. More priority should be given to human use of water, given that the lack of water was a major source of poverty. The consequences of policies which required payment for water should be evaluated carefully before they were implemented.
* *** *