NEGOTIATING TEXTS INTRODUCED IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Press Release
ENV/DEV/473

NEGOTIATING TEXTS INTRODUCED IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

The Commission on Sustainable Development this morning heard the introduction of negotiating texts for consideration by its three drafting groups, which will be preparing draft decisions on such issues as freshwater management, small island developing States, industry, consumer protection and capacity-building.

Introducing the texts, Commission Chairman Cielito Habito (Philippines) said they were based on the reports before the Commission, as well as on its discussions during the current session. The draft decisions to emerge from them would be submitted in a report to the Economic and Social Council. The drafting groups will meet in closed sessions from 27 to 28 April.

The first drafting group will be considering the negotiating texts on freshwater management and small island developing States. The latter addresses issues relating to the 1994 Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

The text on freshwater management addresses integrated approaches to the issue which were people-centred and consistent with sustainable development. It cites the equity of all people, especially those living in poverty, in formulating water management policies, the need to ensure that water use does not undermine ecosystems, and links water quality with sanitation and the protection of human health.

The second drafting group will take up the negotiating texts on industry and consumer protection. The latter calls for the establishment of guidelines for consumer protection. The text on industry discusses incentives aimed at making markets work better and move faster towards sustainable development. It covers such issues as the expanding role of the private sector in development efforts, the adoption of environmentally sound technologies, and voluntary guidelines and codes of conduct by businesses.

Sustainable Development Commission - 2 - Press Release ENV/DEV/473 10th Meeting (AM) 24 April 1998

The third drafting group will consider the cross-sectoral themes of technology transfer, capacity-building, education, science and awareness- raising, as well as modalities for the exchange of national views on sustainable development. Recommendations address funding for capacity- building, the communication of key concepts of sustainable development, and the transfer of environmentally sound technologies. A text on national experience exchange addresses the preparation of a comparative analysis of such reports.

The Commission will meet again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 29 April, to begin its two-day high-level segment.

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