SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CONCLUDES SEVENTH SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 19 - 30 APRIL

3 May 1999

Press Release
ENV/DEV/513

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CONCLUDES SEVENTH SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 19 - 30 APRIL

19990503 Takes Action on Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Use of Oceans And Seas; Approves 'No Action' Motion on Sustainable Development in Balkans

As it concluded its deliberations during an extended meeting on Friday morning and afternoon, 30 April, the Commission on Sustainable Development took action on texts addressing the main topics before its seventh session, including sustainable tourism, consumption and production patterns, and the sustainable use of oceans and seas.

It also decided not to act on a draft resolution submitted by the Russian Federation on sustainable development in the Balkans. By the text, the Commission would have called upon all parties to stop actions that aggravated the situation in the Balkans and expressed deep concern about the unfolding environmental crisis resulting from the destruction of chemical, oil and other industries in Yugoslavia.

The "no action" motion, proposed by Germany, on behalf of the European Union, was approved by a vote of 33 in favour, to 4 against (China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and Zimbabwe), with 8 abstentions (Benin, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Venezuela).

Calling for the motion, the representative of Germany said the text concerned matters of peace and security and the Commission should not set a precedent by entering into a substantive debate on such matters. The Russian Federation's representative, however, said that, as the main body in the

* Press Releases ENV/DEV/509, ENV/DEV/510 and ENV/DEV/511 correspond to meetings 11th, 12th and 13th of the Commission's seventh session

United Nations dealing with sustainable development, the Commission should play a role in addressing the unfolding environmental disaster in Yugoslavia, with its unpredictable consequences for the lives of millions in Europe.

In other action, the Commission adopted an international work programme on sustainable tourism development urging Governments to act against illegal, abusive or exploitative tourism activity, including sexual exploitation and abuse. The text also called on the tourism industry to work towards guiding principles and objectives for sustainable tourism and to take steps to reduce the volume of waste associated with tourist travel.

Also by the text, the Commission invited Governments, major groups and the United Nations system to work to increase the benefits from tourism for the host communities, help them maintain cultural and environmental integrity, and encourage more responsible behaviour among tourists. It invited the United Nations Secretariat and the World Tourism Organization to facilitate the establishment of an ad hoc informal open-ended working group on tourism to assess financial leakages and determine how to maximize benefits for indigenous and local communities.

By another text, the Commission recommended that the Economic and Social Council expand the United Nations guidelines on consumer protection to include sustainable consumption. Also on consumption, it decided that the goal of changing consumer behaviour patterns should be pursued by all countries, with developed countries taking the lead, in full accordance with Agenda 21. By that same text, it reaffirmed that poverty eradication and the changing of unsustainable patterns of consumption and production remained the overriding issues of its work programme.

By a text on oceans and seas, the Commission called on Governments to strengthen national, regional and international action for developing integrated approaches to oceans and coastal area management. It emphasized that the sustainable use of the oceans and seas was threatened by over- exploitation of marine living resources and by pollution; and cited the General Assembly as the appropriate body for the coordination required to ensure an integrated approach to all aspects of the oceans issue.

By other actions, the Commission:

-- took note of the system-wide proposed programme of work on sustainable development for 2000-2001;

-- decided on the focus for its inter-sessional ad hoc working groups in 2000;

Sustainable Development Commission - 3 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

-- recommended that the Economic and Social Council decide that the first session of the ad hoc open-ended intergovernmental group of experts on energy for the Commission's ninth session meet in the first part of 2000;

-- requested the Secretary-General to present a report on the preparatory process for the next comprehensive review of the implementation of Agenda 21;

-- adopted texts on voluntary initiatives, exchange of national experiences and education and training; and

-- adopted the report of its seventh session.

Also, it adopted the provisional agenda for its next session which will consider integrated planning and management of land resources; financial resources/trade and investment/economic growth; agriculture and the report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests.

In closing remarks, the Commission's Chairman, Simon Upton (New Zealand) stressed that the session had made a real contribution. Agreement had not been reached on all issues, but that lent an air of reality to the session's outcome, and gave more weight to those areas where agreement had been reached. He hoped the next session would be even more successful in advancing the goal of sustainable development.

Closing statements were also made by the representatives of Guyana, for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, and of Panama.

Commission Work Programme

The Commission on Sustainable Development met this morning to take action on outstanding matters before it and conclude its work for the current session.

Text on Sustainable Development in Balkan Region

The Commission first took up a draft resolution on sustainable development in the region of the Balkans (document E/CN.17/1999/L.5), submitted by the Russian Federation.

By that text, the Commission would call upon all parties to stop actions that aggravated the situation in the Balkans. It would do so expressing deep concern about the unfolding environmental crisis resulting from the destruction of chemical, oil and other industries in Yugoslavia, as well as the social and humanitarian consequences of the increase in refugees and displaced persons, and the undermining of social and economic infrastructure.

Sustainable Development Commission - 4 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

Also by the text, the Commission would urge the United Nations system to take immediate steps to address the sustainable development problems of Yugoslavia and neighbouring countries in light of the situation. It would call upon the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with relevant international and non-governmental organizations, to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the environmental consequences of the situation and identify actions that the international community should take to overcome them.

GEORGE TALBOT (Guyana), Vice-Chairman of the Commission, said no consensus had been reached on the text in the process of informal consultations.

The representative of Germany, on behalf of the European Union, said his delegation was highly concerned about environmental issues relating to the conflict in the Balkans. It deeply regretted having to resort to a motion of no action on the draft. The proposed resolution concerned matters of peace and security and the Commission should not set a precedent by entering into a substantial debate on such matters. His delegation would therefore move for a no action motion because the issue was not an appropriate subject for the Commission.

The representative of the Russian Federation said that, from the very beginning, his delegation strove to see that the draft would not be politicized and that discussion would not become confrontational. Unfortunately, the Commission was not able to reach a consensus on the text. However, until the very last moment, his delegation was ready to continue to work on the text with the aim of creating a consensus version. He hoped that members of the Commission would demonstrate a responsible approach to the issue and move away from politicization. That certainly would have enhanced the Commission by promoting its authority as a key forum on protecting the environment. The issue was non-founded for the no action motion.

The representative of Poland said his delegation supported the no action motion. The situation in Kosovo was of grave concern and he hoped the international community would put an end to the suffering there. The Commission, however, was not the appropriate forum for the issue.

The representative of Canada was also in favour of the no action motion. The Commission should not diminish the success of its session by debating issues of peace and security.

The representative of China said the delegation of the Russian Federation raised an issue closely related to sustainable development and the environment. The environmental situation there was a concern and the Commission should take steps to prevent further destruction of the environment. For that reason, it did not support a no action motion.

Sustainable Development Commission - 5 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

The Commission then decided for the no action motion by a vote of 33 in favour, to 4 against (China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and Zimbabwe), with 8 abstentions (Benin, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Venezuela).

The representative of India said he would have liked to have spoken before the vote. The conflict in the Balkans and the environmental damage it was causing was of grave concern to the international community. A recent news report said that a poison cloud of gas had engulfed Belgrade caused by the bombing of a chemical plant. Due to that incident, tons of carcinogens were released into the Danube to flow downstream. Also, the oil embargo imposed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would make this year's sowing and harvest almost impossible in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The world should expect even greater economic and ecological crises in that country.

While his delegation was appalled by those events, it believed the Commission was not qualified to pronounce itself on such matters. The Commission's responsibility was to balance the needs of development and the environment. If the Commission acted on such an issue, it would set a bad precedent. However, his delegation also believed that a no action vote often thwarted the democratic process by not allowing delegations to express their opinion on an issue. For those reasons, his delegation abstained from voting on the motion.

The Chairman said that according to rule 49 of the rules of procedure, where there were two speakers in favour of a motion and two against, there was no legal opportunity to present an explanation of position in advance of the action. According to rule 60, brief statements of position might now be made.

The representative of the United States said the Commission had voted to close the discussion, yet it seemed to be continuing.

The Chairman said lengthy statements would be problematic, but he invited brief explanations of position.

The representative of the Russian Federation said it was symbolic that the resolution had been voted on procedural grounds, rather than on substance. He viewed that as de facto recognition that the problem existed. As the main body in the United Nations dealing with sustainable development, the Commission should play a role in addressing the unfolding environmental disaster in Yugoslavia, with its unpredictable consequences for the lives of millions in Europe. The time would come when the consequences of the events in the Balkans would be on the United Nations agenda, including that of the Commission. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) should urgently begin gathering information about the environmental situation in the Balkans,

Sustainable Development Commission - 6 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

which would greatly facilitate work on identifying actions required to overcome the consequences of damage.

Indonesia's representative said every State had the right to bring up any issue it deemed of importance. The human misery in Kosovo was regrettable, but it did not justify unilateral action resulting in the destruction of infrastructure and environment. The proposed text was relevant to efforts to preserve the environment in the context of Agenda 21. The Commission, however, was not equipped to consider the issue. The issue should be raised in a forum like the General Assembly.

The representative of Thailand stressed that the Commission was a technical forum, and therefore not the appropriate setting for considering the matter. However, that did not meant his delegation did not agree with the language in the draft.

Guyana's representative said her country had great sympathy for the concerns reflected in the text, but was not convinced that the Commission was the appropriate forum. It would not be desirable to support actions that politicized a body which had thus far worked in a spirit of consensus.

Brazil's representative said his delegation had voted in favour of the motion because the Commission was not to deal with specific crises, but rather to review implementation of Agenda 21.

The representative of Egypt said the Commission's work should not be politicized. If questions regarding conflicts and their influence on sustainable development were to be considered, that would lead to examining the question in a global and general framework. All States were entitled to propose resolutions they deemed necessary and all should be allowed to express their opinions on those. On that basis, Egypt had abstained.

The representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said the draft only mentioned issues related to sustainable development and improving people's quality of life. From that perspective, his delegation had voted against the motion.

Sudan's representative said the draft was not global, it did not examine the reasons for the problem, nor did it address all the related issues. For that reason, his delegation was against considering it. Each State must propose draft resolutions when it deemed them advisable. He then expressed solidarity regarding the humanitarian drama resulting from the events in the region.

Sustainable Development Commission - 7 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

Further Action

Next, the Commission's Vice-Chairman GEORGE TALBOT (Guyana) introduced three draft texts under "other matters".

The Commission acted first on the draft on preparations for "Rio+10": Review of Agenda 21 and the Programme for Further Implementation of Agenda 21, adopting the text without a vote.

Next, it adopted the draft text on information provided by Governments and exchange of national experiences, acting in the same manner.

Again without a vote, it adopted the draft on education.

The Chairman then drew attention to a draft provisional agenda for the Commission's eighth session. The Commission approved the text.

The Commission's Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur, LARGATON OUATTARA (Côte d'Ivoire) introduced the report of the Commission on its seventh session.

The Commission then adopted its report, authorized its finalization, and took note of informal papers before it.

Summaries of Texts Adopted

By a draft resolution on expanding guidelines on consumer protection (document E/CN.17/1999/L.1), submitted by the Commission's Vice-Chairman Navid Hanif (Pakistan), the Commission recommended that the Economic and Social Council expand the United Nations guidelines on consumer protection to include sustainable consumption. Adopted by the General Assembly in 1985, the Guidelines were intended to meet needs such as: protecting consumers from hazards to health and safety; promoting and protecting their economic interests; consumers' access to information on products; education on the impacts of consumer choices; and the availability of effective consumer redress.

The expanded guidelines would state that unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, particularly in industrialized countries, are the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment. All countries should strive to promote sustainable consumption patterns with developed countries taking the lead. Developing countries should seek to achieve sustainable consumption patterns in their development process, having due regard to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

The additions would also have the Guidelines include the following statements:

Sustainable Development Commission - 8 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

-- responsibility for sustainable consumption is shared by all members and organizations of society; Governments should promote the development and implementation of policies for sustainable consumption and integrate those with other public policies;

-- in partnership with the private sector and other relevant organizations, Governments should encourage the transformation of unsustainable consumption patterns through new environmentally sound products, services and technologies;

-- Governments are encouraged to create or strengthen regulatory mechanisms for the protection of consumers; and

-- cooperating with business and other relevant groups, Governments should develop indicators, methodologies and databases for measuring progress towards sustainable consumption at all levels.

By the text on changing consumption and production patterns, the Commission decided that the goal of changing such behaviour patterns should be pursued by all countries, with developed countries taking the lead, in full accordance with Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21. Such efforts should be undertaken while taking into account the situation of developing countries adversely affected by the process and ensuring that all countries benefited from it. In this, governments face a collective challenge requiring reaffirmed commitments, strengthened cooperation and greater efforts towards concrete action, taking into account States common but differentiated responsibilities as set out in principle 7 of the Rio Declaration. All other major groups, including the private sector, need to take actions in changing unsustainable consumption and production patterns. Special attention should be paid to unsustainable patterns among the richer segments in all countries.

The Commission reaffirmed that poverty eradication and the changing of unsustainable patterns remained the overriding issues of its work programme. Governments, in cooperation with relevant organizations and in partnership with groups, should promote measures to internalize environmental costs and benefits in the price of goods and services; develop and implement public awareness programmes; and ensure that implementation of measures do not result in disguised barriers to trade. Developed countries should promote and facilitate the transfer of technical know-how and environmentally sound technologies, as well as capacity-building for implementation, to developing countries and those in transition. Governments should also undertake studies of globalization and of urbanization with regard to their impacts on consumption and production patterns.

In the text on oceans and seas, the Commission called on Governments to strengthen national, regional and international action for developing

Sustainable Development Commission - 9 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

integrated approaches to oceans and coastal area management. It emphasized that the sustainable use of the oceans and seas was threatened by over- exploitation of marine living resources and by pollution. It recommended that priority be given to measures such as the sustainable management of marine living resources, the prevention of degradation of the marine environment, better scientific understanding and coordinated implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and of Agenda 21. The Commission recommended capacity-building, national and regional actions and efforts to promote wider implementation of international agreements.

Areas of specific concern noted by the Commission include the sustainable management of fisheries and other marine resources, both living and non-living. Expressing grave concern at the slow rate of progress in many aspects of implementing the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, the Commission stressed the benefits of preparing programmes within a framework of integrated coastal area management and the importance of supporting initiatives at the regional level to protect the marine environment from land-based activities. Emphasizing that scientific understanding is fundamental to sound decision-making, it stressed the value of collecting reliable oceanographic data and of periodic comprehensive assessment of international waters.

Noting other marine activities such as shipping, dumping of wastes and offshore oil and gas operations, the Commission urged the international coordination and cooperation needed in the complex and interrelated area of the oceans and seas. It cited the General Assembly as the appropriate body for the coordination required to ensure an integrated approach to all aspects of the oceans issue at both the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels. It suggested an annual, week-long informal consultative process with input from representatives of major groups in discussion panels, the process to be reviewed no later than four years after its establishment.

By the draft decision on tourism and sustainable development (document E/CN.17/1999/L.6), the Commission decided to adopt an international work programme on sustainable development containing the elements outlined below and to begin its implementation. It will be reviewed in 2002 when the 10-year review of progress achieved since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development will be carried out.

By the text, the Commission urged Governments to take a number of actions including:

-- consult with all major groups and local communities in the tourism development process, including on sharing of benefits;

Sustainable Development Commission - 10 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

-- welcome the major groups' agreement to promote sustainable tourism development through music, art and drama and to participate in educational activities;

-- promote a favourable framework for small and medium sized enterprises by reducing administrative burdens, facilitating access to capital and providing skills training; and

-- take action, including through legislation, against illegal, abusive or exploitive tourism activity, including sexual exploitation/abuse.

Also by the text, the Commission called on the tourism industry to take the following actions:

-- further commit itself to the goal of sustainable tourism development by working towards guiding principles and objectives for sustainable tourism;

-- take effective steps to reduce the volume of waste associated with travel and tourism activities; and

-- distance itself publicly from illegal, abusive or exploitative forms of tourism.

Also by the text, the Commission invited Governments, major groups and the United Nations system to consider initiatives to:

-- increase benefits from tourism resources for the population in the host communities and maintain the cultural and environmental integrity of the host community; and

-- encourage more responsible behaviour among tourists through ensuring respect for national laws, cultural values, social norms and tradition.

Further, the Commission invited the World Tourism Organization to consider major groups' participation in developing, implementing and monitoring its Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The Commission also invited relevant agencies, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to evaluate whether existing regulations on marine pollution are sufficient to provide adequate protection to fragile coastal zones from the adverse impacts of tourist vessel activities.

It invited the United Nations Secretariat and the World Tourism Organization to jointly facilitate the establishment of an ad hoc informal open-ended working group on tourism to assess financial leakages, determine how to maximize benefits for indigenous and local communities, and prepare a joint initiative to improve information availability and capacity-building for participation.

Sustainable Development Commission - 11 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

Another text concerned initiation of preparations for the Commission's ninth session, related to the sectoral theme of energy. By it, the Economic and Social Council would decide that the first session of the Ad Hoc Open- ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development would be held in New York in the first part of the year 2000. The Council would call upon Governments to participate and contribute to the preparatory process. Also, it would encourage the participation of civil society and other major groups, including the private sector, in the preparatory process. The Council would recognize that funding to support participation was essential and should be provided in accordance with its decision 1993/207; and urge voluntary contributions to support representatives participating from developing countries that were not members of the Commission.

By a decision on the proposed programme of work in the area of sustainable development for the biennium 2000-2001, the Commission took note of the proposed work programme for 2000-2001 and requested the Economic and Social Council to invite the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the Advisory Committee for Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) to take into account, in their deliberations on the programme budget for 2000-2001, relevant outcomes of the General Assembly's special session to review progress in implementing the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

By a decision on the Commission's inter-sessional work, it decided that in 2000, its inter-sessional ad hoc working groups would focus on: integrated planning and management of land resources, and agriculture; and financial resources/trade and investment/economic growth. Deciding that its bureau would continue conducting transparent and open-ended consultations on matters related to the eighth session and sessions of the inter-sessional working groups, it reiterated that consideration should be given to providing financial support to bureau members, through extrabudgetary contributions, to enable them to participate in bureau and inter-sessional meetings, and Commission sessions.

By a resolution on voluntary initiatives and agreements, the Commission stressed the need for better understanding and analysis of the impact of voluntary initiatives and agreements on developing countries. It requested relevant major groups and other stakeholders to report on steps taken or progress made in assisting developing countries to understand or make use of lessons learned. It encouraged dialogue among those relevant major groups and other stakeholders regarding voluntary initiatives, agreements and information products. Finally, the Commission requested that steps be taken to ensure wider participation by the developing countries in the inter-sessional consultative process.

Sustainable Development Commission - 12 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

It noted the Secretary-General's report and the inter-sessional consultative process in Canada, last March, involving representatives of major groups aimed at identifying elements of a review of voluntary initiatives and agreements. Noting the commitments to future action made at Toronto, the Commission encouraged further dialogue among stakeholders on information products to assist countries and organizations in understanding the value of voluntary initiatives and agreements in the context of sustainable development.

By a decision on preparations for the Review of Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, the Commission requested the Secretary-General to present a preliminary report for discussion at the Commission's eighth session, containing suggestions for the form, scope and nature of the preparatory process for the next comprehensive review of the implementation of Agenda 21, with a view to providing guidance to the Secretary-General in preparing his report to the Assembly's fifty-fifth session.

By a decision on education, public awareness and training, the Commission called on all key actors, such as governments, NGOs and United Nations bodies, in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as task manager, to intensify collaborative efforts in implementing the work programme. It encouraged those same entities to give priority to integrating aspects of sustainable development in educational policies, as well as to cooperating in the framework of the World Programme.

Also adopted was the provisional agenda for the Commission's eighth session. The Commission's sectoral theme will be integrated planning and management of land resources. Its cross-sectoral theme will be financial resources/trade and investment/economic growth. Agriculture will be the focus of its economic sector/major group consideration. In addition, the Commission is to consider the report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests.

By a text on information provided by governments and exchange of national experiences, the Commission called upon the international community, in particular the developed countries, to support efforts of developing countries for capacity-building, including in the area of elaboration, translation and dissemination of voluntary reporting, by providing technical and financial assistance. The Commission also requested the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist developing countries in this regard through funding. It requested the Secretariat to take steps for processing, compiling and disseminating information, including by measures contributing toward the comprehensive review of the implementation of Agenda 21 for the year 2002.

Sustainable Development Commission - 13 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

Highlights of Session

The Commission's seventh session allowed for general debate and interactive thematic dialogues among major groups. More government ministers participated in the high-level segment than in any previous Commission session, discussing each of the four substantive issues: oceans and seas, consumption and production patterns, sustainable tourism and small island developing States.

When national and local authorities, industry representatives, trade unions and NGOs discussed tourism, speakers stressed that the industry should contribute more to protecting the destinations they promoted. Many said that both industry and Governments should work harder to ensure that local communities benefited from tourism.

Instead of focusing on increasing the number of tourists regardless of the consequences, the tourism industry should adapt to the needs of each locality, some said. Many emphasized the need to maintain natural, social and cultural heritages of tourist destinations. Some said local governments' decisions were key to the sustainable management of tourism and a number of speakers called on Governments to take responsibility for combating sex tourism and child abuse by enacting and enforcing effective laws.

While representatives of industry highlighted the economic and developmental benefits of tourism, the United Nations Deputy Secretary- General, Louise Fréchette said, during the high-level debate, that tourism could lead to economic and environmental hazards unless it was properly planned and managed. Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said that tourism was part of the problem, but could become part of the solution to sustainable development.

During discussion on oceans and seas, topics included: the importance of addressing illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. A precautionary and ecosystem-based approach to fisheries was stressed, with participants calling on global and regional fisheries organizations to reduce by-catch of non-target species and other forms of wildlife.

Regarding the need for international coordination on oceans, many speakers stressed the need for institutional renewal, not new institutions. The General Assembly was the appropriate forum for intergovernmental deliberations, many said, but its annual debate on oceans and seas should be broader and more substantive.

When the high-level segment took up consumption and production patterns, global inequities in consumption patterns and the cultural and economic influences were among topics discussed. While much of the production occurred

Sustainable Development Commission - 14 - Press Release ENV/DEV/513 14th Meeting (PM) 3 May 1999

in industrialized countries, the poorest regions often were hardest hit by the related environmental impacts, some said.

A number of Government representatives stressed the importance of technology transfer and promoting environmentally friendly technology. The Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), James Gustave Speth, called for States to put economic incentives in place to make eco-technology available to developing countries. Some emphasized the role of consumers, who could use the market itself to make changes.

When the Commission took up its role as the preparatory body for the upcoming General Assembly special session to review implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, many voiced concern about the adverse effects of globalization and trade liberalization. Many called for the development of a vulnerability index to be used to determine concessional financing, instead of relying on income figures alone.

The right of small islands to prohibit the transport of hazardous and toxic wastes within their jurisdiction was considered. A paragraph proposed for the special session's text on small island States had been taken directly from the Barbados Programme of Action, yet some opposed its inclusion. Speaking for the European Union, Germany's representative said five years had passed since the language had been approved in Barbados. There had been significant developments since, which should be reflected. Others stressed that the upcoming session was to review implementation of the document, not change it. As the Commission closed, the paragraph remained disputed, to be taken up again in September.

Membership, Officers

The Commission consists of 53 Member States elected for three-year terms. In 1999, the membership is as follows: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Germany, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Venezuela, United Kingdom, United States and Zimbabwe.

In May and June 1998, the Commission elected Simon Upton (New Zealand) as its Chairman; Tibor Farago (Sweden), George Talbot (Guyana), Largaton Ouattara (Côte d'Ivoire) and Navid Hanif (Pakistan) as Vice-Chairmen; and decided that Mr. Ouattara would also serve as its Rapporteur.

* *** *