ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL CREATES AD HOC ADVISORY GROUP ON LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF SUPPORT FOR HAITI

7 May 1999

Press Release
ECOSOC/5821/Rev.1*

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL CREATES AD HOC ADVISORY GROUP ON LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF SUPPORT FOR HAITI

19990507 Also Acts on Humanitarian Affairs Segment, NGO Committee Texts; Concludes Resumed Organizational Session

As it concluded its resumed organizational session this morning, the Economic and Social Council decided to create an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on a long-term programme of support for Haiti,

The Council took that action as it adopted, without a vote, a text introduced by its President, Francesco Paolo Fulci (Italy). By that text, the Group would be asked to submit to the Council's substantive session recommendations on how to ensure that international community assistance to the efforts to support Haiti in achieving sustainable development were adequate, coherent, well-coordinated and effective.

Speaking after action, the representative of Haiti said the resolution was an important decision for his country and for the Council. Noting that the text concerned a programme of long-term assistance, he said the Haitian people had been facing problems for many years to achieve their status after many decades of a dictatorship. That was why the people felt the long-term help was important. Some Council members were reticent about the step but they had all agreed to take it. The step had opened a new page in the history of the Economic and Social Council, the first time such cooperation had occurred between the Council and the Security Council.

In other action this morning, the Council adopted, without a vote, a decision containing its programme of work for the humanitarian affairs segment of its substantive session, which would include discussion of international cooperation and coordinated responses to humanitarian emergencies, and of natural disasters and complex emergencies.

* Revised to correct some information.

Also, the Council granted consultative status to 85 non-governmental organizations and reclassified two organizations from special to general consultative status. It did that as it adopted, without a vote, one of two decisions contained in the report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its resumed 1998 session.

In adopting the second decision, also without a vote, the Council approved the participation of two organizations of indigenous people not in consultative status with the Council in the work of the open-ended inter- sessional working group of the Commission on Human Rights, established by the Council in its resolution 1995/32 to elaborate a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people.

In further action, the Council decided to hold the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 6 July in Geneva.

Also, oral reports were given by the four Vice-Presidents of the Council on the status of the consultations they are conducting in preparation for the July session. In addition, an oral report was presented on the coordination of the Council with the bureaus of the functional commissions.

Further, the Council President made a brief presentation on the forthcoming meeting with the Bretton Woods institutions in Washington, D.C. on 1-2 June.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Guyana (on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China), Germany (on behalf of the European Union), United States, Japan, Russian Federation, Canada, Sudan, Egypt, Cuba, Kenya and Spain. The Director of the Division for Council Support and Coordination also spoke.

The Council will meet again at a date to be announced.

Council Work Programme

The Economic and Social Council this morning continued its resumed organizational session for 1999. The Council has before it a draft decision on the programme of work for the humanitarian affairs segment of its substantive session, a draft decision on Haiti and two draft decisions on the report of the Committee on Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) on its resumed 1998 session.

With regard to the programme of work for the humanitarian affairs segment of its 1999 substantive session, the Council had before it a note by the Secretariat (document E/1999/45). In response to a request for recommendations and suggestions, delegations underlined that the humanitarian

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segment was an important innovation for strengthening the Council's role in coordination and policy guidance to humanitarian activities and that its utility should be optimized.

Among the suggestions, according to the note, was that the segment should remain a key forum for high-level policy discussion on thematic issues such as: the enhancement of the Council's role; the transition from relief to rehabilitation and development; assessment and evaluation of humanitarian activities; emergency response to natural disasters; coordination of humanitarian activities in complex emergencies and post-conflict situations; and the safety and security of humanitarian personnel.

With regard to the organization of the segment, several delegations suggested that it should start with panel discussions, followed by a general discussion, the note states. The agreed conclusions should be concrete and action-oriented. Regarding the panel discussions, it was suggested that there should be two separate panels, with the participation of resident and/or humanitarian coordinators, addressing natural disasters and complex emergencies separately.

In addition to the specific suggestions on the organization of the segment, the note states that the "Group of 77" developing countries and China also commented on the broader question of how the Council could further strengthen its coordination and policy guidance role in the humanitarian field. Elements suggested for further consideration are described in the note.

The Council also had before it a draft decision, revised on the basis of informal consultations and submitted by the Council's Vice-President Alyaksandr Sychov (Belarus), on the programme of work for the humanitarian affairs segment of the 1999 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council (document E/1999/L.14/Rev.1). According to the draft, the three-day segment would include discussion of the theme "International cooperation and coordinated responses to humanitarian emergencies, in particular in the transition from relief to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development"; and panel discussions on natural disasters, including hurricanes Mitch and Georges, and on complex emergencies.

Also before it, the Council had a draft resolution on a long-term programme of support for Haiti (document E/1999/L.15), by which it would take note of paragraph 8 of Security Council resolution 1212 (1998) inviting the Economic and Social Council to contribute to elaborate a long-term programme of support for Haiti. It would decide to create an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti composed of five Council members, designated by the President on the basis of equitable geographical distribution, and in consultation with regional groups and the Government of Haiti.

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It would also decide that this Group should submit to the Council at its substantive session, for consideration, its recommendations on how to ensure that international community assistance to the efforts to support the Government of Haiti in achieving sustainable development is adequate, coherent, well-coordinated and effective. The Council would request the Group to ensure that the Government of Haiti is fully involved in its work. It would also request the Secretary-General and his Special Representative to Haiti, relevant United Nations funds and programmes and the specialized agencies, including the World Bank, to provide all necessary assistance to the Group.

Further, the Council would invite other relevant multilateral institutions, particularly the Inter-American Development Bank, regional organizations and bilateral donors, to cooperate fully with the Group.

In addition, the Council had before it two draft decisions contained in the report of the NGO Committee on its resumed 1998 session (document E/1999/10 and Corr.1).

By the terms of draft decision I, the Council would grant consultative status to 85 NGOs which had applied and reclassify two organizations from special to general consultative status.

By draft decision II, the Council would approve the participation of two organizations of indigenous people not in consultative status with the Council in the work of the open-ended inter-sessional working group of the Commission on Human Rights, established by the Council in its resolution 1995/32 to elaborate a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people.

Action

ALYAKSANDR SYCHOV (Belarus) introduced the draft decision on the programme of work for the humanitarian affairs segment of the Council's substantive session. The segment would include a meeting devoted to the consideration of the theme "International cooperation and coordinated responses to the humanitarian emergencies, in particular in the transition from relief to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development" and panel discussions on natural disasters and complex emergencies. He proposed that the Council hold informal consultations before the segment to look into questions relating to the enhanced role of the Council in guiding humanitarian work.

GEORGE TALBOT (Guyana), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said that he supported the contents of the note by the Secretariat and was pleased to see that some of its elements had been incorporated in the draft decision. Those elements would contribute to enhancing the humanitarian segment and increasing the Council's role in that area. Broader exploration

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of the modalities might be required. The Group's suggestions were contained in the note and they were not intended to undermine the existing humanitarian mandate. They were ideas and not proposals at the current stage.

MARTIN LUTZ (Germany), on behalf of the European Union, said that he agreed to the programme of work contained in the draft. He took note of the ideas for further consideration presented in the note, particularly in paragraphs 10 and 11. In its considerations, the Council should take into account that the United Nations and its humanitarian organs had a standing mandate to respond to emergencies. They must not be hampered in any way. The Council should avoid duplication or overlap in activities. The Union favoured progress in the Council's role in humanitarian affairs and welcomed continued debate at a later stage.

BETTY KING (United States) said that the two-day humanitarian segment discussions would not be sufficient and should continue in the form of a high- level dialogue, benefiting from panels and informal dialogues. In addition, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) could brief Council members on natural disasters and complex emergencies. She welcomed the continued collaboration between the Council and the Bretton Woods institutions. Also welcome was the increased cooperation between the Council and the Security Council in the context of Article 65.

YUJI KUMAMARU (Japan) said that he hoped to see more effective deliberations during this year's humanitarian segment. He supported enhancing the humanitarian activities segment and strengthening the Council's role in that area. As to the concrete measures for enhancing that segment and the Council's role, he was pleased that informals were going to take place.

NIKOLAI TCHOULKOV (Russian Federation) said that he supported the draft before the Council. The coordination of the discussion devoted to humanitarian affairs must be the centrepiece of the Council at all times. That was why he endorsed the proposals made today. The examination of the matter over a couple of days would not be sufficient. It was something that had to be reviewed throughout the year.

ROSS HYNES (Canada) said that he supported the draft and looked forward to discussion on the matter. In its considerations, the Council must bear in mind that the Council's humanitarian segment was in its embryonic phase. This year's phase would be crucial in further examination of the matter. All options had to be kept open, and it must be ensured that the Council played a supportive role to OCHA's role.

MUBARAK RAHMTALLA (Sudan) said that the Council, on its review of matters related to humanitarian affairs, had to be more precise. A well- defined approach must be adopted, and equal importance had to be given to assistance and development at the same time. First, the mechanism of

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consolidated appeals must be integrated among the governments and agencies concerned so as not to have a selective approach. Second, it must be recognized that aid for overseas assistance must reduce costs, largely linked to air transport. Third, purchases must be made locally. Fourth, the need to adapt to the needs and culture of the country concerned must be recognized. Fifth, policies to prevent catastrophes must be part of the policies linked to development. Next, the capacity of local non-governmental organizations must be supported. In addition, the objectives of strengthening humanitarian efforts must complement other efforts including those aimed at eliminating debt.

The Council adopted the decision without vote.

FRANCESCO PAOLO FULCI (Italy), President of the Council, then said he was pleased to announce a consensus had been reached on a draft resolution on a long-term programme of support for Haiti (document E/1999/L.15). It would be a historic assistance to a Member State. An Ad Hoc Advisory Group would be established to make recommendations to the Council, possibly at the July session, for a coherent, transparent, inclusive, and coordinated approach involving first of all, the Government of Haiti and the Friends of Haiti.

The Chargé d'affaires of Haiti had called this morning to report his Government was in agreement with the draft, Mr. Fulci continued. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti and all other multilateral institutions would be called upon for a coordinated effort. "Imagine all the overlap and repetition that occurs now with all these groups involved." There was every confidence in succeeding to coordinate efforts. Other such efforts would surely follow after follow-up on that important step of the Council.

YUJI KUMAMARU (Japan) said he highly appreciated the initiative to revitalize the Council and supported the direction in which the Council was going. He appreciated the steps being taken for Haiti. Yet with any programme of assistance for specific countries, the Ad Hoc Group must first find out if countries were prepared to receive assistance and what their needs were. More time was needed to consider the plan for Haiti.

The Council President said the first delegation to be consulted had been that of Haiti. Haiti had fully endorsed the draft of the Economic and Social Council's plan for long-term assistance.

The Council then adopted the text, as orally amended.

GEORGE TALBOT (Guyana), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77, said he fully supported the draft on long-term assistance to Haiti. The programme would contribute in a meaningful way to the development of Haiti. At the same time, consultations were taking place with regard to paragraph 8 and the

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developments with regard to Haiti should not influence the outcome of those talks.

BETTY KING (United States) said the promotion of peace and stability in Haiti was a major foreign policy priority for her country. The peacekeeping work of the Security Council in Haiti was drawing to a close and it was time for the Economic and Social Council to assume its work in the deeply rooted complex problems of Haiti, which crossed the spectrum of the Economic and Social Council's responsibilities.

About six months remained before the end of the mandate of United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH), she continued. It was not much time to develop a coherent, coordinated and orderly transition. An important series of elections would occur around the time of the transition. The role of the United Nations in Haiti after departure of MIPONUH needed to be developed and clarified quickly. The post-MINOPUH programme would need to focus on consolidating the rule of law, promoting free and fair elections, developing good governance and promoting a programme of sustainable human development, along with environmental protection and restoration. The role of the resident coordinator would be critical.

She supported the proposed five-member advisory group, she said. An effective, coordinated mandate from the Council would provide the basis for continued United Nations support for Haiti when the peacekeeping mission ended. It would also be a crucial step in the Organization's work in the transition to development.

MARTIN LUTZ (Germany) said the resolution on Haiti was a precedent and an experiment. Haiti could be a very good example of where the Council could show its long-term capability in helping development. The European Union supported the resolution.

MIRTHA HORMILLA CASTRO (Cuba) said the Council had adopted an important decision. As the Group of 77 had pointed out, however, it was important to hold consultations on the subject, as had been stated during informal meetings. In delivering humanitarian assistance, it was necessary to consider the time and the framework in which substantive matters would be undertaken, especially in post-conflict situations. Some aspects of such matters were the ones the Security Council would transfer to other bodies or agencies, for instance.

In the specific case of Haiti, the consensus was a well-balanced, favourable step for the country, in line with decisions made last year related to the humanitarian segment, where it had been decided that the Economic and Social Council should support long-term assistance to countries in crisis, which was the situation in Haiti. There were concerns and it was hoped they would be allayed. Adopting the programmes could be a useful exercise. But

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helping countries required careful thinking. Should that be the role of the Economic and Social Council? Should countries in other situations be considered, not just those in the framework of the Security Council?

ROSS HYNES (Canada) said he looked forward to the summer session of Council, which was beginning to assume its true role in that step to help Haiti. Could it be done by the Economic and Social Council alone? There were many other organs involved in Haiti's problems. Coordination had to unfold effectively.

ANTONIO RODRIGUE (Haiti) said the Council had passed an important decision for itself and for Haiti. The resolution just adopted concerned a programme of long-term assistance to Haiti. The Haitian people had been facing problems for many years to achieve their status after many decades of a dictatorship. All Haitian people aspired to better their future and their environment. That was why the people felt the long-term help was important. Haiti expressed thanks. Some Council members were reticent about the step, but they had all agreed to take it. The step had opened a new page in the history of the Economic and Social Council, the first time such cooperation had occurred between the Council and the Security Council. He supported the position of the Group of 77.

AMANY FAHMI (Egypt) said she fully supported the Group of 77 position on the long-term assistance to Haiti and on revitalizing the Council. It had been pointed out that the Economic and Social Council had a mandate, stipulated by the Charter, to render assistance to the Security Council. A distinction had to be made, however, between the mandate to provide information as set out in the United Nations Charter versus the steps in the decision just passed. The decision just made did not distinguish between a mandate for the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. The Charter, however, had made a distinction.

Mr. FULCI (Italy), the Council President, said he had already begun consultations for the five members of the Ad Hoc Group. The Permanent Representative of Indonesia, Makarim Wibisono, who was a senior Vice-President of the Council, would chair the Ad Hoc Advisory Group. The other members would be representatives of Brazil, Canada, Latvia and Mauritius. The Permanent Representative of Haiti would participate fully in the work of the Group at all times. It was expected the formation of the Group would be completed in a few days. If there were no objections to nominees voiced by next Wednesday, it would be assumed the Ad Hoc Group was formed.

The Council then took up the draft decisions of the NGO Committee.

It first turned to draft decision I, entitled "applications for consultative status received from non-governmental organizations", and adopted it without a vote.

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It then turned to draft decision II, entitled "applications from organizations of indigenous people not in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council for participation in the work of the open-ended inter-sessional working group of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate a draft declaration on the rights of indigenous people". It adopted the decision without a vote.

The Council also took note of the report of the NGO Committee on its resumed 1998 session.

Mr. FULCI (Italy), President of the Council, said that the celebration of the anniversary had been planned for the end of the high-level segment in Geneva. However, since the Secretary-General had expressed his desire to participate in the celebration, he proposed that it take place on the second day, 6 July.

The Council decided to hold the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 6 July in Geneva.

Oral Reports by Vice-Presidents

MAKARIM WIBISONO (Indonesia) spoke about the various items to be dealt with in the general segment of the Council's substantive session. Several consultations had been planned for June for preparations. He encouraged groups and countries to inform him of issues requiring special attention. As soon as documents became available, he would begin the informal discussions.

PERCY METSING MANGOAELA (Lesotho) spoke about the status of informal consultations on the operational activities segment, scheduled for 14-18 July, the theme of which was poverty eradication and capacity-building. He had scheduled informals for early March, but it had not been possible to hold them at that time. He hoped to begin them soon.

ALYAKSANDR SYCHOV (Belarus) said that regarding the humanitarian affairs segment, he would be pursuing informals on the subject and foresaw that the main preparatory work would be done in New York. A report by the Secretary- General on the strengthening of special humanitarian assistance would be prepared, as well as one on the implementation of the Council's decisions. Consultations would bear on discussion of humanitarian affairs and the enhancement of the United Nations role.

ALFONSO VALDIVIESO (Colombia) briefed the Council on the coordination segment, which would be devoted to coordination in Africa. It would focus on two areas. The first was the implementation of the Secretary-General's recommendations, presented to the General Assembly and the Security Council last year in his report on the causes of conflict in Africa. The second was the harmonization of international and bilateral initiatives directed to

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Africa. In preparation for the segment, he had discussed those areas with United Nations officials, representatives of African countries and of those countries that had proposed initiatives for Africa, as well as with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Informals would begin during the third week of May.

Mr. LUTZ (Germany) said that he would like more information on the preparations for the high-level segment.

Mr. TALBOT (Guyana) requested that a schedule of the proposed informal consultations be made available.

Mr. FULCI (Italy) said that informals on the high-level segment would be held from 7 to 14 June.

SARBULAND KHAN, Director of the Department of Social and Economic Affairs' Division for Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination, said that regarding the availability of documents for the informals, advance, unedited copies of most of the reports would be made available in the next few days.

Next, oral reports were presented on coordination between the Economic and Social Council and bureaus of the functional commissions.

Mr. VALDIVIESO (Colombia) emphasized the interest demonstrated by all the bureaus in all the consultations and the assistance provided by the Secretariat. In the meetings, elements relating to working methods and those linked to coordination and cooperation had emerged. With regard to working methods, it was clear that minimum continuity in the make up of the bureaus was necessary. Also, the recommendation of the Council as to format of the reports had been taken into account and would facilitate their analysis during the substantive session. In all the commissions, it was important to avoid overlapping and redundancies. There had been some progress in that area. In addition, the need for ongoing communication between the chairmen of the bureaus was important. In that context, he stressed the importance of taking advantage of available technology such as videoconferences.

The Council President said the recent meetings between the Council and the Bretton Woods institutions had been most successful, with a Prime Minister present, two Vice-Prime Ministers and scores of Ministers. The discussion had been lively and constructive with the representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Because of space limitations during the upcoming session in Washington on 2 and 3 June, only heads of Mission would be able to participate and those would be on a first-come basis.

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Other Matters

Mr. FULCI (Italy) gave a report on the refurbishing of the Economic and Social Council Chamber, which would have 90 new chairs by the fall after the Gilman Foundation (United States) through the United Nations Association/United States of America (UNA/USA) had contributed $40,000 for the supply and shipment of 90 chairs that an Italian firm had agreed to supply at below market value.

With regard to the Council's poverty eradication plan, two panels had already taken place and the third would be on ensuring fundamental services and putting vulnerable groups first. The Council's web page had been active since 25 March and the Geneva high-level segment of the substantive session in Geneva would be webcast.

ADAM ADAWA (Kenya) said the coordination provided by the Council to United Nations activities was one of the most important functions of the United Nations. The Council needed to get across the fact that United Nations resources had to be delivered to Africa.

FRANCISCO RABENA (Spain) said all relevant languages of the Council should be on the Web page.

The President said such a decision was up to others.

Further, a drawing by lot decided that Gambia would be seated first at the main session in July.

Mr. FULCI (Italy) also said that by Article 72 of the United Nations Charter, the proper title for the head of the Council was President, and not Chairman.

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