COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS WITH VIEW TO CONCLUDING CURRENT SESSION LATER TODAY

Commission on Sustainable Development

Ninth Session

12^th Meeting (AM)

COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS

WITH VIEW TO CONCLUDING CURRENT SESSION LATER TODAY

The Commission on Sustainable Development, in a brief meeting this morning, discussed its programme of work in the remaining hours of the session and decided to proceed today in informal consultations in a single contact group on all outstanding issues.  It further decided to continue drafting work on atmosphere and nuclear energy issues immediately following its morning meeting.

At the outset of the meeting, the Commission’s Chairman said the session had reached a critical stage.  Only a few hours were left to reach agreement on important issues and secure a successful conclusion.   He urged all delegations to do everything possible to ensure the success of the session.

Several delegations expressed concern about the schedule, saying that many delegations from developing countries could not follow several negotiations at the same time. 

The representative of Iran, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said that links existed between many issues and a multitude of working groups would not be effective.  He proposed the formation of a contact group to do a focused job.

Speaking on procedural issues this morning were the representatives of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United States, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Sweden (on behalf of the European Union) and Ecuador.

The Commission will continue its work today at a time to be announced.

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