Draft Resolution Urging Parties to Convention on Biological Diversity to Contribute towards Sustainable Development among Texts Approved by Second Committee

The General Assembly would urge parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to facilitate the transfer of technology for the effective implementation of the Convention in accordance with its provisions, according to one of four draft resolutions approved today by the Second Committee (Economic and Financial).

By the terms of that text, titled “Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its contribution to sustainable development”, the Assembly would call upon Governments and all stakeholders to take appropriate measures to mainstream consideration of the socioeconomic impacts and benefits of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components.  Further, the Assembly would stress the importance of the engagement of the private sector and other stakeholders in the implementation of the three objectives of the Convention and in achieving biodiversity targets.

The representative of Canada said the terminology related to indigenous people and local communities used in the draft should be implemented in accordance with the Convention.

The Committee also approved, without a vote, a draft resolution titled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”.  By the terms of that text, the General Assembly would call upon Member States to take urgent action to reverse desertification, land degradation and drought, as appropriate, with the assistance of the United Nations system, and relevant regional and international organizations.  Further, the text encouraged the coordination and collaboration of all stakeholders in enhancing the resilience and harnessing the potential of the affected countries.

By terms of another draft resolution, titled “Report of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme”, the Assembly would urge all Member States and other stakeholders in a position to do so to increase voluntary funding to the Programme, including to the Environment Fund.  Among other items, the Assembly noted the need for continued efforts to broaden the donor base and mobilize resources from all sources, including stakeholders.

The Committee also approved a draft titled “Industrial development cooperation”.  By the terms of the draft, the Assembly emphasized that each country must take the primary responsibility for its own industrial development and that national ownership and leadership were indispensable in the development process.  Further, the Assembly underlined the importance of strengthening existing and forging new partnerships and networks at the global, regional and subregional levels towards achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Also speaking today were representatives of Eritrea, Bahamas, Barbados and Viet Nam.

The Committee will meet again at a date and time to be announced.

Action on Drafts

Taking up the sustainable development cluster, the Committee considered a draft text titled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa” (document A/C.2/69/L.56).  The Committee Chair then informed members that the text contained no programme budget implications.

The representative of Eritrea thanked delegations for working towards reaching consensus on the text, which was adopted without a recorded vote.  The previous version contained in document A/C.2/69/L.19 was withdrawn by the sponsors.

Members next took up a text titled “Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its contribution to sustainable development” (document A/C.2/69/L.55).

The representative of the Bahamas proposed an oral amendment to reflect the conclusions reached at the informal consultations.  The orally corrected draft was approved without a recorded vote.

The representative of Canada said the terminology related to indigenous people and local communities used in the draft should be implemented in accordance with the Convention.  The previous version of the draft contained in document A/C.2/69/L.10 was withdrawn.

Under the same cluster, the Committee considered a draft resolution titled “Report of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme” (document A/C.2/69/L.57).  The Chair informed that the draft contained no programme budget implications.

The representative of Barbados proposed two oral amendments to the text to reflect the consensus reached during informal consultations.  That draft was approved without a recorded vote, following which the sponsors withdrew the previous version contained in document A/C.2/69/L.7.

Turning to the agenda item on eradication of poverty and other development issues, the Committee next considered a draft titled “Industrial development cooperation” (document A/C.2/69/L.58).  The Chair informed that the text contained no programme budget implications.

The representative of Viet Nam thanked participants for their flexibility and cooperation for the timely consensus on the text.  That text was approved without a recorded vote, following which the previous version contained in document A/C.2/69/L.29 was withdrawn.