ENB@PrepCom-III: 2 April (day 6)

Tuesday, 2 April

Delegates met in Working Groups I and II throughout the day and into the evening. Working Group I discussed poverty eradication and changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production patterns. Working Group II discussed health and sustainable development and means of implementation. Photo: The G-77/China in Working Group II

Working Group II: Health and sustainable development

Members of the G-77/China

The G-77/China asked for clarification on a reference to the ILO "decent work" programmes, to which the EU responded this is a new ILO designation, which has become more frequent in recent months. He offered to transmit more information to the G-77/China.

The G-77/China reiterated a previous proposal, not reflected in the current text, related to contamination from environmental pollutants including from traditional forms of cooking and heating practices.

The US noted the text does not reference poverty reduction strategies, and supported the building of multisectoral partnerships. Regarding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, he opposed reference to provision of sufficient and additional resources. He also was not convinced that a new international programme was necessary to provide special assistance to children orphaned by AIDS.

Switzerland supported developing programmes and initiatives to reduce mortality rates for infants and children, but added language related to children's health, to reduce disparities between and within developed and developing countries. Switzerland also requested that outdoor pollution be referenced in addition to indoor pollution which is already mentioned.

Regarding HIV/AIDS, Trinidad and Tobago highlighted the Caribbean as a high incidence region.

Samoa during Working Group II's negotiations.

John Klink of the US delegation (right) speaks with a delegate.

Co-Chair Richard Ballhorn (Canada)

The EU supported a G-77/China proposal to develop programmes and initiatives to reduce mortality rates for infants and children under 5 by two thirds, and maternal mortality rates by three-quarters by 2015. He also reiterated the EU proposal to promote occupational health, noting that many diseases are from deficiencies in occupational health.

The EU said the fight against AIDS must be a top priority, and supported a simple firm commitment in the text.

Japan reiterated its proposal on reducing vehicle exhaust emissions.

On HIV/AIDS, the G-77/China requested including reference to the manner in which the struggle against AIDS will be addressed and called attention to its proposal on implementation of national preventive and treatment strategies, including improved education and sexual health awareness.

Working Group I: Poverty Eradication and Changing Unsustainable Patterns of Production and Consumption

The dais during Working Group I

The G-77/China opposed a Swiss proposal in this section on promoting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and critical elements of biodiversity as part of the efforts toward sustainable development and poverty eradication.

The G-77/China supported a paragraph on mitigating the effect of natural disasters on developing countries through scientific, financial and technical resources, as a tool for alleviating poverty.

The G-77/China further emphasized that 77% of deaths related to natural disasters take place in developing countries.

On health and poverty eradication, Canada suggested more succinct language regarding health, to reflect that in light of the important linkages among health, the environment and poverty, capacity of health systems should be strengthened to deliver basic health services and address environmental health threats, especially to people living in poverty.

The Czech Republic supported continuing to change the unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. She stressed the need to balance the economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development and to build capacity to deal with social problems.

The US, regarding natural disasters, said the issue is broader than developing countries. He suggested that developed countries have poor people that are also affected by natural disasters, and suggested language to reflect this.

On consumption and production patterns, Australia proposed language on taking action to address unsustainable consumption patterns in the richer segments of society through provision of education to consumers.

Regarding ecolabeling, she stressed language on ensuring it is not used as a disguised trade barrier, and supported language stating that ecolabels be voluntary.

Regarding disasters, the Republic of Korea requested focusing only on manmade disasters and not natural disasters.

Miscellaneous Photos

Delegates gather at the exhibitions outside the conference rooms