LINKAGES UPDATE - a fortnightly e-update of new additions to IISD’s Linkages website  - 18 June 2003

RECENT COVERAGE BY IISD REPORTING SERVICES

UNFF CONSIDER PROGRESS IN IPF/IFF PROPOSALS FOR ACTION
26 May - 6 June 2003 | Geneva, Switzerland
Delegates at the third session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-3) addressed progress in implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests proposals for action related to three substantive items: economic aspects of forests; forest health and productivity; and maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs. UNFF-3 adopted six resolutions on: enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination; forest health and productivity; economic aspects of forests; maintaining forest cover to meet present and future needs; the UNFF Trust Fund; and strengthening the Secretariat. UNFF-3 also approved two decisions: on the voluntary reporting format; and on the terms of reference for the three ad hoc expert groups, a task that had been carried forward from UNFF-2. Of particular concern were the terms of reference for the ad hoc expert group charged with recommending the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests. Click here for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin report.

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UNICPOLOS CONVENES MEETING TO CONSIDER SAFETY OF NAVIGATION AND PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
2-6 June 2003 | UNHQ, New York
The fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea convened to exchange views on areas of concern and actions needed, particularly in matters of cooperation and coordination on oceans issues. Two discussion panels were held to consider safety of navigation, including capacity building for the production of nautical charts, and the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems. Delegates agreed on a draft text of elements to be suggested to the General Assembly for its consideration, which included proposals on safety of navigation, the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and cooperation and coordination on ocean issues. Click here for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin report.
 

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MEXICO ACTION SUMMIT EXPLORES FOOD SECURITY, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND BIODIVERSITY STEWARDSHIP
2-3 June 2003 | Mexico City, Mexico
Participants at the Mexico Action Summit explored how increased food production to feed the rural poor can be made compatible with natural resource management and biodiversity stewardship. Delegates also examined how international trade and domestic subsidy policies can be reformed to make sustainable development possible. The meeting provided an action plan for cooperation between business, governments, multilateral institutions and civil society from developing and developed countries, calling on the G-8 and other leaders to act to address hunger and poverty, while protecting and restoring the world’s natural environment for future generations. Click here for the Sustainable Developments summary.

L-R: Ricardo Anguizola (Panama), ITTC-34 Vice-Chairperson Jan McAlpine (US), ITTC-34 Chair Bin Che Yeom Freezailah (Malaysia) and ITTO Executive Director Manoel Sobral Filho

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ITTC MEETS FOR ITS 34TH SESSION
12-17 May 2003 | Panama City, Panama
The 34th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC-34) adopted 11 decisions on, inter alia: projects, pre-projects and activities; the management of the administrative budget; the Asia Forest Partnership; criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; negotiations for a successor agreement to the ITTA, 1994 Agreement; cooperation between ITTO and the CITES on broad-leaf mahogany; the biennial work programme and administrative budget; phased approaches to certification; and the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber. At the session, delegates approved nine projects and eight pre-projects. Click here for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin report.

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MEETING PREPARES FOR THE NEGOTIATION OF A SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT TO THE ITTA, 1994
20-21 May 2003 | Panama City, Panama
Delegates at the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the Negotiation of a Successor Agreement to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 (ITTA, 1994) engaged in preliminary discussions on the scope of and issues pertaining to a new agreement. There was general consensus that: the Successor Agreement should remain a commodity agreement; ITTA, 1994 should be the basis for the negotiations; and relevant new and emerging issues need to be included in the new agreement. The nature of the issues, however, and the extent to which they should be addressed, remained contentious. Click here for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin report.
 

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MEETING ADDRESSES BIODIVERSITY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE MDGs
21-23 May 2003 | London, UK
Organized by the CBD Secretariat in partnership with the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center and UNDP, the 2010 Global Biodiversity Challenge meeting was the second in a series dealing with the linkages between biodiversity, sustainable development and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The meeting’s primary objective was to articulate a framework of action for achieving the 2010 biodiversity target – a target that was endorsed by the Hague Ministerial Declaration and by the World Summit on Sustainable Development’s Plan of Implementation. Click here for the Sustainable Developments report.
 

RECENT MEETINGS

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G-8 SUMMIT CONSIDERS HOW TO PROMOTE GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPROVE SECURITY
1-3 June 2003 | Evian, France
The heads of state of the G-8 countries met with leaders from emerging and developing countries – Algeria, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and South Africa – as well as representatives of the UN, World Bank, IMF and WTO and the President of the Swiss Confederation at this year’s G-8 Summit. The three issue areas on their agenda were promoting global economic growth, enhancing sustainable development and improving security. The leaders discussed implementation of the MDGs and Johannesburg agreements related to a number of issues, including through the adoption of an Action Plan on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development. The leaders agreed to widen their dialogue on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the G-8 Africa Action Plan. They also agreed on ways to improve famine prevention mechanisms and long-term food security, and adopted an Action Plan to help meet the Millennium and Johannesburg goals of halving the number of people without access to clean water and sanitation by 2015. More information.

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EFE MEETING ADOPTS THREE PROTOCOLS, ONE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION AND SEVERAL DECISIONS PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
21-23 May 2003 | Kyiv, Ukraine
Participants at the “Environment for Europe (EfE)” Fifth Pan-European Ministerial Conference adopted a Ministerial Declaration that underlined the importance of the EfE process as a tool to promote environmental protection and sustainable development in the region and thus contribute to wider peace and security. Ministers from Central and Eastern Europe adopted and signed the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians. Three Protocols to Conventions of the UNECE region, and several decisions were also adopted during the meeting. Another highlight was a decision to formally adopt the goal of halting the degradation of the region’s biological and landscape diversity by the year 2010, together with nine specific measurable targets for ensuring that this overall goal is achieved. The Ministers and Heads of delegation also endorsed the Guidelines for Strengthening Compliance with and Implementation of MEAs in the UNECE region. More information.

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AFRICAN EXPERTS DISCUSS MEANS OF ENHANCING RIO PRINCIPLE 10
4-5 June 2003 | Nairobi, Kenya
This workshop met to discuss ways to enhance the implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration relating to Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision- making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. Responding in part to a decision taken at the 22nd session of UNEP’s Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in February 2003, the workshop was organized by UNEP to strengthen the Rule of Law and governance through the development and effective implementation of environmental law in Africa. It provided a forum for African experts to examine issues relating to the scope and content of the three pillars of Rio Principle 10, and the full range of implications of their effective enforcement at the national level. More information.

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TRIPS COUNCIL DEBATES BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
4-6 June 2003 | Geneva, Switzerland
Discussions were held on the review of article 27.3(b) of the TRIPS Agreement, on intellectual property and traditional knowledge, and on the relation between TRIPS and the CBD. The meeting addressed a new paper by the Africa Group reiterating their demand that patents on all life forms and living processes be prohibited, that countries be able to use a sui generis system of their choice, and that traditional knowledge be better protected. The meeting also considered a paper by a group of developing countries elaborating on their earlier proposal that TRIPS require patent applications involving genetic materials or traditional knowledge to disclose the country of origin accompanied by evidence of prior informed consent and benefit sharing arrangements. More information.

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ATHENS WATER CONFERENCE CONSIDERS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR PEACE
6-7 May 2003 | Athens, Greece
Delegates to this meeting conducted a thematic review of opportunities and constraints related to cross-border management of river basins, lake basins, and shared aquifers. The Athens Declaration endorsed a new form of Diplomacy for Environment and Sustainable Development to enhance cooperation on water at all levels of foreign and domestic policy, among governments, international agencies, private industries, and the full array of NGOs. More information.

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DEFYING OCEAN’S END CONFERENCE AIMS TO REVERSE DECLINE IN WORLD’S OCEANS
30 May - 3 June 2003 | Los Cabos, Mexico
This event brought together scientists, economists, conservationists, and senior government representatives from more than 20 countries to develop a comprehensive and achievable agenda to reverse the decline in health of the world’s ocean. The meeting resulted in several recommendations, including the need to: promote a World Ocean Public Trust; expand the global system of marine parks; and to create an ocean ethic. More information.

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UN-HABITAT GOVERNING COUNCIL COMMITS TO STRENGTHENING AGENCY
5-9 May 2003 | Nairobi, Kenya
Government delegates approved a US$44 million budget for the UN Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation for the 2004-2005 biennium, and adopted a “record number” of resolutions committed to improving the capacity of the agency to addressing the challenges of urbanization. Recommendations were aimed at, inter alia, enhancing the ability of UN-Habitat to assist governments in implementing the Habitat Agenda and to meeting the Millennium Development goals. Special emphasis was also given to the least developed countries and countries with economies in transition. A resolution mainstreaming gender perspectives with the agency’s activities was also passed. More information.
 

 MEDIA REPORTS

CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY RECEIVES 50TH SIGNATURE, WILL ENTER INTO FORCE ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2003
As a consequence of Palau’s ratification on 13 June, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety will enter into force on 11 September 2003. More.

EU LAUNCHES ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TIMBER TRADE
The European Union has recently launched its Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, designed to curb the growing trade in illicit logging and illegally harvested timber in wood-producing countries using preventative measures. More information.

ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS ENDORSE DESERTIFICATION AGREEMENT
Ministers from 30 Asian and Pacific countries recently signed the Abu Dhabi Declaration for the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, calling for global efforts to address the problem of desertification. More information.

LEADING INTERNATIONAL BANKS ADOPT EQUATOR PRINCIPLES ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
Ten banks from seven countries have recently announced their adoption of the Equator Principles, a set of voluntary guidelines for managing the social and environmental issues related to development financing. More information.

€30 MILLION STRATEGY LAUNCHED TO PROTECT WEST AFRICA’S COASTS AND SEAS
Approved recently by environment and fisheries ministers from six West African countries, the Regional Strategy for Marine Protected Areas in West Africa contains a suite of actions costing €30 million over a five year period that will enhance the management of marine and coastal resources and optimize their contribution to social and environmental security, sustained livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. More information.

PERU RATIFIES INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES
Peru, the cradle of plant species fundamental to world food consumption, such as the tomato and potato, ratified the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture on 5 June 2003. More information.

BIODIVERSITY ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION
On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May, Kofi Annan recalled that “biological diversity is essential for human existence and has a crucial role to play in sustainable development and the eradication of poverty.” More information.

EU SETS DEADLINE FOR COMMENTING ON REACH CHEMICALS PROPOSALS
Stakeholders have until 10 July 2003 to comment on the draft overhaul of EU chemicals legislation contained in the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals (REACH). More information.

DENMARK IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON EUROPE’S MOST WIDELY USED HERBICIDE
Danish Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt has announced far-reaching restrictions on glyphosate, Europe’s most widely used herbicide, sparking a row with manufacturers. More information.
 

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UNEP LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN CHEMICALS, HAZARDOUS WASTES AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
UNEP has launched an initiative aimed at improving coordinated intelligence gathering, information exchange and cooperation among the various agencies that are involved in combating the multi-billion dollar illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances, toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes and endangered species. More information.

WATER ISSUES FEATURE ON G-8 SUMMIT AGENDA
The G-8 industrialized nations agreed at the recent Evian Summit to develop and implement new measures to address a number of humanitarian concerns, such as food security, public health and environmental issues. The G-8 agreed to take action to improve access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation and pledged new measures to address maritime environmental concerns. More information.

WATER TAKES CENTER STAGE ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
In recognition of the International Year of Freshwater, the theme of this year’s World Environment Day – “Water: Two Billion People are Dying for It” - focused on global water issues. More information.

WSSCC WINS INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) has recently received two awards in relation to its activities, programmes and campaigns. The first is the United Nations Association of Greater Boston Leadership Award for the Council’s global advocacy and people-centered focus in promoting water, sanitation and hygiene to underserved populations in the developing world. The WSSCC has also won the Sulabh International Social Service Organization’s 2003 Global Sanitation Award in recognition of its critical role in the prevention of hygiene, environmental sanitation and social justice. More information.

INTERNATIONAL WATER AWARD SEEKING NOMINATIONS
Nominations for the Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz International Prize for Water are now being accepted. More information.

FORMER IMF CHIEF CALLS FOR CLEAN WATER
Speaking to the Committee on World Food Security, former International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Michel Camdessus stressed the importance of clean water and said that an increase of $100 billion a year was needed to bring safe water to the 1.1 billion people who now do without. More information.

CALL FOR WORLD WATER FORUM HOST
The World Water Council, organizer of the recent 3rd World Water Forum in Japan, is seeking candidatures to host the next Forum scheduled for 2006. More information.

NEW CORAL REEF FUND LAUNCHED
The United Nations Foundation and the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) have launched the Coral Reef Fund, aimed at helping protect and manage more than 110,000 square miles of damaged or threatened coral reef worldwide. More information.

UNRISD LAUNCHES PROJECT ON UN WORLD SUMMITS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT
The Untied Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) has launched a two-year research project on civil society engagement at UN World Summits. More information.