EL PRESIDENTE: Les indico que la distinguida delegación de Nigeria presentará por escrito a la Secretaría su intervención, que quedará registrada enteramente en el verbatim de este Consejo.
Distinguidos delegados, les recuerdo cuán atrasados estamos y la importancia de que puedan recortar sus intervenciones lo máximo posible. Otorgo la palabra a la distinguida delegación de Cabo Verde.
César Augusto André MONTEIRO (Cap-Vert): Ma délégation félicite le Secrétariat de la FAO pour la qualité du document relatif au rôle normatif vital de l'Organisation en matière du développement durable des forêts. Le Cap-Vert a beaucoup apprécié les diverses et intéressantes mesures adoptées par le Directeur général de la FAO en ce qui concerne la promotion de l'aménagement et du développement durable des forêts et le suivi de la CNUED.
Les conclusions et recommandations contenues dans le rapport d'experts extérieurs de haut niveau et adressé aussi bien au Directeur général qu'à l'Organisation méritent notre soutien. Nous sommes satisfaits que ces recommandations aient été acceptées par le Directeur général qui a d'ailleurs commencé à en mettre en oeuvre quelques-unes.
Le Cap-Vert, pays sahélien qui traverse une fois de plus une année agricole critique due à une nouvelle année de sécheresse, préconise dans son programme gouvernemental les principes de préservation de l'environnement et de la protection de l'écosystème. Il appuie donc une politique forestière au niveau mondial qui réponde aux besoins humains fondamentaux et favorise le développement socio-économique, la sécurité alimentaire et la protection de l'environnement par la prémisse d'un programme d'action qui consacre les
ressources aux problèmes prioritaires - la coopération, la participation et le dialogue international - tel que proposé par le groupe d'experts.
Dans le cadre de la politique d'aménagement durable des forêts et tenant compte de sa matérialisation, il nous semble qu'avant tout il faudrait définir des critères objectifs et des indicateurs pratiques.
Mme Norma BURLINGTON (Canada): Je vous remercie Monsieur le Président et je remercie également M. Hjort pour son aperçu de la question.
Le document de la FAO nous donne des éléments de stratégie et un bon inventaire des mesures prises et à prendre. Il faudra toutefois bien coordonner ces mesures avec les autres organismes, pour éviter leur dédoublement et assurer un bon rapport coût-efficacité. Par exemple, le programme des Nations Unies pour le développement est près de se doter d'une bonne capacité qui pourrait en faire l'organisme onusien tout désigné pour ces activités dans le secteur forestier. Pour l'établissement des priorités, on propose tout d'abord le renforcement du Programme d'évaluation des ressources forestières mondiales, qui est une activité clé et déjà très valable de la FAO. On propose aussi de veiller particulièrement aux 7 questions définies par le Groupe intergouvernemental de travail sur les forêts (GITF). Nous avons parrainé ce groupe avec la Malaisie pour faciliter l'examen des questions clés de politique forestière avec la CDD en 1995.
Le compte rendu de la deuxième réunion du GITF en octobre, maintenant publié, présente toute une gamme d'options, d'occasions et d'approches à l'égard de certaines des questions saillantes sur les forêts. Nous y voyons une base solide pour la réunion ministérielle ainsi que pour l'examen que fera la CDD en mars 1995.
La FAO s'est réservée un rôle ambitieux dans la promotion de son rôle normatif dans le contexte de l'aménagement durable des forêts ainsi que pour l'après-Rio. Nous croyons qu'il est crucial pour la FAO d'augmenter les ressources allouées au secteur forestier de façon à ce que ses activités normatives reçoivent toute l'attention qu'elles méritent. Selon plusieurs pays membres, cette approche devrait permettre à l'Organisation de bien remplir son mandat et affirmer sa compétence dans ce secteur.
Nous appuyons entièrement les moyens qu'a pris la FAO pour convoquer la première réunion des ministres chargés des forêts. Le succès de la réunion ministérielle dépendra beaucoup de ses préparatifs. Nous encourageons la FAO à accorder la plus haute priorité aux préparatifs de cette réunion.
Nous voyons dans cette réunion une occasion pour la FAO d'examiner de nombreuses initiatives des pays membres dans le dessein de jeter les bases d'une harmonisation et d'une organisation éventuelle des efforts en vue de l'examen de la CDD. Nous encourageons le Directeur général à convoquer régulièrement des réunions des ministres des forêts, pour obtenir des conseils sur l'après-Rio.
Nous voyons dans la réunion de la CDD en 1995 une occasion unique pour le Directeur général de la FAO d'asseoir son rôle de chef de file et celui de son organisation en rendant compte des résultats des délibérations de la réunion ministérielle et, par là, en proposant un programme d'action prioritaire.
Marco Antonio BRANDAO (Brazil): My delegation wishes to thank Mr Hjort for his comprehensive report yesterday on this matter. We should also like to have a copy of that document as it is certainly very useful.
I should also like to congratulate the Secretariat on its preparation of the documentation for this item. The documentation gives us a very good picture of FAO's work in the field of forestry and in the context of the implementation of the conclusions of the Rio Summit. In this connection we wish to confirm the views expressed by the Brazilian delegation to the Eleventh Session on Forestry held in 1993 when we stressed the role of FAO in the coordination of international cooperation within the United Nations System, as well as for the implementation of actions, programmes and forestry arising from the decisions of UNCED.
Recently there has been a proliferation of initiatives on the theme of forestry. Some of them are very useful and my country has participated in them. Others seem to aim at setting up bodies or committees to deal with forestry outside the framework established by UNCED and General Assembly Resolution 47/191. Most of
them lack a clear mandate or institutional underpinning, and often seem to be at cross purposes with decisions taken by the Rio Summit and General Assembly on the issue.
Such a state of affairs is a cause for great concern as it contains the danger of hampering, or even derailing, the process to be followed in the post-UNCED phase pursuant to the aforementioned decisions. In view of its mandate, its well-known capacity and the representative nature of its membership, and having been assigned the functions of Task Manager for inter-agency action under the pertinent Chapter of Agenda 21, FAO is uniquely placed to ensure that intergovernmental activities regarding forestry proceed according to UNCED commitments and are channelled to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and its appropriate organs.
In the considered opinion of the Brazilian Government its important role would be to strengthen it by preparing intensively for the coming session of the Committee on Forestry, as well as for the ministerial encounter which will be held in conjunction with it. To that end, it is appropriate that the conclusions of the high-level panel of external experts on forestry which was held in the autumn of this year be fully examined and evaluated by governments.
There does seem to be a need to clear up the somewhat blurred picture emerging from recent proposals of an institutional nature referred to above.
The Brazilian Government therefore appreciates FAO's efforts to enhance - and here I quote the Director-General - the work of the Organization's forestry, to project a higher profile and adopt a more pro-active posture.
M. MAJID-UL HAQUE (Bangladesh): I would like to thank the Secretariat for presenting a comprehensive report containing concrete proposals for strengthening the normative role of FAO in sustainable forest management and the cooperative role in UNCED follow-up. The proposals cover a wide range of actions that will greatly contribute to better management, conservation and development of the world's forests.
We are pleased to note the initiatives and actions of the Director-General on forestry matters mentioned in the report. Arrangements of policy advice for future FAO activities in forestry, involvement of Member Governments and NGOs in guiding FAO strategy for forestry, continued priority to Tropical Forestry Action Plan and adoption of cross-sectoral approach with greater interaction between agriculture and forestry are some of the proposed activities that are very important for FAO for evolving a sound forestry strategy with adequate budgetary provision in the Programme of Work and Budget. A strengthened normative function is a prerequisite for an effective operational role that FAO will be expected to play in fostering sustainable forest management. As one of the Task Managers, FAO is well placed to play a key role in promoting international cooperation and coordination in matters relating to follow-up of UNCED decisions on forestry. Collaboration and interaction with other designated agencies, intergovernmental bodies and private sector organizations will facilitate greater harmonization of initiatives.
Policy advice to governments in need of such assistance to formulate and implement appropriate plans for conservation and sustainable use of forest resources should continue to be a priority activity of FAO. Special emphasis should be given to strengthening national capacities, both human resources and institutional arrangements, in order that the countries are better equipped to plan, manage and increase their forest resources. Support to national activities in the conservation of forest genetic resources and the formulation of strategies for wood and non-wood forest development would be particularly helpful.
We welcome FAO's plan to expand further the coverage of its forest resources assessment programme in 1994/95 biennium. This programme will substantially improve the capacity of many member countries in monitoring and assessing their forest resources. We also support the proposal to convene an intergovernmental Panel of Experts to address issues relating to a comprehensive assessment of all types of forests. We are of the view that increased budgetary provisions are necessary in the future Programme of Work and Budget to continue this important activity. As such, we urge the donor community to provide extra-budgetary resources and bilateral assistance to the extent possible for building country capacity and for promoting TCDC.
Finally, we would like to make a comment on paragraph 43 of the report. We are inclined to share the view that there are perhaps more international agencies dealing with forestry issues than are actually necessary. Apart from the risk of dispersal of scarce resources, the question of overlapping of functions and duplication of efforts is a matter of concern. Recent restructuring and a revitalization exercise in the UN system took into consideration, among other things, the need to avoid duplication of activities among various agencies. FAO may, therefore, consider raising this issue with its intergovernmental partners at the ACC or other relevant fora in the United Nations system.
S. TRIYONO (Indonesia): Mr Chairman, it is a pleasure for me to address the Director-General and the Secretariat for preparing such an excellent document as CL 107/6 and CL 107/6 Sup.1.
With regard to Item 6.2, allow me to inform you that Indonesia is committed to carrying out sustainable forest management by any means. Among others there are (a) current forestry policy reforms towards integrating economic, socio and ecological aspects of our resources; (b) strictly monitoring the implementation in the field; and (c) issuing a national Forestry Action Programme.
On this occasion I would like to explore the issue of restrictions on trade in tropical forest products as one of the forestry issues to be considered by FAO. Actions and campaigns on imports of forest products, especially tropical forest timber, have become a common trend. These actions are supported by a number of local governments, NGOs and, increasingly, by commercial interests seeking an advantage in the market place.
Restrictions on trade in tropical forest products are likely to contribute to a decline in the economic value of forests. A less valuable resource will in turn reduce the interest, willingness and ability of governments and the private sector to conserve the forests or to improve forest management. In turn this will result in pressure to convert forest areas to other more immediately valuable land uses. Investment in reforestation and improved tropical forest management will only occur if the value of tropical forest products remains high.
Actions that weaken national economies will only reinforce the cycle of poverty which is the root cause of deforestation. The causes of deforestation and degradation are complex. The expansion of agriculture in all its forms, and the over-exploitation of forests for fuel woods, are by far the major contributors.
Such actions are contrary to the "forest principle" approved unanimously at the 1992 UNCED which specifically called for the removal or avoidance of unilateral measures to restrict or ban international trade in timber and other forest products. We are all concerned in sustainable development. The sustainable management of forests is not, therefore, a goal in itself but part of the broader issue of sustainable forestry development which is, in turn, part of the process of sustainable development.
We realize that FAO is one of the international organizations which has a strong interest in and a mandate relating to all forest issues. We also understand that, following the UNCED decision, FAO was designated by the UN Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development as Task Manager charged with promoting coordination of the UNCED decision in the land segment (including forestry). FAO's interest and role in issues concerning all types of the world's forests lie in the sound management of utilization of forests. Some of the procedures should contribute to the well-being of the developing countries.
In conclusion, principles and criteria for sustainable forest management must not discriminate between tropical timber and non-tropical timber since such a practice could disadvantage many countries, especially developing countries, in the market place. If we are all agreed on this principle, certification and labelling must therefore be adopted for all types of forest products. We would be happy if this issue were to be discussed in detail at the next COFO meeting and reported directly to the following forestry ministerial meeting.
In order for FAO to establish its leadership in the rapidly evolving dialogue on forests at different levels, the Indonesian delegation would like to support the recommendations of the High-Level Panel of External Experts in Forestry which stated among other things that, firstly, FAO become more visibly active and pro-active in shaping the forest agenda, especially related to the issue of restrictions on trade in all types of forest products; and, secondly, that FAO should review the current initiatives on criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management of all types of forests and give the highest immediate priority to the preparation of COFO and the ministerial meeting in March 1995.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias, delegado de Indonesia, por sus comentarios que quizá meriten a estas alturas algunas puntualizaciones de parte de la Secretaría.
Otorgo la palabra al Señor Hjort para que haga algún comentario en ese sentido.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: With respect to the matter that has just been brought before you, restrictions on trade in tropical products related to timber certification and eco-labelling, I wish to inform the Council that this matter is of concern to the Forestry Department and to the Director-General. The Director-General has decided that this issue, along with other important issues, should be addressed at the forthcoming meeting of COFO and by the Ministers in March 1995.
EL PRESIDENTE: Creo que habrán tomado nota de estos comentarios que espero consideren en sus declaraciones.
Lucas Guillermo CASTILLO (Venezuela): La delegación de Venezuela, señor Presidente, agradece a la Secretaría la elaboración de los documentos pertinentes a este tema, así como la presentación que hizo ayer del mismo.
No hay duda de que para toda la comunidad internacional el tema de los bosques y árboles reviste una importancia fundamental. Es de lamentar que los productos sustitutivos de la madera, por ejemplo, no se hayan descubierto miles de años antes. Si ello hubiera sucedido tal vez los pulmones de la tierra fueran más amplios y existiera para todos un oxígeno menos contaminado del que hoy respiramos, aunque, por supuesto, sería injusto imputar toda la culpa a la deforestación y no mencionar los insecticidas, los productos químicos, los desechos tóxicos, los aerosoles y todo un género de productos, consecuencias del adelanto tecnológico.
Venezuela, señor Presidente, si bien no se opone a que la FAO se encargue de la ordenación sostenible de los bosques y sobre todo de su función cooperativa en las actividades complementarias que le fueron propuestas, tiene dudas sobre algunas de las funciones y estrategia global de sus actividades sugeridas por el Cuadro de Expertos en los párrafos 12 y siguientes del documento CL 107/6-Sup.1.
Por otra parte, nos parece sumamente precipitado la solicitud del Cuadro de Expertos de pretender desde ya examinar la posibilidad de convertir los "principios forestales" de la Cumbre de Río en un acuerdo internacional vinculante sobre los bosques.
Tampoco compartimos los criterios expresados por el Cuadro de Expertos de ampliar la composición del grupo. Estamos conscientes de que muchos entes no gubernamentales realizan en este campo una labor encomiable; sin embargo, el tema debe quedar bajo el control de la Organización.
Venezuela se encuentra entre los países de mayor potencialidad forestal de América Latina. Se dispone de una considerable e importante extensión de bosques cuyas características cualitativas y cuantitativas son apropiadas para emprender un desarrollo forestal sustentable. Contribuyen notablemente con este potencial las extensas plantaciones con fines industriales que se han establecido en el país, así como la gran disponibilidad de tierras ociosas o subutilizadas aptas para el desarrollo forestal de este tipo de proyectos. La política de ordenamiento territorial determinó la definición de una política forestal orientada a la consolidación de este sector como verdadero factor de desarrollo en el contexto nacional en atención al significativo potencial de este recurso y la necesidad de garantizar un desarrollo sustentable.
Los principales rectores que gobiernan la política forestal nacional se fundamentan en los siguientes postulados:
- El manejo sustentable de nuestros bosques productores, con el propósito de garantizar la producción forestal para satisfacer las necesidades de generar bienes y servicios sin comprometer las posibilidades de generar bienestar para las futuras generaciones.
- La consolidación de los diversos esquemas de "uso de bosques" con sus funciones ecológica, economica y social.
- La expansion progresiva de cubierta forestal con la finalidad de incrementar los múltiples beneficios que los bosques generen.
- La posibilidad que representa el sector forestal e incorporar extensas regiones del país al proceso de desarrollo ambientalmente concebido sobre la base de estos principios.
Para la puesta en práctica y fortalecimiento de actividades derivadas de la ejecución, capítulo 11, del Programa 21, Venezuela ha adelantado acciones, tales como las siguientes:
- La consolidación de programas de manejo del bosque natural, en reservas forestales para lograr una producción forestal sustentable.
- La promoción a nivel nacional de un vasto programa de plantaciones con participación de las comunidades locales.
- El desarrollo de programas dirigidos a disminuir las tasas de deforestación.
- Programas de conservación de cuencas, orientados a enfrentar las causas y efectos del deterioro de los recursos en estas unidades territoriales.
- La consolidación del sistema de áreas bajo régimen de administración especial, dirigido a conservar y proteger espacios con características ambientales particulares.
Estamos conscientes, señor Presidente, de la importancia que tienen todos los tipos de bosque en el sostenimiento de la vida en el planeta y de la necesidad de disminuir y detener el proceso de destrucción a que han sido sometidos.
En este sentido, reconocemos los esfuerzos que se vienen gestando con el propósito de propiciar la reflexión sobre los términos de una posible alianza que refleje un consenso mundial que propenda a nuevos niveles de cooperación. Esta alianza debe ser equitativa, y respetar los intereses de todos, así como el derecho soberano de los estados de aprovechar sus propios recursos, de manera consistente con las prioridades y objetivos.
Además, debe reconocerse que el manejo sustentable de bosques requiere de inversiones técnicas y financieras para potenciar las posibilidades del uso forestal de los países en desarrollo y, que a su vez, debe fomentar un sector que puede ofrecer alternativas para el bienestar económico y social, por cuanto en los países en desarrollo el aprovechamiento de los bosques plantea situaciones de orden socioeconómico.
En muchos casos, las comunidades que habitan en torno de los bosques naturales viven en condiciones de pobreza, lo que les obliga a recurrir a ellos como fuente de recurso para su subsistencia.
Cualquier debate o reflexión mundial sobre los bosques debe estar vinculado a la Convención sobre Cambios Climáticos y especialmente en lo concerniente al papel de éstos como sumideros y reservorios de C02.
Igualmente, deben considerarse otros aspectos tales como:
- El derecho de las poblaciones autóctonas, cuya subsistencia depende de los bosques, a continuar haciendo uso tradicional de los mismos respetando sus valores culturales.
- Destacar la necesidad de restauración forestal de las cuencas hidrográficas mediante reforestación, armonización con otros usos sustentables.
- Dentro del marco de la agricultura sustentable debe procurarse incrementar la productividad de las tierras agrícolas actualmente en uso, especialmente de los países en desarrollo.
- Resaltar la importancia del fortalecimiento de investigación para el desarrollo y aprovechamiento sustentable de los bosques naturales y plantados.
Asimismo, debe asignarse un papel preponderante al desarrollo armonioso del comercio internacional de productos forestales prohibiendo toda restricción unilateral. Es necesario enfatizar el respeto a los principios garantes de la discriminación, el apoyo y auxilio al comercio de los países en vías de desarrollo y la censura a cualquier tipo de adopción en medidas de mercado que, amparadas en preceptos ambientales, favorezcan rechazos unilaterales.
Ms Rosanne KAVA (Australia): We thank Mr Hjort for his very informative introductory statement and the Secretariat for providing copies of it to us so promptly.
The main document before us provides a comprehensive picture of FAO's considerable involvement in the UNCED follow-up on forest issues. Australia endorses strongly FAO's goals on promoting effective, consistent and concerted action at the national and international levels for the implementation of UNCED decisions regarding the sustainable management of forests. The document also provides a useful review on the initiatives that are underway to develop criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. We believe this work is a central means of carrying forward the UNCED decisions on forests and deserves our fullest support in the lead-up to the 1995 session of the CSD and beyond.
Like many previous speakers, Australia has taken an active role in these initiatives, and we have been very pleased to note the priority that FAO has given to its own involvement in this work. This has been reflected in the FAO input which has been of high quality and, as acknowledged by many others, of material assistance in moving forward the consideration of these complex issues. The pivotal importance of the ministerial session of COFO to be held in March next year in preparing for the CSD's consideration of forest issues has also been emphasized previously. We, too, stress its significance. Adequate and early preparation for this meeting by the FAO Secretariat and the members will be essential if we are to seize the opportunity it provides in terms of guidance for FAO's forestry programmes, the examination, and as far as possible, the convergence of the various forestry initiatives currently underway, and the development of clear messages to be transmitted to the CSD. Early availability of papers will be essential to allow members to do their part effectively.
With regard to the current forestry initiatives, we recognize that there would be benefits in achieving convergence of some or all of these initiatives on criteria and indicators prior to the 1995 CSD session. Australia strongly supports efforts to this end. However, we also consider it is important that these initiatives be permitted to run their course, to examine and reach conclusions on the issues that they have set for themselves and to converge as they do so. Australia believes that a convergence reached in this way will be more durable and productive and will lead to a stronger and more lasting consensus than one which is achieved sooner but without allowing for full consideration of the issues.
Narayanan KANAN (Malaysia): On Agenda 6.2, my Delegation would like to make certain comments on FAO's role in the UNCED follow-up on forestry issues with specific reference to (a) areas for immediate implementation in the report of the panel of experts as outlined by Mr Hjort in his intervention, which we find very useful and for which we thank him, and (b) certain recommendations of the said panel which we feel merit our more detailed consideration. These comments are to facilitate concrete decisions on the forthcoming ministerial session on forests and initiatives for which we congratulate the Director-General of FAO. Firstly, on the proposals for a report annually on the state of the world's forests as outlined in paragraph 32 of the report, our comment is that before this in done the Secretariat should base any such report on objective criteria based on detailed knowledge and research. Otherwise, it will just provide an excuse for another round of tropical timber bashing, something we would rather avoid at this stage of reconciliation of views and action.
On criteria indicators for sustainable management, we urge the Secretariat to integrate and build on the vast body of knowledge already done by agencies like the ITO and IWGS. There is no need to re-invent the wheel because much of the work has already been done, and we should just integrate some of these concerns. On the preparatory work for possible discussion on legally binding instruments for forestry, we again request FAO to consult intensively for the policy and strategy proposals of a wide body of political support before it
comes before the ministers. In this regard, we urge FAO to consult in particular those countries with the biggest stake in these matters.
On the report on the panel of experts, my Delegation would first like to refer to paragraph 27 on the TFAP. We support the budgeting of the TFAP framework to cover all types of forest. We stress the word "all". In fact, my delegation believes that such a holistic approach covering all forests should be a basic keystone of all FAO initiatives on forests. In paragraph 44 of the report, it seems apparent that the panel speaks for many countries when it indicates that forestry is a poor stepchild to FAO's other sectors. We have seen in this Council and the run-up to this Council a preoccupation of the FAO with buzz words like "lead agency" and words like that. Out contention is that the bottom line is the action programmes on the ground and the realization of these programmes. We believe that the donor community and Member Governments will make food the necessary financial and political support if ever FAO demonstrates in real terms its priorities and capacities. In this regard, it has a chance to prove itself and its leadership in the case of forestry in the run-up to UNCED early next year. In particular, the meeting of the ministers will be crucial. This is not to say that we would be asking FAO to detract from its other important goals. We are merely requesting that a lead agency should demonstrate its capacity in this area.
Before I conclude, my delegation would also like to touch on the very real trade problems being faced by tropical timber-exporting countries. The delegate of Indonesia has already eloquently explained the situation. My delegation would merely add a request to FAO to ensure that its work on sustainable management should be geared towards all types of forests and to solving real world problems. If negotiations are to be considered at a multilateral level, decisions should cover all countries equally and equitably. It would be pointless for national governments to undertake prolonged negotiations only to have local governments taking over the action. The Secretariat may wish to address such real problems in realistic options at the coming meeting of Ministers.
M. A. ARDESHIRI (Iran, Islamic Republic of): My delegation wishes to extend its thanks to the Secretariat for the informative and comprehensive documentation and special thanks to Mr Hjort, Deputy Director-General, for the excellent introduction to the subject and for preparing document CL 107/INF/25 promptly.
With regard to Item 6.2 of our Agenda, as we have frequently stated before, we are of the strong opinion that conservation and sustainable management of forest resources in developing countries is mainly dependent on socio-economic conditions of forest-dependent populations of these countries. In line with this belief, and with regard to the issues pointed out in document CL 107/6, I wish briefly to make some comments about our great concern.
First, in view of the fact that modalities of forestry programme implementation and quality of work at field level in developing countries are extremely important in relation to FAO efforts in fulfilment of its mandate and also in achieving its objectives, we believe that, in addition to the normative role of FAO in UNCED follow-up, its operational role is also highly necessary. FAO should be involved in operational activities of the related programmes and chapters of UNCED follow-up actions, including chapters 10 to 14 of Agenda 21.
Second, regarding worldwide activities such as initiatives mentioned in paragraph 10, we believe that these activities need to be concerted and harmonized towards their common objectives. In this context, we support the FAO role in harmonizing these activities at both international and national levels, in particular the activities related to chapters 10 to 14 of Agenda 21.
Third, with regard to the sustainability approach in the forest sector, it is crucial that the specific condition of each country in relation to sustainable forestry be taken into account. Accordingly, a sustainable forest management programme must be planned and formulated in conformity with the specific conditions and national forestry action plan of each country concerned. In this regard, we fully support the idea that FAO should allocate more resources in support of national policy action plans under the Regular Programme, as mentioned in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the document before us.
Fourth, with regard to capacity-building and human-resources development in respect of the forestry sector in developing countries, we fully support this idea, as we have done in our interventions on several occasions.
However, it should be noted that in many developing countries there is potential capacity for sound forest management but in nearly all of them there is no organized and legal mechanism for undertaking the respective coordination and harmonization tasks and accepting the responsibility of the cross-sectoral activities for effective cooperation among forestry administration, private sectors and particularly rural community organizations.
Therefore, we believe that FAO, as necessary, in respect of the administrative structure of each country, could introduce the appropriate mechanisms through the assistance process to Member States in preparing their national forestry action plan.
Finally, with regard to the formulating criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management as indicated in paragraph 17 of document CL 107/6-Sup.1, many geographic areas and countries have not been involved in the mentioned initiatives. Therefore, we fully support the idea that efforts should be continued in order to examine and identify criteria and indicators for all geographic regions and countries.
Raphaël RABE (Madagascar): L'intervention de la délégation de Madagascar sur ce point si important de notre ordre du jour vise surtout à partager avec cette auguste assemblée l'optimisme qui caractérise son sentiment à l'endroit du rôle que la FAO jouera dans le futur dans le secteur forestier, mondial, régional et national.
En effet, après la déclaration du Directeur général lui-même et celle de M. Hjort, déclarations au demeurant très claires et pragmatiques, il apparaît sans ambiguïté aucune que le Secrétariat a choisi la politique d'ouverture et développé l'esprit de partenariat dans ses activités et actions futures. C'est de cette façon - et de cette façon seulement - que le rôle de maître d'oeuvre attribué à la FAO par le Comité inter-institutions de développement durable pourra être correctement rempli. D'ores et déjà, il est précisé que les rapports du maître d'oeuvre et du Secrétaire général seront élaborés en étroite collaboration avec les autres organisations et institutions intéressées du système des Nations Unies, avec les organisations inter-gouvernementales et non gouvernementales concernées, et, bien entendu, avec le secteur privé et les industries privées.
Les rapports des gouvernements constitueront aussi, bien entendu, la matière principale des rapports et les commissions régionales des forêts apporteront une contribution précieuse. Des séances importantes et décisives se présentent en 1995 et, compte tenu des délais très restreints qui nous séparent de ces séances, seule une conjugaison des efforts et des moyens des différents protagonistes permettra de répondre aux exigences. Cela devient donc une condition sine qua non que, fort heureusement, le Secrétariat a parfaitement compris, ce dont nous nous félicitons.
Ma délégation ne peut que faire siennes toutes les déclarations des délégations qui ont assisté sur la nécessité de bien préparer la Conférence ministérielle sur les forêts et de soumettre aux ministres des questions et des sujets de haute politique qui conditionneront le développement futur du secteur en harmonie, bien entendu, avec les dispositions pertinentes des différents instruments mondiaux sur l'environnement et le développement durable. Elle reconnaît aussi qu'il faudra traiter des programmes d'action forestier nationaux et du renforcement des capacités nationales.
Les autres points de l'ordre du jour indiqués au paragraphe 13 du document CL 107/1/INF/25 méritent une attention toute particulière. Nous pensons qu'il y a également lieu de prendre de toute urgence toutes les mesures qui permettront de renforcer la capacité du département des forêts pour lui permettre de faire face aux tâches énormes et difficiles qui l'attendent, notamment et surtout en matière de statistiques, collecte, vérification, synthèse, interprétation et diffusion des données et en matière de recherche forestière et d'application des nouvelles technologies.
La nomination du titulaire de ce département est un besoin impératif. Nous sommes heureux que le Directeur général l'ait mentionné dans son discours et nous sommes sûrs qu'il prendra les dispositions nécessaires. Il va sans dire que les moyens financiers requis pour ces nouvelles actions et activités devront être mobilisés; et nous nous joignons à l'appel lancé par de nombreuses délégations pour que le département puisse disposer au plus vite de ces moyens.
Enfin, les documents CL 1078/6, CL 107/6-Sup.1 et, bien entendu, le dernier, CL 107/INF 25 se complètent. Aussi les appuyons-nous sans réserve.
Supote DECHATES (Thailand): First, may I join the previous speakers in expressing our appreciation to the Secretariat for producing the useful documents for this discussion. My delegation has reviewed document CL 107/6 very carefully. We should therefore like to offer some comments with regard to the role of FAO in promoting sustainable forest management.
My delegation welcomes the original allocation of resources made to the forestry programme during the present biennium. It certainly gives FAO, through the Forestry Department, a very important role in promoting more sustainable forest management. We also share the view expressed in paragraph 7 of the document that the promotion of sustainable forest management is an urgent action to be taken. We hope that FAO will speed up its activities to promote sustainable forest management.
May I now refer to FAO's strategy for post-UNCED forest activities. Very briefly, my delegation strongly endorses the FAO proposed actions in follow-up to UNCED as indicated in paragraphs 9 to 25 of the document. I should like to highlight one proposed action, namely support for "greening" of the world. My country is very pleased to note that FAO will strengthen its technical cooperation activities in afforestation, reforestation and sustainable management of forests and trees as a priority contribution to UNCED follow-up. It is widely known that UNCED has stressed the need for a global strategy in the implementation of Agenda 21. In this connection Thailand has launched a three-year reforestation campaign throughout the country in support of "greening" of the world starting from the year 1994.
Allow me to brief you on what Thailand has planned for reforestation. The Royal Thai Government, the private sector, the Thai people and also the international communities will jointly organize a reforestation campaign in commemoration of the Royal Golden Jubilee of our King Rama 9th.
The Forestation Campaign embraces forest planting of forest trees in the following areas: firstly, 50 000 kilometres along the road sides; secondly, around school premises, government offices and religious places; thirdly, area such as parks, recreation areas, dams, reservoirs and riversides; and, fourthly, existing deteriorated forests.
We therefore would urge FAO and the world community to speed up its assistance in order to respond to the need of those countries where they have started their "greening of the world".
Finally, my delegation welcomes the Director-General's organization of the high level panel of external experts in forestry. We hope their recommendations will be implemented without delay.
K. BIWI (Tanzania): First, allow me to thank Mr Hjort for the lengthy introduction he gave, which was very useful.
Tanzania is committed to sustainable forest management. This is manifested by the fact that already we have in place the Forest Action Plan which has laid strategies for forest resource rehabilitation, utilization and conservation. The ongoing FAO Consultancy on Forestry Policy and Legislation in Zanzibar in the Republic of Tanzania is a further manifestation of the seriousness of Tanzania towards sustainable forest management. The exercise is streamlining the old policies and legislations which did not take consideration of environmental issues. The legislation will also tackle the participatory approach on village afforestation with women groups who toil most in search of fuel wood.
Secondly, Tanzania is pleased with the FAO role in forestry activities and urges FAO to take a leading role and in so doing strive to increase the budgetary allocation in the coming biennial conference.
Lastly, Tanzania is looking forward to the forthcoming meeting of the Forestry Ministers. Tanzania supports FAO Member Nations who have asked FAO's Director-General to have a wide consultation with Member Nations on the agenda to be tabled at that meeting.
F. ΒATURE (Nigeria): My delegation would like to thank the Secretariat for preparing these informative documents which are now put before us for discussion.
Mr Chairman, the adoption of the "Forest Principles" and most especially Chapter 11 which was devoted exclusively to forestry during the UNCED Conference held at Rio in 1992, requires that greater priority attention be given to forestry by governments, international organizations, NGOs and the private sector.
The need to bring about world-wide conservation, management and sustainable development of forests has been stressed. In this respect, governments, international organizations, NGOs and the private sector, have important roles to play.
Mr Chairman, the Nigerian Government, having realized that the country is a wood-deficit nation and in order to ameliorate the situation, the Government has put in place a policy on forest resources management and sustainable use aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in all aspects of forest production through the use of sound forest management techniques as well as the mobilization of human and material resources.
The situation of drought and desertification in the northern states and that of erosion and deforestation in the southern states of Nigeria have acted in concert to compound the environmental problems faced by the forestry sub-sector.
The increasing urban and rural populations and a corresponding high demand for fuel wood, industrial wood products, and agricultural crop land has not aided the situation either; they have helped to increase the stress under which the forest estate of Nigeria is operating. The projects under the forestry sub-sector are designed to sustain timber and wildlife resources and to improve the living conditions of the people. The environmental programmes are executed to reclaim marginal lands for productive agricultural production and to conserve the soils against soil erosion.
The major problems which impede the implementation of forestry programmes in Nigeria include the following:
(1) DEFORESTATION AND WOOD ENERGY PROBLEMS:
Even though the agricultural policy has provided for an increase in the size of the forest estate from the present 10 percent to 20 percent of the total area of the country, land has not generally been available for conversion to forest reserves in most parts of the country.
Forest wood cutting is growing into a booming business, while illegal tree felling in forest reserves remains a bane of forest resource development. Similarly, although several states have now legislated against bush burning, this phenomenon is ravaging Nigeria's forest lands annually. At the same time, the problem of overgrazing and browsing of young, planted forest trees by livestock and also de-reservation for agricultural crop lands persists.
(2) DROUGHT AND DESERTIFICATION:
This twin evil persists in the country. Although experience in Borno and Sokoto states has shown that irrigated shelterbelts can assist nature and lengthen the growing season, the approach remains very expensive.
PROSPECTS OF FORESTRY
Emphasis will be given to reversing the trend of deforestation in the south as well as to arid zone afforestation in the north. This will improve the production of industrial wood as well as fuel wood supplies. Arid zone afforestation will also offer soil protection benefits.
Generally, therefore, future plans envisage improved forest soil and water conservation education and a dynamic afforestation programme of not less than 60 000 hectares per annum of both production and protection forest.
The private sector is expected and will be encouraged to participate actively in afforestation and, in particular, rural farmers and schools will be expected to play key roles.
Mr Chairman, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the assistance of the UN Agencies such as FAO and UNDP, also EEC, World Bank and African Development Bank, has embarked upon projects and programmes aimed at reduction of deforestation and forest degradation through conservation and sustainable use of existing forest resources and reduction of pressures on forests by addressing the root causes of forest loss. Such measures include amongst other:
(a) Afforestation Project -
(i) raising of 6 million seedlings for distribution to farmers;
(ii) establishment and maintenance of 1 057 units of woodlots;
(iii) establishment of 1 573 units of wind breaks; and
(iv) establishment of 34 units of shelterbelts.
(b) Afforestation Programme -
Projects under this programme include:
(i) Industrial plantation in Guinea Savannah.
(ii) Development and Management of Swamp Mangrove Forest.
(iii) Indigenous Forest Fruit Trees Development.
(c) Timber and Poles Production -
(i) 12 million seedlings were raised and distributed.
(ii) 790 hectares of plantation established.
(iii) 1 043.5 hectares of plantation maintained.
(iv) Local communities trained in charcoal production.
(d) Wildlife Development Programme -
Many projects are executed under this programme. These include:
(i) Wildlife Management.
(ii) Promotion of wildlife multiplication.
(iii) Endangered species rehabilitation.
(iv) Development of National Parks.
(v) Conservation of the environment, the floral fauna of ecosystems.
(vi) Development and maintenance of tourist facilities etc.
The Federal Government has established an Environmental Protection Agency within the Presidency. This Agency is charged with the responsibility of environmental matters. It liaises with other related Ministries and Departments to ensure proper coordination.
We appreciate the efforts being made by the Director-General to invite Ministers responsible for forestry to a meeting scheduled in conjunction with the next Session of COFO in Rome. This will facilitate debate on Forest Principles.1
Atul SINHA (India): India wishes to stress the role of FAO as a facilitator for the implementation of the Non-legally Binding Forest Principles adopted at the Rio Summit in June, 1992. Several of the concerns of the Principles are being pursued elsewhere. However, FAO may wish to look beyond its role as Task Manager for four Chapters for CSD 1995 and instead pursue a larger role as monitoring the implementation of the Forest Principles worldwide, including availability of finances for forest-related activities.
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1 Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request
The Government of India has always supported the lead role played by FAO in the field of forestry and in promoting sustainable Forest Management across the globe, particularly in view of forestry expertise available to them, and is against the principle of creating new forestry organizations for forestry in UN system, particularly in view of limited international funding available for the forestry sector.
The proposed strategy and thrust areas by FAO, namely Support to CSD, Promotion of Policy Reforms, Support to "Greening" of the World, Support to Sustainable Forestry, capacity building and human resources, development are in line with our forest policy.
While the Government of India supports policy reforms in forestry sector internationally in accordance with "Forest Principles and "Agenda 21", our National Policy has been revised as recently as 1988 and practically covers all the issues addressed during UNCED. However, we have taken steps to update our legislation in accordance with National Forest Policy, 1988.
The Government of India is making all-out efforts for greening of the country's forests. However, lack of funds and high biotic pressure on our forests has resulted in limited success in this direction.
In order to support Sustainable Forestry, the Government of India entered into an agreement with UNDP and FAO and signed a two-year project for preparation of National Forestry Action Plan. Considerable progress has been made and the final document (NFAP) is expected to be ready by the end of 1995.
While India has taken certain important steps for capacity building and human resources development like revision of syallabii for Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, acquisition of digital cartographic system by Forest Survey of India and efforts are also being made for development of GIS and MIS systems, considerable scope exists for development of this sector. As India has an oldest tradition of scientific forestry and has a sizeable manpower trained in forestry, we can make significant contributions in strengthening and developing regional and sub-regional offices proposed by FAO.
The Government of India is fully in agreement with FAO's proposal for increased international cooperation. In order to promote this, we organized a "Forestry Forum for Developing Countries" in 1992 which ended in the adoption of the "Delhi Declaration".
A strong and well-established network of forestry institutions in India, comprising primarily of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Forest Survey of India, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Indian Plywood Industry Research and Training Institutes, can play a vital role in carrying out the joint studies suggested by FAO.
The Forest Survey of India has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring and assessing India's forests. With the acquisition of digital cartographic system and the development of GIS, its capabilities will increase substantially.
India recognized the strong linkages between forestry and agriculture and fisheries a long time back. However, forestry agriculture interface could not be attended adequately resulting in problems being faced in both the sectors. While soil erosion and loss of fertility are major problems in the agriculture sector, in forestry sector, problems are unsustainable shifting cultivation, inadequate development of farm and agroforestry, decline in mangrove forests and excess biotic pressure on country's forests.2
EL PRESIDENTE: Si no hay ningún otro miembro del Consejo que desee hacer uso de la palabra sobre este tema, me voy a permitir ofrecérsela a los distinguidos observadores.
Manuel SOARES COSTA (Observer for Portugal): My purpose today is that of making some additional comments, and to provide the Council with some additional information on Agenda Item 6.2 on forestry. These comments and information are intended to be complementary to the statement made yesterday by the German presidency on behalf of the European Community and its Member States.
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2 Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request
The European countries are strongly committed to aiming to achieve the highest standards of sustainability in forest management. New strategies and policies are being incorporated in national and regional forestry plans and programmes in order to implement the general guidelines of the Rio UNCED Statement on Forest Principles. Forest conservation is obviously a basic element of our country's national forest policies to achieve that high level of sustainability in forest management.
My country has for many years attached great importance to the forestry sector. In the light of this policy approach, Portugal has accepted, and shall continue to offer, its readiness and commitment to undertake and accept important responsibilities and international missions in this area of multilateral cooperation.
Portugal has been very much involved in the series of Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe. Reference is made in paragraph 10 of document CL 107/6 to "the Helsinki Process", the follow-up to the Ministerial Conference held in Helsinki in June 1993. This has been one of the ten ministerial or high-level meetings regarding cooperation with governments, organized by member countries and named at UNCED follow-up in forestry. In fact, European cooperation in this area began with the first Ministerial Conference for the Protection of Forests in Europe, held in Strasbourg back in 1990. This Conference adopted six resolutions, of which Portugal has accepted the coordination and follow-up of two: Resolution number three, on the European Database on Forest Fires, and Resolution number four, Adaptation of Mountain Forests Management to the New Environmental Conditions.
The second Conference, the one held in Helsinki in 1993, was organized by Finland with the co-chairmanship of Portugal. The main objective of that Conference was the development of a framework to respond at the regional level to the statement on Forest Principles adopted at UNCED: Sustainable Forestry Management, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 on Deforestation, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Convention on Global Climatic Changes. At this Helsinki Ministerial Conference, in which my country was particularly involved, one declaration and four resolutions were adopted: Resolution number one, on general principles for the sustainable development of European forests; number two, on general principles for the conservation of biodiversity of European forests; number three, forestry cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe undergoing economic transition; number four, on strategies for the long-term adaptation process of European forests to global climatic changes.
Portugal and Finland are together responsible for the implementation of these four resolutions adopted in Helsinki. This means a considerable effort and mobilization of a large number of scientific and high-level technical experts.
The next Ministerial Conference, to be held in Lisbon in 1998, will be organized jointly by Portugal with the co-chairmanship of Austria. The preparation of this next Conference in 1998 is already underway. In the meantime, the Helsinki process is progressing. The Helsinki Resolutions Nos 1 and 2 are the hard core of the implementation work undertaken by the General Coordination Committee with the support of a group of high-level scientific advisors. One basic element of this work is the establishment of criteria and indicators for the evaluation of sustainable management of forests in Europe. These are also part of the great effort required to achieve a world-wide consensus that might lead possibly in the future to achieving a global convention on forestry.
On the other hand, Helsinki Resolutions Nos 3 and 4 are matters which are subjected to the coordination of, and require action by, other international agencies including the FAO Forestry Department and, in particular, the European Regional Forestry Commission of FAO, whose work needs to be enforced in order to respond to these urgent tasks.
The first expert follow-up technical meeting, held in Geneva on 23 and 24 June 1994, agreed on a pan-European list of 6 core criteria and 27 indicators for the evaluation of sustainable forest management in Europe. A second follow-up technical meeting is scheduled for January 23 and 24 1995 in Antalia. It is expected that after that a pan-European report on the follow-up of the Helsinki process and implementation of the Helsinki resolutions will be produced, for presentation at the meeting of the UN-CSD scheduled for April 1995.
Following UNCED, FAO has been designated by the UN Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development as Task Manager, charged with promoting coordinated UN Agency follow-up action in the land
segment, including forestry. However, as the European Community stressed yesterday, it is essential that FAO shows that it is worthy of the task. There is no doubt that FAO must clearly exercise its leadership at the international coordination level for the forestry sector, making its expertise available to the ongoing initiatives. There is no doubt that FAO can provide the ideal international forum for a harmonization and evolution of the various initiatives to respond to the challenging new forestry strategies after UNCED.
Our delegation fully supports the FAO strategy for post-UNCED forestry activities, as stated in document CL 107/6 and contained in the five mentioned actions - the promotion of international cooperation and coordination, the promotion of policy reforms, support to "greening" of the world, support to sustainable forestry, and support to capacity building and human resources development.
We also share the opinion expressed by other delegations that besides FAO and CSD there is no need for any other international agency duplicating efforts in forestry matters.
Our delegation wishes to congratulate the Director-General for his initiative in inviting Ministers in charge of forestry to a Ministerial Meeting to be held in March 1995 in connection with the 12th Session of COFO to seek political guidance on FAO's strategy for forestry in preparation for the 1995 CSD meeting. However, these new FAO tasks on forestry, this new focus on forestry development activities of FAO, would mean greater effort by the Organization in this area. It is obvious that there is an urgent need to reinforce the FAO Forestry Department and its forestry programme in order to support its greater involvement in nominative and operational activities.
We share the views of the distinguished delegate of the United States, that FAO needs a much stronger, more effective and efficiently managed forestry department. Therefore, I think the Conference and COFO have already called for a greater involvement of FAO regional forestry commissions which means that at both levels it would be necessary for the allocation of the new budget resources be considered either by the Council or, of course, by the Conference during the preparation of the budget for the next biennium.
Jaap B. PIETERS (Observer for the Netherlands): Only 10 percent of the Netherlands is covered by forests and, being scarce, this may be the reason why forests are a major issue in my country and why the Netherlands is cooperating with a large number of developing countries in forestry projects.
Being the major Trust Fund donor of the FAO Forestry Programme, FAO feels a strong commitment to the future role of FAO in this field. We are in full agreement with the statement of the EEC and its member states and with those countries who have urged FAO, being Task Manager, to take the lead in the conservation and sustainable management of all types of forests.
We would also like to thank the Deputy Director-General for his clear, and may I say, action-orientated introductory statement. He has shown that FAO is moving forward in this field.
Moreover, we are happy to learn that the Director-General has, in general, accepted the findings and recommendations of the high-level panel.
I have a few remarks on document CL 107/6. My delegation is of the opinion that decentralized support of the countries concerned within the framework of the TFAP, as mentioned in paragraph 6, is a major priority. Re-orientation of FAO's activities towards a cross-sectoral approach to forestry development is of major importance as well.
The Netherlands welcome the support of FAO to the TFAP. We urge FAO, however, to be more active in promoting and implementing this TFAP. To conclude, my Government has welcomed the initiative of FAO to organize a ministerial meeting of Ministers responsible for forestry. We also would like to be informed about the issues to be discussed and expected outputs during that meeting as soon as possible.
Bennis ABDELHADI (Observateur du Maroc): Je vous remercie, Monsieur le Président, de bien vouloir me donner la parole pour intervenir sur ce sujet extrêmement important en raison de l'impact de la forêt sur l'état de la planète. Il y va de l'avenir de notre planète. Il s'agit également d'un sujet extrêmement complexe.
La preuve en est que depuis plusieurs décennies nous cherchons les solutions les plus viables pour surmonter les difficultés existantes.
Néanmoins, je pense que la FAO, notre Institution, travaille sur ce sujet depuis très longtemps, et elle a capitalisé un certain nombre d'informations et d'expériences qu'il faut maintenant valoriser sur le terrain le plus rapidement possible. J'insiste beaucoup sur "le plus rapidement possible" étant donné les dégradations continuelles que nous constatons dans nos forêts et leur impact sur le climat et sur la situation de la planète.
Le document qui nous est présenté fait le bilan de ce qui a été fait et trace également les perspectives. Nous sommes tout à fait d'accord sur ce qui est dit dans ce document, mais je voudrais insister sur deux éléments.
Il faudrait d'abord avoir une stratégie pour mettre en oeuvre un certain nombre d'actions immédiatement sur le terrain, et je pense que les mesures prises par le Directeur général en matière de décentralisation vont permettre d'aller plus concrètement vers le terrain. La plupart des pays ont des plans d'action qu'il s'agit maintenant de mettre en oeuvre le plus rapidement possible. En second lieu, je pense également qu'il faut prendre un certain nombre de mesures à long terme sur lesquelles il faut réfléchir, et la proposition faite par les experts concernant un instrument international juridiquement contraignant est une proposition qu'il faut prendre en considération, compte tenu de la responsabilité des Etats dans l'avenir de notre planète.
Il s'agit maintenant de donner des priorités au niveau régional et au niveau thématique pour voir quelles sont les zones et les domaines qui ont le plus besoin d'une intervention rapide.
Je voudrais à ce titre mentionner l'état de la forêt du Bassin méditerranéen qui mérite une attention particulière. J'exprime l'espoir que soit concrétisé le plus rapidement possible ce qui a été dit.
George APOSTOIU (Observateur de la Roumanie): Plus de six millions d'hectares, représentant environ 25 pour cent de la Roumanie, sont couverts par des forêts. Dans le processus des réformes actuelles, le Gouvernement de la Roumanie a adopté des programmes visant l'augmentation des terres affectées à la foresterie et la gestion durable des forêts.
La délégation de la Roumanie salue avec espoir la déclaration liminaire du Directeur général-adjoint sur le rôle de notre Organisation dans l'aménagement durable des forêts et dans le suivi de la CNUED, et déclare tout son intérêt pour le rôle normatif de la FAO et pour la stratégie globale visant la participation de notre Organisation aux activités de suivi de la CNUED pour l'avenir.
La réunion des ministres responsables des forêts qui se tiendra en mars 1995 pourrait s'avérer un cadre favorable et stimulant pour l'examen des mesures de coopération et, en même temps, en partant de la déclaration de Paris adoptée au Congrès forestier mondial de 1991, pourrait également sensibiliser la Communauté internationale afin qu'elle fournisse une assistance financière et technique aux pays dont l'économie est en phase de transition pour soutenir la gestion, la conservation et le développement durable de leurs forêts.
La délégation de la Roumanie estime que la FAO a l'énergie et la capacité de s'impliquer toujours davantage face aux nouveaux défis résultant de la CNUED et autres événements connexes.
GEBREHIWOT REDAI (Observer for Ethiopia): We would like to express our appreciation for the excellent document prepared in relation to the conservation and sustainable forest management.
Mr Chairman, it is true that 40 percent of the land area of Ethiopia was covered by forest some 30 years back. Currently only less than 3 percent of the land area is under forest. It is apparent that the degradation of the land mainly forestry accelerates drought and then famine and hunger. Therefore, the conservation and sustainable management of forestry means the preservation of the land and adequate food production.
The initiative and lead role of FAO as Task Manager is commendable and we support all the efforts of FAO in forestry policy formulation, capacity building, provision of the technical and financial assistance. But it is
our opinion that special regional attention should be paid to areas whose forestry potentials have been significantly devastated as is the case in East Africa where a large majority of the population is vulnerable to drought, hunger and malnutrition3
EL PRESIDENTE: Distinguidos delegados, con esto hemos conluido la lista de oradores. Pregunto a los miembros del Consejo si desean hacer alguna intervención antes de pasar la palabra al señor Director General Adjunto.
Si ningún delegado desea intervenir paso la palabra al señor Hjort para responder a las preguntas formuladas. Concedo la palabra al señor Hjort.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Firstly, with respect to the comments which were received under the general umbrella of preparing for CSD 1995, let me state that FAO was asked to assume the lead role and has been asked to prepare the draft Secretary-General's report to CSD. We have accepted that responsibility. You will have the chance to observe if we will be able to demonstrate our capacity to do so.
Secondly, in this connection, we are seeking to obtain the input from everyone inside the Organization and outside the Organization. We do find that the contributions from some are superior to those from others. Mention has been made here, for example of the UNDP, and I must report to you that their ability to assist us in this matter is hampered by the fact that they have two professional foresters at their headquarters, which contrasts to the seventy professional officers we have here in Rome.
I worry about the contribution from the forest industry. I would note and bring to your attention that the contributions from the other inter-governmental groups, and the international NGOs in particular, have been more forthcoming than have those from the forest industry or the governments. I mentioned in my introductory statement that we are starting to receive the contributions from the governments. This has a bearing on your advice to us, encouragement, to have documents despatched early. We will do so, even if it means not being able to take into account the views of our Member Governments. But I do encourage you to make your submissions and let us have the advantage of using that material.
Comments have been made about the many initiatives that were mentioned in paragraph 10 of the document. We have tried to be, and I believe we have been, involved in every one of those initiatives. We consider them to be building blocks towards the CSD process. We take the obligation to see to it that the work of the various initiatives are brought to bear in the process.
Comments have been made about the principles and the possibility of turning them into a legally binding instrument. I wish to amplify slightly on the comment in the introductory statement that is before you, to say that the paper that we are committed to prepare for consideration at COFO and the Ministers is to be a straightforward pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages. We learned our lesson some biennia ago. We shall not be making any firm recommendation on this matter.
There has been the suggestion that the ministers should meet every two years. I can assure you it is the intention of the Director-General, that at each subsequent COFO the Ministers would be invited.
With respect to the comments and questions about the agenda for COFO and the Meeting of Ministers in March, it is being prepared. There is a certain delay in this regard as well as with respect to the agenda of all the other main committees because we are awaiting your response to the Director-General's request for suggestions for the agenda. Again, a good number have come in and more are coming in these days. Nevertheless, I would say that to a certain degree there is limited flexibility on the agenda.
It has been made abundantly clear that the CSD Report will be a matter before the Ministers and before COFO. A main purpose of the Ministerial Meeting is to give them, the senior policy officials, the opportunity to make their statement to the CSD in the context of comments on the report.
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3 Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request
Second, it is at this meeting of COFO and at this Meeting of Ministers that the plans for the future will be reviewed, the proposals for 1996-97, and those will be taken in the context not only in the medium term but also in the longer term, building a bridge towards 2010.
The third section of the agenda, therefore, will be other special issues such as restrictions on trade in tropical products, as I previously mentioned, and other important matters that need to be brought before the COFO and/or the Ministers.
I also would react to the comment made about the first issue of the state of the world's forests. Time is very short. We are fortunate, however, in that the special chapter of the SOFA 1994 is on forests. We will draw very heavily upon that document and also on the work that has been completed on resources assessment so that we have the global picture, not only the picture with respect to tropical forests but the results of the resources assessment for all forests. These two major pieces of work will form the main content of the first state of the world's forests.
It is the intention of the Director-General to have such a document each time the Ministers meet so that every two years there would be a statement - at least every two years - on the state of the world's forests.
I note the comments that have been made about the essential importance of reliable statistics, resources assessment, and adequate and appropriate criteria and indicators. I could not agree more that these are matters basic to the mission of the Organization. The workshop that is planned for February, prior to the inter-sessional meeting, is to facilitate the process that is under way in some regions on the development of criteria and indicators. We have heard that the European Commission and groups - the Helsinki process, the Montreal process, and so on - have made some progress but the fact is that there are other whole regions which have yet to consider the matter. We take it as our responsibility to try to bring together all the parties of interest to work towards a common set of criteria and indicators. I say this in the context that there is no possibility of being able to track sustainability in forestry unless we have criteria and indicators that can be used to monitor and follow progress.
I also make a brief note in reference to the importance of policy services and admit that this is an area where we are trying in the restructuring process to strengthen our ability to provide policy services to requesting member countries.
On the comments about the Tropical Forestry Action Programme and, in one way or another, the removal of the "T", we appreciate them. We believe the Organization's mission certainly is with respect to all forests and that the operating principles that have been developed through the TFAP process are applicable not only to the Mediterranean but also to other forests.
With respect to a comment that expressed some concern, as I understood it, about expanding the consultative group, a recommendation of the experts. That is a matter, of course, for the Governing Bodies to consider. I would point out, in connection with the overall issue of the large number and actually recently rising number of fora, one could conclude somewhat facetiously that the forests are in danger in that all of these fora require considerable paper to keep them going. It is a succinct way of saying I think it is timely for the Council to consider the need for the number of advisory or governing bodies on forestry matters. The latest count that we have is that we have thirty-nine bodies ourselves that provide advice, guidance, and so on, on forestry matters. Is it really necessary to have thirty-nine or could we save some money and use it to upgrade our normative services? I leave it to you to consider the need for the number of other fora around the world. Do you really need to have so many opportunities to talk about the same issues or is there an opportunity for streamlining?
Finally, I welcome the expressions of the need for more money. I implicitly assume that that means that those who made those statements no longer embrace the concept of zero real growth.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias, señor Director General Adjunto, por sus aclaraciones y comentarios. Pregunto a los miembros del Consejo si tienen alguna observación que hacer al respecto. En ese caso me voy a permitir ofrecer un resumen de nuestros dinámicos y entusiastas debates.
En primer lugar, decir que el Consejo expresó su satisfacción por las informaciones adicionales proporcionadas por la Secretaría que actualizaban el estado de la función cooperativa de las actividades complementarias de la CNUMAD e, inclusive, se solicitó que dicha presentación se incluyera como uno de los documentos para información del Consejo, que fue distribuido.
Asimismo, se tomó nota con satisfacción de los documentos proporcionados, aunque se solicitó que los mismos se distribuyeran con antelación suficiente.
Se acogió con satisfacción el informe del Cuadro de Expertos de alto nivel en temas forestales y de su contenido.
Yo creo, distinguidos delegados, que los debates sobre este tema han reflejado la alta prioridad que merece a todos los miembros del Consejo y a los observadores los programas forestales de la FAO y, en particular, el tema de la ordenación forestal sostenible.
El Consejo reconoció la importancia de lograr una ordenación y desarrollo forestal sostenible y el papel rector que la FAO debe jugar en este cometido.
Se hicieron referencias muy firmes al compromiso de países, y de grupos de países, entre ellos la Unión Europea, en cumplimiento de sus respectivas responsabilidades para asegurar en sus ámbitos una ordenación forestal sostenible.
Se reconoció en particular, también, las responsabilidades de la FAO como gerente de tareas en el Programa 21. Se expresaron grandes esperanzas en que la función de la FAO en el proceso posterior a la CNUMAD se lleve a cabo con eficacia. También se indicó en relación a la aplicación de los principios forestales y del capítulo 11 del Programa 21, que la responsabilidad que tiene la FAO en cumplir con los compromisos de información al respecto.
Se expresó satisfacción por el hecho de que la FAO esté actuando de hecho como asesor principal de la CDS en materia de silvicultura . Se ratificó, en términos generales, las propuestas iniciales que habrán de incluirse en el informe del Secretario General, pero se subrayó que será necesario que los gobiernos apresuren la presentación de sus informes nacionales para que se incorporen entre los temas importantes notificados por los gobiernos a la CDS.
Se reconoció que se estaba dando una multiplicación inconveniente de foros internacionales y regionales para la discusión de temas forestales y de desarrollo sostenible en seguimiento de la CNUMAD. Al respecto se indicó la conveniencia de fundir estos foros en el logro de una voluntad política común. Algunas delegaciones indicaron que la FAO y la CDS eran los foros suficientes para el tratamiento de estos temas, en tanto que trabajen de manera coordinada. Varias delegaciones hicieron referencia a distintas iniciativas y conferencias internacionales, algunas de nivel ministerial y muchas de ellas fueron calificadas como de gran utilidad y trascendencia. Sin embargo, el Consejo insistió en la importancia de lograr una mayor coordinación a nivel mundial y regional con la finalidad de no dispersar esfuerzos, confundir conceptos y políticas y duplicar acciones.
Se instó a la FAO a fortalecer y asegurar el trabajo coordinado y complementario con otras organizaciones internacionales que trabajan sobre estos temas, tales como la CNUMAD, el PNUD y otros organismos del sistema del BRETTON WOODS, en especial el Banco Mundial.
Algunas delegaciones indicaron que debía reconocerse la competencia de esas otras organizaciones y, sin pretender luchar por falsos liderazgos, trabajar coordinadamente. Sin embargo, el Consejo tomó nota de que las contribuciones de otras organizaciones, así como del sector privado muchas veces estaban obstruidas, sea por la falta de expertos en la materia o por deficiencias en la comunicación y en el acceso a la información.
Sin embargo, este es el caso en particular del PNUD donde, como nos ha informado el señor Director General Adjunto, carece de personal cualificado para asegurar una asistencia suficiente. La colaboración con las organizaciones no gubernamentales ha sido estrecha y activa, y la FAO ha dado todas las seguridades de mantener y fortalecer su colaboración y la participación complementaria con otras organizaciones internacionales y también regionales.
Se enfatizó, como lo he mencionado, en la importancia de una acción recíproca y directa con las ONG y el sector privado. Hubo en este sentido varios llamamientos para que se apoyen las acciones emprendidas por organizaciones no gubernamentales, así como instituciones bilaterales y organismos internacionales en el sector forestal.
Con la finalidad de que la FAO fortalezca su posición como centro de excelencia en el sector forestal, se indicó que debe reorientar sus recursos y estrategias hacia cuestiones prioritarias más concretas. Tal es el caso de información oportuna y frecuente sobre el estado mundial de los bosques y de la ordenación forestal sostenible. Se ha dado la seguridad respecto de los tiempos en que se proporcionaría tal información sobre el estado mundial. Asimismo la FAO debería apoyar a los países en la preparación de información forestal y en la formulación de los programas forestales nacionales basados en el PAFT. El Consejo subrayó en particular que el PAFT debía unlversalizarse, de modo que comprenda la gran variedad de tipos de bosques y de circunstancias concretas para su ordenación y desarrollo sostenible, tomando muy en cuenta los efectos y las condiciones económicas y sociales en cada país. Esta recomendación también se encuentra en el informe del Cuadro de Expertos de alto nivel.
La FAO debe, pues, prestar una asistencia amplia, flexible y adecuada a la variedad de circunstancias geográficas, sociales y económicas para que los países formulen y pongan en práctica sus programas de acción forestal y logren una ordenación forestal sostenible y compatible.
Algunas delegaciones expresaron preocupación por los efectos que las restricciones al comercio de productos forestales tienen sobre la economía de varios países y sus poblaciones. Enfatizaron que la ordenación forestal no es el único objetivo que está en juego en materia forestal y que es compatible, a fin de cuentas, con la ordenación forestal y la no discriminación de productos forestales tropicales bis a bis los no tropicales.
Se coincidió, sin embargo, en que estas cuestiones podrían ser un tema a tratar en el próximo COFO, en su fase ministerial, y se tomó nota de la iniciativa del Director General y de los trabajos dentro del Departamento de Montes para atacar estos temas. Se dio gran importancia, y se han generado grandes expectativas respecto a la reunión ministerial del COFO, que será esencial en la preparación del examen de bosques que realizará la CDS en 1995. También se expresó satisfacción porque dicha reunión estará precedida por otras reuniones con organizaciones no gubernamentales y con el sector privado. Todo esto, se espera, fortalecerá al Departamento Forestal y a las actividades forestales dentro de la FAO y producirá propuestas, inclusive programas de acción y de coordinación concretos y productivos.
El Consejo destacó la necesidad de ampliar la estrategia en relación con las perspectivas a medio y largo plazo de la FAO. Se llamó la atención a fin de que el Director General convoque reuniones ministeriales adicionales que permitan formular y promover tales programas e iniciativas en el futuro.
Se dieron, por parte de la Secretaría, las garantías en el sentido de que ésa era la intención del Director General.
Respecto al Cuadro de Expertos, hubo declaraciones diversas. Algunas delegaciones consideraron un tanto precipitada la tendencia hacia una convención forestal y no coincidieron con la interpretación que hacía del papel de la FAO. En lo referente al fortalecimiento de las actividades normativas de la FAO, sin embargo, la mayoría acogió con agrado las propuestas del Cuadro de Expertos. La FAO deberá iniciar los preparativos para un informe amplio sobre el estado mundial de los bosques, un seminario sobre criterios indicadores relacionados con la ordenación sostenible de los mismos y un documento sobre las ventajas e inconvenientes de avanzar hacia un acuerdo jurídicamente obligatorio sobre los bosques.
El Consejo también subrayó que, si bien el fortalecimiento de las actividades normativas de la FAO en materia forestal debía continuar, también era fundamental el apoyo a sus actividades operacionales y que, en virtud de los limitados recursos, el fortalecimiento de los aspectos normativos no debía ir en detrimento de lo operacional.
En fin, escucharon ustedes cuál fue la conclusión al respecto del Director General Adjunto. Espero efectivamente que los recursos para apoyar esta importante actividad no sean limitados para el bienio 1996-97. Con esto concluyo el resumen que he hecho de sus trabajos. Les repito que no necesariamente he podido
incorporar todos sus diversos puntos de vista y tampoco los diversos énfasis que hicieron al respecto. Estoy seguro de que el informe del Consejo lo recogerá de manera adecuada y satisfactoria.
EL PRESIDENTE: Distinguidos delegados, como les estaba comentando, vamos a comenzar los trabajos sobre el tema 6.3. Les recuerdo que la finalidad principal de este tema aparece en el párrafo 17 del documento CL 107/11. Como saben todos ustedes, el instrumento de procedimiento de información y consentimiento previos para la distribución y el comercio de plaguicidas va a transformarse en un instrumento jurídicamente vinculante, a petición de la CDS. Por ello, no deberíamos dedicar mucho tiempo a la cuestión de si la FAO debe estar o no de acuerdo en desarrollar un procedimiento jurídicamente vinculante del ICP. Las cuestiones que el Consejo sí debería examinar y decidir se relacionan con las modalidades, el calendario y la financiación de la negociación. El desarrollo de un instrumento jurídicamente vinculante del ICP, deberá negociarse en colaboración con la CNUMAD, como ustedes saben. El documento contiene un calendario propuesto que el Consejo podría aprobar. En el párrafo 18 se propone una financiación extrapresupuestaria de 2.500 millones de dólares, de los que el 50 por ciento se necesitaría para la parte de la FAO, es decir, plaguicidas, en la labor encaminada al nuevo instrumento jurídicamente vinculante. El Consejo podría, al respecto, aprobar la propuesta incluida en el informe de que se realice el trabajo solamente a condición de que se disponga de dicha financiación extrapresupuestaria.
Por último, distinguidos miembros del Consejo, este Consejo podría examinar la función de los órganos rectores de la FAO en la aprobación de ese nuevo instrumento. La cuestión es si la conferencia de la FAO debe aprobarlo o no antes de presentarlo a la aprobación de la Conferencia de las Partes en el procedimiento del ICP.
Por el momento, es probable que la Conferencia Internacional sobre Inocuidad de las Sustancias Químicas, que se proyecta celebrar en Estocolmo en 1997, funcione como conferencia de las partes. Las delegaciones en esta Conferencia incluirán representación no sólo de los ministerios del Medio Ambiente, sino también de los de Agricultura. Como el asunto no podría ser examinado por la Conferencia de la FAO en 1997, la Conferencia de la FAO de 1995 tendría que dar un mandato al Consejo de la FAO en este sentido. Quiero que lo recuerden ustedes para tener su opinión al respecto.
Señores delegados, me permito ahora ceder la palabra al Dr. de Haen, Director General Adjunto del Departamento de Agricultura.
H. DE HAEN (Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department): I think the Independent President of the Council has just so excellently introduced the item that I can shorten my introduction substantially. I will do so and just begin by reminding you that the Prior Informed Consent concerns pesticides and chemicals in general that are banned or severely restricted for reasons of health and the environment in any country, provided that such decisions are supported by scientific evidence.
Parties that would adhere to a legally binding instrument would therefore have to control the export of such pesticides following the decisions of importing countries. A convention would probably also contain provisions for monitoring, for compliance and even for dispute settlement.
I give these explanations in order to underline what such a legally binding instrument might imply. You may have further questions because the document does not give all the details, especially because this is subject to negotiation and therefore not yet specified in all the details.
As described in document CL 107/11, actions taken by intergovernmental organizations, especially by the International Conference on Chemical Safety and the Committee on Sustainable Development, indicate an increasing interest in strengthening the legal basis of Prior Informed Consent procedures.
UNEP, jointly with FAO, will convene a consultative meeting of government-designated experts in December this year. I would underline that FAO has worked closely with UNEP in preparing the elements that might be included in a legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of the PIC procedure.
FAO's main concern is that issues relating to pesticides are effectively taken into account in drafting such a legally binding instrument and that such issues are compatible with, and complementary to, many other provisions of the FAO Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, of which the PIC procedures are a part.
The Chairman has already referred to the purposes of the document CL 107/11. May I repeat three purposes. One is to inform you of the current status of the development of a legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of the PIC procedures. The second is to solicit the Council's agreement for the Secretariat to proceed with this work. The third is to seek the Council's comments on the timescale required to develop such a legally binding instrument and to identify potential sources of funding - presumably extra-budgetary - for the conclusion of the instrument.
Please note that the estimated costs of US$2.5 million - not US$25 million as indicated in the Spanish version of the document - would cover three negotiation meetings, and the negotiation would be for pesticides and all other chemicals - it is one negotiation for all chemicals, including pesticides - followed by a diplomatic conference. The estimate also includes the costs of smaller experts meetings which may be required. I should like to underline that the estimate of US$2.5 million includes also the funding of participation of developing countries, as far as this is requested.
The Secretariat believes that the work is necessary, and we are prepared to implement it, but delegates should be aware that the drafting of a legally binding instrument represents only the first step. We should be aware of the fact that there will be costs in addition to those stated in this document. These include support for the operation of an interim Secretariat, as well as ongoing financial commitments for the operational costs for the Secretariat once the code is in effect. These costs will, of course, have to be borne by the parties to the convention.
I hope these additional explanations may have underlined what the debate will be about and what kind of instrument will come out of the negotiation if the Council endorses our proposals.
EL PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias, Dr. de Haen, por sus pronunciamentos introductorios. Pido disculpas a los miembros del Consejo por haber tomado de la versión en español del documento el falso número de 2.500 millones de dólares. Precisamente, yo le había hecho notar al Dr. de Haen este error en español.
Gian Paolo PAPA (CE): La Communauté européenne et ses Etats Membres soutiennent fermement la proposition visant à poursuivre la préparation d'un instrument juridique sur l'application de la procédure du consentement préalable donné en connaissance de cause (PIC), dans le commerce international, à certaines substances chimiques et pesticides qui sont interdits ou dont l'utilisation est sévèrement limitée dans les pays exportateurs.
Comme il est indiqué dans le document CL 107/11, paragraphe 8, la Communauté a adopté des règles spécifiques assurant un caractère obligatoire à la procédure PIC. Le Règlement du Conseil de la Communauté européenne N° 2455/92 du 23 juillet 1992, relatif à l'exportation et à l'importation de certaines substances chimiques dangereuses, offre un cadre commun efficace pour la mise en oeuvre des procédures PIC dans l'Union européenne.
L'initiative de rendre la procédure PIC juridiquement obligatoire est dès lors pleinement cohérente avec la politique de l'Union européenne, et nous espérons que l'expérience acquise à travers la mise en oeuvre de notre Règlement, et des instruments volontaires, sera prise en considération lors de la rédaction d'actes juridiques.
Dans ce contexte, la Communauté et ses Etats Membres sont en faveur des propositions faites au paragraphe 17 du document CL 107/11. Nous considérons, au vu du travail préparatoire qui a déjà été accompli, que le projet d'actes juridiques devrait être prêt pour adoption en 1997 au plus tard.
Je souhaiterais profiter de cette occasion pour exprimer quelques commentaires supplémentaires à ce sujet.
En particulier, nous pensons que:
- l'instrument juridique devrait prendre en compte la procédure PIC prévue par les Lignes directrices de Londres, telles qu'elles ont été amendées, et par le Code de conduite de la FAO comme point de départ;
- tout chevauchement avec d'autres instruments existants tels que ceux qui concernent les déchets, les substances appauvrissant la couche d'ozone ou les stupéfiants, doit être évité;
- en vue d'assurer l'efficacité de la procédure PIC obligatoire, le principe PIC devrait s'appliquer à toutes les sources d'approvisionnement;
- des efforts doivent être engagés pour encourager le plus grand nombre de pays possible à participer à la procédure PIC obligatoire et, afin d'y arriver, les instruments financiers existants devraient être utilisés.
Sra. ANA LILIA PEDROSA (México): México, como país importador de plaguicidas, contribuye a promover prácticas que garanticen el uso seguro y eficaz de estos productos. Por tal motivo, el Gobierno de mi país ha participado durante todo el proceso de aceptación del principio de Información y Consentimiento Previos.
En México, la competencia en la regulación de plaguicidas recae en una Comisión Intersecretarial para el Control del Proceso y Uso de Plaguicidas, fertilizantes y sustancias tóxicas.
Por resolución federal existe una lista de 21 plaguicidas cuya importación, fabricación, formulación, comercialización y uso en mi país están prohibidos.
Por lo que se refiere a la cuestión de regulación jurídica, México aplica ampliamente las disposiciones del ICP, y pensamos que puede considerarse que éste se establezca como un procedimiento jurídicamente vinculante, sustituyendo al actual Código Internacional de Conducta para la Distribución y Utilización de Plaguicidas.
Los días 1 y 2 de diciembre próximo se realizará una reunión de consulta, auspiciada por el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente (UNEP) y la FAO, a fin de tratar asuntos relativos al desarrollo de un instrumento legalmente vinculante para la aplicación del ICP. México apoya esta iniciativa.
Asimismo, estamos de acuerdo con la propuesta de la Secretaría, que se contiene en el documento, en lo referente a la calendarización y financiamiento.
EL PRESIDENTE: La Secretaría, seguramente ha tomado nota y recibirá usted las respuestas una vez finalizados los debates.
John Bruce SHARPE (Australia): Mr Chairman, I should first like to thank you and Mr de Haen for your very useful introduction.
My delegation supports the development of a legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of the Prior Informed Consent procedure. Australia believes that a draft instrument could be developed for consideration by an intergovernmental meeting in 1996-97. If, however, in working with UNEP, difficulties are encountered in resolving the scope and other elements which are being considered for inclusion in the draft instrument, Australia believes that these should be set aside to allow the current prior informed consent procedure to be incorporated into a legally binding instrument. The other elements could be considered for inclusion at a later date.
Christophe KIEMTORE: Je voudrais tout d'abord remercier le Secrétariat pour la concision du rapport qui nous permettra de faire une intervention assez brève.
Vous me permettrez, avant de répondre aux questions posées au paragraphe 17, de faire deux petits commentaires.
Le premier commentaire porte sur le rôle de pionnier qu'a joué la FAO dans le processus d'élaboration des principes de l'ICP. Nous savons tous que depuis 1985 la Conférence, en adoptant le Code de conduite, avait déjà posé en fait le problème de l'information et du consentement préalable. Le principe de l'ICP a été formellement intégré au Code de conduite depuis 1987. La question de la transformation du Code en instrument juridiquement contraignant n'avait pas été occultée par la Conférence, et puisque nous avons entendu un certain nombre d'avis de la part des délégations qui participaient à la Conférence de 1989, ces avis avaient permis à la Conférence de juger qu'il n'était pas opportun de transformer pour le moment le Code en instrument juridiquement contraignant. Mais cela veut dire également qu'il y avait une possibilité de poursuivre l'analyse pour en arriver à l'objet qui nous est soumis aujourd'hui.
Les autres agences spécialisées du Système des Nations Unies qui ont rejoint la marche beaucoup plus tard, je veux parler du PNUE ou de l'ICCS, sont aujourd'hui plus préoccupées que la FAO en matière de transformation de l'ICP en document juridiquement contraignant. Je ne veux pas jeter la pierre à ces institutions, au contraire nous les encourageons, mais ce commentaire a seulement pour but de rappeler le rôle important de la FAO, qui a également un rôle de pionnier. Il convient que la FAO conserve cette place dans les débats en cours afin de faire valoir ses vues, notamment en ce qui concerne le secteur agricole, l'élevage, les pêches et les forêts.
Le deuxième commentaire porte sur les besoins d'une définition plus claire des objets d'une part, et d'autre part des champs d'application de l'ICP.
On peut se demander en fait si la FAO et le PNUE parlent de la même chose lorsqu'ils évoquent le principe de l'ICP. Cette clarification aura l'avantage d'éclaircir un certain nombre de choses pour éviter l'amalgame de sujets à traiter dans la transformation de ce document en un instrument juridique contraignant.
La deuxième question est aussi de savoir si les pays développés, les firmes qui produisent ces produits, et les pays en développement ont la même préoccupation lorsqu'on demande de transformer ce document en un document contraignant.
Toutes ces questions avaient été identifiées par la Conférence de 1989 et on avait demandé au Secrétariat d'apporter des réponses à cette question importante dans les cheminements en cours.
Là, je voudrais m'attarder un peu plus sur le cas des pays en développement. Je pense qu'une des préoccupations essentielles, c'est le problème que pose l'importation des pesticides qui sont interdits ou assujettis à des restrictions sévères dans les pays exportateurs. Un exemple précis a été évoqué lors de la Conférence régionale de la FAO pour l'Afrique, c'est le cas du Dietryl. Son interdiction sur le marché, et l'absence de produits de substitutions aussi efficaces, semple poser des problèmes dans la maîtrise des fléaux qui affligent ce continent.
Voilà des questions importantes qui doivent être à la base de cette réflexion, compte tenu de l'intérêt de toutes les parties prenantes.
Pour revenir aux questions spécifiques posées au paragraphe 17, je voudrais m'intéresser tout particulièrement à l'alinéa b. Ma délégation pense que la FAO peut entreprendre un certain nombre de tâches. La première tâche pour nous consiste, à l'instar de ce qui existe au sein du PNUE, à créer un Groupe d'experts. Le Groupe d'experts du PNUE a fait des recommandations au paragraphe 12. L'importance de la question justifie qu'au sein de la FAO un Groupe d'experts soit créé. Ce groupe d'experts devra faire l'examen des années d'expérience et des années d'application de l'ICP. Il faut dresser une typologie des problèmes et des difficultés rencontrées par les pays depuis la mise en oeuvre du Code de conduite. C'est une question importante qui nous permettra de savoir comment nous pouvons évoluer vers un document juridiquement contraignant. Ce groupe d'experts devra faire des recommandations qui s'inspireront de ce qui est contenu au paragraphe 12. Voilà quelle est notre perception du problème.
En ce qui concerne les dates, nous pensons que cette question sera fonction de la démarche qui sera entreprise, en tenant compte des questions que nous avons évoquées.
M. MAJID-UL HAQUE (Bangladesh): We are interested, like many others, in the development of a legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of the principle of prior informed consent. However, my delegation is concerned about the voluntary, non-binding nature of the code and the absence of an adequate framework for the realization of all its objectives.
We therefore agree with the proposal to proceed with the preparation of a draft for a legally binding instrument for the operation of the PIC procedures, and assert that it should be done as early as possible.
Mrs Maria GALVÖLGYI (Hungary): As to the document CL 106/11, the PIC application in Hungary goes back to the beginning of the 80s when an institution was nominated to act as an information centre.
As, among the chemicals, the pesticides are mostly registered and controlled, their way from production to users can be followed. Different organizations are dealing with this activity in most of the countries, and therefore any regulation can be applied in a relatively easy way. Especially after application of the PIC procedures, it seemed to be advisable to involve the mentioned institutions into this process of exchanging information.
In Hungary, the plant protection department of the Ministry of Agriculture is dealing with the important task of designated national authority. In 1991, this department initiated the establishment of a national PIC committee in order to include all competent government institutions to formulate a uniform national standpoint. According to the decision of this national PIC committee, FAO and IRPTC are regularly informed about the prohibited or limitedly used materials in the country. In Hungary no pesticide is permitted which is found on the prohibited list of PIC. It is felt that we have already made significant and exemplary steps ahead in the practical introduction of PIC in our sub-region.
Concerning our experiences, we support the joint FAO/UNEP endeavour to formulate legal guarantees for PIC application. Introduction of such a legally binding instrument will not be disadvantageous for my country, although its formal application is not clear enough. There is an idea which could implement this instrument in the framework of the national council responsible for the safetiness of chemicals.
In Hungary, the document sent by UNEP is under examination, and hopefully a national delegation will participate at the meeting in December to be held in Geneva.
My final remark would go to the final requirement mentioned in the last paragraph of the document. It is difficult for us to comment on costs of this task since the work done so far and the tasks still to be fulfilled have not been fully clarified yet.
Yoshihisa KAWAGUCHI (Japan): In my country, in order to implement the PIC procedure the relevant government ordinance was amended in July 1992. As a result of this amendment, in order to export chemicals including pesticides which are being banned or severely restricted it became necessary to get governmental approval.
With regard to the development of a legally binding instrument for the PIC procedure, we think that it is necessary to consider carefully the scope and the contents of the obligation. More in detail, we think that it is realistic to consider a mechanism restricted to information exchange between exporting and importing countries. On the contrary, if the scope of consideration is to expand to the creation of new complex information exchange mechanism through international organization, or to obligations to strengthen internal infrastructure, there might be a risk of resulting in a system of questionable feasibility.
Basically, we have no objection to the way FAO has and will be investigating the development of a legally binding instrument for the PIC procedure. We would like to add, finally, that careful consideration is essential in order to make a feasible and efficient mechanism.
Per Harald GRUE (Norway): The Nordic countries are in favour of the proposal made in paragraph 17 of the document in front of us, to prepare a legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of the prior informed consent procedure in international trade in pesticides, and we support the suggestions in the declaration made on behalf of the European Community and its member states that such an instrument should take the PIC procedure as set out in the amended London Guidelines and in FAO's Code of Conduct as a starting point.
We see this as an important first step towards an international agreement to restrict the exportation of hazardous substances from countries in which their use is banned or severely restricted, as was called for at the second CSD session in May of this year.
Alan AMEY (Canada): Nous accueillons avec plaisir le rapport du Secrétariat concernant l'évolution de l'application de la procédure de l'information et du consentement préalables dans les directives de Londres. Il s'agit là d'un dossier important pour la protection des consommateurs du monde entier.
Le Canada appuie également les mesures de suivi d'Action 21 et reconnaît le rôle prépondérant qu'ont joué la FAO et le PNUE dans cette entreprise.
Il semble que le projet de procédure de l'information et du consentement préalables (PICP) reçoive un vaste appui. Le Canada ne tient donc pas à freiner les progrès réalisés sur ce plan. Cependant, nous tenons à apporter quelques mises en garde concernant l'élaboration d'un instrument juridiquement contraignant. Tout d'abord, le Canada n'exporte qu'une infime quantité des produits chimiques énumérés sur la liste de la PICP. Grâce à la conclusion de protocoles d'entente avec chaque société concernée, nous espérons inciter les sociétés canadiennes à observer la PIPC. Une fois la convention signée, il serait peut-être sage de reconnaître que les pays qui sont dans la même situation se conforment à la PICP même s'ils n'amorcent pas un processus coûteux de modifications de leur législation intérieure et de mise en place d'un mécanisme réglementaire formel.
En évaluant les répercussions sur les ressources, il est important d'évaluer les besoins financiers en tenant compte des autres demandes de financement des mesures de suivi d'Action 21. Il serait bon d'analyser la question dans le contexte de l'examen des projets prévus pour le prochain exercice biennal, qui est mené par le Comité de l'agriculture, le Comité des pêches et le Comité des forêts. En ce qui concerne les options de financement, il faudra faire preuve d'innovation dans un monde où s'accroît l'interdépendance. Les Gouvernements sont forcés de réduire leurs dépenses dans tous les domaines et l'heure est mal choisie pour leur demander des fonds supplémentaires. A moins qu'on envisage la PICP dans le contexte plus large du suivi d'Action 21 nous ne serons pas en mesure d'engager des ressources extrabudgétaires dans cette entreprise, aussi valable soit-elle. Nous attendons avec impatience le dépôt du rapport du Secrétariat de la FAO à la Commission du développement durable à cet égard au printemps de 1995.
E. Wayne DENNEY (United States of America): We would start by associating ourselves with the comments made earlier by both Australia and by Canada.
The United States joint consensus at the last CSD to move towards the establishment of a legally binding instrument on PIC that is based on the voluntary system agreed to in 1989. Any such instrument should utilize the FAO/UNEP Joint Experts Committee and recognize the progress achieved in implementing the FAO Code of Conduct on Distribution and Use of Pesticides.
We have a number of views regarding what a strengthened PIC regime should entail. Whilst that is not the major purpose of our discussion today, it may help explain why we want to proceed carefully and be sure consensus is obtained.
We would like to have both a comprehensive information exchange mechanism based on individual national regulatory action triggers, and an import/export restriction based on an agreed list of chemicals.
The information exchange mechanism should include information on environmentally safer alternatives to chemicals subject to export control under the PIC system, where such information is available and appropriate -- as set forth in Annex III of the UNEP London Guidelines.
The regime should exclude non-product materials, in particular solid and hazardous wastes covered under the Basel Convention.
It should set forth an appropriate balance of responsibility between exporting and importing countries.
Finally, it should be non-discriminatory and not limit trade based on arbitrary country grouping.
We would note that, during the period of possible negotiation of a legally binding PIC, it is important that efforts continue to strengthen the voluntary process including seeking the active cooperation of countries not now fully participating.
Regarding this specific issue of whether FAO should commit itself to participating with UNEP as a Secretariat for intergovernmental negotiations, we believe FAO should secure sufficient funds before making a specific commitment. We do not believe that FAO should expend an undue amount of Regular Programme resources for this purpose.
At the same time, we also believe that FAO does need to cooperate fully with the CSD.
Martha de VALLADARES (Honduras): La delegación de Honduras, señor Presidente, agradece a la Comisión sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible la información incluida en el documento CL 107/11, del estado actual del desarrollo de un instrumento jurídicamente vinculante para la aplicación obligatoria del procedimiento de información y consentimiento previo. En tal sentido, estamos de acuerdo en que la Secretaría proceda a preparar un proyecto de instrumento jurídicamente vinculante, en la medida en que la FAO obtenga los recursos extrapresupuestarios para cubrir dichos gastos.
Asimismo, consideramos que en la reunión consultiva de expertos de los gobiernos que proyecta convocar el CNUMAD en diciembre de 1994, conjuntamente con la FAO, podría analizarse la necesidad de crear y formular la aplicación de sanciones por la utilización y distribución de plaguicidas y de otras sustancias químicas nocivas a la salud.
Suharyo HUSEN (Indonesia): Firstly, the Indonesian delegation would like to share the views of other distinguished delegates in congratulating the Secretariat for providing the introduction to the document under Item 6.3, CL 107/11.
Secondly, since Indonesia is at present actively implementing Integrated Pest Management, the IPM project, for agricultural commodities, including crops, and is also very concerned for health and environmental
problems caused by pesticides, my delegation would like to join other delegations in supporting and endorsing the legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of prior informed consent, PIC, in court.
Finally, the Indonesian delegation would like to present IPM in Indonesia, namely ecological matters and sustainable agriculture for information.
Ahmed MER'I (Syria) (Original language Arabic): My delegation welcomes the development of a legally binding instrument for the mandatory application of the PIC procedure and the use of pesticides, since the protection of the environment and plants which are a major source of food for mankind, require such a binding instrument which informs countries of hazardous and poisonous chemicals, hazardous to the life of mankind and to its health. The chemical analysis of such pesticides and scientific tests should be applied to the biological effect of such pesticides on food-producing plants.
My country has established a department to examine and analyze imported chemicals with biological analysis of such pesticides, to decide which are hazardous and poisonous. We adopted an approach of integrated combat and control, with a view to achieving an ecological balance, using pesticides to a minimum. We use pesticides only when the pests inflict harm on agricultural production.
EL PRESIDENTE: Pregunto a los miembros del Consejo si desean intervenir respecto de este tema antes de dar la palabra a los señores observadores. No veo a ningún delegado que lo desee. En ese caso doy la palabra al observador de la PNUMA.
Bukhard WAGNER (UNEP): On behalf of the Executive Director, Mrs Elizabeth Dowdswell, I should like to thank you for this opportunity to provide a brief presentation of support for the FAO/UNEP Joint Programme on the Implementation of Prior Informed Consent.
When the principle of PIC was introduced into the FAO conduct in 1989, UNEP amended the London Guidelines on the exchange of information on Chemicals in International Trade, and also included the PIC principle. Upon the recommendation of the UNEP Governing Council and the FAO Conference, both FAO and UNEP have since worked together under a Memorandum of Understanding and have successfully initiated and implemented this procedure.
We are confident that the implementation of the PIC procedure has been strengthened by this cooperation bringing together FAO's knowledge on pesticides and UNEP's experience in industrial chemicals and information management. Both the amended London Guidelines and the FAO Conduct are instruments implemented on a voluntary basis.
With 125 participating countries, you can see the wide acceptance of this principle and the interest of countries to control pesticides and industrial chemicals. In 1989, the UNEP Governing Council recommended reconvening the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on the implementation of the London Guidelines, with the mandate to review progress and experience in the implementation of the Guidelines, and to consider modalities for strengthening the legal basis of these guidelines at national and international levels.
This Working Group has developed a set of elements that might be included in a legally binding instrument. The Group's recommendations have also been presented to the International Conference on Chemical Safety in Stockholm in April of this year, and to the second session of the Commission of Sustainable Development which met in New York in May this year. Both bodies have recommended that work should continue to evaluate and address problems in the implementation of the PIC procedure and to develop effective international legally binding instruments concerning the PIC procedure.
UNEP, jointly with FAO, is planning to convene a consultative meeting of government experts in December 1994 in Geneva to develop further a legally binding instrument. Then the Executive Director of UNEP will inform the UNEP Governing Council in May next year of the results of UNEP's and FAO's work on this issue.
It is hoped that the Governing Council will reinforce the mandate to continue working towards a legally binding instrument. We look forward to the decision of this FAO Council that will be reported to the UNEP Governing Council.
Mr Chairman, it will be essential for the successful implementation of this legally binding instrument that FAO and UNEP continue to work together to promote a clear notion of shared responsibility between importing and exporting countries, in protecting both people and the environment from the negative health and environmental effects of certain hazardous chemicals. This cooperation between FAO and UNEP is a very good example of inter-agency cooperation which countries always request.
I wish you well in your deliberations. UNEP looks forward to a strong and continuous association with FAO in this increasingly important activity of real relevance, particularly to developing countries.
EL PRESIDENTE: Deseo comunicar a este Consejo que el distinguido observador de Etiopía ha enviado una declaración para ser incluida en el verbatim sobre el tema 6.2 de la agenda. Espero tomen nota de que va a aparecer allí. ¿Hay alguna otra delegación u observador que desee hacer uso de la palabra? En ese caso, distinguidos delegados y, siendo poco más de las 12.30, les voy a pedir disculpas por no continuar hasta la finalización de este tema. Debo terminar en este momento. Nos reuniremos a las 14.30 horas en punto para conocer la respuesta que nos dará el Dr. de Haen y para efectuar el resumen de este punto.
The meeting rose at 12.30 hours.
La séance est levée à 12 h 30.
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.30 horas.
