OPTIMISTIC MOOD AT INFORMAL WSSD PREP MEETING, BUT LITTLE PROGRESS ON SUBSTANCE

Gathering for the first high-level meeting since the fourth preparatory session (PrepCom IV) for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, 26 August - 4 September, Johannesburg, South Africa), delegates met in New York on 17 July to discuss some of the key outstanding issues in the draft Plan of Implementation (see BRIDGES Weekly, 12 June 2002). While the mood of the meeting was generally described as "optimistic", little concrete progress was made, with countries largely reiterating their previously- stated positions.

At the initiative of South Africa and chaired by Foreign Minister N. Dlamini Zuma, 25 countries were invited to attend the 'Friends of the Chair' meeting in New York. The participants were selected based on geographical representation and common interest in the outstanding issues. Many other delegations also attended, following concerns by some regarding the choice of countries. The meeting focused on six major clusters, including time-bound targets, the Rio Principles (in particular those related to common but differentiated responsibilities and precaution), finance, globalisation and trade, good governance and technology transfer. South Africa furthermore identified market access for developing countries and agricultural subsidies as key outstanding issues. The meeting was meant to provide a platform for exchange of views, rather than negotiations, as not all delegations were present.

Overall, the meeting was described as a positive step towards reaching agreement on some of the major stumbling blocks. Substantively, however, countries generally restated their positions already expressed in Bali, leading some to suggest that much work still remained. One source also noted that the supposed progress was rather "deceptive", with delegations largely restricting themselves to making general comments, and that any possible value of the New York meeting was political rather than substantive.

Subject to a decision by South Africa, countries tentatively agreed to continue the consultative process, including designation of facilitators for the six issues areas and conducting further consultation in the "Vienna setting" [i.e. only one person speaks on behalf of each interest and/or regional group]. Informal negotiations similar to those in Bali are expected to be held immediately prior to the Summit. South Africa furthermore urged Ministers to be present in Johannesburg from 26 August to help finalise the negotiations. In deviation from usual practice, South Africa is reportedly trying to involve Ministers in the actual negotiations of the political declaration rather than leaving discussions to the negotiators.

In related news, EU ministers meeting on 20 July to discuss their approach to WSSD stressed the importance of a successful Summit for the global trade talks launched in Doha last year. "If Johannesburg fails, we will probably see very negative effect in the global trade arena," warned EU Development Commissioner Poul Nielson. "Doha would have a very difficult start indeed if this were the background," he added.

For further information on WSSD, see http://www.johannesburgsummit.org and http://www.joburgsummit2002.com.

ICTSD reporting; "World Summit atmosphere thaws at friends meeting," ENS, 18 July 2002; "Earth Summit failure could imperil trade talks - EU," REUTERS, 20 July 2002.