The Economic and Social Council this afternoon adopted four resolutions and seven decisions on economic and environmental questions, including on sustainable development, human settlements, environment, population and development, United Nations Forum on Forests, and transport of dangerous goods, after concluding its general discussion on these and other topics.

In a decision on continued consideration by the United Nations Forum on Forests on means of implementation, the Council noted that the Chair of the ninth session of the Forum intended to undertake informal consultations in order to reach agreement among all Member States on the substantive issues in document E/CN.18/2009/WP.1, and authorised, should agreement be reached on those issues, the holding of a one-day special session of the ninth session of the Forum, within existing resources, at the earliest possible date in 2009, for the purpose of adopting the agreed text.

In a resolution on human settlements, the Council requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the coordinated implementation of the Habitat Agenda for consideration by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2010.

In a resolution on review of United Nations support for small island developing States, the Council decided to consider the issue at its 2010 session.

In a decision on dates of the meetings of the Commission on Sustainable Development during its 2010/2011 cycle, the Council decided that the eighteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development should take place from 3 to 14 May 2010, the intergovernmental preparatory meeting for the nineteenth session of the Commission should take place from 21 to 25 February 2011 and the nineteenth session of the Commission should take place from 2 to 13 May 2011.

The Economic and Social Council also adopted a decision on the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its seventeenth session and provisional agenda for the eighteenth session of the Commission, it which it decided to adopt the report and the provisional agenda.

The Council adopted a decision in which it took note of the report of the Statistical Commission on its fortieth session; decided that the forty-first session of the Commission shall be held in New York from 23 to 26 February 2010; and approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-first session of the Commission.

The Council took note of the report of the Commission on Population and Development on its forty-second session and approved the provisional agenda for the forty-third session of the Commission.

The Council adopted a resolution contained in the report of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration, requesting the Secretariat to further enhance its support for capacity-building through analytical research, advisory services and online and offline training, emphasizing trust building, citizen engagement, human resources and institutional development.

The Council adopted a decision contained in the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests, in which the Council decided that the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests would be held from 24 January to 4 February 2011 in New York.

In a decision on the eighth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests and the provisional agenda for its ninth session, the Council took note of the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its eighth session and approved the provisional agenda for the ninth session of the Forum.

And the Council adopted a resolution on the Work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, in which it requested the Committee to study, in consultation with the International Maritime Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the regional commissions and the intergovernmental organizations concerned, the possibilities of improving the implementation of the Model Regulations on the transport of dangerous goods in all countries for the purposes of ensuring a high level of safety and eliminating technical barriers to international trade.

The Council also took note of the report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its twenty-fifth session, Nairobi, 16-20 February 2009, contained in document (A/64/25); the report of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names on the work of its twenty-fifth session, Nairobi, 5-12 May 2009, as contained in document (E/2009/58); and the report of UN Habitat on its twenty-second session, as contained in document (A/64/8).

Introducing draft decisions were the Maldives, Sweden and Latvia

Speaking in general comment were Canada and the United States

During the general discussion on economic and environmental questions, which started on 29 July in the morning, speakers noted that for 13 years the Habitat Agenda had been a source of inspiration for efforts at all levels to improve human settlements. UN Habitat had taken important steps to improve programme focus and incorporate results-based management. It was worth noting that States noted the need to reverse the decline in Official Development Assistance for forest management, and to increase financial resources from all sources for the implementation of sustainable forest management.

Speaking in the discussion were Sweden (on behalf of the European Union), Turkey, United States, Saint Lucia and Indonesia.

The Economic and Social Council will reconvene its meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 30 July to begin consideration of item 12 of the agenda on social and human rights questions.


General Discussion on Economic and Environmental Questions

BENGT GUNNAR HERRSTROM (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said for 13 years the Habitat Agenda had been a source of inspiration for efforts at all levels to improve human settlements. The European Union wished to reiterate its full endorsement of the Agenda, and its full commitment to sustainable urban development. At this substantive session, the European Union had sought to highlight one particular outcome of the latest meeting of the Governing Council of UN-HABITAT. After four years of work, the Guidelines on Access to Basic Services for All were approved by the Governing Council in April this year. The Governing Council asked ECOSOC to consider these Guidelines, together with the guidelines on decentralisation, with a view to promoting their use among United Nations bodies. The Guidelines were meant to assist national and local authorities to implement reforms promoting access to basic services for all. The European Union expected relevant United Nations bodies to promote the guidelines on access to basic services for all, and to ensure their wide dissemination.

EMIR YUKSEL (Turkey) said Turkey’s approach for the rivers of Euphrates and Tigris was based on the principles of “two rivers, one basin”. They believed that the total water potential of the rivers were sufficient for the use of countries, provided that water was used in an efficient way. With respect to the utilisation of the waters of Euphrates and Tigris rivers, Turkey had consistently abided by these principles and continued to release the maximum amount of water from both rivers even during the driest summers thanks to the completed dams and reservoirs in south-eastern Anatolia. Their motto had always been that water should be a source of cooperation among riparian countries. With this understanding, Turkey held regular talks with the riparian countries of the rivers in question based on a comprehensive approach with all its dimensions.

JOHN SAMMIS (United States) said UN Habitat had taken important steps to improve programme focus and incorporate results-based management. The results framework for the Medium Term Strategic and Institutional Plan was a very important tool. UN-Habitat had a clear leadership in its normative work, such as the identification of best practices, creation of training materials, and delivery of guidance to policy-makers. The World Urban Forum last year demonstrated the growing recognition of the importance of urban development, and Habitat's leadership role on these issues within the United Nations system. It was making strides in elevating shelter and urban issues within the United Nations community. It had approached partnerships with the private sector in new and creative ways that went well beyond viewing the private sector as just a funding source. The United States was pleased that Habitat recognised that it had a role in helping to address the challenges of climate change, particularly through its work with local officials and communities, and would contribute its understanding of sustainable urbanization to the sustainable development dialogue.

DONATUS ST AIMEE (Saint Lucia) said on UN Habitat, UN settlements and population development, one of the themes of complaints heard today was with regard to the drying up of resources due to the global economic and financial crises, and the way that might affect United Nations programmes. It was at this time precisely, during this crisis, that they had to support credit unions to take in some of the resources of those who had not been traditionally inclined to save. In the case of Saint Lucia, this would help alleviate some of the impact in small sectors.

BUDI KURNIAWAN (Indonesia) said it was worth noting that States noted the need to reverse the decline in Official Development Assistance for forest management, and to increase financial resources from all sources for the implementation of sustainable forest management. However, this had not been fully realised, despite a resolution by the Economic and Social Council to this effect. No-one was more disappointed than Indonesia at not reaching an agreement on item 6 of the Agenda of the Forum on Forests. Indonesia was of the view that consideration of the issue of means of implementation should be accomplished expeditiously. In this regard, Indonesia fully supported the holding of informal consultations to reach agreement on the means of implementation. Efforts should be made to ensure adequate and predictable funding.

Concluding Remarks at the End of the General Discussion on Economic and Environmental Questions

AXUMITE GEBRE-EGZIABHER, Director of the United Nations Habitat New York Office, responding to issues raised during the general discussion, said with regard to the comment made by Saint Lucia, it was true there was a problem with the definition of rural development. When they talked about rural development, the nature of the discussion had to change. They could only move on development in rural areas if they were able to develop urban areas. These concepts were interlinked, and when economic development took place it was a transformation – urban development. It was important to plan and manage cities, so that when people moved to these cities for a better life, there were areas they could settle in. Member States were supported on special territorial development, therefore linking urban and rural development, in order to have a healthy sustainable development for the future.

Patrick Guillaumont, Member of the Committee for Development Policy, responding to issues raised during the general discussion, said the concern on Samoa's transition to graduation to be done slowly was something that the Committee was trying to do. Countries in difficulties in transition could find themselves once more in a situation where they were eligible for inclusion in that list. The graduation process was a very cautious one, and the Committee was very sensitive to the concerns expressed, and would continue to monitor countries that were being graduated to see that it was done in a careful way.

TADANORI INOMATA, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), in response to the issues raised in the general discussion held this morning, said he recognized that the JIU were late comers in the review process to ECOSOC. He was encouraged by the delegations that intervened on the JIU report and their comments on substance were supportive of the report. The JIU was bringing about new impetus on the governing of the environment and that this should not be left to the Chief Executives Board. Increasing the ownership of Member States in the issue of international governance was emphasized in the discussion. The recommendations produced by the JIU addressed intergovernmental bodies; four recommendations were specifically addressed to the Executive Heads of the Chief Executives Board which had been accepted; and five recommendations were addressed to the General Assembly and Governing Council - all which had to be carried out. In order for all the bodies to carry this out, the support of the Chief Executives Board was necessary. This was not the end of the discussion, and the Council would determine that at a later time.

Munyaradzi Chenje, Head of Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said he wished to thank Member States for the continuous support UNEP received from them. With regards to the statement made by Brazil, since the UNEP report had been prepared, there had been a lot of consultation between United Nations agencies on how to prepare for this issue. More than 21 agencies had issued a joint statement on this issue.


Action on Resolutions and Decisions on Economic and Environmental Questions

SHAZRA ABDUL SATTAR (Maldives), introducing the draft resolution on the Review of United Nations Support for Small Island Developing States (E/2009/L.35), said they thanked all the cosponsors for their support, and those delegations who took part in the various rounds of informal consultations. The aim of the resolution before the Council was straightforward. The particular vulnerabilities of small island developing States were now well-known and were widely recognized by the UN system. These vulnerabilities which were severe, were being further exacerbated by the current global financial crisis and by the increasingly malign effects of climate change. Against this background, the resolution called on the Committee for Development Policy to submit its independent views and perspectives on UN support for small island developing States, and for this independent assessment to be considered by ECOSOC next year. Together these two steps would represent an important contribution, by ECOSOC, to the 2010 high-level review in the General Assembly on progress made in addressing the vulnerabilities of small island States. The Maldives believed that the resolution was a crucial one and hoped that it would be adopted by consensus.

No action was immediately taken on the draft resolution.

In a decision on continued consideration by the United Nations Forum on Forests on means of implementation (E/2009/L.40), the Council notes that the Chair of the ninth session of the Forum intends to undertake informal consultations in order to reach agreement among all Member States on the substantive issues in document E/CN.18/2009/WP.1, and authorises, should agreement be reached on those issues, the holding of a one-day special session of the ninth session of the Forum, within existing resources, at the earliest possible date in 2009, for the purpose of adopting the agreed text.

ARVIDS OZOLS (Latvia), introducing the draft decision (E/2009/L.40) on continued consideration by the United Nations Forum on Forests on means of implementation, said the decision was an outcome of work between Member States following the United Nations Forum on Forests May session, at which session agreement was not finalised on the Means of Implementation Decision. However, many Member States had expressed a strong interest in seeing if an early agreement could be reached. Countries with outstanding issues surrounding the process forward reached agreement on the Decision on 27 July. The Decision recognised that the Chair would run a process, which would be the appointment of two co-facilitators to serve as co-facilitators for informal consultations on the agreement to be reached on the Means of Implementation. This Decision allowed the process to move to conclusion within 2009.

In a resolution on human settlements (E/2009/L.22), adopted without a vote, the Council requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on the coordinated implementation of the Habitat Agenda for consideration by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2010.

BENGT GUNNAR HERRSTROM (Sweden), presenting the revised text of the resolution on Human Settlements (E/2009/L.22/Rev.1), said it was vital to avoid all doubling of work between the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. The revised resolution clearly defined the role of the Council, and requested it to consider directives on the access to basic services for all. Sweden recommended that the consensus text be adopted by the Council.

In a resolution on Review of United Nations support for small island developing States (E/2009/L.35), adopted without a vote, the Council decides to consider the issue at its 2010 substantive session and to make available a summary of the debate held during the 2010 substantive session, together with the independent views and perspectives of the Committee for Development Policy, as a contribution to the two-day high-level review, to be conducted during the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly, of the progress made in addressing the vulnerabilities of small island developing States.

MUHAMMAD AYUB (Pakistan) said climate change posed a transformational challenge to all countries. The situation demanded an ever-more vigilant monitoring of the global scenario, assessing country vulnerabilities, and how climate change was affecting them. In this regard, the resolution was a timely step in the right direction. For Pakistan, the twin challenge of ensuring sustainable development in the wake of the financial and economic crises whilst responding to the challenges of climate change was particularly daunting. South Asia was seen as the region worst affected by climate change. While fully supporting the resolution, the Committee on Sustainable Development should develop a new form of country-classification, based on physical, geographical and climate criteria.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote decision I contained in the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development (E/2009/29) entitled Dates of the Meetings of the Commission on Sustainable Development during its 2010/2011 cycle, in which the Council decides that the eighteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (review session) should take place from 3 to 14 May 2010, the intergovernmental preparatory meeting for the nineteenth session of the Commission should take place from 21 to 25 February 2011 and the nineteenth session of the Commission (policy session) should take place from 2 to 13 May 2011.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote decision II contained in the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development (E/2009/29) entitled Adoption of the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its seventeenth session and the provisional Agenda for the Eighteenth Session of the Commission, in which the Council decides to adopt the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its seventeenth session and the provisional agenda for the eighteenth session of the Commission.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote decision I contained in the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development (E/2009/24) entitled Report of the Statistical Commission on its fortieth session and the provisional agenda and dates for the forty-first session of the Commission, in which the Economic and Social Council takes note of the report of the Statistical Commission on its fortieth session; decides that the forty-first session of the Commission shall be held in New York from 23 to 26 February 2010; approves the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-first session of the Commission.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote decision I contained in the report of the Commission on Population Development (E/2009/25) entitled Report of the Commission on Population and Development on its forty-second session and provisional agenda for its forty-third session, in which the Council takes note of the report of the Commission on Population and Development on its forty-second session; and approves the provisional agenda for the forty-third session of the Commission.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote a resolution contained in the report of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (E/2009/44), in which the Council requests the Secretariat to continue to give due recognition to innovative public sector initiatives by the Member States through the flagship work of the United Nations Public Service Day and Public Service Awards in support of the implementation of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals; requests the Secretariat to further enhance its support for capacity-building through analytical research, advisory services and online and offline training, emphasizing trust building, citizen engagement, human resources and institutional development; requests the Secretariat, in the light of the fact that the current economic and financial crisis is a daunting challenge to public administration, to enhance its important work for the development of public sector institutions and resources for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, by further developing its analytical and advisory capacity and further integrating research and analysis with the normative and operational work and by continuing to work with other partners in developing joint products; and approves the convening of the ninth session of the Committee.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote decision I contained in the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests (E/2009/42) entitled, Dates and venue for the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, in which the Council decides that the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests will be held from 24 January to 4 February 2011 in New York.

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote decision II contained in the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests (E/2009/42) entitled, Report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its eighth session and provisional agenda for its ninth session, in which the Council takes note of the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its eighth session; and approves the provisional agenda for the ninth session of the Forum as set out below.

In a resolution contained in the Report of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (E/2009/55), entitled Work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council requests the Secretary-General: to circulate the new and amended recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods to the Governments of Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international organizations concerned; requests the Committee to study, in consultation with the International Maritime Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the regional commissions and the intergovernmental organizations concerned, the possibilities of improving the implementation of the Model Regulations on the transport of dangerous goods in all countries for the purposes of ensuring a high level of safety and eliminating technical barriers to international trade, including through the further harmonization of international agreements or conventions governing the international transport of dangerous goods; and requests the Secretary-General to circulate the amendments to the second revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to the Governments of Member States, the specialized agencies and other international organizations concerned; and decides to approve the programme of work of the Committee.

KEITH MORRILL (Canada) said Canada would not block consensus on this matter, but wished to reiterate its position on this issue with regards to the transport of genetically-modified organisms. Extraneous consideration seemed to be taken into account in the drafting of the Model Regulations. Genetically-modified organisms were not inherently dangerous goods, and any such goods were already covered in the Model Regulations. The Class Nine regulatory regime was too onerous considering the risk posed by genetically-modified organisms in transport. This issue should be removed from the text.

JOHN SAMMIS (United States) said the United States shared the concerns expressed by Canada on genetically modified organisms, and did not consider them to be dangerous items and therefore they should not be included in the Model Regulations. The United States supported the consensus on the resolution and the operative paragraphs contained therein.


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