IPA

We began Nano’s Day in the morning wishing one another a Happy Feast in the office before scurrying off to Room A of the UN for the morning briefing of the nongovernmental groups.  Ben Debrizzi of UNDP spoke about new possibilities for attendees in Rio. de Janeiro.  Maps and venues are posted on line.

In regard to the negotiations of the text, the first paragraphs for section IV on the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development  insist that decisions must be based on good information.  All stakeholders and partnerships must be involved.  The G77 + China coalition, actually comprising 133 nations, continually insist on the reaffirmation of the Rio agreements such as Agenda 21, (the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development,  adopted by more than 178 countries in Rio de Janerio, Brazil in 1992.)  Other nations such as the EU, USA and others resist this continual repetition, considering it unnecessary.

The most serious areas of disagreement have to do with monitoring commitments and reinforcing coherence among UN agencies.  The G 77 nations called upon developed nations to fulfill the commitments made to developing countries in Agenda 21, regarding  Multilateral Environmental Agreements for technology transfer,  as well as other financial support.

On the value of biological diversity, the US wished to retain language on ecosystem services.  In regard to  biodiversity conservation, Norway added references to disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change.  On the origins of genetic resources, the US and New Zealand called for the paragraph’s deletion.  In respect to the intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the US reserved and Norway and the Republic of Korea supported the EU and Swiss proposal to “welcome the establishment of” rather than “take note of” the Platform.

Australia presented two new paragraphs on sustainable development challenges of land degradation, desertification and drought.  The EU and Iceland sought to insert “and soil” after all references to land.  G77 + China opposed this.   

On a coordinated global approach, the EU, supported by the G 77+ China added text on implementation of the UN Conference to Combat  Desertification.  Myanmar added text on soil contamination and land management.  In regard to monitoring and assessment, Japan, USA, EU, and Norway asked to delete a call for discussing a possible intergovernmental science panel .

Our end of the day celebration began with Marlette’s inspiring Nano Nagle Prayer Service in the transformed gathering space featuring Mary Ivers’  luminous  Ecuadorean table cloth.  We were joined in prayer and celebration by our UNANIMA  office colleagues.  Each of us instinctively articulated our appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to our international mission  and experience in concert our IPA commitment to poverty eradication, equity, and empowerment of those made poor by global injustices . In Nano, we are one, and with  Nano’s  charism, although geographically apart, we continue our mission together. 

Maura McCarthy pbvm

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