[WSIS CS-Plenary] Drastic changes to the proposed WSIS implementation mechanisms in the new text

[Jean-Louis FULLSACK]

Dear Francis and Parminder
In my opinion, as a specialized (technical) agency of the UN, ITU reports directly to the General Assembly of the UN and not to ECOSOC. 


Jean-Louis Fullsack


> Message du 30/08/05 14:38
> De : "Dr. Francis MUGUET" 
> A : plenary at wsis-cs.org
> Copie à : 
> Objet : Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Drastic changes to the proposed WSIS implementation mechanisms in the new text
> 
> [Please note that by using 'REPLY', your response goes to the entire list. Kindly use individual addresses for responses intended for specific people. Your cooperation is highly appreciated] 
> _______________________________________
> 
> Dear Parminder , Bertrand,, Robert, Jean-Louis and others,
> 
> Just a short answer
> 
> >
> > At this stage we need to pitch in for a new and exclusive 
> > implementation/ follow-up mechanism, outside the 57/270 B framework. 
> > However difficult to achieve this should still , in my view, be our 
> > single-point agenda in the current round, and therefore we should 
> > insist on keeping the existing text of points 10, 11 and 29.
> >
> Yes, it is exactly the point.
> Here is my tentative reconstitution of what happenned :
> 
> Jan 2003 : Resolution 57-270 
> : 
> nothing more than a call to form a working group.
> 
> 13 May 2005 : The updated report of the working group is finished on May 
> 13 2005, but it is unclear
> if this report has been made public at that date.
> 
> 11 July 2005 : GFC6 nothing special
> 
> Beginning of August : Karklins gets an advanced notice of
> the Note of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly 
> 
> and the updated report. He then scrambled unilateraly to
> write a text that mention indirectly the report
> "The modalities of coordination of implementation activities among the 
> UN agencies should
> be defined by the UN Secretary General on the basis of existing practices
> within the UN system [and within the WSIS]. "
> Karklins is cautious however, and mention the WSIS ( in bracket ? )
> 
> 19 August 2005 : Note of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly 
> -
> The report is now fully known and cannot be ignored by the WSIS.
> 
> The irony of this, is that the WSIS might be to be first summit where
> the recommendations of the working group setup following the
> resolution 57-270 could possibly ( and I hope not ) apply.
> 
> Now, one must remenber that at the UN, whatever is not political,
> is ECOSOC. The question is : is the IUT relevant to the general
> assembly or to the ECOSOC ?
> 
> One other crucial aspect in the new text is that now the follow-up and 
> implementation
> seems to be disctinct.
> 
> All the documents I am mentionning have been uploaded and links are there :
> http://www.wsis-si.org/si-tunis-post2.html
> 
> Best regards
> 
> Francis
> 
> > (Only later, if at the prepcom we see that there is no way anything 
> > beyond 57/270 is going to be agreed, should we try to salvage the best 
> > out of that framework, an activity which, as Francis says, is going to 
> > be a subtle exercise. This however doesn’t stop us at this point to 
> > gather all the ammunition for that later stage to get the best points 
> > out of 57/270, but lets not dilute our outward strategy for the moment)
> >
> > But to make this advocacy point forcefully we will be up against this 
> > one simple question – WHY, WHAT’S SO DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS SUMMIT FOR 
> > IT TO DESERVE IMPLEMENTATION/ FOLLOW UP MECHANISM OUTSIDE THE REGULAR 
> > ONES ??
> >
> > And we need to prepare good answers to this, and lobby others with them.
> >
> > Points like,
> >
> > * as Francis says WSIS is not only about economic and social
> > issues but much wider (practically everything!!) and this shd
> > put is beyond 57/270
> >
> > * And the fluid and evolving nature of IS issues was acknowledged
> > in the fact that for the first time a summit was held in two
> > phases. A sustained structural follow-up is only an extension of
> > the same logic. We have found no reason since the start of the
> > century to see that IS evolution is flagging, rather with each
> > passing day things and paradigms seem to be changing faster,
> > confirming the beliefs that set up the context of WSIS.
> >
> > * Quoting form my earlier email - The implementation- follow-up of
> > WSIS cannot be equated with that of other UN summits, because
> > the nature of WSIS is very different from these other UN
> > summits. All the earlier summits dealt with an existing
> > problem/issue more or less fully formed, about which the global
> > community needed to give a coordinated response. WSIS however is
> > about an emerging context and opportunity, and most of its
> > issues may be in the future, and often, definitionally, (as
> > consisting a new societal arrangement implicit in the IS
> > terminology used by WSIS), defying existing mandate and
> > jurisdiction of global organizations.
> >
> > * I know that many still doubt the relevance of a detailed
> > implementation/follow up structures for WSIS. But we must
> > appreciate the fact that these new spaces outside current
> > multi-global structures are badly needed if, in the context of
> > an emerging IS new power relationships between people and
> > institutions, sectors (public, private and civil society) and
> > geo-politically, have to be negotiated. Existing forums will
> > always use their limited mandates to scuttle new interpretations
> > and new paradigm – and IS is rife with new paradigms.
> >
> > * To give just one example of what is meant by the above point –
> > US and Japan recently scuttled further talks on elaborating a
> > development agenda at WIPO. And developing countries and the CS
> > at WIPO have been advocating a negotiation of a treaty on access
> > to knowledge, to counter one on IPR (that is, restriction on
> > access to knowledge). WIPO will cite its mandate, constitution
> > or whatever to say that such a thing was not in its ambit. And
> > it is difficult to take this issue up anywhere else. It is
> > relevant to note here that, one of the multi-stakeholder teams
> > as per existing language of para 10 is around the issue of
> > ‘access to knowledge’ (see annexure to chapter 1 of tunis doc).
> > So a relatively elaborate implementation helps us build the
> > skeletal structure on which to peg emerging IS issues. WE MUST
> > SEE THE IMPLEMENTATION/ FOLLOW UP ISSUE IN THIS LIGHT.
> >
> > * Developing countries must recognize, and we need to lobby with
> > them, that such structures are in their interest. In the
> > debates, and lobbying efforts, on implementation, we will
> > continuously run into … ‘within their existing resources’ ‘not
> > to make un-necessary new arrangements with financial
> > commitments’ …kind of arguments. To have an implementation
> > structure with an adequate secretariat and other support doesn’t
> > cost that much especially in the context of the hundreds of
> > international meetings etc that keep happening around us with
> > little real outcomes. Legitimatized post-WSIS structures on the
> > other hand will have better chance of moving towards some outcomes.
> >
> > * So, the ‘within existing resources’ argument we will keep
> > hearing from developed countries is not so much a real funds
> > issue – they regularly funds much larger scale activities with
> > much lesser outcomes – it is more to avoid more global policy
> > forums and spaces that will of course challenge existing power
> > equations and existing paradigms that suit those who already
> > enjoy more power best.
> >
> > * An increasingly more integrated global community, and IS
> > certainly means that, is in-consistent with reduced global
> > public policy spaces. It is an imperative of an emerging IS to
> > expand and re-interpret these spaces. So, with WSIS unlike other
> > summits, implementation and follow-up is not just a process
> > issues, but a content issue. But the problem is that developing
> > countries too do not show much interest in the post-WSIS
> > structural arrangements. Typically, as governments work, they
> > are working with the ‘here and now’ blinders, without vision.
> >
> > I am enclosing a write up that my organization had done 2 weeks ago on 
> > arguing for and developing a CS position on the issue of the new text 
> > proposed by the chair of GFC for chapters on implementation/follow-up. 
> > It is already dated, in view of all the great inputs given on this 
> > list in the last few days. But I’ll still post it.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Parminder
> >
> > _________________________________________________
> >
> > Parminder Jeet Singh
> >
> > IT for Change
> >
> > //Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities//
> >
> > 91-80-26654134
> >
> > //www.ITforChange.net// 
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] 
> > *On Behalf Of *Bertrand de La Chapelle
> > *Sent:* Monday, August 29, 2005 10:02 PM
> > *To:* plenary at wsis-cs.org
> > *Subject:* Re: [WSIS CS-Plenary] drastic changes to the proposed WSIS 
> > implementation mechanisms in the new text
> >
> > Dear Francis, dear all,
> >
> > If I remember well, the reference to UNGA resolution 57/270B was also 
> > specifically and repetitively made by the US delegation as a way to 
> > prevent the establishment of any new implementation mechanism.
> >
> > On a statement related to the importance of the changes, time is very 
> > short indeed but the real moment to speak out is September 6, during 
> > the open meeting of the Friends of the Chair. Preparing a statement 
> > for that date would probably be better than rushing to meet the 
> > deadline of August 31st. Who will be there on September 6th ? (I will 
> > attend).
> >
> > Note : I have opened a page on wsis-online for this event. (go to : 
> > http://www.wsis-online.net/smsi/classes/won/events/won-events-507606/event-view 
> > ?) 
> > Those who plan to attend can (if they are registered on wsis-online of 
> > course ..) click on the "I will attend" button on the right hand side 
> > of the page and the list of participants on the page will 
> > automatically update. This will avoid the endless ping-pong we have on 
> > the list every time we try to know who will attend a particular meeting).
> >
> > On substance, Parminder's points are, in my view, a very good starting 
> > point upon which to build. The main element is that the new proposal 
> > basically places the implementation primarily in the hands of 
> > governments and that the participation of other actors is not as 
> > central as it was before, especially at the international level.
> >
> > Some elements of the new proposal could be considered positive, 
> > particularly the fact that international organizations now are asked 
> > to facilitate multi-stakeholder efforts and that there is a request 
> > for governments to set up at the national level implementation 
> > frameworks with the participation of all stakeholders. But the whole 
> > thing has lost all teeth (governments are only "encoouraged" to 
> > establish such frameworks and international organizations "could" 
> > facilitate multistakeholder efforts). If CS could obtain a 
> > strenghtening of the formulation, such as : IGOs "should" facilitate 
> > and governments "should" establish national implementation frameworks, 
> > this could become a very strong basis for moving further after Tunis.
> >
> > But in general terms, the toning down of the whole document, in 
> > contradiction with the explicit demands of many actors, and with no 
> > particular consultation with the most progressive of them, is clearly 
> > a setback.
> >
> > One key point should be in September to maintain the pressure to 
> > guarantee more interaction on the design of the implementation 
> > mechanisms, and the guarantee that the discussions on that matter in 
> > PrepCom3 will be fully open.
> >
> > Best
> >
> > Bertrand
> >
> > On 8/29/05, *Dr. Francis MUGUET* > > > wrote:
> >
> > [Please note that by using 'REPLY', your response goes to the entire 
> > list. Kindly use individual addresses for responses intended for 
> > specific people. Your cooperation is highly appreciated]
> > _______________________________________
> >
> >
> > Hello folks,
> >
> > it seems that we are on the war path again... no rest for the
> > warriors... !!!
> >
> > This is going to be a rather long post, but we are at a turning point 
> > of the
> > WSIS, and we must discuss the heart of the legal matter.
> >
> > The suggestion of implementing the UNGA resolution 57/270B. came form
> > the EU,
> > ( 31 May 2005 ) among the last act of the Luxeburg presidency and went
> > unoticed
> > until now.
> >
> > http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/listing.asp?lang=en&c_event=gfc|5&c_type=co| 
> > 
> >
> >
> > http://www.itu.int/wsis/gfc/docs/5/contributions/EU.doc
> > a document available only in the proprietary non-open word format :
> >
> > *Paragraph 29 WSIS Plan of Action: *
> >
> > We underline the importance of follow-up based on the progress made in
> > the implementation of the WSIS outcome.
> >
> > The follow-up will focus on the progress made in the implementation of
> > WSIS outcomes and identify constraints and obstacles faced in relation
> > to implementation. It will further address new challenges and emerging
> > issues.
> >
> > It should take place within the UN framework for integrated and
> > coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major
> > UN conferences and summits in the economic and social fields as it is
> > defined in UNGA resolution 57/270B.
> >
> >
> >
> >> As such, it's worth finding and reading UNGA 57/270b and see if what's
> >> there fits the case now. I'll leave that for others to do. The
> >> reference is below..
> >>
> >>
> >> UN General Assembly Resolution (UNGA) 57/270b (2003)
> >>
> >> Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the
> >> outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the
> >> economic and social fields
> >> http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/RES/57/270B&Lang=E 
> > 
> >> < 
> > http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/RES/57/270B&Lang=E 
> > >
> >
> > I could not access to this URL directly... great for inclusion and
> > openness...
> > ( the http://daccess-ods.un.org URL is about IBM and LOTUS.... 
> > strange... )
> >
> > the only way to get it seems to go by the way of
> > http://www.ods.un.org
> >
> > Therefore I am putting the documents in text, instead of making links to
> > URLs that cannot be easily resolved in the UN documentation system.
> >
> >
> > 24/01/2003 : *_A/RES/57/270A • A/RES/57/270 _*
> > [ English ]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED IMPLEMENTATION OF AND FOLLOW-UP TO THE
> > OUTCOMES OF THE MAJOR UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS IN THE
> > ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FIELD : RESOLUTION / ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
> >
> >
> >
> > Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
> > [on the report of the Second Committee (A/57/537)]
> > 57/270. Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to
> > the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the
> > economic and social fields
> >
> >
> >
> > Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
> >
> > [/on the report of the Second Committee (A/57/537)/]
> >
> > *57/270. Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to
> > the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the
> > economic and social fields*
> >
> >
> >
> > /The General Assembly/,
> >
> > /Recalling /its resolutions on the restructuring and revitalization of
> > the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields,
> > particularly its resolution 50/227 of 24 May 1996,
> >
> > /Recalling also /its resolution 56/211 of 21 December 2001, as well as
> > Economic and Social Council resolution 2001/21 of 26 July 2001 and its
> > agreed conclusions 1995/1 of 28 July 1995, 2000/2 of 27 July 2000 and
> > 2002/1 of 26 July 2002,
> >
> > /Taking note /of the report of the Secretary-General on the integrated
> > and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcome of the
> > major United Nations conferences and summits, including the Millennium
> > Summit,^^1 <#sdfootnote1sym>
> >
> > /Reaffirming /that the internationally agreed development goals,
> > including those contained in the United Nations Millennium
> > Declaration^^2 <#sdfootnote2sym> and the outcomes of the major United
> > Nations conferences and summits, provide a comprehensive basis for
> > action at the national, regional and international levels with the key
> > objectives of poverty eradication, sustained economic growth,
> > sustainable development and improvement of the living conditions of
> > people everywhere,
> >
> > /Reaffirming also /that, while each United Nations conference has its
> > thematic unity, major United Nations conferences and summits should be
> > viewed as interlinked and contributing to an integrated framework for
> > the implementation of the internationally agreed development goals,
> > including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, and to a global
> > partnership for development,
> >
> > /Recognizing /the need to continue efforts to use the existing
> > structure, namely, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social
> > Council and its subsidiary machinery, for coordinated and integrated
> > follow-up to and implementation of the commitments agreed upon at the
> > Millennium Summit and other major United Nations conferences and
> > summits, so as to enhance coordination as well as effectiveness and
> > efficiency of actions at all levels,
> >
> > /Reiterating /the need to strengthen the role of the General Assembly as
> > the highest intergovernmental mechanism for the formulation and
> > appraisal of policy on matters relating to coordinated and integrated
> > follow-up to United Nations conferences and summits in the economic,
> > social and related fields,
> >
> > /Reaffirming /that the Economic and Social Council should continue to
> > strengthen its role as the central mechanism for system-wide
> > coordination and thus to promote coordinated follow-up to the outcomes
> > of major United Nations conferences in the economic, social and related
> > fields,
> >
> > /Emphasizing /that the relevant functional commissions and, as
> > appropriate, other relevant intergovernmental bodies of the United
> > Nations system, within their mandates, must fulfil their
> > responsibilities as specified in the outcomes of the United Nations
> > conferences and summits, should further enhance their role as the main
> > forums for expert follow-up and review of major United Nations
> > conferences and summits and, in this regard, must strengthen their
> > efforts to enhance inter-agency collaboration and coordination to
> > implement the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and 
> > summits,
> >
> > /Recognizing /that the process of integrated and coordinated follow-up
> > to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits
> > should not include renegotiation of any outcomes of those conferences,
> > including their specific institutional arrangements for follow-up,
> >
> > 1. /Decides /to establish an open-ended ad hoc working group of the
> > General Assembly under the chairmanship of the President of the
> > Assembly, with two vice-chairmen to be elected by the working group;
> >
> > 2. /Also decides /that the work of the working group should be
> > consistent with the provisions of resolution 50/227 and the follow-up
> > mechanisms decided upon by the respective United Nations conferences and
> > summits and should respect the interlinked nature of their outcomes as
> > well as the thematic unity of each conference, and emphasizes that
> > cross-sectoral thematic issues for further consideration throughout the
> > existing structure should be decided upon at the intergovernmental level
> > and should focus on implementation, bearing in mind that the process of
> > integrated and coordinated follow-up to the outcomes of the United
> > Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related
> > fields should be fair and balanced and should respect the principle of
> > multilateralism and the principles contained in the Charter of the
> > United Nations;
> >
> > 3. /Further decides /that the working group will produce concrete
> > recommendations to ensure an integrated and coordinated follow-up to the
> > outcomes of the United Nations conferences and summits in the economic,
> > social and related fields and will thus contribute to the implementation
> > of the internationally agreed development goals, including those
> > contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration,^2 bearing in
> > mind the continuing reform process of the United Nations and resolution
> > 50/227, as well as the views expressed by the Member States on this
> > question;
> >
> > 4. /Decides /that the working group will also consider the work of the
> > General Assembly and its Second and Third Committees relevant to the
> > integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the
> > outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the
> > economic, social and related fields as well as the modalities of the
> > reports presented to the General Assembly, bearing in mind the
> > respective roles of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social
> > Council and its functional commissions and subsidiary organs;
> >
> > 5. /Also decides /that the working group will submit proposals on how
> > best to address the review of the implementation of the outcomes of the
> > major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and
> > related fields, including its format and periodicity, bearing in mind
> > the need to recognize the active role of all relevant stakeholders in
> > the implementation of the outcomes of United Nations conferences and
> > summits;
> >
> > 6. /Further decides /that future decisions on follow-up to conferences
> > whose ten-year anniversaries are imminent shall be kept pending subject
> > to the decisions to be taken by the General Assembly on the report of
> > the working group;
> >
> > 7. /Decides /that the working group will consider how to ensure that the
> > outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits are
> > integrated into the programmes of work of the organs, organizations and
> > bodies of the United Nations system and are taken fully into account, as
> > relevant, in the operational work and country frameworks of the
> > organizations of the United Nations system, in accordance with national
> > development objectives and priorities, and requests the United Nations
> > System Chief Executives Board for Coordination and the United Nations
> > Development Group to contribute to the reflection on integrated
> > conference follow-up;
> >
> > 8. /Also decides /that the working group will commence its substantive
> > work during the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, no later
> > than January 2003, and will submit its report before 27 June 2003, for
> > consideration by the General Assembly and action before the close of the
> > fifty-seventh session in 2003;
> >
> > 9. /Further decides /that at its first meeting the working group will
> > consider its work programme, including the issue of the periodicity and
> > duration of its meetings within the time boundaries established in
> > paragraph 8 above;
> >
> > 10. /Decides /to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth
> > session an item entitled "Integrated and coordinated implementation of
> > and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences
> > and summits in the economic, social and related fields" and to consider
> > it directly in plenary meeting.
> >
> >
> > /78th plenary meeting
> > 20 December 2002/
> >
> > 1 <#sdfootnote1anc> A/57/75 E/2002/57.
> >
> > 2 <#sdfootnote2anc> See resolution 55/2.
> >
> >
> > therefore all depends on the recommendations of the working group.
> >
> >
> > 22/08/2005 : A/60/275 [ English ]
> >
> > UPDATED REPORT OF THE SG: ROLE OF THE COUNCIL IN THE INTEGRATED AND
> > COORDINATE
> > 86% 19/11/2001 : A/C.2/56/L.27 [ English ]
> >
> > Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the
> > outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the
> > economic and social fields : draft resolution / Japan
> >
> > 8/04/2004 : A/58/L.8/REV.1 [ English ]
> >
> > Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit and Integrated and
> > coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major
> > United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields
> > : revised draft resolution / submitted by the President of the General
> > Assembly
> > 85% 27/10/2003 : A/58/L.8 [ English ]
> >
> > Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the
> > outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the
> > economic, social and related fields : draft resolution / Morocco [on
> > behalf of the Group of 77 and China]
> >
> > 14/02/2003 : A/AC.269/1 [ English ]
> >
> >
> > Agenda : Ad Hoc Working Group on the Integrated and Coordinated
> > Implementation of and Follow-up to the Outcomes of the Major United
> > Nations Conferences and Summits in the Economic and Social Fields
> >
> > 16/06/2003 : A/AC.269/L.2 [ English ]
> >
> >
> > Draft report of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the General Assembly on the
> > Integrated and Coordinated Implementation of and Follow-up to the
> > Outcomes of the Major United Nations Conferences and Summits in the
> > Economic and Social Fields
> >
> >
> > the latest document seems to be :
> >
> > Sixtieth session
> > Item 48 of the provisional agenda*
> > Integrated and coordinated implementation of and
> > follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations
> > conferences and summits in the economic, social
> > and related fields
> >
> >
> > * Updated report of the Secretary-General on the role of the Economic
> > and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of
> > the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and
> > summits, in the light of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B
> > and 57/270 B*
> >
> >
> > * Note by the Secretary-General*
> >
> >
> > The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the General Assembly
> > his updated report on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the
> > integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the
> > outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits, which was
> > prepared in accordance with General Assembly resolution 57/270 B. The
> > report, contained in document E/2005/61, was also considered by the
> > Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2005.
> >
> >
> > and
> >
> > 13/05/2005 : *_E/2005/61 _* [ English French
> > Russian Spanish Arabic Chinese ]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > UPDATED REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL IN
> > THE INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOMES OF AND
> > FOLLOW-UP TO MAJOR UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS, IN LIGHT OF
> > GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTIONS 50/227, 52/12 B AND 57/270 B
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > * Updated report of the Secretary-General on the role of the Council in
> > the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and
> > follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits, in the light
> > of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B*
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > / Summary/
> >
> > At its 2004 substantive session, the Economic and Social Council in its
> > resolution 2004/44 decided to merge the review of the progress made in
> > the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B, and
> > 57/270 B and requested a single report. Following the request of the
> > Council, the present report focuses on progress made in the
> > implementation of the three resolutions.
> >
> > The review of the methods of the work of the General Assembly and its
> > Second and Third Committees are ongoing. Further work will be needed to
> > complete the consultations successfully. With regard to the Council and
> > its subsidiary machinery, progress has been made in several areas,
> > including strengthening thematic unity across the different segments of
> > the Council's substantive session; review of the working methods of the
> > functional commissions; strengthening of the role of the United Nations
> > regional commissions in conference follow-up. At the same time
> > additional efforts need to be made to enhance cooperation among
> > functional commissions and to strengthen cooperation between regional
> > commissions and the funds and programmes.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Contents
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > /Paragraphs/
> >
> >
> >
> > /Page/
> >
> > 1.
> >
> > Background
> >
> >
> >
> > 1–4
> >
> >
> >
> > 3
> >
> > 2.
> >
> > Introduction
> >
> >
> >
> > 5–7
> >
> >
> >
> > 3
> >
> > 3.
> >
> > Further strengthening the role of the General Assembly and its
> > Second and Third Committees in the coordinated and integrated
> > follow-up to the comprehensive development agenda
> >
> >
> >
> > 8–17
> >
> >
> >
> > 4
> >
> > 1.
> >
> > The General Assembly
> >
> >
> >
> > 9–10
> >
> >
> >
> > 4
> >
> > 2.
> >
> > The Second Committee
> >
> >
> >
> > 11–14
> >
> >
> >
> > 5
> >
> > 3.
> >
> > The Third Committee
> >
> >
> >
> > 15–17
> >
> >
> >
> > 5
> >
> > 4.
> >
> > Further strengthening the role of the Economic and Social Council
> > and its subsidiary machinery in the implementation of General
> > Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B
> >
> >
> >
> > 18–37
> >
> >
> >
> > 6
> >
> > 1.
> >
> > Strengthening the role of the Economic and Social Council
> >
> >
> >
> > 18–20
> >
> >
> >
> > 6
> >
> > 2.
> >
> > Strengthening the work of the United Nations functional
> > commissions in support of implementation of General Assembly
> > resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B, as well as
> > resolutions 56/201 and 59/250
> >
> >
> >
> > 21–30
> >
> >
> >
> > 7
> >
> > 3.
> >
> > Cooperation between the Council and the United Nations
> > regional commissions
> >
> >
> >
> > 31–37
> >
> >
> >
> > 9
> >
> > 5.
> >
> > Strengthening the Council's cooperation with the funds and
> > programmes, with specialized agencies and inter-agency bodies, and
> > the international financial and trade institutions
> >
> >
> >
> > 38–42
> >
> >
> >
> > 11
> >
> > 6.
> >
> > Complying with the specific mandates of the Council
> >
> >
> >
> > 43–52
> >
> >
> >
> > 12
> >
> > 1.
> >
> > International Conference on Financing for Development
> >
> >
> >
> > 43–45
> >
> >
> >
> > 12
> >
> > 2.
> >
> > The Almaty Programme of Action: addressing the special needs
> > of landlocked developing countries within a new global
> > framework for transit, transport cooperation
> >
> >
> >
> > 46–47
> >
> >
> >
> > 13
> >
> > 3.
> >
> > Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed
> > Countries
> >
> >
> >
> > 48–52
> >
> >
> >
> > 13
> >
> > 7.
> >
> > Enhancing the Council's cooperation with and the role of civil
> > society and the private sector for development
> >
> >
> >
> > 53–55
> >
> >
> >
> > 14
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > * I. Background*
> >
> >
> >
> > 1. In paragraph 39 of its resolution 57/270 B, the General Assembly
> > decided to include an item entitled "Integrated and coordinated
> > implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United
> > Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related
> > fields" in the annual agenda of the General Assembly and invited the
> > Secretary-General to submit a report on the question.
> >
> > 2. At its 2004 substantive session, the Economic and Social Council, in
> > its resolution 2004/44 decided to merge the review of the progress made
> > in the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B
> > and 57/270 B and requested a single report on the implementation of the
> > resolutions. The resolutions lend themselves to a joint consideration as
> > they build upon and complement each other.
> >
> > 3. Resolution 50/227, "Further measures for the restructuring and
> > revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related
> > fields", focuses on ways of enhancing the role of the United Nations in
> > the field of development. They include an increase in resources for
> > operational activities and greater coherence in the work of the Second
> > and Third Committee, and a strengthened role of the Economic and Social
> > Council in system-wide coordination and enhanced linkages with trade and
> > financial institutions. Resolution 52/12 B, "Renewing the United
> > Nations: a programme for reform", includes several provisions relating
> > to reforms in the economic and social fields, as well as development and
> > humanitarian affairs.
> >
> > 4. Resolution 57/270 B, "Integrated and coordinated implementation of
> > and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences
> > and summits in the economic and social fields", aims to enhance
> > coherence in the different conference follow-up processes, while
> > maintaining their distinct identity. It also provides guidance to better
> > coordinate global, regional and national development activities and to
> > ensure that those activities are mutually supportive as well as
> > contribute to the achievement of the internationally agreed development
> > goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. It calls upon the
> > Economic and Social Council to continue to strengthen its role as the
> > central mechanism for system-wide coordination. It also recognizes the
> > need to further strengthen cooperation with the international financial
> > and trading institutions and the important role of civil society and the
> > private sector in advancing the implementation of conference outcomes.
> >
> >
> >
> > * II. Introduction*
> >
> >
> >
> > 5. The United Nations summits and conferences of the last 15 years
> > generated a global consensus on policies and actions to advance the
> > objectives of eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development
> > and provide a basic framework for pursuing those objectives. The
> > Millennium Summit built on the outcomes of those summits and conferences
> > and reinforced some of their key messages. The outcomes, together with
> > the development-related aspects of the Millennium Declaration constitute
> > the United Nations development agenda (see E/2005/56).
> >
> > 6. A much sharper focus on implementation of the internationally agreed
> > goals and targets of the United Nations development agenda remains
> > imperative. Though the Council initiated work on developing an
> > integrated approach to the implementation of the conference outcomes by
> > focusing on their common themes since 1995, further efforts are required
> > to steer the United Nations development system towards both more
> > sustained and better integrated follow-up action.
> >
> > 7. The substantive aspects of an integrated follow-up to conferences
> > have been discussed in the report of the Secretary-General for the
> > High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (A/60/56). The
> > present report focuses on progress made in the implementation of the
> > three resolutions.
> >
> >
> >
> > * III. Further strengthening the role of the General Assembly and its
> > Second and Third Committees in the coordinated and integrated follow-up
> > to the comprehensive development agenda*
> >
> >
> >
> > 8. As called for in resolutions 50/227, 57/270 B, 58/126 and 58/316, the
> > review of the work of the General Assembly and its Second and Third
> > Committees, especially as they relate to the implementation of and the
> > follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences is
> > ongoing. It is aimed at enhancing the policy leadership role of the
> > General Assembly on development issues. That can be achieved by
> > improving working methods that allow maximum focus, visibility and
> > political energy towards the achievement of the United Nations
> > development agenda.
> >
> >
> >
> > * A. The General Assembly*
> >
> >
> >
> > 9. Since the General Assembly adopted resolutions 58/126 of 19 December
> > 2003 and 58/316 of 1 July 2004, informal consultations have continued
> > during its fifty-ninth session on its revitalization. Member States have
> > pointed to the need to strengthen the role of the General Committee of
> > the Assembly, continue to streamline and reduce the number of items on
> > the agenda, adopt shorter and more focused resolutions, and streamline
> > documentation without in any way compromising analytical depth and
> > coverage. Those broad goals have formed the basis for consultations
> > among Member States. While a consensus on improving the methods of work
> > of the General Assembly and several of its main committees is yet to
> > emerge, consultations are ongoing in the context of the next phase of
> > reforms of the Organization. Those consultations are now linked to the
> > issues of institutional reform being considered in preparation for the
> > September Summit.
> >
> > 10. In the context of the need for better cooperation and improved
> > division of labour between the General Assembly and the Economic and
> > Social Council, the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Security
> > Council and the Economic and Social Council held two meetings in 2004
> > aimed at increased cooperation, coordination and complementarity of the
> > work programmes of the three organs, as called for in resolution 58/126.
> > That process will continue in the context of the next round of reforms
> > and will also need to take into account the proposal to establish a
> > peacebuilding commission as proposed in the Secretary-General's report
> > for the September Summit (A/59/2005).
> >
> >
> >
> > * B. The Second Committee*
> >
> >
> >
> > 11. The Chairman of the Second Committee at the fifty-eighth session of
> > the General Assembly submitted a set of proposals, which the Committee
> > tried to implement during its fifty-ninth session. They include early
> > meetings between the outgoing and incoming Bureau; introduction of
> > question-and-answer sessions; better use of the Second Committee's
> > website; early distribution of and consultation on the organization of
> > work; avoidance of overlapping with plenary meetings; elaboration and
> > distribution of the Chairman's summary of the general debate; extensive
> > but rational use of panels, keynote speakers and round tables;
> > compliance with the deadlines for the submission of draft resolutions;
> > early start of negotiations and early adoption of resolutions; and
> > clustering and better sequencing for the consideration of the agenda of
> > the Committee.
> >
> > 12. During the fifty-ninth session, consultations continued on several
> > other aspects of the improvement of the working methods. Following a
> > series of consultations, the Second Committee agreed on a conference
> > room paper (A/C.2/59/CRP.2/Rev.1) which emphasized the need for reaching
> > timely consensus on items on the agenda, preserving the substantive
> > nature of the resolutions; organizing discussions and events designed to
> > contribute to a broader understanding and consideration of the issues;
> > and maintaining the practice of allocating sufficient time after the
> > formal consideration of each cluster allowing for negotiations. That
> > would help the Committee in adopting resolutions in a timely fashion. It
> > also requested the Committee on Conferences to consider advancing the
> > timing of the Trade and Development Board meeting so that its report
> > could be made available by the middle of September in order to enable
> > the timely consideration of sub-items under the "Macroeconomic policy
> > questions" cluster. The conference room paper also proposed that side
> > events should be held in close proximity to the substantive discussion
> > of the relevant agenda items and noted that greater attention should be
> > given to the increasing role of side events organized by Member States
> > that are related to the agenda of the Committee.
> >
> > 13. It was agreed that discussions on outstanding issues, related
> > especially to the streamlining of the agenda, as well as strengthening
> > cooperation with the Third Committee would continue.
> >
> > 14. *The Second Committee needs to take decisions this year on the
> > outstanding issues, particularly streamlining and reclustering items on
> > the agenda, and the division of labour and strengthened coordination
> > with the Third Committee and the Economic and Social Council.*
> >
> >
> >
> > * C. The Third Committee*
> >
> >
> >
> > 15. During the fifty-ninth session, the Third Committee approved a
> > Chairman's text on the revitalization of its work, deciding to
> > rationalize its agenda by merging some items, triennializing others and
> > transferring some to the General Assembly in plenary meeting. Several
> > far-reaching measures were agreed upon to improve the working methods of
> > the Committee. They include measures to promote more interactive
> > discussions as part of the formal proceedings; introduction at its
> > sixtieth session, on a pilot basis, of interactive debates in an
> > informal setting; submitting resolutions that are concise, focused and
> > designed to have an impact on policy development; and tabling
> > resolutions biennially or at longer intervals and avoiding duplication
> > especially where they have already been adopted by the Economic and
> > Social Council or its subsidiary bodies.
> >
> > 16. Significantly, the Third Committee agreed to make renewed efforts to
> > reduce the number of requests for reports from the Secretary-General,
> > including through consolidation of reports. It was stressed that there
> > should be no "automaticity" about requesting the Secretary-General's
> > reports.
> >
> > 17. To strengthen coordination with the other Main Committees, joint
> > panel discussions and meetings on issues of common interest were
> > highlighted. Those changes are far-reaching and when implemented will
> > serve to improve coherence and bring added value to the work of the
> > Third Committee, as well as contribute to the work of other Main
> > Committees, particularly the Second Committee.
> >
> >
> >
> > * IV. Further strengthening the role of the Economic and Social Council
> > and its subsidiary machinery in the implementation of General Assembly
> > resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B*
> >
> >
> >
> > * A. Strengthening the role of the Economic and Social Council*
> >
> >
> >
> > * 1. Promoting a coherent, integrated and coordinated approach*
> >
> >
> > 18. The Economic and Social Council has a critical role to play in
> > promoting a coherent, integrated and coordinated approach for the
> > achievement of the United Nations development agenda. While efforts have
> > been undertaken towards strengthening the role of the Council in
> > conference follow-up, there is a need to infuse them with greater
> > dynamism and result orientation. The Secretary-General's report at the
> > high-level segment highlights the need for the United Nations system to
> > integrate and align fully policies and programmes with the United
> > Nations development agenda, particularly the Millennium Development
> > Goals. At the intergovernmental level, there is an immediate need for a
> > more coherent, coordinated and focused approach to monitoring and
> > evaluation of the implementation of the development agenda. To that end,
> > *the Council needs to finalize, within the framework of actions that
> > will be taken in the light of the proposals made in the
> > Secretary-General's report at the high-level segment of the Council, the
> > requirements contained in paragraph 42 of resolution 57/270 B, in which
> > the General Assembly requested it to establish, no later than 2004, a
> > four-year multi-year work programme for the coordination segment of its
> > substantive session. Efforts should be made to agree on a full four-year
> > multi-year programme of work that is effectively linked to the United
> > Nations development agenda. *
> >
> >
> > * 2. Ensuring thematic unity and interlinkages between the different
> > segments*
> >
> >
> > 19. A clear message emanating from resolution 57/270 B is the need to
> > focus the Council's annual session around one broad theme. As a first
> > step towards ensuring greater coherence, the Council decided that the
> > high-level and coordination segments would focus on the same
> > cross-sectoral conference themes (or related themes), but would also
> > address them from both a policy development and a coordination
> > perspective. In recent years the themes of the high-level segments have
> > provided the broad basis for the themes of the coordination and
> > operational activities segments. While thematic unity is to be pursued,
> > there is a need to address the issue of thematic unity and interlinkages
> > among the segments within the framework of the actions that will be
> > taken on proposals made in the Secretary-General's report to the
> > high-level segment of the Council, in particular the proposal for a peer
> > review and the holding of a development cooperation forum.
> >
> >
> > * 3. Streamlining the reporting system*
> >
> >
> > 20. Improving the effectiveness of the reporting system is another
> > important element in strengthening the Council's policy setting and
> > coordination functions. Reports submitted by the subsidiary, regional
> > and related bodies of the Council provide it with a wealth of
> > information and policy inputs relevant to not only the coordinated and
> > integrated follow-up of the development agenda, but also for policy
> > guidance, national development strategy formulation, evaluation and
> > international cooperation. The Council has addressed itself to the
> > question of better management and use of that information. The Bureau of
> > the Council issued guidelines for documentation for the Council and its
> > subsidiary bodies, drawn primarily from existing legislation in the
> > General Assembly and the Council. The guidelines incorporate further
> > steps to help to bring to manageable proportions and give greater focus
> > to the documents submitted to the Council by its subsidiary bodies. *The
> > subsidiary bodies should be encouraged to adhere to the guidelines for
> > documentation. *
> >
> >
> >
> > * B. Strengthening the work of the United Nations functional commissions
> > in support of implementation of General Assembly resolutions 50/227,
> > 52/12 B and 57/270 B, as well as resolutions 56/201 and 59/250*
> >
> >
> >
> > 21. The United Nations functional commissions have played a key role in
> > the development and implementation of the United Nations development
> > agenda, particularly acting as the preparatory committees for the
> > international conferences and further in their follow-up. While
> > individual functional commissions are, through their multi-year work
> > programmes and priority themes, engaged in follow-up of the conference
> > outcomes, stronger inter-commission coherence would lead to a more
> > coordinated follow-up of the different goals and targets contained in
> > the United Nations development agenda.
> >
> > 22. With that objective in view and to improve their own functioning,
> > the General Assembly requested functional commissions and other relevant
> > bodies of the Economic and Social Council in resolution 57/270 B^1 to
> > review their working methods, strengthen cooperation among themselves,
> > find ways to benefit from the lessons learned from each other, and
> > report to the Council no later than 2005. That work is ongoing and
> > several functional commissions have undertaken the exercise, the outcome
> > of which is expected to lead to a more integrated implementation of the
> > conference outcomes.
> >
> >
> > * 1. Review of working methods of the functional commissions*
> >
> >
> > 23. Following the request in resolution 57/270 B, to date most
> > functional commissions have adopted multi-year programmes of work. To
> > ensure continuity, most functional commissions now elect their incoming
> > bureau immediately following the closure of their regular sessions. To
> > strengthen the regional dimension, several commissions held panel events
> > with the United Nations regional commissions as part of their session.
> > The new methods of work have also encouraged an enhanced engagement of
> > civil society and the private sector. A review of the work of the United
> > Nations functional commissions on the implementation of the Millennium
> > Declaration is provided in a separate 2005 consolidated report on the
> > work of the Economic and Social Council functional commissions. Some
> > functional commissions, such as the Commission on the Status of Women,
> > the Statistical Commission, the Commission on Population and Development
> > and the Commission for Social Development will continue to review their
> > working methods at their next regular session. *The Council may wish to
> > invite those functional commissions and other relevant subsidiary bodies
> > that have not done so, to complete the examination of their methods of
> > work, as a matter of urgency, in order to better pursue the
> > implementation of the United Nations development agenda. *
> >
> >
> > * 2. Strengthening cooperation between functional commissions*
> >
> >
> > 24. Functional commissions are mostly working independently from one
> > another on the follow-up to specific conferences and summits. That has
> > caused a degree of compartmentalization and overlap as each functional
> > commission tends to look at all thematic areas from within its own
> > perspective. While that may be useful in highlighting several dimensions
> > of an issue, it also leads to a disparate treatment of issues and
> > sometimes does not blend coherently. That needs to be addressed at two
> > levels.
> >
> > 25. At the Secretariat level, exchange of reports and other documents,
> > joint activities and contacts between the various secretariats are the
> > most common tools employed to ensure coherence of the work of the
> > functional commissions. The substantive secretariats of five functional
> > commissions that are located in the Department of Economic and Social
> > Affairs are working together to coordinate their work programmes.
> >
> > 26. At the intergovernmental level, there is a need for greater
> > interaction among the subsidiary bodies. To facilitate cooperation and
> > exchange among the functional commissions and to strengthen coordination
> > between the functional commissions and the Council, a meeting was held
> > among the Chairs of the functional commissions and between the
> > functional commissions and the Bureau of the Council in 2004.
> > Information on the progress in the review of their working methods was
> > shared with a focus on how to further enhance cooperation among
> > functional commissions. Such meetings are also planned for the 2005
> > Economic and Social Council substantive session.^2
> >
> > 27. *The Council should take it upon itself to provide a stronger
> > coordinating function, inter alia, by harmonizing the functional
> > commissions' multi-year programmes of work and their periodic cycles,
> > standardizing reports in a more user-friendly manner, and by promoting
> > integration of the outcomes of the deliberations of the functional
> > commissions.*
> >
> > * 3. Fostering cooperation between the functional commissions and the
> > funds and programmes*
> >
> >
> > 28. In its resolution 57/270 B,^3 the General Assembly encouraged
> > functional commissions to find ways to learn from the experience gained
> > and lessons learned by the United Nations funds and programmes in the
> > implementation of the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences
> > and summits. To that end, functional commissions have made efforts,
> > including through discussion panels, with representatives of the funds
> > and programmes which have served to enrich each other's work. *The
> > exchange of experiences and lessons learned between the functional
> > commissions and the funds and programmes should be further enhanced,
> > including through briefings by the United Nations Development Group
> > Office (UNDGO).*
> >
> >
> > * 4. Strengthening cooperation between the Council and its functional
> > commissions*
> >
> >
> > 29. For several years, annual meetings between the Bureau of the Council
> > and the bureaux of the functional commissions have taken place. In the
> > 2005 annual meeting discussions centred on the work of the commissions,
> > measures to enhance collaboration among the functional commissions, and
> > a review of their methods of work. The contribution of functional
> > commissions to the work of the Council's substantive session on the
> > themes of the high-level and coordination segments, as well as the
> > possible contributions through the Council to the September Summit, was
> > also discussed in the meeting.
> >
> > 30. Holding joint bureau meetings of the functional commissions and the
> > Council during the regular sessions of the commissions allows for better
> > coordination, timely information, inputs and guidance. It also has the
> > added advantage that senior officials of bureau members participating in
> > the Commission deliberations have an opportunity of interacting with the
> > Bureau of the Council.
> >
> >
> >
> > * C. Cooperation between the Council and the United Nations regional
> > commissions *
> >
> >
> >
> > 31. Given the significant regional divergences in progress towards the
> > achievement of the United Nations development agenda, mainstreaming the
> > regional dimension into the overall work of the United Nations assumes
> > added importance. This, however, is predicated upon a stronger two-way
> > relationship with regional organizations. On the one hand, better
> > integration of regional analysis into the global policy deliberations is
> > required. On the other hand, comparative advantages of the regional
> > commissions need to be better utilized in order to enhance coherence of
> > the organizations' activities at the regional level, particularly, those
> > undertaken in support of the United Nations development agenda. In that
> > context, regional commissions have been given specific mandates from the
> > Council for the follow-up of the major global conferences.^4 In
> > response, they have undertaken efforts to link regional implementation
> > measures with global deliberations and to contribute to policy
> > implementation at the regional and country levels. *The Council will
> > need to further strengthen its linkages with the regional commissions,
> > particularly in the context of the peer reviews, which have been
> > proposed by the Secretary-General in his report for the September
> > Summit. The Council may wish to explore new modalities of enhancing its
> > cooperation with the regional commissions, particularly in the
> > preparation of reports on implementation.*
> >
> >
> > * 1. Linking global deliberations with regional implementation 
> > initiatives*
> >
> >
> > 32. Cooperation between the Council and the regional commissions is a
> > key instrument to ensure that global policy guidance provided by the
> > Council is translated into concrete regional and subregional strategies
> > for the implementation of the United Nations development agenda,
> > including the Millennium Development Goals. It is equally important that
> > global entities, when undertaking development initiatives, fully involve
> > the relevant regional commissions. In the recent past, regional
> > commissions have contributed to, and were involved in the work of the
> > functional commissions, in particular, in the five- and ten-year review
> > process of major international conferences. For example, in the plus-ten
> > follow-up of the Beijing Declaration and Plan of Action and the
> > Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, several preparatory
> > meetings were held with the regional commissions and their participation
> > in the meetings of the respective functional commissions was facilitated.
> >
> > 33. Several regional commissions have strengthened their role as
> > regional bodies for conference follow-up and implementation. In 2003, in
> > preparation of the 2004 session of the Commission on Sustainable
> > Development, five regional implementation meetings were organized to
> > review and assess obstacles, constraints, challenges and opportunities
> > in the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further
> > Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation,
> > with a particular focus on the thematic cluster of water, sanitation and
> > human settlement. In 2005, regional implementation meetings will be
> > organized in preparation for the 2006 Commission on Sustainable
> > Development review session.
> >
> > 34. An important mechanism for the coherent implementation of and
> > follow-up to the major United Nations conferences are the coordination
> > meetings between the regional commissions and the funds and programmes,
> > as well as the United Nations departments and offices and agencies of
> > the United Nations system engaged in regional and subregional
> > activities. Such coordination meetings called for by the Economic and
> > Social Council in its resolution 1998/46, were launched in 1999 under
> > the chairmanship of the Deputy Secretary-General.
> >
> >
> > * 2. Fostering horizontal interregional cooperation*
> >
> >
> > 35. Horizontal interregional cooperation — cooperation between the
> > regional commissions — should be strengthened through knowledge sharing
> > and networking. Recent meetings of chiefs of transport and programme
> > planning, as well as the focal points for information and communication
> > technologies and energy are initiatives which enhance cooperation among
> > the regional commissions. Such meetings should be extended to other
> > substantive areas of work. *Regional commissions should continue their
> > efforts to strengthen cooperation among themselves through knowledge
> > sharing and networking.*
> >
> >
> > * 3. Strengthening linkages between regional commissions and regional
> > bodies/arrangements*
> >
> >
> > 36. Major economic and social processes have been taking place at the
> > regional level through regional bodies and arrangements. Examples of
> > such processes are regional economic integration, free trade
> > arrangements, and regional cross-border investments, infrastructural
> > projects like highways, railroads and information technologies. Those
> > initiatives of the regional bodies and arrangements have a great impact
> > on the common welfare of large populations by reducing poverty and
> > unemployment, and are important in the achievement of the development
> > goals. *The United Nations regional commissions should play a greater
> > supportive role in infrastructure, trade, and technology initiatives of
> > regional bodies. *
> >
> >
> > * 4. Enhancing cooperation between regional commissions, funds and
> > programmes and specialized agencies*
> >
> >
> > 37. Closer links need to be established between the regional structures
> > of the funds and programmes and the respective regional commissions, so
> > as to fully utilize the United Nations substantive and operational
> > capacity available in each region. The strategic compact between the
> > regional commissions and UNDP (July 2000) was an important initiative
> > which could be built upon further. The participation of regional
> > commissions in the UNDG meetings has served to strengthen policy
> > formulation and coordination. *United Nations regional commissions and
> > the United Nations funds and programmes should develop closer links
> > between themselves in order to enhance coherence in their work at the
> > regional level. *
> >
> >
> >
> > * V. Strengthening the Council's cooperation with the funds and
> > programmes, with specialized agencies and inter-agency bodies, and the
> > international financial and trade institutions*
> >
> >
> > 38. A stronger link between the policy guidance role of the Economic and
> > Social Council, its functional commissions and the operational
> > activities arm is essential to ensure that global policy guidance on the
> > integrated and coordinated follow-up to global conferences translates
> > into effective support to regional, subregional and national efforts for
> > their implementation. Similarly, regional and country-level experiences
> > need to permeate further into global thinking and analysis.
> >
> > 39. That requires stronger linkages and greater coherence between global
> > policy guidance and the policies and programmes endorsed by the
> > Executive Boards of the United Nations funds and programmes, the
> > governing bodies of the specialized agencies, the regional as well as
> > the functional commissions, and the bureaux of the international finance
> > and trade institutions.
> >
> > 40. As reviewed in previous sections of the report, several efforts are
> > under way to promote cooperation of funds and programmes with functional
> > commissions and to revitalize cooperation with the regional commissions.
> > Initiatives have also been undertaken to facilitate greater cooperation
> > among the governing bodies of the funds and programmes, such as the
> > joint meetings of the Executive Boards of UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, and WFP,
> > while the annual high-level meeting between the Economic and Social
> > Council, the Bretton Woods institutions, WTO and UNCTAD have facilitated
> > dialogue among those organizations.
> >
> > 41. While these important initiatives are works-in-progress, they need
> > to coalesce into an integrated and cohesive approach through a United
> > Nations system-wide framework. That has important implications for the
> > Council's ability to promote a more integrated and coordinated follow-up
> > to global conferences within the system in a way that enables it to
> > translate such an approach into system-wide strategies and programmes.
> >
> > 42. Closer links need to be built between the Council and the governing
> > bodies of the United Nations system organizations. Meetings between the
> > bureaux of the functional commissions and the Bureau of the Council and
> > the participation of the chairpersons of the functional commissions in
> > the Council's sessions have helped to improve the dialogue between the
> > Council and the functional commissions. *Commissions and their
> > secretariats should clearly identify the operational implications of
> > their work and bring them to the attention of the governing bodies of
> > the funds and programmes for their consideration and guidance on
> > operational activities to strengthen the link between policy guidance
> > and operational activities. *
> >
> >
> >
> > * VI. Complying with the specific mandates of the Council*
> >
> > *A. International Conference on Financing for Development*
> >
> > 43. The Monterrey Consensus established a follow-up process to the
> > Conference in both the General Assembly and the Economic and Social
> > Council.
> >
> > 44. In the General Assembly, resolution 59/225 on "Follow-up to and
> > implementation of the outcome of the International Conference on
> > Financing for Development" was adopted on 22 December 2004. The General
> > Assembly also decided in resolution 59/145 of 17 December 2004 to hold a
> > High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development on 27 and 28 June 2005,
> > in New York, immediately prior to the Economic and Social Council 2005
> > High-level Segment, in order for its recommendations to be considered in
> > the preparatory process of General Assembly High-level Plenary Meeting
> > and within its framework, to hold a separate meeting on financing for
> > development.
> >
> > 45. The 2005 special high-level meeting of the Council with the Bretton
> > Woods institutions, the WTO and (since 2004) UNCTAD, focused on the
> > theme of "Achieving the internationally agreed development goals,
> > including those contained in the Millennium Declaration" in the context
> > of the overall focus of the meeting on "Coherence, coordination and
> > cooperation in the context of the implementation of the Monterrey
> > Consensus". Six round tables addressing three issues: (a) policies and
> > strategies; (b) trade, investment, and private flows; and (c) ODA,
> > innovative sources of financing and debt were held. The unprecedented
> > participation by the Executive Directors of the Boards of the Bretton
> > Woods institutions and a significant number of Finance and other
> > Ministers, Central Bank Governors, as well as the President of the Trade
> > and Development Board was testimony to the fact that that meeting is
> > considered an important platform for enhancing coherence within the
> > system, not only in the follow-up to Monterrey, but also in the pursuit
> > of the broader development agenda. Participants concurred with regard to
> > the urgency to build momentum towards the September Summit and
> > accelerate progress in implementation of the development goals.
> > Advancing the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus was seen as a
> > critical element to that end. In addition, participants highlighted the
> > growing interest in pursuing several of the initiatives regarding
> > innovative sources of finance.
> >
> > *B. The Almaty Programme of Action: addressing the special needs of
> > landlocked developing countries within a new global framework for
> > transit, transport cooperation*
> >
> > 46. An "Inter-agency meeting on the implementation of the Almaty
> > Programme of Action", held in New York on 4 February 2004, endorsed a
> > road map for its implementation. In its resolution 59/245 of 22 December
> > 2004, on specific actions related to the particular needs and problems
> > of landlocked developing countries, the General Assembly invited the
> > 2005 High-level General Assembly Plenary Meeting to address the special
> > needs of landlocked developing countries.
> >
> > 47. Representatives of the international, regional and subregional
> > organizations met in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 29 to 31 March 2005, for
> > the high-level meeting on the "Role of International, Regional and
> > Subregional Organizations for the Implementation of the Almaty Programme
> > of Action". In a communiqué representatives stressed the importance of
> > taking concrete steps in accordance with the road map for the
> > implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action and requested the
> > United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed
> > Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing
> > States to continue its consultations on the best possible ways to
> > facilitate coordination efforts and to continue to organize meetings on
> > an annual basis.
> >
> > *C. Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries*
> >
> > 48. In 2004, the Council's substantive session addressed themes related
> > to least developed countries issues as part of the Council's efforts to
> > pursue a coherent and comprehensive approach to the review of the
> > implementation of the Programme of Action. Preparatory activities
> > including a series of multi-stakeholder round tables on resources
> > mobilization and enabling environment for poverty eradication were held
> > in February and March 2004 to examine the theme of the high-level
> > segment in the context of the Brussels Programme of Action as a means of
> > achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the least developed
> > countries.
> >
> > 49. In the high-level segment, the Council adopted a Ministerial
> > Declaration on the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
> > Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 recognizing the weak
> > implementation of the Programme of Action and underlining the need to
> > address that issue. To that end, the Declaration urged each least
> > developed country, with the support of its development partners, to
> > continue the implementation of the actions contained in the Programme of
> > Action by translating them into specific measures, within its national
> > development framework and poverty eradication strategy.
> >
> > 50. The coordination segment reviewed the efforts of the United Nations
> > system to promote an integrated approach to rural development with a
> > special focus on the least developed countries. In its resolution
> > 2004/48, the Council called for enhanced coordination and cooperation
> > among the agencies of the United Nations system in support of national
> > development strategies as well as in enhancing their cooperation with
> > the World Bank and the regional development banks. The United Nations
> > system was called upon to further assist developing countries in their
> > efforts to enhance access by the poor to productive assets, to support
> > capacity-building measures as well as regional and subregional
> > initiatives and to promote South-South cooperation.
> >
> > 51. The Second Committee reviewed the implementation and invited the
> > 2005 September Summit to address the special needs of the least
> > developed countries, while reviewing the progress made in the
> > achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including those
> > contained in the Millennium Declaration. It also decided to hold a
> > comprehensive review of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed
> > Countries in 2006, during the sixty-first session of the General
> > Assembly, in accordance with paragraph 114 of the Programme of Action.
> > The Committee also reiterated its concern over the weak implementation
> > of the Programme of Action.
> >
> > 52. At the special high-level meeting held in April 2005 with the
> > Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO, and UNCTAD, the Council also
> > addressed issues related to least developed countries/low-income
> > countries and promoted linkage between the Programme of Action and the
> > International Conference on Financing for Development.
> >
> > *VII. Enhancing the Council's cooperation with and the role of civil
> > society and the private sector for development*
> >
> > 53. The Summits and Conferences recognized the role of civil society and
> > the private sector in achieving the development goals and targets set
> > out in them. The Millennium Declaration (General Assembly resolution
> > 55/2) also recognized their role and it commits Governments "to develop
> > strong partnerships with the private sector and with civil society
> > organizations in pursuit of development and poverty eradication". In
> > recent years, the Economic and Social Council and its functional
> > commissions have significantly intensified the involvement of civil
> > society, including non-governmental organizations, foundations,
> > parliamentarians and local authorities, and the private sector. Perhaps
> > the most innovative and successful of the Council's multi-stakeholder
> > initiatives is the Information and Communication Technology Task Force.
> > Non-governmental organizations and members of the business community
> > also participate actively in the annual special high-level meetings with
> > the Bretton Woods institutions, WTO and UNCTAD. Prior to these meetings,
> > public hearings are organized to enable Member States and other
> > stakeholders to interact with civil society and the private sector on
> > the key issues. These initiatives have enriched the proceedings of the
> > Council and its subsidiary bodies.
> >
> > 54. At the national and regional levels, civil society organizations are
> > increasingly participating in the development process, including through
> > programmes and initiatives for the eradication of poverty. Worldwide,
> > non-governmental organizations have also been at the forefront of
> > delivery of humanitarian assistance.
> >
> > 55. A dynamic private sector is essential for the successful
> > implementation and follow-up of the goals and targets set out in the
> > conferences and summits. Public-private partnerships established to deal
> > with the challenges of development have systematically grown. Private
> > sector companies are today active partners in many parts of the
> > developing world in every aspect of development. The United Nations is
> > actively involved in promoting the role of the private sector. Under the
> > aegis of the United Nations Global Compact the Global Compact Leaders
> > Summit was convened at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 24
> > June 2004 in which 500 chief executive officers, government officials
> > and heads of labour and civil society on the topic of global corporate
> > citizenship gathered for the first meeting of its kind. The meeting
> > adopted anti-corruption as an additional principle of the 10
> > internationally agreed principles of the compact.
> >
> > / Notes/
> >
> > ^1 In its resolution 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, the General Assembly
> > requested each functional commission to examine its methods of work in
> > order to better pursue the implementation of the outcomes of the major
> > United Nations conferences and summits, recognizing that there is no
> > need for a uniform approach since each functional commission has its own
> > specificity, while also noting that modern methods of work can better
> > guarantee the review of progress made in implementation at all levels,
> > bearing in mind the progress recently achieved in this regard by certain
> > commissions, especially the Commission on Sustainable Development. The
> > Assembly requested the functional commissions and other relevant bodies
> > of the Economic and Social Council to report to the Council no later
> > than 2005 on the outcome of the examination.
> >
> > ^2 A meeting between the chairs of the functional commissions is
> > scheduled to be held on 1 July 2005 and a meeting of the chairs of the
> > functional commissions with the Bureau of the Economic and Social
> > Council is planned for 7 July 2005.
> >
> > ^3 In paragraph 48 of resolution 57/270 B, the General Assembly invited
> > functional commissions to consider, in their deliberations, the
> > experience gained and lessons learned by the United Nations funds and
> > programmes in the implementation of the outcomes of the major United
> > Nations conferences and summits.
> >
> > ^4 In its resolution 1998/46, the Council invited regional commissions
> > to further strengthen their active participation in implementation at
> > the regional level of the results of the major United Nations
> > conferences and summits. In resolution 57/270 B the General Assembly
> > invited regional commissions, in collaboration with other regional and
> > subregional organizations and processes, to contribute, within their
> > existing mandates, to the review of progress in the implementation of
> > and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences
> > and summits and to provide input to the discussions of the Council on
> > the cross-sectoral thematic issues to be discussed at the Council's
> > substantive session.
> >
> >
> >
> > Well, good reading ! food for thought and analysis.
> >
> > Now, the basic question to be examined first is
> > if the WSIS can be considered as relevant exclusively to
> > economic and social matters. Of course there are economical and social
> > issues, but
> > there are other issues as well such as new technology, free software,
> > e-science, internet gouvernance ,
> > human rights, etc that can hardly be considered as related to "economic
> > and social matters"
> >
> > It can be argued therefore that the working group report following the *
> > 57/270 B resolution*
> > does not apply.to the WSIS, and one should notice 
> > the EU statement does
> > not say "it must"
> > but 'it should" , and furthemore a strong arguement towards my analysis
> > is the fact
> > that the organization of the WSIS has been given to the ITU, a technical
> > specialized agency,
> > and not an agency like UNDP.
> >
> > However, we must be carefull to take advantage some of the very good
> > points ot the
> > *57/270 B w*orking group report which is not so bad in some respects.
> > This is going to be a subbtle excercise.
> >
> > The WSIS is not bound to the * 57/270 B resolution and therefore
> > is entitled to develop its original multi-stakeholder approach,
> > *first by setting multi-stakeholder working groups and coordination
> > as proposed by the SI and PCT groups
> > and included in the August 12 compilation.
> > ( I noticed also the proposition of a "CS WG on implementation and
> > follow up" )
> > and then as an outcome of the WSIS in Tunis
> > ask the UN secretary general to setup a new specialized agency
> > (UNMSP) to be able to create UN endorsed multi-stakeholder partnerships
> > that would allow to offer an inclusive and legal framework for MSPs,
> > in order to avoid the excesses of ill-defined and non-liable
> > partnerships such as the infamous Microsoft-UNESCO partenership
> > http://www.wsis-pct.org/unesco-microsoft.html
> > Since the MSPs phenomemon seem as unstoppable as the tide,
> > the Civil Society has rather to find a way to control this
> > phenomenon and to be part of it.
> >
> > See the UNSMP site http://www.unmsp.org, a joint proposal by Adama
> > Samessékou and me,
> > hopefully to be discussed soon in details in the
> > recently ressurected WSIS-MSP CSB family
> > http://www.wsis-msp.org , a very good initiative
> > by Tatiana Ershova and Claudia Padovani.
> >
> > UN endorsed MSPs can also provide a sound legal
> > framework for internet governance bodies.
> >
> > It worth to mention the recommendation of the
> > UNESCO Saint-Peterburg meeting ( put online on August 09 )
> > http://www.unmsp.org/unesco-russia05-recomm.html
> >
> >
> > 2. Information / Knowledge Society Research
> >
> > We recommend UNESCO, with the possible help of other UN specialised
> > agencies, to create a number of inclusive, transparent,
> > multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary international research /
> > working groups with the following missions:
> >
> > * to reflect more deeply upon the 'Information Society' and the
> > 'Knowledge Society' (from the basic concepts to specific models
> > with regard to national or local features) and upon potential
> > social consequences of the Knowledge Society;
> > * to study the new phenomenon of the Information / Knowledge
> > Society' Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs); to develop the
> > basic principles of effective, equitable, transparent and
> > inclusive MSPs; to prepare a set of guidelines to be endorsed by
> > the United Nations Organisation concerning the ethical standards
> > of MSPs as well as decision-making and decision-implementing
> > mechanisms for MSPs;
> > * to study and to propose new international public law mechanisms
> > and structures that would allow for the institutionalisation and
> > recognition of MSPs accountable, among other places, to the United
> > Nations Organisation;
> >
> > .... to develop a model regulatory framework for R&D in Knowledge
> > Societies;
> >
> > * to support a post-WSIS evaluation process through an independent
> > international body to monitor policy development in compliance
> > with the criteria established by the civil society and the
> > research community and fund people-centered research;
> > * to study experience and practice of the Free Software and Open
> > Source development paradigms as a possible model for various
> > processes of Information / Knowledge Society development; and
> > * to explore and propose new Open Access strategies as the ICTs are
> > evolving (by a permanent multi-stakeholder research bureau).
> >
> > Tatiana Ershova and Adama Samassékou must be thanked for their most
> > remarkable contributions
> > to the Saint-Peterbourg meeting.
> >
> > I did not have yet to write a report of the UNESCO Saint-Peterbourg
> > meeting after the
> > final document was put online.
> >
> > My greatest worry is that the PC3 schedule seems to be entirely devoted
> > to internet governance,
> > so when are you going to discuss the most important issues of "follow up
> > and implementation' ?
> >
> > Only at the GFC ?... in a small committee... this seems quite
> > unacceptable...
> > It seems and the Civil Society must demand that the "follow up and
> > implementation'
> > be discussed openly and inclusively in another PC, a PC3A ?
> >
> > Best regards
> >
> > Francis
> >
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> regards,
> >>
> >>
> >> Robert
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Robert Guerra > > > > >>
> >>
> >> Managing Director, Privaterra 
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On 28-Aug-05, at 9:58 AM, Parminder wrote:
> >>
> >>> Dear Bill, Jean-Loius, Bertrand, Robert and others,
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for your valuable comments.
> >>>
> >>> Do you think the CS can agree on a short statement that can be
> >>> submitted to the GFC before the deadline of 31st, and then also be
> >>> taken up by CS representatives that attend the 6th September meeting.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------
> > Francis F. MUGUET Ph.D
> >
> > MDPI Foundation Open Access Journals
> > Associate Publisher
> > http://www.mdpi.org http://www.mdpi.net
> > muguet at mdpi.org muguet at mdpi.net 
> > 
> >
> > ENSTA Paris, France
> > KNIS lab. Director
> > "Knowledge Networks & Information Society" (KNIS)
> > muguet at ensta.fr http://www.ensta.fr/~muguet 
> > 
> >
> > World Summit On the Information Society (WSIS)
> > Civil Society Working Groups
> > Scientific Information : http://www.wsis-si.org chair
> > Patents & Copyrights : http://www.wsis-pct.org co-chair
> > Financing Mechanismns : http://www.wsis-finance.org web
> >
> > UNMSP project : http://www.unmsp.org
> > WTIS initiative: http://www.wtis.org
> > ------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Plenary mailing list
> > Plenary at wsis-cs.org 
> > http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------ 
> Francis F. MUGUET Ph.D 
> 
> MDPI Foundation Open Access Journals
> Associate Publisher
> http://www.mdpi.org http://www.mdpi.net
> muguet at mdpi.org muguet at mdpi.net
> 
> ENSTA Paris, France
> KNIS lab. Director 
> "Knowledge Networks & Information Society" (KNIS)
> muguet at ensta.fr http://www.ensta.fr/~muguet
> 
> World Summit On the Information Society (WSIS)
> Civil Society Working Groups
> Scientific Information : http://www.wsis-si.org chair
> Patents & Copyrights : http://www.wsis-pct.org co-chair
> Financing Mechanismns : http://www.wsis-finance.org web
> 
> UNMSP project : http://www.unmsp.org
> WTIS initiative: http://www.wtis.org
> ------------------------------------------------------ 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Plenary mailing list
> Plenary at wsis-cs.org
> http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/plenary
> 
>
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