Dubai, 7 February 2006
SAICM: Chemicals negotiations salvaged
After an extraordinary night-session the torpedoed SAICM process was finally saved. Although the process had seemed to reach roads end at the end of the final day, after three days of negotiations, participating delegates managed to push through a compromise text that met the approval of the participating parties.
As all decisions, after an intensive campaign by the US-delegation, had to be taken by unanimity, the final result included far-reaching compromises to gain the much-needed approval of the US.
As official negotiations were gridlocked at the end of the official agenda, a “rescue group" of delegates representing various geographical regions, IGOs and NGOs was appointed to salvage the process. Late Monday night the group presented its compromise package, which was accordingly negotiated in plenary at the extra-ordinary night session.
The end result is an agreement that by developing nations can be seen to deal with the much-needed issue of appropriate financing being made available. In combination with the promised funds for the “Quick-start”, mainly from the member states of the European Union, countries that had emphasized the finance-issue as imperative for further negotiations now could accept the new wording.
However, the compromise brought with it even further weakening of e.g. the Scope, the Precautionary principle and other key issues to accede to US demands:
- The Precautionary principle (PP) is now unfortunately only referred
to as SAICM “taking into account” the wording of the Rio Declaration
in 1992.
- The Scope was narrowed down, giving countries the possibility to exempt
foodstuff and medicinal products from SAICM, on the grounds that national
rules are in place covering these products.
- The time frame for the implementation of SACIM. The US argued for the
postponement of the next conference until 2011. However it was finally
agreed that a next meeting, ICCM2, will be held in 2009.
Says Per Rosander, taking part in the negotiations in Dubai: In the compromise
agreed, the Rio Declaration is being referred to. But this wording on
the PP is too weak, and is not in accordance with developments and agreements
made since 1992.
Nonetheless we did manage to reach a compromise in order to save the whole
process.
As reported earlier, A number of European countries committed themselves to support SAICM with US S 10 million to the Quick-start program. But additional contributions are required from other governments and large institutions such as the World Bank and GEF et.al. to seriously be able to implement SAICM. These financial problems are yet to be solved.
No reason to open the bottle of champagne in Dubai, says Per Rosander. The US was here to safeguard its commercial interests, rather than to promote environmental protection. In spite of this, SAICM is still running, and we have achieved a Global Strategy.