Developed nations win in biodiversity talks: NGOs
Developed nations win in biodiversity talks: NGOs
JAKARTA (JP): Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) blamed the
developed countries for various glitches in the just-concluded
international talks on biodiversity.
The Indonesian Network for Forest Conservation, SKEPHI, said
the Second Conference of Parties to the Convention on
Biodiversity, which ended Friday, was marked with obstacles due
to campaigns by the developed countries to secure their own
interests.
The talks "have been won by the developed countries," said
SKEPHI spokesman S. Indro Tjahjono.
SKEPHI was appointed to work with the Indonesian delegation at
the 11-day conference. The NGO stated that "in many ways
(developed countries) sought to set back the progress" achieved
in the meetings prior to Jakarta, including the meeting in
Madrid, Spain, which discussed scientific and technical advice .
The results of the Madrid meeting included an outline for
international regulations on genetic engineering, known as
"biosafety protocol".
Despite the preliminary debates, this month's conference could
only agree to establish a working group to work on further
protocol details.
Another NGO, the World Wide Fund for Nature, urged developed
countries "to live up to their funding obligations". The call was
made in response to the conference's failure to secure more
funding sources for developing countries.
The Convention states developed countries "shall provide new
and additional financial resources" to help developing countries
carry out the conservation and sustainable use of natural
resources.
Another issue tackled at the talks was "biopiracy practices."
The Coalition Against Biopiracy said the Conference failed to
address the attempts of private pharmaceutical, chemical and
cosmetic companies of Northern countries to take and patent
micro-organisms from Southern countries.
"Microbial diversity is generally undervalued and under-
recognized in biodiversity debates," a CAB bulletin said
yesterday.
"Sadly, the (conference) has not shed any more light on this
important area," it read.
The Coalition was set up by the Indigenous Peoples
Organizations and Farmers Organizations, and includes groups from
Canada, the Philippines, Spain and Nepal.
The Convention, regarded as the major achievement of the 1992
Earth Summit, recognizes the need for "equal sharing of benefits"
and the rights of traditional communities to their natural
resources.
Apart from the criticism, NGOs also helped delegates with
suggestions.
The Malaysia-based Third World Network and the local
Konphalindo organization hosted talks on a Southeast Asian
approach to implementing the Convention.
Indonesian, Malaysian and Filipino officials attended and
addressed the possibilities of working with NGOs.
Legal expert Gurdial Singh Nijar of the Network said earlier
that a Southeast Asian approach is urgent in light of increasing
"biopiracy," and because the countries share similar natural
resources.
Meanwhile, NGO members from Indonesia, the United States,
India, Canada, Japan and Australia stated their concern with the
"irreparable damage" to the rich biodiversity of Irian Jaya.
The operations of PT Freeport Indonesia, owned by the US
Freeport McMoran, Inc., are an example of the international
dimensions of biodiversity loss, which should be addressed under
the Convention. (anr)