POLITICAL DECLARATION (Part I)

• Strengthen resource mobilisation
  (see para 6 bis; and also paras 10,15, 27bis, 110-112 of Part III))

• Adopt an International Anti-Poverty Pact
  (see para 9; and also para 128 of Part III)

• Strengthen ongoing review of WSSD implementation
  (see para 9; and also para 129 of Part III)

FURTHER INITIATIVES (Part III)

• Strengthen and apply key international rules and principles
  (see paras 6, 7, 16, 38, 73, 114 ter, 119)

• Strengthen and clarify ECOSOC’s role and processes
  (see paras 7, 39, 118)

• Strengthen debt relief and ODA
  (see paras 10, 15, 112)

• Strengthen business responsibility
  (see paras 16, 38, 40)

• Strengthen cooperative tax reform
  (see paras 27 bis, 110, 111)

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PART I: POLITICAL DECLARATION
(based on draft as at 16 May 2000)

[Note: Proposals of the highest priority are in bold type.]

Para

3 After last sentence, add last two sentences of the EU version of para 5.

5 Adopt the EU version of first sentence, then insert all of para 7 bis. Transfer the remaining sentences of para 5 to paras 3 and 5 bis.

5 bis Before first sentence, insert second and third sentences of the EU version of para 5. Omit last sentence of 5 bis.

6 Transfer last sentence to para 6 bis.

6 bis Before first sentence, insert last sentence from para 6. After last sentence, add:

"We will make further cooperative efforts to strengthen international and national financial systems in ways which will promote financial stability, effective prudential regulation and productive investment. We recognize also that further international cooperation is necessary to strengthen the contribution which taxation systems can make to promoting equity and facilitating public and private investment in social development. Other necessary measures to mobilise additional resources for social development include reducing corruption and excessive military expenditure."

9 After first sentence, add:

"The Economic and Social Council is the body which is primarily responsible for coordinating international implementation. We encourage it to further develop its capacities and initiatives for fulfilment of that purpose, giving special attention to implementation of an Anti-Poverty Pact comprising the specific time-bound targets to which we have committed ourselves and the related resource mobilisation measures which we have identified as necessary. The Bretton Woods institutions and other key intergovernmental organisations at both global and regional levels will need to cooperate closely with the Council’s work. ECOSOC should ensure that regional reviews of implementation are undertaken on a biennial or other regular basis. A comprehensive global review, including adoption of further commitments, should be undertaken at a Second World Summit for Social Development in 2005."

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PART III: FURTHER INITIATIVES
(based on draft as at 16 May 2000) 

[Note: Proposals of the highest priority are in bold type.]

COMMITMENT 1

Para

5 Before the word "institutions" either delete the word "national" or insert the words "and international".

7 Adopt the opening words "Recommend that ECOSOC", not the alternative words proposed by the US. Delete " in social policy" as being unduly restrictive and also inconsistent with the later reference to "social and economic policies".

10 chapeau Do not add the words proposed by the US.

10(a) Adopt Canadian and G77 proposal in relation to a debt standstill but transfer it to para 112.

15 Delete all words after "approach", leaving more specific agreement on debt relief to be dealt with principally elsewhere.

16 (c) Retain in its current form, rather than merging it with (b) as proposed by EU, US and Canada. But after "good corporate citizenship" add the words "and ethical and fair business conduct."

17 Replace "private sector" with "business sector". The term "private sector" should only be used in its correct meaning, which is the opposite of the "public sector" (or government sector) and therefore includes non-government, non-profit organisations. Similar corrections need to be made elsewhere in the draft.

ICSW COMMITMENT 2

27 bis Add new sub-para:

"Through democratic and transparent processes, implementing reforms to ensure equitable access to land in order to provide families with a sustainable livelihood."

27 bis (d) Add at the end:

"and of strengthening taxation systems to ensure that they are progressive, raise sufficient revenue for social development purposes, promote investment in social development and productive enterprises, and minimise tax avoidance and evasion."

27 bis (u) Adopt EU proposal.

COMMITMENT 3

38 (a) Adopt "Ratifying" as the first word.

39 After "multilateral initiative" insert "under the auspices of the United Nations".

40 Replace "Encourage the private sector to" with "Ensure that the private sector applies".

42 Adopt EU proposal.

COMMITMENT 4

56 Add after "media to" the words "be free and independent and to".

59 Add after "racial" the words "and ethnic". Add after "hatred," the words "religious fundamentalism,".

62 Adopt EU and US proposals.

66 After "organisations" add the words ", especially the United Nations,".

COMMITMENT 5

72 Add at the beginning:

"Ensure women's participation in mainstream decision making at all levels and".

72 bis After "empowerment of women" add ", especially those living in
rural areas,".

73 Adopt as the opening words "Governments should ratify". Add at the end " and institute a process for regular review of progress."

COMMITMENT 6

80 Retain the Chair’s draft.

COMMITMENT 7

87 Replace with:

"Making concerted international efforts to strengthen opportunities for African and the least developed countries to engage effectively in international economic activities which will promote sustainable development and poverty eradication in their countries by, inter alia:".

COMMITMENT 8

104 Adopt EU proposal

104bis Delete the words "in line with the evolving concept of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, as a common basis for Governments’ dialogue with development partners and".

COMMITMENT 9

110 (c) Replace with the following:

"Promoting appropriate tax reform to enhance progressivity, reduce inequities in and between the taxation of income, assets and consumption, and facilitate public and private investment in social development."

110 (d) Retain.

111 Retain the chapeau as in the Chair’s draft.

111 new (a) Insert at the end: ", including in relation to new and emerging forms of transnational economic activity", thereby removing the need for (f) bis.

111 (b) Replace with the following:

"Reducing inequitable tax avoidance resulting from provision and
exploitation of tax havens and other tax shelters and from inadequate exchange of information between tax administration authorities;".

111 (c) Adopt EU proposal but move to another paragraph.

111 (e) Replace with the following:

"Developing and assessing possible models for introduction of currency transactions taxes;".

112 (a) Replace first sentence with G77 proposal and retain second sentence.

112 (c) Adopt G77 proposal but add at the end "and to at least 0.5% by no later than 2005;".

COMMITMENT 10

114 ter Adopt EU proposal.

118 Add new sub-para:

"Encouraging ECOSOC to meet more frequently, where appropriate; to strengthen the composition and role of its Bureau; and to convene an annual regional consultation involving its regional commissions and other appropriate regional inter-governmental groupings."

118 (b) Retain.

118 (c) Adopt EU proposal.

119 Adopt EU proposal but add as a new (d) at the end of para 118.

123 Adopt G77 proposal.

125 Adopt G77 proposal.

126 Adopt Chair’s proposal.

128 Retain and add a second sentence:

"Invite ECOSOC to develop and monitor implementation of a time-bound Anti-Poverty Pact which includes a limited number of specific, high-priority anti-poverty targets and of specific, high-priority actions to mobilise resources which will help to achieve those targets."

129 Retain as in Chair’s draft.