10 Days of Action: Countdown to Commitments

This afternoon we began receiving reports from colleagues inside the UN that negotiations on the draft outcome document (DOD) of the UN Conference on the Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development had come to a close with a decision on a “clean” document to bring to the UN Conference.  The moment was described as a bit confusing, with the two co-facilitators arriving to the negotiations with new proposed text.  ;  They asked that delegates not comment paragraph by paragraph, but rather look over the entire document.  They then asked whether there was any opposition from the floor. The room was quiet and when no opposition arose, < FONT size=2 goog_docs_charIndex="1143">the gavel came down with a decision to go forward with the text.  The session was then closed, leaving some wondering as to why the G77 or other governments did not intervene.  No negotiations are scheduled for tomorrow.  The new document will be brought forth to the UN Conference beginning this Wednesday, June 24th.

With the Civil Society Forum scheduled to open tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23rd and a scheduled press conference by civil society members, the decision to accept this “clean” text leaves unanswered questions.  Members of civil society have been gathering intelligence about what transpired in the ECOSOC Chamber today to bring to the Forum. The new document has had some limited circulation, although it has still not been released officially.  Because of the necessity for analysis, discussion and strategizing within the Forum, it has been released here.

“This afternoon the opportunity to build upon a global consensus around a multilateral economic governance system that is fair, inclusi ve, gender equitable, rights-based and pro-development, was lost, since the text approved left no space and no commitments for the follow-up actions.  There will be no substantive recommendations on the reforms needed inside the International Financial Institutions,” --- Magda Lanuza from Development Alternatives for Women in the New Era (DAWN)

TAKE ACTION:  Attend the Civil Society Forum tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23rd, 10 am – 5pm, 2nd floor of the UN Church Center (corner 44th St. and 1< B goog_docs_charIndex="2885">st Avenue)

For the agenda of the Civil Society Forum and an At-A-Glance-Calendar, see www.ffdngo.org 

This Civil Society Forum is a preparatory event for the UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development to be held June 24-26, 2009. The Forum will provide an opportunity for CSOs to finalize their statement to the Conference and strategize for their input to the Outcome Document. We will have dialogue opportunity with key negotiators to exchange views. Our goal is to finalize and communicate our message toward sustainable and enduring solutions to the Financial and Economic Crisis. We hold special concern for the millions of people around the globe who are most vulnerable and disproportionately affected by this crisis.

 MUST READ:  Security arrangements during UN Conference                  22 June 2009

Note on Security for Civil Society during the UN Conference on the Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development (24-26 June 2009, UN Headquarters, New York)

Due to the heightened security requirements, special security procedures will be put in place around UN Headquarters during the UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, which takes place from 24 June to 26 June 2009. 

On 23 June, NGLS will set up a registration desk from 9:30am to 4pm on the second floor of the Church Center which is where the NGO Forum will be taking  place.  During the Conference (24-26 June) you will need to check in at the NGLS Office (corner of 1st Avenue and 44th Street).  For more information, please read the attached sheet regarding registration and security arrangements in place for the UN Conference.

Check out the ‘10 Days’ CALENDAR OF EVENTS at:

 http://tendays.socialwatch.org/

  Events, Tuesday, June 23rd