UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Statement by Ms Rebekah Grindlay,
Third Secretary, Australian Mission to the United Nations
Second Committee
Item 94(c): Convention on Biological Diversity
New York
17 October 2003
Mr Chairman,
As you are aware, Mr Chairman, Australia associates itself with the statement made under item 94(f) by New Zealand on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum. Rather than repeat the views expressed in that statement, I will focus today on an item of particular concern to my delegation, Item 94(c) – the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Australia is a committed member of the CBD and takes the objectives of the CBD and our obligations under it extremely seriously. We were pleased with the important work done on the issue of alien invasive species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species in the lead up to the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, held in April 2002.
I would, however, like to remind the committee today, Mr Chairman, that Australia lodged a formal objection to the adoption of the alien invasive species draft decision and the associated Guiding Principles at COP-6. This was on the basis of concerns about references in the text which we believe present strong and unacceptable risk of increased trade protectionism. Changes to these references in the text do not in any way affect our ability to meet the environmental objectives. Australia did not take this decision to lodge an objection lightly
or easily.
Australia does not consider the draft decision on alien invasive species to be validly adopted as it was gaveled through in the face of Australia’s formal objection.
Mr Chairman
In the lead up to the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Kuala Lumpur, February 2004), Australia wants to act constructively and in cooperation with other Parties and the CBD Secretariat to resolve the substantive issue. We believe that it is important to continue informal consultations on this issue so that we can reach a decision at COP-7 which all Parties could support. We are working hard for such an outcome.
Thank you Mr Chairman