Committee of the Whole, Stock Taking Plenary | UNEA-7

Distinguished delegates, I open this second plenary meeting of the Committee of the Whole of UNEP 7 to take stock of the negotiations. We will now consider agenda item 3 on international environmental policy and governance issues. I will now invite the co-chairs to provide short updates on the progress made in the negotiations under their respective cluster. I encourage the co-chairs to limit their updates to three to five minutes per cluster. We will begin with the report from the co-chairs for Cluster A. I give the floor to Ms. Kanako Okano of Japan and Ms. Marie Havelstad of Norway to update us on the progress on the Cluster A. Nora, you have the floor.

Thank you, madam Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I will be reporting from cluster A together with my colleague Kanako. On the resolution on fire, our understanding is that this resolution has support. We saw some movement in positions and managed to identify convergence on a number of paras. Still, progress was not sufficient to clean the document. We have called for an INF-INF on fire tomorrow morning at 9:00. Based on the outcome from our session, the proponent has worked on a non-paper that has been uploaded on eDelegate. We suggest the non-paper will be the basis for the discussion tomorrow morning. On the resolution on cost ecosystems, we managed to reduce the number of OPs in the text, but members kept insisting on keeping reserves, so progress remained limited. The proponent is now reaching out to interested parties to try and identify solutions. Under resolution on glaciers, we will have our first session this evening after plenary closes. The Friends of Co-facilitators group established during the OACPR has worked on solutions. We thank the chairs of this group for their efforts in trying to identify bridging proposals. The proponent and co-sponsors of the draft resolution have circulated a non-paper reflecting these proposals. On the way forward, we have unfortunately not seen a change in the working mode among Member States since the opening of UNEA. We're running out of time, but the sense of urgency is not there. At this point, we have to acknowledge that solutions will have to be brought to the working groups from informal processes. We encourage Member States to work together and show flexibility and willingness to compromise in the remaining sessions. Thank you, madam Chair.

Thank you, co-facilitator. I now give the floor to Ms. Sarah El-Khouly of Egypt and Mr. Martin Roh of Germany to update us on the progress from Cluster B. Is there an update from Kanaako for cluster A? You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I am very sorry I stepped out and I came back to provide some a brief and positive update on the three draft resolutions on sargassum, coral reefs, and deep sea ecosystems. On sargassum and coral reefs, we have made substantial progress. thanks to the constructive spirit shown by delegations, and we are very confident that the text can be cleaned tonight or tomorrow with only a few additional hours of work anticipated. On deep-sea ecosystem resolution, while delegations hold different perspective on how to proceed, yesterday's discussion helped clarify positions and will support us in determining the best way forward. We remain thoughtful, That continued engagement can help us identify a constructive path. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, co-facilitators. I now give the floor to Ms. Sarah El Kholy of Egypt and Mr. Martin Rohw of Germany to update us on the progress under Cluster B. Can you press your microphone so that I can acknowledge you and you can take the floor? Egypt, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Overall, the discussions were constructive, and I thank Member States for their active engagement and cooperation. We are covering in cluster B five draft resolutions, maximizing existing resources through enhanced coherence and synergies in multilateral environmental agreements and implementation, environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence systems, enhancing meaningful participation of children and youth in environmental governance, promoting sustainable solutions through sports for a resilient planet, enhancing international response to address crimes that affect the environment. On children and youth, we started on the 8th of December. Divergent views were expressed on youth participation in environmental matters, including in policy making and decision making processes. Additional language was brought by one delegation, which led to further disagreements, and some delegations expressed their non-interest to continue negotiating this resolution. The contact group had to suspend for 30 minutes to allow the key actors to consult and reach an agreement on the way forward, and delegations finally reached an agreement, and we agreed to draft the controversial paragraph. Another debate started on the issue of green skills. Some delegations wanted to insert it, others did not accept the matter. Some compromise was shown, however, due to lack of flexibility, we could not move further. On children and youth, on the 9th of December, today, and despite the willingness to move forward from different delegations, we could not finish our work due to time limitation. Therefore, more time is needed to continue our work. On synergies, we convened one time on the 9th of December, which is today. A lot of flexibility was shown and compromise languages were introduced. We could agree the draft two paragraphs today, with total of four paragraphs agreed draft, leaving six remaining unagreed operative paragraphs, and preamble paragraphs remain untouched. In this regard, we need more time to go through the remaining paragraphs to streamline the text as much as we can. And on the way forward, we will have further informals tomorrow to find point of convergence as much as possible. And now I would like to hand over to my co-facilitator, Martin, from Germany, to continue the briefing. Thank you so much.

Thank you to the distinguished colleague from Egypt, Sara El-Koly, and thank you, Chair, for inviting me to report on Cluster B. Let me report on three draft resolutions. On the draft resolution on environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence systems. This one has seen one session on Monday where the operative paragraphs were considered. None of the operative paragraphs has been agreed ad ref yet. The co-chair was tasked with working on streamlining the text and engage with delegations informally. This is a process that is ongoing. It is the belief of this co-chair that a bit more time would allow us to finish this resolution. On promoting sustainable solutions through sports for a resilient planet, there was no consideration of the draft resolution yet. The proponent is still working on a streamlined version. On enhancing international response to address crimes that affect the environment, there was no consideration of the draft resolution yet. Thank you.

Thank you, co-facilitators, for your updates. I now give the floor to the co-facilitators for Cluster C, Mr. Antumetse Antumetse of Botswana and Michael Novotny of Czech Republic to update on the progress.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Let me give a short update on the workings of Cluster C. Firstly, on the resolution on antimicrobial resistance. There is progress. Delegations have shown flexibility and the spirit of cooperation to get through a couple of paragraphs and streamline the text. However, the progress remains wanting, and at this late hour, we still need more time to consider the entirety of the draft to come up to a final solution. But we remain positive that this is indeed possible. On minerals and metals, we have received a new text from the proponents. While this is in itself a huge step forward, engagement on the draft still remains difficult. On chemicals and waste, we have had a very productive session today. We have managed to advance the text quite considerably, however, still not so considerably with regards to where we are in the process as a whole. But on that note as well, we remain positive. We try to utilize our time as efficiently. as we can, and we will try to persevere to get a final outcome. Thank you.

Botswana? Zambia? No, no, no, sorry. Botswana.

Thank you very much, Chair. I'm speaking from the Zambia seat. Just to confirm what my colleague has already reported on the resolution on minerals. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Botswana, you have the floor. Okay. Okay, so we proceed to cluster D. Finally, I now give the floor to Mr. Nadir Al-Taraneh of Jordan and Mr. Tobias Ogweno of Kenya to update us on the progress in cluster D.

Thank you very much, Chair. I want to speak on behalf of my co-facilitator. I want to say that in Cluster D, we have registered commendable progress. We have this evening been able to agree on the date for UNIA 8, and we are yet to agree on the statutory paragraph. and one or two more paragraphs which are also important. But the spirit in the room was very congenial, and I want to thank the delegates for their very constructive engagement. On the midterm strategy, we are not yet there, but today was a significant movement. We were able to collapse five new paragraphs that were introduced on Thursday into one. And the conversation is very positive. The energy is there. We do hope by tomorrow we should be able to close those two decisions on the dates for UNEA 8 and for the bi-term strategy and programme of work. With respect to the other resolution on the strengthening of UNEP, We are working closely with the proponents. We had readings yesterday, and we hope we are still going to engage more, probably tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you, co-chairs, for your updates. Now, on behalf of the Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the co-chairs for their tireless efforts to guide our work and lead us towards consensus. Are there any comments under this item before we move to the next item on organization of work for the remaining day of the Committee? With that, the Committee has concluded this stage of its consideration of this agenda item. We now resume our consideration of agenda item 2 to consider the organization of work for tonight and the final day of negotiations in the Committee of the Whole tomorrow. Distinguished delegates, we have 15 draft resolutions and two draft decisions outstanding, and we only have one more day to finalize our work. In this regard, I wish to remind delegations that at UNEA-6, we had 19 draft resolutions and two draft decisions that were transmitted to the Committee of the Whole to finalize negotiations. At the stock-taking plenary held on the second day of the Committee of the Whole, four drafts were finalized and transmitted to UNEA-6. At this stock-taking plenary, unfortunately, we have not managed to finalize any of the outstanding drafts. Based on the reports provided by the co-chairs, I would propose the following approach to guide our work: 1. We now have very limited time to finalize a very large number of drafts, with considerable work remaining on the operative and preambular paragraphs; 2. We therefore need to allow for as much time as possible for negotiations to conclude. Three, for the drafts where good progress has been made, I propose that we give a bit more time for the co-chairs in all clusters to finalize their work by delaying the closing plenary meeting tomorrow to start at 9:00 PM, thereby providing an additional two hours for the contact groups to finalize their work. As this is the final night of negotiations, and given the time taken up by our stocktake plenary, contact group meetings will begin immediately after this plenary and continue until midnight. Five, contact groups will continue their work tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Six. Given the large number of drafts still under consideration, additional informal and formal consultations may take place in parallel with two contact groups, as well as during break times and in the morning, provided they avoid discussing the same draft under consideration in the contact groups running in parallel and avoid, as needed, parallel scheduling with regional and political group meetings. Any outcomes from these consultations will be reported back to the relevant contact group and will be distributed as non-papers through the e-proposals module, as appropriate, to ensure transparency and inclusivity. Eight, we should not roll back the progress achieved during the open-ended CPR and during the informal consultations held on Saturday. And delegations should therefore avoid reopening paragraphs or terminology that have already been agreed, and also avoid introducing new concepts. Nine. To make progress and to finalize text, we should draw from text already agreed in past UNIA resolutions and other relevant fora. Ten. For the drafts where co-chairs have indicated that it will be difficult to achieve full agreement on a final proposal by consensus with the limited time available, I propose that we entrust the co-chairs with the option to come up with a short non-paper with bridging proposals, where applicable, that captures the main elements of the original draft and enjoyed broad support among delegations. 11. These nonpapers would then form the basis for the final negotiations tomorrow, with the understanding that they would be more or less tabled on a take it or leave it basis, meaning that there will be very little room to change these nonpapers in contact groups. Twelve, I would recommend that these nonpapers are short and streamlined, with minimum preambular and operative paragraphs. Thirteen, The co-chairs would then report back to the plenary tomorrow at 9:00 PM, with the aim of transmitting as many of the drafts as possible to UNAIR, including those drafts that will be based on any new nonpapers from the co-chairs. 14, I suggest that the nonpapers be made available on the e-proposal module as soon as possible and no later than 9:00 AM tomorrow. I trust that this way of organizing our remaining time will guide us towards consensus. Therefore, I would like to propose that we proceed with the organization of the work. Are there any comments? Saudi Arabia, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. We appreciate the very detailed plan you've set before us. We recognize that we're in the final stretch. This is a very challenging time in terms of constraints on the time we have available. We also recognize that that time constraint may help us in terms of prioritizing our issues and ensuring that we negotiate constructively. In this regard, we're not sure having more time past the 10:00 PM, which we have every day, would help us, in fact, reach agreement, particularly within the context of the exhaustion experienced by different delegations, which I think a lot will contend with. So that's the first point we have. The second point we have, we assume that within this context of very, very tight time. We should also prioritize discussions on resolutions, which will likely have consensus. Otherwise, we should ensure that perhaps proponents withdraw or we deprioritize resolutions which will take considerable time to have agreement, or have been very clear since the beginning of last week that they are unlikely to receive any kind of agreement or consensus. in order to work very constructively and also ensure an amount of resolutions that we can be proud of. In that regard, we're not sure the term "take it or leave it" texts by co-chairs on resolutions which have no consensus will be very helpful from our perspective. So those are our two points in this regard. We thank you.

Thank you so much. Turkey, you have the floor.

Thank you, madam Chair. So we would be able to support the general sentiment in the distinguished delegate of Saudi Arabia. So we don't believe that the additional time that would be created by this way would be constructive or efficient. We should focus on the compromise positions rather than the divergent views. As we have always mentioned, less is generally more. We should focus on where we would be able to reach to a consensus. rather than trying to bring up new elements in the hopes that by time pressure, trying to squeeze some text into the discussions at the very last moment. That's something that's unacceptable by us. And just to remind that we are using after the 10:00 PM not just to rest, but also report back to our capitals as well. So that time is especially important, otherwise we would be lacking complete and the connection with our capitals to get instructions and how to move forward, so that time is especially important and shouldn't be just seen as relaxation or time to rest, but it is also used for work purposes, so we would kindly want to insist on just sticking with the general agreement up so far, which work up to 10 PM. Thanks.

Thank you so much. Switzerland.

Thank you very much, and also thank you for outlining the way of work to make as much as progress over the coming hours. In principle, we are in support of what you have mentioned. I think that sounds quite sensible. Perhaps also we are a bit surprised to hear this approach of the non-papers of the co-chairs with the take it or leave it approach. I think that is, in the short time, quite challenging. And I think also then also this, what we have heard, the concept and then this non-papers could be forwarded tomorrow night, and I understand that would mean then that could only happen if the Contact Group is recommending them. That has to be very clear. So if this approach will not work, we take it or leave it, or there's need for further comments and discussions, we have to be sensible about that to hear also Member States in that case, and they could not be forwarded. Thank you very much.

Russian Federation.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. We share the positions of the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia. And regarding the duration, the length of duration of the negotiations is not so much exhaustion, because we do have the necessary strength. No, as experience has shown, If there is no alignment amongst delegations regarding fundamental issues, then the duration or extended negotiations will not, as a rule, contribute to consensus emerging. And we have to recognize that on fundamental issues, there is no consensus. So time itself, or time alone, will not resolve the fundamental differences, and the longer the negotiations continue, well, the more differences will arise, and we will end up in a dead end. Thank you.

Thank you. Egypt.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, or Co-Chair. And I agree with you, of course, that we have to concentrate on agreed terms in our resolutions and not to reject internationally recognized terms, and that this is what we have seen over the past few days. But I just have to tell you that, first of all, delegations from developing countries are with very limited number of negotiators. For us, for example, we only four and having a rotation actually all over 15 resolutions plus. the other decisions is actually very, very frustrating for us. Secondly, I remember that we decided to postpone and not to hold any negotiations during the weekend, so I don't really see what the two hours will add to us. Delegations from developing countries are not the ones responsible for rejecting basic principles. Delegations from developing countries are not responsible for time management. So, for me, I don't think that those two hours will add anything but frustration all over our negotiators. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Pakistan.

Thank you, Chair.

I would like to reiterate what my predecessor, esteemed colleagues from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Russian Federation has already said, that going beyond 10:00 PM is to us rather exclusionary. The small delegations, they cannot take part in the extended sessions. That will clearly be a stage where a lot of small delegations will not be there and the progress will be made by just the few present in the rooms. So I express my serious reservations on working beyond.

10:00 PM time, and it was already agreed in the opening plenary that this will not be the case. Thank you.

Thank you. Norway.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for laying out in such a detailed way the plan for how we're going to move forward, and that is the main point of my intervention. No one wants to work through the night. But we have respected the decision to stop work at 10:00 PM up until this point, and we are extremely concerned about the progress being made. So unless we're all planning to stay here another week, we need to up the pace significantly. We therefore support that these remaining days, we forgo some sleep and get through the text and come to a conclusion which justifies our presence here. Why are we here? as was said in the opening, to decide on good solutions for us all. All resolutions deserve a fair consideration, and the Norwegian delegation stands ready to work.

Thank you.

Thank you. Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and good evening to all distinguished colleagues, Excellencies. In the meeting, I want to join my predecessors on this topic, starting from Saudi Arabia and in Pakistan. We do think that our problem or issue in the progress is not timing. It's about flexibility of the issues and being more realistic and optimistic. So with these things, we also do believe that adding working hours doesn't solve anything regarding the progress made by now, and we do urge that to keep it up to 10 PM because for many small delegations, we need to summarize the discussions and to the capital, ask them to provide us the background, the ideas that we need to prepare for tomorrow's discussions. And it's not just 10, we finish here. We work up to late in the night, after midnight, to prepare all this documentation for the capital and to receive the insights from the capital, so it's not possible for us to work after 10 PM. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Cuba.

Thank you very much, madam Chair. We understand in the current situation we are, even when we understand also that we can add time, but we need to add more willingness. In any case, Cuba will be constructive and we'll assume everything agreed with respect to the time. We agree with prioritized proposal, the proposal that have more consensus, that was also our proposal last week. On the other hand, respect to the increase the number of parallel negotiations. We request the co-facilitators, we will be constructive with this proposal, we understand the situation we have, but we request the co-facilitators to ensure that proposals submitted by delegations unable to attend informal-informal consultations are not eliminated, are not delayed during those consultations, thereby respecting their right to defend their proposals later. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much. Peru.

Thank you, Madam Chair, distinguished delegates. Good evening. I agree with what my colleague from Iran has mentioned, that time has not been the factor hindering our discussions. It is important to recall that most of us who have come to this UNEA have done so in good faith. with a genuine commitment to deliver results for our citizens and to advance collective environmental action. However, negotiations have been hampered by dynamics that have limited meaningful progress in the last one week and three days. And in some instances, the principle of consensus has been used as a de facto veto, rather than as a tool to build inclusive and balanced agreements. If we are to achieve concrete outcomes, Madame Chair, we need a renewed commitment from all of us here to dialogue and to pursue solutions that reflect the shared responsibility we have all undertaken. We can go with your proposal, Madame Chair, knowing that delegations from developing countries, as Peru and other Latin American countries, are small, and we have to redouble our efforts. Thank you.

Thank you. Mozambique.

Thank you, Chair. I'm speaking on behalf of the African Group. We had the chance to state when we started our work here, and we said And we expressed that we would work constructively with you to ensure that we come up with tangible results for UNIA-7, which is in the best interest of all of us. We stated as well that Due to the size of our delegations, we would urge that the sessions wouldn't not go beyond 10:00 PM, though there was some degree of flexibility. Madam, for us, the issue of time is not the real issue. We think that the problem is the methodology, how we are handling these issues, and how deep and committed we are all to exert some flexibility and to come up with a consensual outcome. In the spirit of Nairobi, we would highly request that the sessions could not go further than 10:00 PM, and maybe we could seek ways, or best ways, to check on the methodology of work, as we expressed this morning when you, when the Chair, you came to our group. And I thank you.

Thank you. Tuvalu.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We have a small delegation at this meeting. Nevertheless, we came here to work. We are keen to conclude on all the resolutions in a timely manner, and therefore we support your way forward. Thank you.

Thank you. Bahrain.

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the outset, we would like to affirm our commitment to working hard and working constructively to reach the finish line with an outcome that we're all proud of. That being said, we agree with others that some divergence relating to some resolutions is not divergence so much as fundamental disagreements on substance that cannot be resolved by increasing the number and duration of sessions. Intensifying our work in the way suggested risks excluding smaller delegations, and at this late stage, we believe that focusing and prioritizing resolutions that are perceived to reach consensus would be the most productive way forward. Thank you.

Thank you. United Kingdom.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The UK welcomes and indeed thanks you for a very clear set of guidance. on our working arrangements, and we support your approach. We would note we would also align with the distinguished delegate from Switzerland on the take it or leave it proposals. We've maintained a balanced approach so far over the last week and a half, and I think that's been important to support and protect smaller delegations. We really do hope, now we're reaching the very end of our discussions, that those delegations can dig deep, can find some extra capacity, and make some concessions to help us find a few extra hours to finalize a strong package of resolutions, because after all, that is why we all traveled here. So we also echo your call, Chair. for using existing agreed language. We should look to language that we have agreed in previous UNAs to unlock the blockages that we're experiencing at the moment. So again, thank you, Chair, for a very clear set of guidance, and the UK fully supports your approach.

Thank you. China.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, give me the floor. It is our honor to join fellow delegations to work towards consensus under your leadership. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, which gives the delegation valuable guidance to guide our engagement in consultations of all kinds. So I also have another small notice for delegates. Tomorrow evening, the permanent mission of People's Republic of China to UNAP will host a CERMEX event on improving global environmental governance to jointly build a clean, beautiful world and promoting the exchange of sustainable development experience among all parties. Invited guests are kindly reminded that shuttle bus will be available at the entrance of the UN compound near the temporary parking to the event. and we welcome all invited delegates to attend the event. Thank you.

Thank you so much, China. Canada.

Thank you, Chair. Canada agrees with your approach and guidance. We stand ready to work constructively with all delegations and encourage, as you mentioned, that everyone focus on must-have red lines. We also trust the proponents, having discussed these resolutions for over a week, that their non-papers that will be presented tomorrow will present a balanced approach that, where needed, includes previously agreed language that will enable us to finalize our negotiations tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you. Morocco.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, there is a fact: there are many delegations from developing countries that cannot attend more than two parallel meetings nor go beyond 10 PM. In this regard, we need to continue ensuring inclusiveness versus transparency in the process. We really believe that the issue is not about time, but about trust. And we need to take advantage of the Nairobi spirit in order to move forward. Thank you.

Thank you. European Union.

Thank you, madam Chair. Maybe that was a coincidence, but it seems from also what you said that Last UNEA we worked perhaps a little bit longer hours and maybe a little bit more flexibly, but certainly we achieved a little bit more, and we believe that also this UNEA we can achieve a little bit more than what we have now. We've heard today in this session some delegations, including proponents, including some small delegations that They are flexible and are ready to work a bit more flexibly. And we stand ready to also support, to exercise flexibility. And we had this understanding also in this committee of the whole that if there is a possibility to move a little bit more in the evening, if there is a consensus that is emerging, we should give a chance to the proposal. So please count on us, and we would like to work with everybody constructively and make this INEA a success. Thank you.

Thank you. Uruguay.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to support your proposed way forward.

South Africa.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. We would like to also align ourselves with the statement made by Mozambique and also on behalf of the Africa Group. Madam Chair, we have agreed that even in the spirit of working together and making sure that we get through all the resolutions of which we are intending to do so, we would like to still stick to the time that we don't work beyond the issue of around 10 o'clock mark. However, we stand, affirm that we will continue and finalise those resolution. And to those that we have the, for those that we have the divergent views, we hope that the delegate will actually find each other and to try and be able to work in the spirit of compromise. But however, we stand ready to actually work through and make sure that the resolutions get all resolved. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Australia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to share with you a statement from His Excellency Kenyatta, made here in this very place on the 13th of March, 1974.

Deliberations at UNEP are vital to the endurance of our planet.

And the welfare of humanity, as many grave questions arise from population growth and expanding human settlements. However, no single issue can exist in isolation. All have some coordinated influence upon the fundamental laws, balances, and cycles which alone can sustain biological life. Let's deliberate. We support your proposal, Madam Chair.

Thank you so much, Botswana.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Botswana aligns itself with the statement made by Mozambique on behalf of Africa. Chair, the main issue is the need for us all to exercise some flexibility in our deliberation. and work towards consensus to make UNIA-7 a success. We believe that extending time without any flexibility in the spirit of compromise will not yield any result. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Nigeria.

Thank you, Madam Co-Chair. First of all, I'd like to align myself with the statement made by Mozambique on behalf of the African region. UNEP, or Union, is a scientific body and also a diplomatic body. Extending the time changes nothing, and I expect by now, union should have done some research over the years, the pattern of opposition, we will see a trend that some are here just to disrupt the progress of union. And let us look at all the clusters. Let's look at the analysis. the opposition is already lined up. Either it's good or bad, it's already lined up. Even when we take consensus and we agree with them, they will still turn around to change the decision. So it's not a matter of extending the time. We can close there by 5:00 AM, we will still be on one paragraph. That is the issue. The issue is The procedure, there must be a procedural change, because we are not attacking that issue. And it's always repeating itself year in, year out, and it has a regular pattern of group of people blocking things unnecessarily and delaying us. So what's the use of people staying here till 12 midnight when we know the pattern of operation? If we don't change this pattern, if we continue for what happened in UNIA 5, UNIA 6, it's always the same pattern. And that is what I expect UNIA to look into and resolve it. Thank you very much.

Thank you. We'll hear from Malawi and Colombia, and then I will have to close the list.

Madam Chair, as Malawi would like to join the other delegates in lamenting that the issue here, i think, is not of time. but understanding and consensus, where as member states, we need to agree and understand on what we want to achieve by some of the solutions that we are deliberating on. So, as my colleague was just talking about, I think he would like to upon new that we need to have a procedure that is going to guide us in terms of maximizing the limited time that we have in achieving the very purpose why we are here, we submit.

Thank you. And finally, Colombia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this morning in GRULAC, analyzing the the situation and anticipating this scenario, we agree with what some delegations highlight in terms that it's not a lack of time, but more, obviously, more willingness to really get compromise. However, member state, in the spirit of compromise, are flexible to work no more than midnight. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you so much. I want to thank all of you for your comments. Indeed, we agreed in our working methods to review at this stocktake plenary how we would approach the rest of our time here. I'm grateful for your transparency, your honesty, and your spirit of solidarity to get us where we need to be by tomorrow. I note from the co-chairs of cluster A and B, which are scheduled to meet tonight, that with just a little bit more time, they can get us there this evening. I want to propose to you that for tonight, for these clusters, and having heard your comments, that those persons in those contact groups continue until 10:00 PM with the understanding that if delegations in those clusters agree, then the meeting can continue beyond 10:00 PM, but not beyond 12:00 PM. This is how we have worked so far, and I do believe that in the spirit of solidarity, recognizing why we are here, why we have traveled so far, that this may be a useful compromise. The Islamic Republic of Iran, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and apologies for coming back again on the same. As we could actually heard from the several delegations, if any session should occur after 10, it need to be by consensus by the all group of those countries that attending that meeting. Thank you so much. I just wanted to clarify this, our position in this. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Are there any other comments on this position? Brazil.

Thank you, madam Chair, for giving us the floor. We would just like to come back to an issue that has been raised by some delegations regarding the take it or leave it approach to the approval of texts. We'd like to listen to your considerations on these statements that have been made and to be reassured.

That you have not included this take it or leave it approach in the work procedures for the next days. Thank you.

On that matter, in the event that co-chairs provide any streamlined non-paper, it will be for the contact group to decide on the way forward. That's our position on that matter, based on the comments from delegations. Any comments? Turkey.

Thank you, madam Chair. So we are also in the same understanding with the Iranian delegation. So in the contact group, if there is no consensus, it will finish at 10:00. or as soon as possible, maybe a few minutes is okay, but obviously not up to up till midnight. The second point, in similar line with the Brazilian delegation, take it and leave it approach is kind of concerning. So if we are came at an impasse, the already agreed language in the previous resolutions might be used to be prepared, but obviously the final decision would be up to the contact group and each and every delegation as retaining their right to basically object to what is brought upon, so we kindly suggest the relevant delegation and proponents to bring their suggestions as little as possible without any contentious issues, and just to bring the compromise rather than the divergences. Thanks.

Thank you. So there are no additional comments. Having heard the statements, may I take it that we proceed with the organization of work as revised? Good. I see none, so it is so decided. Thank you. I also strongly encourage proponents of the draft resolutions to support this approach and provide the necessary flexibility for reaching a final agreement. Colleagues, flexibility is no longer optional. It is essential if we are to conclude our work with the mandated time frame. Before closing, please let me again underline that this approach will only work if we fully empower our co-chairs to carry out their duties. They can only do so if all delegations place their full trust and support in them. Secondly, Where new non-papers will be provided, again, I strongly recommend that the delegations consider them with a constructive and open mindset. This is not the moment to reintroduce proposals that have repeatedly failed to gain support over the past nine days of consultations and negotiations, nor is it a time to debate every comma, letter, or word. We cannot afford procedural or tactical delays at this late hour. Such approaches will jeopardize our ability to deliver outcomes for you now. Distinguished delegates, let us show the world that the Nairobi spirit of consensus remains alive. At this stage, every delegation bears a collective responsibility to facilitate the path to consensus. Finally, allow me to remind you that we must complete our work within the allotted time. There is no alternative. The work of this committee must conclude tomorrow evening. Furthermore, the final drafts need to be edited, translated, and made available in the six official languages before adoption at the closing plenary of UNEA. And this will not be possible unless we transmit the drafts to the Secretariat by tomorrow midnight at the very latest. With that, I believe that we can close this stocktaking plenary. Good. Just before we close, we'll allow an announcement by the Secretary.

Thank you, madam Chair.

I just wanted to inform delegations of the rooms in which the contact groups will meet. So Contact Group 1, cluster A, will meet immediately following the adjournment of this meeting in Conference Room 1. So Contact Group 1, cluster A, in Conference Room 1. And Contact Group 2, cluster B, will meet in Conference Room 2. Cluster B in Conference Room 2. Thank you, madam Chair.

Thank you so much. With that, I believe that we can close the stocktaking plenary and allow for the contact groups to resume their work. We've already taken 20 minutes of their time. The next plenary will be tomorrow evening, 10 December, at 9:00 PM. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.

Distinguished delegates, could I just get your attention briefly? I made a wrong announcement. Cluster B is meeting in conference room 9. So cluster B is meeting in conference room 9. Apologies.