In 74 bis, delegates agreed on improving health care systems performance, particularly at the primary health care level, by broadening access to health care. In paragraph 75, delegates agreed to text on ensuring infectious and parasitic diseases neither continue to take their devastating toll nor impede economic and social progress. Regarding strengthening national and international efforts to combat these diseases, inter alia , through capacity building, brackets remain around text on support for research centers with the aim of such capacity building. Some observers suggest the group s positions could use a dose of focus. On other fronts, a historic first reference to currency transaction tax comes up for debate today, proposed by Canada and backed by NGOs.
Delegates express divergent views on the issue, questioning who pays and who plays.
One heavyweight supports studying the idea, but prefers forums located slightly south of New York or in a non-UN Swiss locale. Working Group I will meet in morning, afternoon and evening sessions in Conference Room 2. Working Group II will meet in morning, afternoon and evening sessions in Conference Room 5. The Plenary will meet at 12 pm in Conference Room 2 to hear NGO presentations and Switzerland s review of preparations for the Special Session. The opinions expressed in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and other funders.