** Topic: Final Earth Summit Report **

From: UNCED <unced>

Subject: Final Earth Summit Report

EARTH SUMMIT REPORT

The final, edited version of the Report of the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit), which was

held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, is now being made available by the

United Nations Secretariat in New York, in the form of Document

A/CONF.151/26, in five volumes.

The table of contents of the Document A/CONF.151/26 is as follows:

CONTENTS

I. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE

1. Adoption of texts on environment and development

Annexes

I. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

II. Agenda 21 a/

III. Non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles

for a global consensus on the management, conservation

and sustainable development of all types of forests b/

2. Expression of thanks to the people and Government

of Brazil b/

3. Credentials of representatives to the Conference b/

II. ATTENDANCE AND ORGANIZATION OF WORK c/

A. Date and place of the Conference

B. Pre-Conference consultations

C. Attendance

D. Opening of the Conference

E. Election of the President

F. Messages from heads of State

G. Adoption of the rules of procedure

H. Adoption of the agenda

I. Election of officers other than the President

J. Organization of work, including the establishment of the

Main Committee of the Conference

K. Appointment of members of the Credentials Committee

III. GENERAL DEBATE c/

IV. REPORT OF THE MAIN COMMITTEE AND ACTION TAKEN

BY THE CONFERENCE c/

A. Report of the Main Committee

B. Action taken by the Conference

V. REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE c/

VI. SUMMIT SEGMENT OF THE CONFERENCE c/

VII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE c/

Annexes

I. LIST OF DOCUMENTS c/

II. OPENING STATEMENTS c/

III. CLOSING STATEMENTS c/

IV. STATEMENTS MADE BY HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT AT THE SUMMIT

SEGMENT OF THE CONFERENCE d/

* * * * *

a/ The present volume contains the preamble and section I

(Social and economic dimensions); for section II (Conservation and

management of resources for development), see A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. II);

for section III (Strengthening the role of major groups) and section IV

(Means of implementation), see A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. III).

b/ See A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. III).

c/ See A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. IV).

d/ See A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. V).

The UNCED Secretariat will upload these final versions into the

en.unced.documents (cnumad.documentos for Spanish and cnued.documents in

French) conferences, as the various volumes become available in machine

readable formats.

First the three "substantive" outputs of the Earth Summit (Annexes I-III of

Section I: Resolutions Adopted by the Conference, of the formal report

A/CONF.151/26) will be made available:

1. Rio Declaration

2. Agenda 21 (with 40 responses holding the 40 chapters)

3. Forest Principles

Afterwards, the formal report will be uploaded broken up into a number of

topics and responses, to be announced later.

UNCED Information System

Geneva, 30 October 1992

** End of topic: Final Earth Summit Report **

** Topic: Final: The Rio Declaration **

From: UNCED <unced>

Subject: Final: The Rio Declaration

THE RIO DECLARATION

Distr.

GENERAL

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I)

12 August 1992

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT*

(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)

Annex I

RIO DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,

Having met at Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992,

Reaffirming the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on

the Human Environment, adopted at Stockholm on 16 June 1972, a/ and

seeking to build upon it,

With the goal of establishing a new and equitable global

partnership through the creation of new levels of cooperation among

States, key sectors of societies and people,

Working towards international agreements which respect the

interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental

and developmental system,

Recognizing the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth,

our home,

Proclaims that:

Principle 1

Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable

development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in

harmony with nature.

Principle 2

States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations

and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit

their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and

developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that

activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to

the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of

national jurisdiction.

Principle 3

The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably

meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future

generations.

Principle 4

In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental

protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process

and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Principle 5

All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task

of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable

development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of

living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the

world.

Principle 6

The special situation and needs of developing countries,

particularly the least developed and those most environmentally

vulnerable, shall be given special priority. International actions in

the field of environment and development should also address the

interests and needs of all countries.

Principle 7

States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to

conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth's

ecosystem. In view of the different contributions to global

environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated

responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the

responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of

sustainable development in view of the pressures their societies place

on the global environment and of the technologies and financial

resources they command.

Principle 8

To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life

for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable

patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate

demographic policies.

Principle 9

States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous

capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific

understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological

knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffusion and

transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Principle 10

Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of

all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level,

each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning

the environment that is held by public authorities, including

information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities,

and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes.

States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and

participation by making information widely available. Effective access

to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and

remedy, shall be provided.

Principle 11

States shall enact effective environmental legislation.

Environmental standards, management objectives and priorities should

reflect the environmental and developmental context to which they

apply. Standards applied by some countries may be inappropriate and of

unwarranted economic and social cost to other countries, in particular

developing countries.

Principle 12

States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open

international economic system that would lead to economic growth and

sustainable development in all countries, to better address the

problems of environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for

environmental purposes should not constitute a means of arbitrary or

unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on

international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental

challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be

avoided. Environmental measures addressing transboundary or global

environmental problems should, as far as possible, be based on an

international consensus.

Principle 13

States shall develop national law regarding liability and

compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental

damage. States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more

determined manner to develop further international law regarding

liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage

caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas

beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 14

States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the

relocation and transfer to other States of any activities and

substances that cause severe environmental degradation or are found to

be harmful to human health.

Principle 15

In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach

shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities.

Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full

scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing

cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Principle 16

National authorities should endeavour to promote the

internalization of environmental costs and the use of economic

instruments, taking into account the approach that the polluter should,

in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public

interest and without distorting international trade and investment.

Principle 17

Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall

be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a

significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a

decision of a competent national authority.

Principle 18

States shall immediately notify other States of any natural

disasters or other emergencies that are likely to produce sudden

harmful effects on the environment of those States. Every effort shall

be made by the international community to help States so afflicted.

Principle 19

States shall provide prior and timely notification and relevant

information to potentially affected States on activities that may have

a significant adverse transboundary environmental effect and shall

consult with those States at an early stage and in good faith.

Principle 20

Women have a vital role in environmental management and

development. Their full participation is therefore essential to

achieve sustainable development.

Principle 21

The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world

should be mobilized to forge a global partnership in order to achieve

sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

Principle 22

Indigenous people and their communities and other local

communities have a vital role in environmental management and

development because of their knowledge and traditional practices.

States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and

interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement

of sustainable development.

Principle 23

The environment and natural resources of people under oppression,

domination and occupation shall be protected.

Principle 24

Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development.

States shall therefore respect international law providing protection

for the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its

further development, as necessary.

Principle 25

Peace, development and environmental protection are

interdependent and indivisible.

Principle 26

States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully

and by appropriate means in accordance with the Charter of the United

Nations.

Principle 27

States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit

of partnership in the fulfilment of the principles embodied in this

Declaration and in the further development of international law in the

field of sustainable development.

* * * * *

a/ Report of the United Nations Conference on the Human

Environment, Stockholm, 5-16 June 1972 (United Nations publication,

Sales No. E.73.II.A.14 and corrigendum), chap. I.

** End of topic: Final: The Rio Declaration **

** Topic: FINAL A21: CONTENTS **

Distr.

GENERAL

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I-III)

12 August 1992

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)

Annex II

AGENDA 21

CONTENTS*

Chapter Paragraphs

1. Preamble .............................................. 1.1 - 1.6

SECTION I. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS

2. International cooperation to accelerate sustainable

development in developing countries and related

domestic policies ..................................... 2.1 - 2.43

3. Combating poverty ..................................... 3.1 - 3.12

4. Changing consumption patterns ......................... 4.1 - 4.27

5. Demographic dynamics and sustainability ............... 5.1 - 5.66

6. Protecting and promoting human health conditions ...... 6.1 - 6.46

7. Promoting sustainable human settlement development .... 7.1 - 7.80

8. Integrating environment and development in

decision-making ....................................... 8.1 - 8.54

SECTION II. CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES

FOR DEVELOPMENT

9. Protection of the atmosphere ....................... 9.1 - 9.35

10. Integrated approach to the planning and management

of land resources .................................. 10.1 - 10.18

11. Combating deforestation ............................ 11.1 - 11.40

12. Managing fragile ecosystems: combating

desertification and drought ........................ 12.1 - 12.63

13. Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain

development ........................................ 13.1 - 13.24

14. Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural

development ........................................ 14.1 - 14.104

15. Conservation of biological diversity ............... 15.1 - 15.11

16. Environmentally sound management of biotechnology .. 16.1 - 16.46

17. Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas,

including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and

coastal areas and the protection, rational use and

development of their living resources .............. 17.1 - 17.136

18. Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater

resources: application of integrated approaches to

the development, management and use of water

resources .......................................... 18.1 - 18.90

19. Environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals,

including prevention of illegal international

traffic in toxic and dangerous products ............ 19.1 - 19.76

20. Environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes,

including prevention of illegal international traffic

in hazardous wastes ................................. 20.1 - 20.46

21. Environmentally sound management of solid wastes and

sewage-related issues ............................... 21.1 - 21.49

22. Safe and environmentally sound management of

radioactive wastes .................................. 22.1 - 22.9

SECTION III. STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS

23. Preamble ............................................ 23.1 - 23.4

24. Global action for women towards sustainable and

equitable development ........................... 24.1 - 24.12

25. Children and youth in sustainable development ....... 25.1 - 25.17

26. Recognizing and strengthening the role of indigenous

people and their communities .................... 26.1 - 26.9

27. Strengthening the role of non-governmental

organizations: partners for sustainable

development ..................................... 27.1 - 27.13

28. Local authorities' initiatives in support of

Agenda 21 ....................................... 28.1 - 28.7

29. Strengthening the role of workers and their trade

unions .......................................... 29.1 - 29.14

30. Strengthening the role of business and industry ..... 30.1 - 30.30

31. Scientific and technological community .............. 31.1 - 31.12

32. Strengthening the role of farmers ................... 32.1 - 32.14

SECTION IV. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION

33. Financial resources and mechanisms .................. 33.1 - 33.21

34. Transfer of environmentally sound technology,

cooperation and capacity-building ................... 34.1 - 34.29

35. Science for sustainable development ................. 35.1 - 35.25

36. Promoting education, public awareness and training .. 36.1 - 36.27

37. National mechanisms and international cooperation

for capacity-building in developing countries ....... 37.1 - 37.13

38. International institutional arrangements ............ 38.1 - 38.45

39. International legal instruments and mechanisms ...... 39.1 - 39.10

40. Information for decision-making ..................... 40.1 - 40.30

* * * * *

* For section I (Social and economic dimensions), see

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I); for section III (Strengthening the role of major

groups) and section IV (Means of implementation), see

A.CONF/151/26 (Vol. III).

* For section II (Conservation and management of resources for

development), see A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. II); for section III (Strengthening the

role of major groups) and section IV (Means of implementation), see

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. III).

* For section I (Social and economic dimensions), see

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I); for section II (Conservation and management of

resources for development), see A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. II).

END OF DOCUMENT

** End of topic: FINAL A21: CONTENTS **

** Topic: FINAL A21/1: PREAMBLE **

Distr.

GENERAL

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol.I)

12 August 1992

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)

Chapter 1

PREAMBLE*

1.1. Humanity stands at a defining moment in history. We are

confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within

nations, a worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and

the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for

our well-being. However, integration of environment and development

concerns and greater attention to them will lead to the fulfilment of

basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and

managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future. No nation can

achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a global partnership

for sustainable development.

1.2. This global partnership must build on the premises of General

Assembly resolution 44/228 of 22 December 1989, which was adopted when

the nations of the world called for the United Nations Conference on

Environment and Development, and on the acceptance of the need to take

a balanced and integrated approach to environnment and development

questions.

1.3. Agenda 21 addresses the pressing problems of today and also aims

at preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It

reflects a global consensus and political commitment at the highest

level on development and environment cooperation. Its successful

implementation is first and foremost the responsibility of Governments.

National strategies, plans, policies and processes are crucial in

achieving this. International cooperation should support and

supplement such national efforts. In this context, the United Nations

system has a key role to play. Other international, regional and

subregional organizations are also called upon to contribute to this

effort. The broadest public participation and the active involvement

of the non-governmental organizations and other groups should also be

encouraged.

1.4. The developmental and environmental objectives of Agenda 21 will

require a substantial flow of new and additional financial resources to

developing countries, in order to cover the incremental costs for the

actions they have to undertake to deal with global environmental

problems and to accelerate sustainable development. Financial

resources are also required for strengthening the capacity of

international institutions for the implementation of Agenda 21. An

indicative order-of-magnitude assessment of costs is included in each

of the programme areas. This assessment will need to be examined and

refined by the relevant implementing agencies and organizations.

1.5. In the implementation of the relevant programme areas identified

in Agenda 21, special attention should be given to the particular

circumstances facing the economies in transition. It must also be

recognized that these countries are facing unprecedented challenges in

transforming their economies, in some cases in the midst of

considerable social and political tension.

1.6. The programme areas that constitute Agenda 21 are described in

terms of the basis for action, objectives, activities and means of

implementation. Agenda 21 is a dynamic programme. It will be carried

out by the various actors according to the different situations,

capacities and priorities of countries and regions in full respect of

all the principles contained in the Rio Declaration on Environment and

Development. It could evolve over time in the light of changing needs

and circumstances. This process marks the beginning of a new global

partnership for sustainable development.

* * * * *

* When the term "Governments" is used, it will be deemed to

include the European Economic Community within its areas of competence.

Throughout Agenda 21 the term "environmentally sound" means

"environmentally safe and sound", in particular when applied to the

terms "energy sources", "energy supplies", "energy systems" and

"technology" or "technologies".

END OF CHAPTER 1

** End of topic: FINAL A21/1: PREAMBLE **

** Topic: FINAL A21/2: SUSTAINABLE DEV. **

Distr.

GENERAL

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol.I)

12 August 1992

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)

SECTION I. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS

Chapter 2

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT

IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES

INTRODUCTION

2.1. In order to meet the challenges of environment and development,

States have decided to establish a new global partnership. This

partnership commits all States to engage in a continuous and

constructive dialogue, inspired by the need to achieve a more efficient

and equitable world economy, keeping in view the increasing

interdependence of the community of nations and that sustainable

development should become a priority item on the agenda of the

international community. It is recognized that, for the success of

this new partnership, it is important to overcome confrontation and to

foster a climate of genuine cooperation and solidarity. It is equally

important to strengthen national and international policies and

multinational cooperation to adapt to the new realities.

2.2. Economic policies of individual countries and international

economic relations both have great relevance to sustainable

development. The reactivation and acceleration of development requires

both a dynamic and a supportive international economic environment and

determined policies at the national level. It will be frustrated in

the absence of either of these requirements. A supportive external

economic environment is crucial. The development process will not

gather momentum if the global economy lacks dynamism and stability and

is beset with uncertainties. Neither will it gather momentum if the

developing countries are weighted down by external indebtedness, if

development finance is inadequate, if barriers restrict access to

markets and if commodity prices and the terms of trade of developing

countries remain depressed. The record of the 1980s was essentially

negative on each of these counts and needs to be reversed. The

policies and measures needed to create an international environment

that is strongly supportive of national development efforts are thus

vital. International cooperation in this area should be designed to

complement and support - not to diminish or subsume - sound domestic

economic policies, in both developed and developing countries, if

global progress towards sustainable development is to be achieved.

2.3. The international economy should provide a supportive

international climate for achieving environment and development goals

by:

(a) Promoting sustainable development through trade

liberalization;

(b) Making trade and environment mutually supportive;

countries and dealing with international debt;

(d) Encouraging macroeconomic policies conducive to environment

and development.

2.4. Governments recognize that there is a new global effort to relate

the elements of the international economic system and mankind's need

for a safe and stable natural environment. Therefore, it is the intent

of Governments that consensus-building at the intersection of the

environmental and trade and development areas will be ongoing in

existing international forums, as well as in the domestic policy of

each country.

PROGRAMME AREAS

A. Promoting sustainable development through trade

Basis for action

2.5. An open, equitable, secure, non-discriminatory and predictable

multilateral trading system that is consistent with the goals of

sustainable development and leads to the optimal distribution of global

production in accordance with comparative advantage is of benefit to

all trading partners. Moreover, improved market access for developing

countries' exports in conjunction with sound macroeconomic and

environmental policies would have a positive environmental impact and

therefore make an important contribution towards sustainable

development.

2.6. Experience has shown that sustainable development requires a

commitment to sound economic policies and management, an effective and

predictable public administration, the integration of environmental

concerns into decision-making and progress towards democratic

government, in the light of country-specific conditions, which allows

for full participation of all parties concerned. These attributes are

essential for the fulfilment of the policy directions and objectives

listed below.

2.7. The commodity sector dominates the economies of many developing

countries in terms of production, employment and export earnings. An

important feature of the world commodity economy in the 1980s was the

prevalence of very low and declining real prices for most commodities

in international markets and a resulting substantial contraction in

commodity export earnings for many producing countries. The ability of

those countries to mobilize, through international trade, the resources

needed to finance investments required for sustainable development may

be impaired by this development and by tariff and non-tariff

impediments, including tariff escalation, limiting their access to

export markets. The removal of existing distortions in international

trade is essential. In particular, the achievement of this objective

requires that there be substantial and progressive reduction in the

support and protection of agriculture - covering

internal regimes, market access and export subsidies - as well as of

industry and other sectors, in order to avoid inflicting large losses

on the more efficient producers, especially in developing countries.

Thus, in agriculture, industry and other sectors, there is scope for

initiatives aimed at trade liberalization and at policies to make

production more responsive to environment and development needs. Trade

liberalization should therefore be pursued on a global basis across

economic sectors so as to contribute to sustainable development.

2.8. The international trading environment has been affected by a

number of developments that have created new challenges and

opportunities and have made multilateral economic cooperation of even

greater importance. World trade has continued to grow faster than

world output in recent years. However, the expansion of world trade

has been unevenly spread, and only a limited number of developing

countries have been capable of achieving appreciable growth in their

exports. Protectionist pressures and unilateral policy actions

continue to endanger the functioning of an open multilateral trading

system, affecting particularly the export interests of developing

countries. Economic integration processes have intensified in recent

years and should impart dynamism to global trade and enhance the trade

and development possibilities for developing countries. In recent

years, a growing number of these countries have adopted courageous

policy reforms involving ambitious autonomous trade liberalization,

while far-reaching reforms and profound restructuring processes are

taking place in Central and Eastern European countries, paving the way

for their integration into the world economy and the international

trading system. Increased attention is being devoted to enhancing the

role of enterprises and promoting competitive markets through adoption

of competitive policies. The GSP has proved to be a useful trade

policy instrument, although its objectives will have to be fulfilled,

and trade facilitation strategies relating to electronic data

interchange (EDI) have been effective in improving the trading

efficiency of the public and private sectors. The interactions between

environment policies and trade issues are manifold and have not yet

been fully assessed. An early, balanced, comprehensive and successful

outcome of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations would

bring about further liberalization and expansion of world trade,

enhance the trade and development possibilities of developing countries

and provide greater security and predictability to the international

trading system.

Objectives

2.9. In the years ahead, and taking into account the results of the

Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, Governments should

continue to strive to meet the following objectives:

(a) To promote an open, non-discriminatory and equitable

multilateral trading system that will enable all countries - in

particular, the developing countries - to improve their economic

structures and improve the standard of living of their populations

through sustained economic development;

(b) To improve access to markets for exports of developing

countries;

sound, compatible and consistent commodity policies at national and

international levels with a view to optimizing the contribution of the

commodity sector to sustainable development, taking into account

environmental considerations;

(d) To promote and support policies, domestic and

international, that make economic growth and environmental protection

mutually supportive.

Activities

(a) International and regional cooperation and coordination

Promoting an international trading system that takes account of

the needs of developing countries

2.10. Accordingly, the international community should:

(a) Halt and reverse protectionism in order to bring about

further liberalization and expansion of world trade, to the benefit of

all countries, in particular the developing countries;

(b) Provide for an equitable, secure, non-discriminatory and

predictable international trading system;

countries into the world economy and the international trading system;

(d) Ensure that environment and trade policies are mutually

supportive, with a view to achieving sustainable development;

(e) Strengthen the international trade policies system through

an early, balanced, comprehensive and successful outcome of the Uruguay

Round of multilateral trade negotiations.

2.11. The international community should aim at finding ways and means

of achieving a better functioning and enhanced transparency of

commodity markets, greater diversification of the commodity sector in

developing economies within a macroeconomic framework that takes into

consideration a country's economic structure, resource endowments and

market opportunities, and better management of natural resources that

takes into account the necessities of sustainable development.

2.12. Therefore, all countries should implement previous commitments

to halt and reverse protectionism and further expand market access,

particularly in areas of interest to developing countries. This

improvement of market access will be facilitated by appropriate

structural adjustment in developed countries. Developing countries

should continue the trade-policy reforms and structural adjustment they

have undertaken. It is thus urgent to achieve an

improvement in market access conditions for commodities, notably

through the progressive removal of barriers that restrict imports,

particularly from developing countries, of commodity products in

primary and processed forms, as well as the substantial and progressive

reduction of types of support that induce uncompetitive production,

such as production and export subsidies.

(b) Management related activities

Developing domestic policies that maximize the benefits of trade

liberalization for sustainable development

2.13. For developing countries to benefit from the liberalization of

trading systems, they should implement the following policies, as

appropriate:

(a) Create a domestic environment supportive of an optimal

balance between production for the domestic and export markets and

remove biases against exports and discourage inefficient

import-substitution;

(b) Promote the policy framework and the infrastructure

required to improve the efficiency of export and import trade as well

as the functioning of domestic markets.

2.14. The following policies should be adopted by developing countries

with respect to commodities consistent with market efficiency:

(a) Expand processing, distribution and improve marketing

practices and the competitiveness of the commodity sector;

(b) Diversify in order to reduce dependence on commodity

exports;

production in the formation of commodity prices, including the

reflection of environmental, social and resources costs.

Encouraging data collection and research

2.15. GATT, UNCTAD and other relevant institutions should continue to

collect appropriate trade data and information. The Secretary-General

of the United Nations is requested to strengthen the Trade Control

Measures Information System managed by UNCTAD.

Improving international cooperation in commodity trade and the

diversification of the sector

2.16. With regard to commodity trade, Governments should, directly or

through appropriate international organizations, where appropriate:

(a) Seek optimal functioning of commodity markets, inter alia,

through improved market transparency involving exchanges of views and

information on investment plans, prospects and markets for individual

commodities. Substantive negotiations between producers and consumers

should be pursued with a view to achieving viable and more efficient

international agreements that take into account market trends, or

arrangements, as well as study groups. In this regard, particular

attention should be paid to the agreements on cocoa, coffee, sugar and

tropical timber. The importance of international commodity agreements

and arrangements is underlined. Occupational health and safety

matters, technology transfer and services associated with the

production, marketing and promotion of commodities, as well as

environmental considerations, should be taken into account;

(b) Continue to apply compensation mechanisms for shortfalls in

commodity export earnings of developing countries in order to encourage

diversification efforts;

the design and implementation of commodity policies and the gathering

and utilization of information on commodity markets;

(d) Support the efforts of developing countries to promote the

policy framework and infrastructure required to improve the efficiency

of export and import trade;

(e) Support the diversification initiatives of the developing

countries at the national, regional and international levels.

Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

2.17. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total

annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities in this

programme area to be about $8.8 billion from the international

community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and

order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by

Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are

non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies

and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Capacity-building

2.18. The above-mentioned technical cooperation activities aim at

strengthening national capabilities for design and implementation of

commodity policy, use and management of national resources and the

gathering and utilization of information on commodity markets.

B. Making trade and environment mutually supportive

Basis for action

2.19. Environment and trade policies should be mutually supportive.

An open, multilateral trading system makes possible a more efficient

allocation and use of resources and thereby contributes to an increase

in production and incomes and to lessening demands on the environment.

It thus provides additional resources needed for economic growth and

development and improved environmental protection. A sound

environment, on the other hand, provides the ecological and other

resources needed to sustain growth and underpin a continuing expansion

of trade. An open, multilateral trading system, supported by the

adoption of sound environmental policies, would have a positive impact

on the environment and contribute to sustainable development.

2.20. International cooperation in the environmental field is growing,

and in a number of cases trade provisions in multilateral environment

agreements have played a role in tackling global environmental

challenges. Trade measures have thus been used in certain specific

instances, where considered necessary, to enhance the effectiveness of

environmental regulations for the protection of the environment. Such

regulations should address the root causes of environmental degradation

so as not to result in unjustified restrictions on trade. The

challenge is to ensure that trade and environment policies are

consistent and reinforce the process of sustainable development.

However, account should be taken of the fact that environmental

standards valid for developed countries may have unwarranted social and

economic costs in developing countries.

Objectives

2.21. Governments should strive to meet the following objectives,

through relevant multilateral forums, including GATT, UNCTAD and other

international organizations:

(a) To make international trade and environment policies

mutually supportive in favour of sustainable development;

(b) To clarify the role of GATT, UNCTAD and other international

organizations in dealing with trade and environment-related issues,

including, where relevant, conciliation procedure and dispute

settlement;

and encourage a constructive role on the part of industry in dealing

with environment and development issues.

Activities

Developing an environment/trade and development agenda

2.22. Governments should encourage GATT, UNCTAD and other relevant

international and regional economic institutions to examine, in

accordance with their respective mandates and competences, the

following propositions and principles:

(a) Elaborate adequate studies for the better understanding of

the relationship between trade and environment for the promotion of

sustainable development;

(b) Promote a dialogue between trade, development and

environment communities;

are used, ensure transparency and compatibility with international

obligations;

(d) Deal with the root causes of environment and development

problems in a manner that avoids the adoption of environmental measures

resulting in unjustified restrictions on trade;

(e) Seek to avoid the use of trade restrictions or distortions

as a means to offset differences in cost arising from differences in

environmental standards and regulations, since their application could

lead to trade distortions and increase protectionist tendencies;

(f) Ensure that environment-related regulations or standards,

including those related to health and safety standards, do not

constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a

disguised restriction on trade;

(g) Ensure that special factors affecting environment and trade

policies in the developing countries are borne in mind in the

application of environmental standards, as well as in the use of any

trade measures. It is worth noting that standards that are valid in

the most advanced countries may be inappropriate and of unwarranted

social cost for the developing countries;

(h) Encourage participation of developing countries in

multilateral agreements through such mechanisms as special transitional

rules;

(i) Avoid unilateral actions to deal with environmental

challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country.

Environmental measures addressing transborder or global environmental

problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international

consensus. Domestic measures targeted to achieve certain environmental

objectives may need trade measures to render them effective. Should

trade policy measures be found necessary for the enforcement of

environmental policies, certain principles and rules should apply.

These could include, inter alia, the principle of non-discrimination;

the principle that the trade measure chosen should be the least

trade-restrictive necessary to achieve the objectives; an obligation to

ensure transparency in the use of trade measures related to the

environment and to provide adequate notification of national

regulations; and the need to give consideration to the special

conditions and developmental requirements of developing countries as

they move towards internationally agreed environmental objectives;

(j) Develop more precision, where necessary, and clarify the

relationship between GATT provisions and some of the multilateral

measures adopted in the environment area;

(k) Ensure public input in the formation, negotiation and

implementation of trade policies as a means of fostering increased

transparency in the light of country-specific conditions;

(l) Ensure that environmental policies provide the appropriate

legal and institutional framework to respond to new needs for the

protection of the environment that may result from changes in

production and trade specialization.

C. Providing adequate financial resources to developing

countries

Basis for action

2.23. Investment is critical to the ability of developing countries to

achieve needed economic growth to improve the welfare of their

populations and to meet their basic needs in a sustainable manner, all

without deteriorating or depleting the resource base that underpins

development. Sustainable development requires increased investment,

for which domestic and external financial resources are needed.

Foreign private investment and the return of flight capital, which

depend on a healthy investment climate, are an important source of

financial resources. Many developing countries have experienced a

decade-long situation of negative net transfer of financial resources,

during which their financial receipts were exceeded by payments they

had to make, in particular for debt-servicing. As a result,

domestically mobilized resources had to be transferred abroad instead

of being invested locally in order to promote sustainable economic

development.

2.24. For many developing countries, the reactivation of development

will not take place without an early and durable solution to the

problems of external indebtedness, taking into account the fact that,

for many developing countries, external debt burdens are a significant

problem. The burden of debt-service payments on those countries has

imposed severe constraints on their ability to accelerate growth and

eradicate poverty and has led to a contraction in imports, investment

and consumption. External indebtedness has emerged as a main factor in

the economic stalemate in the developing countries. Continued vigorous

implementation of the evolving international debt strategy is aimed at

restoring debtor countries' external financial

viability, and the resumption of their growth and development would

assist in achieving sustainable growth and development. In this

context, additional financial resources in favour of developing

countries and the efficient utilization of such resources are

essential.

Objectives

2.25. The specific requirements for the implementation of the sectoral

and cross-sectoral programmes included in Agenda 21 are dealt with in

the relevant programme areas and in chapter 33 (Financial resources and

mechanisms).

Activities

(a) Meeting international targets of official development assistance

funding

2.26. As discussed in chapter 33, new and additional resources should

be provided to support Agenda 21 programmes.

(b) Addressing the debt issue

2.27. In regard to the external debt incurred with commercial banks,

the progress being made under the strengthened debt strategy is

recognized and a more rapid implementation of this strategy is

encouraged. Some countries have already benefited from the combination

of sound adjustment policies and commercial bank debt reduction or

equivalent measures. The international community encourages:

(a) Other countries with heavy debts to banks to negotiate

similar commercial bank debt reduction with their creditors;

(b) The parties to such a negotiation to take due account of

both the medium-term debt reduction and new money requirements of the

debtor country;

strengthened international debt strategy to continue to support

debt-reduction packages related to commercial bank debt with a view to

ensuring that the magnitude of such financing is consonant with the

evolving debt strategy;

(d) Creditor banks to participate in debt and debt-service

reduction;

(e) Strengthened policies to attract direct investment, avoid

unsustainable levels of debt and foster the return of flight capital.

2.28. With regard to debt owed to official bilateral creditors, the

recent measures taken by the Paris Club with regard to more generous

terms of relief to the poorest most indebted countries are welcomed.

Ongoing efforts to implement these "Trinidad terms" measures in a

manner commensurate with the payments capacity of those countries and

in a way that gives additional support to their economic reform efforts

are welcomed. The substantial bilateral debt reduction undertaken by

some creditor countries is also

welcomed, and others which are in a position to do so are encouraged to

take similar action.

2.29. The actions of low-income countries with substantial debt

burdens which continue, at great cost, to service their debt and

safeguard their creditworthiness are commended. Particular attention

should be paid to their resource needs. Other debt-distressed

developing countries which are making great efforts to continue to

service their debt and meet their external financial obligations also

deserve due attention.

2.30. In connection with multilateral debt, it is urged that serious

attention be given to continuing to work towards growth-oriented

solutions to the problem of developing countries with serious

debt-servicing problems, including those whose debt is mainly to

official creditors or to multilateral financial institutions.

Particularly in the case of low-income countries in the process of

economic reform, the support of the multilateral financial institutions

in the form of new disbursements and the use of their concessional

funds is welcomed. The use of support groups should be continued in

providing resources to clear arrears of countries embarking upon

vigorous economic reform programmes supported by IMF and the World

Bank. Measures by the multilateral financial institutions such as the

refinancing of interest on non-concessional loans with IDA reflows -

"fifth dimension" - are noted with appreciation.

Means of implementation

Financing and cost evaluation*

D. Encouraging economic policies conducive to sustainable

development

Basis for action

2.31. The unfavourable external environment facing developing

countries makes domestic resource mobilization and efficient allocation

and utilization of domestically mobilized resources all the more

important for the promotion of sustainable development. In a number of

countries, policies are necessary to correct misdirected public

spending, large budget deficits and other macroeconomic imbalances,

restrictive policies and distortions in the areas of exchange rates,

investment and finance, and obstacles to entrepreneurship. In

developed countries, continuing policy reform and adjustment, including

appropriate savings rates, would help generate resources to support the

transition to sustainable development both domestically and in

developing countries.

* * * * *

* See chap. 33 (Financial resources and mechanisms).

* * * * *

2.32. Good management that fosters the association of effective,

efficient, honest, equitable and accountable public administration with

individual rights and opportunities is an essential element for

sustainable, broadly based development and sound economic performance

at all development levels. All countries should increase their efforts

to eradicate mismanagement of public and private affairs, including

corruption, taking into account the factors responsible for, and agents

involved in, this phenomenon.

2.33. Many indebted developing countries are undergoing structural

adjustment programmes relating to debt rescheduling or new loans.

While such programmes are necessary for improving the balance in fiscal

budgets and balance-of-payments accounts, in some cases they have

resulted in adverse social and environmental effects, such as cuts in

allocations for health care, education and environmental protection.

It is important to ensure that structural adjustment programmes do not

have negative impacts on the environment and social development so that

such programmes can be more in line with the objectives of sustainable

development.

Objectives

2.34. It is necessary to establish, in the light of the

country-specific conditions, economic policy reforms that promote the

efficient planning and utilization of resources for sustainable

development through sound economic and social policies, foster

entrepreneurship and the incorporation of social and environmental

costs in resource pricing, and remove sources of distortion in the area

of trade and investment.

Activities

(a) Management-related activities

Promoting sound economic policies

2.35. The industrialized countries and other countries in a position

to do so should strengthen their efforts:

(a) To encourage a stable and predictable international

economic environment, particularly with regard to monetary stability,

real rates of interest and fluctuations in key exchange rates;

(b) To stimulate savings and reduce fiscal deficits;

into account the interests and concerns of the developing countries,

including the need to promote positive action to support the efforts of

the least developed countries to halt their marginalization in the

world economy;

(d) To undertake appropriate national macroeconomic and

structural policies aimed at promoting non-inflationary growth,

narrowing their major external imbalances and increasing the adjustment

capacity of their economies.

2.36. Developing countries should consider strengthening their efforts

to implement sound economic policies:

(a) That maintain the monetary and fiscal discipline required

to promote price stability and external balance;

(b) That result in realistic exchange rates;

improve returns to investment.

2.37. More specifically, all countries should develop policies that

improve efficiency in the allocation of resources and take full

advantage of the opportunities offered by the changing global economic

environment. In particular, wherever appropriate, and taking into

account national strategies and objectives, countries should:

(a) Remove the barriers to progress caused by bureaucratic

inefficiencies, administrative strains, unnecessary controls and the

neglect of market conditions;

(b) Promote transparency in administration and decision-making;

improving institutional facilities for enterprise creation and market

entry. The essential objective would be to simplify or remove the

restrictions, regulations and formalities that make it more

complicated, costly and time-consuming to set up and operate

enterprises in many developing countries;

(d) Promote and support the investment and infrastructure

required for sustainable economic growth and diversification on an

environmentally sound and sustainable basis;

(e) Provide scope for appropriate economic instruments,

including market mechanisms, in harmony with the objectives of

sustainable development and fulfilment of basic needs;

(f) Promote the operation of effective tax systems and

financial sectors;

(g) Provide opportunities for small-scale enterprises, both

farm and non-farm, and for the indigenous population and local

communities to contribute fully to the attainment of sustainable

development;

(h) Remove biases against exports and in favour of inefficient

import substitution and establish policies that allow them to benefit

fully from the flows of foreign investment, within the framework of

national, social, economic and developmental goals;

(i) Promote the creation of a domestic economic environment

supportive of an optimal balance between production for the domestic

and export markets.

(b) International and regional cooperation and coordination

2.38. Governments of developed countries and those of other countries

in a position to do so should, directly or through appropriate

international and regional organizations and international lending

institutions, enhance their efforts to provide developing countries

with increased technical assistance for the following:

(a) Capacity-building in the nation's design and implementation

of economic policies, upon request;

(b) Design and operation of efficient tax systems, accounting

systems and financial sectors;

2.39. International financial and development institutions should

further review their policies and programmes in the light of the

objective of sustainable development.

2.40. Stronger economic cooperation among developing countries has

long been accepted as an important component of efforts to promote

economic growth and technological capabilities and to accelerate

development in the developing world. Therefore, the efforts of the

developing countries to promote economic cooperation among themselves

should be enhanced and continue to be supported by the international

community.

Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

2.41. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total

annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities in this

programme area to be about $50 million from the international community

on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and

order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by

Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are

non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies

and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Capacity-building

2.42. The above-mentioned policy changes in developing countries

involve substantial national efforts for capacity-building in the areas

of public administration, central banking, tax administration, savings

institutions and financial markets.

2.43. Particular efforts in the implementation of the four programme

areas identified in this chapter are warranted in view of the

especially acute environmental and developmental problems of the least

developed countries.

END OF CHAPTER 2

** End of topic: FINAL A21/2: SUSTAINABLE DEV. **

** Topic: FINAL A21/3: POVERTY **

Distr.

GENERAL

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I)

12 August 1992

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)

Chapter 3

COMBATING POVERTY

PROGRAMME AREA

Enabling the poor to achieve sustainable livelihoods

Basis for action

3.1. Poverty is a complex multidimensional problem with origins in

both the national and international domains. No uniform solution can

be found for global application. Rather, country-specific programmes

to tackle poverty and international efforts supporting national

efforts, as well as the parallel process of creating a supportive

international environment, are crucial for a solution to this problem.

The eradication of poverty and hunger, greater equity in income

distribution and human resource development remain major challenges

everywhere. The struggle against poverty is the shared responsibility

of all countries.

3.2. While managing resources sustainably, an environmental policy

that focuses mainly on the conservation and protection of resources

must take due account of those who depend on the resources for their

livelihoods. Otherwise it could have an adverse impact both on poverty

and on chances for long-term success in resource and environmental

conservation. Equally, a development policy that focuses mainly on

increasing the production of goods without addressing the

sustainability of the resources on which production is based will

sooner or later run into declining productivity, which could also have

an adverse impact on poverty. A specific anti-poverty strategy is

therefore one of the basic conditions for ensuring sustainable

development. An effective strategy for tackling the problems of

poverty, development and environment simultaneously should begin by

focusing on resources, production and people and should cover

demographic issues, enhanced health care and education, the rights of

women, the role of youth and of indigenous people and local communities

and a democratic participation process in association with improved

governance.

3.3. Integral to such action is, together with international support,

the promotion of economic growth in developing countries that is both

sustained and sustainable and direct action in eradicating poverty by

strengthening employment and income-generating programmes.

Objectives

3.4. The long-term objective of enabling all people to achieve

sustainable livelihoods should provide an integrating factor that

allows policies to address issues of development, sustainable resource

management and poverty eradication simultaneously. The objectives of

this programme area are:

(a) To provide all persons urgently with the opportunity to earn

a sustainable livelihood;

(b) To implement policies and strategies that promote adequate

levels of funding and focus on integrated human development policies,

including income generation, increased local control of resources,

local institution-strengthening and capacity-building and greater

involvement of non-governmental organizations and local levels of

government as delivery mechanisms;

strategies and programmes of sound and sustainable management of the

environment, resource mobilization, poverty eradication and

alleviation, employment and income generation;

(d) To create a focus in national development plans and budgets

on investment in human capital, with special policies and programmes

directed at rural areas, the urban poor, women and children.

Activities

3.5. Activities that will contribute to the integrated promotion of

sustainable livelihoods and environmental protection cover a variety of

sectoral interventions involving a range of actors, from local to

global, and are essential at every level, especially the community and

local levels. Enabling actions will be necessary at the national and

international levels, taking full account of regional and subregional

conditions to support a locally driven and country-specific approach.

In general design, the programmes should:

(a) Focus on the empowerment of local and community groups

through the principle of delegating authority, accountability and

resources to the most appropriate level to ensure that the programme

will be geographically and ecologically specific;

(b) Contain immediate measures to enable those groups to

alleviate poverty and to develop sustainability;

possible conditions for sustainable local, regional and national

development that would eliminate poverty and reduce the inequalities

between various population groups. It should assist the most

disadvantaged groups - in particular, women, children and youth within

those groups - and refugees. The groups will include poor

smallholders, pastoralists, artisans, fishing communities, landless

people, indigenous communities, migrants and the urban informal sector.

3.6. The focus here is on specific cross-cutting measures - in

particular, in the areas of basic education, primary/maternal health

care, and the advancement of women.

(a) Empowering communities

3.7. Sustainable development must be achieved at every level of

society. Peoples' organizations, women's groups and non-governmental

organizations are important sources of innovation and action at the

local level and have a strong interest and proven ability to promote

sustainable livelihoods. Governments, in cooperation with appropriate

international and non-governmental organizations, should support a

community-driven approach to sustainability, which would include, inter

alia:

(a) Empowering women through full participation in

decision-making;

(b) Respecting the cultural integrity and the rights of

indigenous people and their communities;

the sharing of experience and knowledge between communities;

(d) Giving communities a large measure of participation in the

sustainable management and protection of the local natural resources in

order to enhance their productive capacity;

(e) Establishing a network of community-based learning centres

for capacity-building and sustainable development.

(b) Management-related activities

3.8. Governments, with the assistance of and in cooperation with

appropriate international, non-governmental and local community

organizations, should establish measures that will directly or

indirectly:

(a) Generate remunerative employment and productive occupational

opportunities compatible with country-specific factor endowments, on a

scale sufficient to take care of prospective increases in the labour

force and to cover backlogs;

(b) With international support, where necessary, develop adequate

infrastructure, marketing systems, technology systems, credit systems

and the like and the human resources needed to support the above

actions and to achieve a widening of options for resource-poor people.

High priority should be given to basic education and professional

training;

resource productivity and measures to ensure that the local population

benefits in adequate measure from resource use;

(d) Empower community organizations and people to enable them to

achieve sustainable livelihoods;

(e) Set up an effective primary health care and maternal health

care system accessible to all;

(f) Consider strengthening/developing legal frameworks for land

management, access to land resources and land ownership - in

particular, for women - and for the protection of tenants;

(g) Rehabilitate degraded resources, to the extent practicable,

and introduce policy measures to promote sustainable use of resources

for basic human needs;

(h) Establish new community-based mechanisms and strengthen

existing mechanisms to enable communities to gain sustained access to

resources needed by the poor to overcome their poverty;

(i) Implement mechanisms for popular participation - particularly

by poor people, especially women - in local community groups, to

promote sustainable development;

(j) Implement, as a matter of urgency, in accordance with

country-specific conditions and legal systems, measures to ensure that

women and men have the same right to decide freely and responsibly on

the number and spacing of their children and have access to the

information, education and means, as appropriate, to enable them to

exercise this right in keeping with their freedom, dignity and

personally held values, taking into account ethical and cultural

considerations. Governments should take active steps to implement

programmes to establish and strengthen preventive and curative health

facilities, which include women-centred, women-managed, safe and

effective reproductive health care and affordable, accessible services,

as appropriate, for the responsible planning of family size, in keeping

with freedom, dignity and personally held values, taking into account

ethical and cultural considerations. Programmes should focus on

providing comprehensive health care, including pre-natal care,

education and information on health and responsible parenthood and

should provide the opportunity for all women to breast-feed fully, at

least during the first four months post-partum. Programmes should

fully support women's productive and reproductive roles and well-being,

with special attention to the need for providing equal and improved

health care for all children and the need to reduce the risk of

maternal and child mortality and sickness;

(k) Adopt integrated policies aiming at sustainability in the

management of urban centres;

(l) Undertake activities aimed at the promotion of food security

and, where appropriate, food self-sufficiency within the context of

sustainable agriculture;

(m) Support research on and integration of traditional methods of

production that have been shown to be environmentally sustainable;

(n) Actively seek to recognize and integrate informal-sector

activities into the economy by removing regulations and hindrances that

discriminate against activities in those sectors;

(o) Consider making available lines of credit and other

facilities for the informal sector and improved access to land for the

landless poor so that they can acquire the means of production and

reliable access to natural resources. In many instances special

considerations for women are required. Strict feasibility appraisals

are needed for borrowers to avoid debt crises;

(p) Provide the poor with access to fresh water and sanitation;

(q) Provide the poor with access to primary education.

3.9. Governments should improve the collection of information on

target groups and target areas in order to facilitate the design of

focused programmes and activities, consistent with the target-group

needs and aspirations. Evaluation of such programmes should be

gender-specific, since women are a particularly disadvantaged group.

(d) International and regional cooperation and coordination

3.10. The United Nations system, through its relevant organs,

organizations and bodies, in cooperation with Member States and with

appropriate international and non-governmental organizations, should

make poverty alleviation a major priority and should:

(a) Assist Governments, when requested, in the formulation and

implementation of national action programmes on poverty alleviation and

sustainable development. Action-oriented activities of relevance to

the above objectives, such as poverty eradication, projects and

programmes supplemented where relevant by food aid, and support and

special emphasis on employment and income generation, should be given

particular attention in this regard;

(b) Promote technical cooperation among developing countries for

poverty eradication activities;

for coordination of action relating to poverty eradication, including

the establishment of a focal point for information exchange and the

formulation and implementation of replicable pilot projects to combat

poverty;

(d) In the follow-up of the implementation of Agenda 21, give

high priority to the review of the progress made in eradicating

poverty;

(e) Examine the international economic framework, including

resource flows and structural adjustment programmes, to ensure that

social and environmental concerns are addressed, and in this

connection, conduct a review of the policies of international

organizations, bodies and agencies, including financial institutions,

to ensure the continued provision of basic services to the poor and

needy;

(f) Promote international cooperation to address the root causes

of poverty. The development process will not gather momentum if

developing countries are weighted down by external indebtedness, if

development finance is inadequate, if barriers restrict access to

markets and if commodity prices and the terms of trade in developing

countries remain depressed.

Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

3.11. The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average

total annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this

programme to be about $30 billion, including about $15 billion from the

international community on grant or concessional terms. These are

indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been

reviewed by Governments. This estimate overlaps estimates in other

parts of Agenda 21. Actual costs and financial terms, including any

that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific

strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Capacity-building

3.12. National capacity-building for implementation of the above

activities is crucial and should be given high priority. It is

particularly important to focus capacity-building at the local

community level in order to support a community-driven approach to

sustainability and to establish and strengthen mechanisms to allow

sharing of experience and knowledge between community groups at

national and international levels. Requirements for such activities

are considerable and are related to the various relevant sectors of

Agenda 21 calling for requisite international, financial and

technological support.

END OF CHAPTER 3

** End of topic: FINAL A21/3: POVERTY **

** Topic: FINAL A21/4: CONSUMPTION PATTERNS **

Distr.

GENERAL

A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I)

12 August 1992

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)

Chapter 4

CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

4.1. This chapter contains the following programme areas:

(a) Focusing on unsustainable patterns of production and

consumption;

(b) Developing national policies and strategies to encourage

changes in unsustainable consumption patterns.

4.2. Since the issue of changing consumption patterns is very broad,

it is addressed in several parts of Agenda 21, notably those dealing

with energy, transportation and wastes, and in the chapters on economic

instruments and the transfer of technology. The present chapter should

also be read in conjunction with chapter 5 (Demographic dynamics and

sustainability).

PROGRAMME AREAS

A. Focusing on unsustainable patterns

of production and consumption

Basis for action

4.3. Poverty and environmental degradation are closely interrelated.

While poverty results in certain kinds of environmental stress, the

major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is

the unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly