Box 2-B--United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Selected Agenda 21 Issues

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) will take up a wide range of issues concerned with environment and sustainable development when it meets in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Most of these are part of Agenda 21. Specific action plans in some 29 areas that have been worked out in UNCED preparatory meetings, some of which are listed below. Separately negotiated conventions on global climate change and biological diversity may be completed in time for signature, as well

Social and economic dimensions

• Relationship of international economic policy to sustainable development in developing countries

• Poverty, consumption patterns, demographic dynamics and sustainability

• Health issues

• Human settlements

• Protecting the atmosphere

• Land-resource use

• Forest conservation and use

• Halting the spread of deserts

• Protecting mountain ecosystems

• Meeting agricultural needs with less environmental impact

• Sustaining biological diversity

• Environmentally sound management of biotechnology

• Safeguarding the ocean's resources

• Protecting and managing freshwater resources

• Safe use of toxic chemicals

• Reducing and controlling toxic wastes

• Solid waste and sewage

• Safe handling and disposal of radioactive waste

• Making environmentally sound technology available

• Role of science in sustainable development

• Promoting environmental awareness

• Building national capacity for sustainable development

• Regional cooperation on environment and development

• Financial resources and mechanisms

• Strengthening institutions for sustainable development

• Survey of international agreements and instruments SOURCE: Adapted from United Nations information.