[ 1992 ] Part 3 Chapter 8 Environment

6 7 0 Economic and soc ia l ques t ions

Chapter VIII

Environment

With the global environment having grown worsethan it was two decades previously, despite all ef-forts deployed, the United Nations Conference onEnvironment and Development (UNCED) in 1992adopted the Rio Declaration on Environment andDevelopment, seeking international agreements toprotect the integrity of the global environmentaland developmental systems. The Conference alsoadopted Agenda 21, reflecting a global consensuson development and environment cooperation,and a statement of principles on the management,conservation and sustainable development of alltypes of forests. Two conventions—the United Na-tions Framework Convention on Climate Changeand the Convention on Biological Diversity—wereopened for signature at the Conference.

The General Assembly adopted resolutions en-dorsing the results of UNCED (resolution 47/190),establishing institutional arrangements to followit up (47/191) and inviting the United Nations De-velopment Programme to help developing coun-tr ies to improve their capacity to implementAgenda 21 (47/194). The Assembly also welcomedthe adopt ion of the Convent ion on ClimateChange (47/195).

The Assembly established an intergovernmen-tal negotiating committee to elaborate by 1994 aconvention to combat desertification (47/188). Itdecided to convene an intergovernmental confer-ence on straddling and highly migratory fish stocksin 1993 (47/192) and a global conference on thesustainable development of small island develop-ing States in 1994 (47/189).

The Assembly appea l ed fo r i n t e rna t i ona lcooperation to mitigate the environmental conse-quences resulting from the situation between Iraqand Kuwait (47/151).

UN Conference onEnvironment and Development

The United Nations Conference on Environ-ment and Development, or “Earth Summit”‚ tookplace at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3 to 14 June1992.(1) On 14 June, it adopted the Rio Declara-tion on Environment and Development; Agenda21, a comprehensive plan of action for the sustaina-ble development of the Earth into the twenty-first

century; and a statement of principles for a globalconsensus on the management, conservation andsustainable development of forests. The UnitedNations Framework Convent ion on ClimateChange and the Convention on Biological Diver-si ty were opened for s ignature at U N C E D andsigned by 154 States and 156 States, respectively;each Convention was also signed by one regionaleconomic integration organization.

U N C E D coincided with World EnvironmentDay (5 June),(2) which was also the twentieth an-niversary of the opening of the 1972 United Na-tions Conference on the Human Environment.(3)

Representatives of 176 States and Territories (seeAPPENDIX III), the European Economic Commu-nity (EEC), Palestine and seven associate membersof the regional commissions (American Samoa,Aruba, Hong Kong, Netherlands Antilles, Niue,Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands) at-tended the Conference. Two national liberationmovements-the African National Congress andthe Pan Africanist Congress of Azania—were rep-resented, along with the secretariats of four of theregional commissions, several United Nationsoffices, organizations and specialized agencies, 35intergovernmental organizations and some 1,500non-governmental organizations (NGOs).(4)

The Conference elected as its President Fer-nando Collor, President of Brazil. Also electedwere 39 Vice-Presidents, one ex-officio Vice-President from the host country, a Rapporteur-General and a Main Committee Chairman.

Action taken by the Conference

Rio Declaration on Environment and DevelopmentThe Rio Declaration aimed to establish a new

and equitable global partnership on environmentand development through cooperat ion amongStates, key sectors of society and individuals. Itwas hoped that the Declaration would serve as abasis for future negotiation of an Earth Charterthat could be approved on the fiftieth anniversaryof the United Nations in 1995. The Declarationconsisted of the following 27 principles:

1. Human beings are at the centre of concerns forsustainable development. They are entitled to ahealthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

2. States have, in accordance with the Charter ofthe United Nations and the principles of international

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law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resourcespursuant to their own environmental and developmen-tal policies, and the responsibility to ensure that ac-tivities within their jurisdiction or control do not causedamage to the environment of other States or of areasbeyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

3. The right to development must be fulfilled soas to equitably meet developmental and environmen-tal needs of present and future generations.

4. In order to achieve sustainable development,environmental protection shall constitute an integralpart of the development process and cannot be con-sidered in isolation from it.

5. All States and all people shall cooperate in theessential task of eradicating poverty as an indispens-able requirement for sustainable development, inorder to decrease the disparities in standards of liv-ing and better meet the needs of the majority of thepeople of the world.

6. The special situation and needs of developingcountries, particularly the least developed and thosemost environmentally vulnerable, shall be given spe-cial priority. International actions in the field of en-vironment and development should also address theinterests and needs of all countries.

7. States shall cooperate in a spirit of global part-nership to conserve, protect and restore the health andintegrity of the Earth’s ecosystem. In view of the differentcontributions to global environmental degradation,States have common but differentiated responsibili-ties. The developed countries acknowledge the respon-sibility that they bear in the international pursuit ofsustainable development in view of the pressures theirsocieties place on the global environment and of thetechnologies and financial resources they command.

8. To achieve sustainable development and ahigher quality of life for all people, States should re-duce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of produc-t ion and consumpt ion and promote appropr ia tedemographic policies.

9 . S ta tes should coopera te to s t rengthen en-dogenous capacity-building for sustainable develop-ment by improving scientific understanding throughexchanges of scientific and technological knowledge,and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffu-sion and transfer of technologies, including new andinnovative technologies.

10. Environmental issues are best handled with theparticipation of all concerned citizens, at the relevantlevel. At the national level, each individual shall haveappropriate access to information concerning the en-vironment that is held by public authorities, includ-ing information on hazardous materials and activi-ties in their communities, and the opportunity toparticipate in decision-making processes. States shallfacilitate and encourage public awareness and partic-ipation by making information widely available. Ef-fective access to judicial and administrative proceed-ings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

11. States shall enact effective environmental legis-lation. Environmental standards, management objec-tives and priorities should reflect the environmentaland developmental context to which they apply. Stand-ards applied by some countries may be inappropri-ate and of unwarranted economic and social cost toother countries, in particular developing countries.

12. States should cooperate to promote a suppor-tive and open international economic system thatwould lead to economic growth and sustainable de-velopment in all countries, to better address the prob-lems of environmental degradation. Trade policymeasures for environmental purposes should not con-stitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimi-nation or a disguised restriction on international trade.Uni la te ra l ac t ions to dea l wi th envi ronmenta lchallenges outside the jurisdiction of the importingcountry should be avoided. Environmental measuresaddressing transboundary or global environmentalproblems should, as far as possible, be based on aninternational consensus.

13. States shall develop national law regarding lia-bility and compensation for the victims of pollutionand other environmental damage. States shall alsocooperate in an expeditious and more determinedmanner to develop further international law regard-ing liability and compensation for adverse effects ofenvironmental damage caused by activities withintheir jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their juris-diction.

14. States should effectively cooperate to dis-courage or prevent the relocation and transfer to otherStates of any activities and substances that cause se-vere environmental degradation or are found to beharmful to human health.

15 . In order to pro tec t the envi ronment , theprecautionary approach shall be widely applied byStates according to their capabilities. Where there arethreats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of fullscientific certainty shall not be used as a reason forpostponing cost-effective measures to prevent environ-mental degradation.

16. National authorities should endeavour to pro-mote the internalization of environmental costs andthe use of economic instruments, taking into accountthe approach that the polluter should, in principle,bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the publicinterest and without distorting international trade andinvestment.

17. Environmental impact assessment, as a na-tional instrument, shall be undertaken for proposedactivities that are likely to have a significant adverseimpact on the environment and are subject to a deci-sion of a competent national authority.

18. States shall immediately notify other States ofany natural disasters or other emergencies that arelikely to produce sudden harmful effects on the en-vironment of those States. Every effort shall be madeby the international community to help States so af-flicted.

19. States shall provide prior and timely notifica-tion and relevant information to potentially affectedStates on activities that may have a significant adversetransboundary environmental effect and shall consultwith those States at an early stage and in good faith.

20. Women have a vital role in environmentalmanagement and development. Their full participa-tion is therefore essential to achieve sustainable de-velopment.

21. The creativity, ideals and courage of the youthof the world should be mobilized to forge a global part-nership in order to achieve sustainable developmentand ensure a better future for all.


22. Indigenous people and their communities andother local communities have a vital role in environ-mental management and development because of theirknowledge and traditional practices. States shouldrecognize and duly support their identity, culture andinterests and enable their effective participation in theachievement of sustainable development.

23. The environment and natural resources ofpeople under oppression, domination and occupationshall be protected.

24. Warfare is inherently destructive of sustaina-ble development. States shall therefore respect inter-national law providing protection for the environmentin times of armed conflict and cooperate in its fur-ther development, as necessary.

25. Peace, development and environmental pro-tection are interdependent and indivisible.

26. States shall resolve all their environmental dis-putes peacefully and by appropriate means in accord-ance with the Charter of the United Nations.

27. States and people shall cooperate in good faithand in a spirit of partnership in the fulfilment of theprinciples embodied in this declaration and in the fur-ther development of international law in the field ofsustainable development.

Agenda 21

The preamble of Agenda 21 stated that human-ity was confronted with a worsening of poverty,hunger, ill-health and illiteracy and the continu-ing deterioration of the ecosystems. Integration ofenvironment and development concerns wouldlead to the fulfilment of basic needs, improvedliving standards for al l , bet ter protected andmanaged ecosystems and a safer, more prosperousfuture. Agenda 21 reflected a global consensus andpolitical commitment at the highest level on de-velopment and environment cooperation. Inter-national cooperation should support and supple-ment national strategies and plans. In that context,the United Nations system had a key role to play.The objectives of Agenda 21 would require a sub-stantial flow of financial resources to developingcountries. The 115 programme areas definingareas of action under Agenda 21 were describedin terms of the basis for action, objectives, activi-ties and means of implementation.

Socia l and economic d imensions

Section I of Agenda 21 covered its social and eco-nomic dimensions. The Conference called for aninternational climate that would promote sustainabledevelopment through trade liberalization, make tradeand environment mutually supportive, provide ade-quate financial resources to developing countriesand deal with international debt, and encouragemacroeconomic policies conducive to environmentand development. It recommended halting andreversing protectionism, improving the competi-tiveness of the commodity sector, and diversifyingto reduce dependence on commodity exports.

The Conference declared that an environmen-tal policy focusing on the conservation and pro-tection of resources would have to take into ac-count those who depended on the resources fortheir livelihoods. A development policy focusingon increasing the production of goods without ad-dressing the sustainability of the resources onwhich production was based would run into declin-ing productivi ty. The United Nations systemshould make poverty alleviation a major priorityand assist Governments in formulating action pro-grammes on poverty alleviation and sustainabledevelopment.

Changing consumption patterns in regard tonatural resources would require a multiprongedstrategy focusing on demand, meeting the basicneeds of the poor, and reducing wastage and theuse of finite resources in the production process.Governments should assist individuals and house-ho ld s i n mak ing env i ronmen ta l l y i n fo rmedchoices.

The Conference agreed that the growth in worldpopulation and production combined with unsus-tainable consumption practices was placing in-creasingly severe stress on the life-supporting ca-pacities of the planet. Demographic trends shouldbe incorporated in the global analysis of environ-ment and development issues, with full recogni-tion of women’s rights.

The Conference said that Agenda 21 should ad-dress the primary health needs of the world’spopulation. Countries were urged to develop pri-ority action plans based on the cooperative effortsof various levels of government, NGOs and localcommunities. Programme areas relating to healthdealt with meeting rural health-care needs, con-trolling communicable diseases, protecting vulner-able groups, meeting the urban health challengeand reducing health risks from environmental pol-lution and hazards.

On the subject of promoting sustainable humansettlements, the Conference called for providingshelter for all, improved management of settle-ments, sustainable land-use planning and manage-ment, the integrated provision of environmentalinfrastructure (water, sanitation, drainage andsolid-waste management), sustainable energy andtransport systems, planning and management ofsettlements in disaster-prone areas, sustainableconstruction industry activities and human re-source development and capacity-building forhuman settlement development.

C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n tof resources for development

Section II of Agenda 21 covered the conserva-tion and management of resources for develop-ment. It included four programme areas: improv-

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ing the scientif ic basis for decision-making;promoting sustainable development; preventingstratospheric ozone depletion; and transboundaryatmospheric pollution.

The Conference called for an integrated ap-proach to the planning and management of soils,minerals, water and biota. Noting major weak-nesses in the policies, methods and mechanismsadopted to support and develop the ecological, eco-nomic, social and cultural roles of trees, forests andforest lands, it recommended the following: en-hancing the protection, management and conser-vation of all forests, as well as the greening ofdegraded areas, through rehabilitation, afforesta-tion, reforestation and other means; promoting ef-ficient utilization and assessment to recover the fullvaluation of the goods and services provided byforests, forest lands and woodlands; and establish-ing or strengthening capacities for the planning,assessment and systematic observations of forests.

Three chapters dealt with managing fragileecosys t ems : comba t ing de se r t i f i c a t i on anddrought, mountain development, and sustainingsmall islands and coastal areas. Agenda 21 calledfor strengthening the desertification knowledgebase, developing information and monitoring sys-tems for regions prone to desertification anddrought, combating land degradation and promot-ing alternative livelihood systems in areas proneto desertification. In addition, the Conferencep roposed i n t eg ra t i ng comprehens ive an t i -desertification programmes into national develop-ment and environmental plans, developing com-prehensive drought preparedness and drought-relief schemes for drought-prone areas, designingprogrammes to cope with environmental refugeesand promoting education on desertification con-trol and management of the effects of drought. TheConference called for the General Assembly to es-tablish an intergovernmental negotiating commit-tee to elaborate an international convention tocombat desertification in countries experiencingserious drought and/or desertification.

Mountains were susceptible to accelerated ero-sion, landslides and rapid loss of habitat andgenetic diversi ty. Programme areas coveredstrengthening knowledge about the ecology andsustainable development of mountain ecosystemsand promoting integrated watershed developmentand alternative livelihood opportunities.

The protection and development of the marineenvironment, including the oceans, seas and ad-jacent coastal areas, was to be carried out in ac-cordance with the 1982 United Nations Conven-tion on the Law of the Sea.(5) Agenda 21 calledfor the integrated management and sustainable de-velopment of coastal areas, including exclusiveeconomic zones; marine environmental protection;the sustainable use and conservation of marine liv-

ing resources; addressing critical uncertainties forthe management of the marine environment andcl imate change; s t rengthening internat ionalcooperation and coordination; and the sustaina-ble development of small islands. It identified smallisland developing States as a special case for bothenvironment and development, given their vulner-ability to global warming and sealevel rise, as wellas their degree of biodiversity. The Conferencecalled for a global conference on the sustainabledevelopment of island States and for an inter-governmental conference on straddling and highlymigratory fish stocks (see below).

To protect the quality and supply of freshwaterresources, the Conference proposed the followingprogramme areas: integrated water resources de-velopment and management; water resources as-sessment; protection of water resources, waterquality and aquatic ecosystems; drinking-watersupply and sani tat ion; water and sustainableurban development; water for sustainable foodproduction and rural development; and impactsof climate change on water resources.

In relation to promoting sustainable agricultureand rural development, the Conference stated thatby the year 2025, 83 per cent of the expected globalpopulation of 8.5 billion would be living in de-veloping countr ies . Major adjustments wereneeded in agricultural, environmental and mac-roeconomic policy to create sustainable agricul-ture and rural development. Agenda 21 includedthe following programme areas, among others:agricultural policy review, planning and integratedprogramming; human resource development forsustainable agriculture; improving of farm produc-tion and farming systems through diversificationof farm and non-farm employment and infra-structure development; land-resource planning in-formation and education for agriculture; land con-servation and rehabilitation; and water for foodproduction and rural development.

Regarding the conservation of biological diver-sity, the Conference observed that the planet’s es-sential goods and services depended on the vari-ety and variability of genes, species, populationsand ecosystems. In its view, the current decline inbiodiversity was largely the result of human ac-tivity and represented a serious threat to humandevelopment. Agenda 21 sought to improve theconservation of biological diversity and the sus-tainable use of biological resources, and to sup-port the Convention on Biological Diversity (seebelow).

The Conference considered the environmentallysound management of toxic chemicals. It proposedsix programme areas: expanding international as-sessment of chemical risks; harmonization of clas-sification and labelling of chemicals; informationexchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks;


establ ishment of r isk-reduct ion programmes;strengthening of national capacities for manage-ment of chemicals; and prevention of illegal inter-national traffic in toxic and dangerous products.

With respect to hazardous wastes, countrieswere urged to ratify the 1989 Basel Convention onthe Control of Transboundary Movements of Haz-ardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the 1991Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import ofAll Forms of Hazardous Wastes into Africa andthe Control of Transboundary Movements of SuchWastes Generated in Africa.

For safe and environmentally sound manage-ment of radioactive wastes, the Conference saidthat States, in cooperation with international or-ganizations, should limit the generation of suchwastes; support efforts within the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency to develop radioactive-waste safety standards or guidelines and codes ofpractice; and promote safe storage, transportationand disposal of radioactive wastes, and properplanning of their management, including emer-gency procedures.

St rengthening the ro le of major groups

The third section of Agenda 21 dealt withstrengthening the role of various groups in imple-menting its objectives and policies. The commit-ment and involvement of all social groups was seenas critical to the success of the programmes.Among the groups addressed were women, chil-dren and youth, indigenous people, NGOs, localauthorities, workers and trade unions, businessand industry, the scientific and technological com-munity, and farmers.

Means of implementa t ion

The fourth and final section of Agenda 21 dis-cussed means of financing its programmes. The Con-ference secretariat estimated that the average costof implementing Agenda 21 in developing coun-tries between 1993 and 2000 would exceed $600 bil-lion per year, including $125 billion on grant or con-cessional terms from the international community.

The Conference stated that for developing coun-tries, official development assistance (ODA) was amain source of external funding; substantial newfunding would be required. Developed countriesreaffirmed their commitment to reach the targetof 0.7 per cent of gross national product for ODA.All available funding sources would be used, in-cluding mult i la teral development banks, theGlobal Environment Facility (see below), special-ized agencies and other United Nations bodies,multilateral institutions, bilateral assistance pro-grammes, debt relief and private funding.

The intergovernmental follow-up to the Confer-ence was to take place within the framework of theUnited Nations system, with the General Assem-

bly being the principal policy-making and ap-praisal organ. The Assembly would organize aregular review of the implementation of Agenda21, and could consider holding a special sessionfor that purpose not later than 1997. The Eco-nomic and Social Council would oversee thesystem-wide coordination and integration of en-vironmental and developmental aspects of UnitedNations policies and programmes. The Confer-ence recommended the creation of a high-levelCommission on Sustainable Development to en-sure effective follow-up (see below). The Commis-sion, which would report to the Council, wouldenhance international cooperation, examine pro-gress in implementing Agenda 21 at the national,regional and international levels, provide for theactive involvement of organs, programmes and or-ganizations of the United Nations system, inter-national financial institutions and other inter-governmental organizations, and encourage theparticipation of NGOs.

Sta tement of Pr inc ip les on fores ts

The Non-legally Binding Authoritative State-ment of Principles for a Global Consensus on theManagement, Conservation and Sustainable De-velopment of All Types of Forests declared thatStates had the sovereign right to utilize, manageand develop their forests, including the right toconvert them to other uses, in accordance withtheir own development needs and level of socio-economic development. Governments were urgedto manage their forest resources and lands so asto meet the social, economic, ecological, culturaland spiritual needs of current and future genera-tions for wood, water, food, fodder, medicine, fuel,shelter, employment, recreation, wildlife habitats,landscape diversity, carbon reservoirs and otherforest products.

The Statement called on Governments to recog-nize that forests played a vital role in protectingfragile ecosystems and water resources, weresources of genetic material for biotechnology prod-ucts and met energy requirements. In addition,all countries, notably developed countries, wereurged to take action towards reforestation, af-forestation and forest conservation,

Representative or unique examples of foreststhat were ecologically viable should be protected,while access to biological resources, includinggenetic material, should be provided with due re-gard for the sovereign rights of the countries wherethe forests were located.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION

On 22 December, the General Assembly, on therecommendation of the Second (Economic andFinancial) Committee, adopted resolution 47/190without vote.

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Report of the United Nations Conference onEnvironment and Development

The General Assembly,Recalling its resolutions 43/196 of 20 December 1988,

44/172 A and B of 19 December 1989, 44/228 of 22 De-cember 1989, 45/211 of 21 December 1990 and 46/168of 19 December 1991,

Having considered the report of the United Nations Con-ference on Environment and Development,

Expressing its satisfaction that the Conference and itsPreparatory Committee provided for the active partic-ipation of all States Members of the United Nations andmembers of its specialized agencies at the highest level,of observers and various intergovernmental organiza-tions, as well as of non-governmental organizations rep-resenting all the regions of the world,

Reaffirming the need for a balanced and integrated ap-proach to environment and development issues,

Reaffirming also a new global partnership for sustaina-ble development,

Expressing its profound gratitude to the Government andthe people of Brazil for the hospitality extended to theparticipants of the Conference and for the facilities, staffand services placed at their disposal,

1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the UnitedNations Conference on Environment and Development;

2. Endorses the Rio Declaration on Environment andDevelopment, Agenda 21 and the Non-legally BindingAuthoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Con-sensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustaina-ble Development of All Types of Forests, as adopted bythe United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment on 14 June 1992;

3. Notes with satisfaction that the United NationsFramework Convention on Climate Change and theConvention on Biological Diversity were opened for sig-nature and were signed by a large number of States atthe United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment, and stresses the need for these Conven-tions to come into force as soon as possible;

4. Urges Governments and organs, organizations andprogrammes of the United Nations system, as well asother intergovernmental and non-governmental organi-zations, to take the necessary action to give effectivefollow-up to the Rio Declaration on Environment andDevelopment, Agenda 21 and the Non-legally BindingAuthoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Con-sensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustaina-ble Development of All Types of Forests;

5. calls upon all concerned to implement all commit-ments, agreements and recommendations reached at theUnited Nations Conference on Environment and De-velopment, especially by ensuring provision of the meansof implementation under section IV of Agenda 21, stress-ing in particular the importance of financial resourcesand mechanisms, the transfer of environmentally soundtechnology, cooperation and capacity-building, and in-ternational institutional arrangements, in order toachieve sustainable development in all countries;

6. Takes note with appreciation of the initial financialcommitments made at its forty-seventh session by somedeveloped countries and urges those countries whichhave not done so to announce their commitments in ac-cordance with paragraph 33.19 of Agenda 21;

7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of itsforty-eighth and subsequent sessions an item entitled “Im-plementation of decisions and recommendations of theUnited Nations Conference on Environment and De-velopment”;

8. Also decides to convene, not later than 1997, a spe-cial session for the purpose of an overall review and ap-praisal of Agenda 21 and, in this context, requests theSecretary-General to submit to the General Assemblyat its forty-ninth session a report containing recommen-dations for consideration by the Assembly on the for-mat, scope and organizational aspects of such a specialsession.

Genera l Assembly r e so lu t ion 47 /190

2 2 D e c e m b e r 1 9 9 2 M e e t i n g 9 3 A d o p t e d w i t h o u t v o t e

Approved by Second Committee (A/47/719) without vote, 16 December (meet-ing 51); draft by Malaysia (A/C.2/47/L.51); agenda item 79.

The Assembly, by resolution 47/189, decidedto convene a global conference on the sustainabledevelopment of small island developing States, ascalled for in Agenda 21. The conference was to beheld in Barbados in 1994.

Preparations for UNCED

The UNCED Prepara to ry Commit tee held i tsfourth session in 1992 (New York, 2 March-3April)(6) to finalize the proposals to be submittedto UNCED. The Committee adopted decisions al-lowing the participation of NGOs and observers atUNCED; appealing for contributions to facilitate theparticipation of developing countries; and adopt-ing draft chapters of Agenda 21, the Statement ofPrinciples on forests and the Rio Declaration. Italso made recommendations to the General Assem-bly regarding the dates of the Conference, observerstatus for associate members of regional commis-sions, the status of EEC at UNCED and draft provi-sional rules of procedure of the Conference.

On 7 April,(7) the Secretary-General transmit-ted the four decisions containing those recommen-dations to the Assembly for action.


On 13 April 1992, the Assembly adopted the fourdecisions recommended by the UNCED PreparatoryCommittee. Noting that the Moslem Feast of Ed-Al-Adha would start on 10 or 11 June, the Assem-bly, by decision 46/468, changed the dates ofUNCED from 1 to 12 June 1992 to 3 to 14 June, withpre-session consultations to take place on 1 and 2June. By decision 46/469, the Assembly requestedthe Secretary-General to invite associate membersof regional commissions to participate in the Con-ference as observers and amended the draft provi-sional rules accordingly. By decision 46/470, theAssembly amended the rules to allow EEC to par-ticipate fully in the Conference and, by decision46/471, revised the rule relating to the election ofConference officers.


Other action. Also in preparation for UNCED,t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c I n f o r m a t i o n i m -plemented a system-wide information programme,described in a January report of the Secretary-General(8) submitted to the Committee on Infor-mation in response to a 1991 request of the As-sembly.(9)

In other action, the Governing Council of theUnited Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)held its third special session (Nairobi, Kenya, 3-5February)(10) to consider reports to be submittedto UNCED concerning the state of the environ-ment,(11) desertification(12) and follow-up to previ-ous Assembly resolutions on sustainable devel-opment.(13)

The Economic and Social Council, by decision1992/296 of 31 July, and the Assembly, by deci-sion 47/444 of 22 December, took note of the re-port of the Governing Council on its third specialsession.

The United Nations Conference on Trade andDevelopment (UNCTAD) , in the report on i tseighth session (see PART THREE, Chapter IV),stressed the importance of UNCED and affirmedits readiness to participate in the follow-up process.

Fol low-up to the Conference

Ins t i tu t iona l a r rangements

In October, the Secretary-General submitted areport to the General Assembly on institutionalarrangements to follow up UNCED,(14) which hadrecommended an institutional structure aimed atensuring the implementation of Agenda 21. TheSecretary-General discussed proposals related tothe organization of a high-level Commission onSustainable Development, inter-agency coordina-tion arrangements, the role of a high-level advi-sory board on sustainable development, and thesecretariat support structure. In an addendum, theAdministrative Committee on Coordination (ACC)o f f e r ed i t s v i ews on t hose i n s t i t u t i ona l a r -rangements.

In December,(15) the Secretary-General an-nounced the future establishment in New York ofa Department for Policy Coordination and Sus-tainable Development.


On 22 December, on the recommendation of theSecond Committee, the Assembly adopted with-out vote resolution 47/191.

Institutional arrangements to follow up theUnited Nations Conference onEnvi ronment and Development

The General Assembly,Welcoming the adoption by the United Nations Con-

ference on Environment and Development of Agenda21, in particular chapter 38, entitled “International in-

stitutional arrangements”, which contains a set of im-portant recommendations on institutional arrangementsto follow up the Conference,

Stressing the overall objective of the integration of en-vironment and development issues at the national,subregional, regional and international levels, includ-ing the United Nations system institutional arrange-ments, and the specific objectives recommended by theConference in paragraph 38.8 of Agenda 21,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, pre-pared with the assistance of the Secretary-General ofthe United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment, on institutional arrangements to followup the Conference, as well as the recommendations andproposals contained therein,

1. Endorses the recommendations on international in-stitutional arrangements to follow up the United Na-tions Conference on Environment and Development ascontained in chapter 38 of Agenda 21, particularly thoseon the establishment of a high-level Commission on Sus-tainable Development;

Commission on Sustainable Development2. Requests the Economic and Social Council, at its

organizational session for 1993, to set up a high-levelCommission on Sustainable Development as a func-tional commission of the Council, in accordance withArticle 68 of the Charter of the United Nations, in orderto ensure effective follow-up to the Conference, as wellas’ to enhance international cooperation and rational-ize the intergovernmental decision-making capacity forthe integration of environment and development issuesand to examine the progress of the implementation ofAgenda 21 at the national, regional and internationallevels, fully guided by the principles of the Rio Decla-ration on Environment and Development and all otheraspects of the Conference, in order to achieve sustaina-ble development in all countries;

3. Recommends that the Commission have the follow-ing functions, as agreed in paragraphs 38.13, 33.13 and33.21 of Agenda 21:

(a) To monitor progress in the implementation ofAgenda 21 and activities related to the integration ofenvironmental and developmental goals throughout theUnited Nations system through analysis and evaluationof reports from all relevant organs, organizations, pro-grammes and institutions of the United Nations systemdealing with various issues of environment and devel-opment, including those related to finance;

(b) To consider information provided by Govern-ments, for example, in the form of periodic communi-cations or national reports regarding the activities theyundertake to implement Agenda 21, the problems theyface, such as problems related to financial resources andtechnology transfer, and other environment and devel-opment issues they find relevant;

(c) To review the progress in the implementation ofthe commitments set forth in Agenda 21, including thoserelated to the provision of financial resources and trans-fer of technology;

(d) To review and monitor regularly progress to-wards the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of thegross national product of developed countries for offi-cial development assistance; this review process shouldsystematically combine the monitoring of the implemen-

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tation of Agenda 21 with the review of financial resourcesavailable;

(e) To review on a regular basis the adequacy offunding and mechanisms, including efforts to reach theobjectives agreed in chapter 33 of Agenda 21, includingtargets where applicable;

(f) To receive and analyse relevant input from com-petent non-governmental organizations, including thescientific and the private sector, in the context of theoverall implementation of Agenda 21;

(g) To enhance the dialogue, within the frameworkof the United Nations, with non-governmental organi-zations and the independent sector, as well as other en-tities outside the United Nations system;

(h) To consider, where appropriate, information re-garding the progress made in the implementation of en-vironmental conventions, which could be made avail-able by the relevant conferences of parties;

(i) To provide appropriate recommendations to theGeneral Assembly, through the Economic and SocialCouncil, on the basis of an integrated consideration ofthe reports and issues related to the implementation ofAgenda 21;

(j) To consider, at an appropriate time, the resultsof the review to be conducted expeditiously by theSecretary-General of all recommendations of the Con-ference for capacity-building programmes, informationnetworks, task forces and other mechanisms to supportthe integration of environment and development atregional and subregional levels;

4. Also recommends that the Commission:(a) Promote the incorporation of the principles of

the Rio Declaration on Environment and Developmentin the implementation of Agenda 21;

(b) Promote the incorporation of the Non-legallyBinding Authoritative Statement of Principles for aGlobal Consensus on the Management, Conservationand Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests inthe implementation of Agenda 21, in particular in thecontext of the review of the implementation of chapter11 thereof;

(c ) Keep under rev iew the implementa t ion ofAgenda 21, recognizing that it is a dynamic programmethat could evolve over time, taking into account theagreement to review Agenda 21 in 1997, and makerecommendations, as appropriate, on the need for newcooperative arrangements related to sustainable devel-opment to the Economic and Social Council and,through it, to the General Assembly;

5. Decides that the Commission, in the fulfilment ofits functions, will also:

(a) Monitor progress in promoting, facilitating andfinancing, as appropriate, access to and transfer of en-vironmentally sound technologies and correspondingknow-how, in particular to developing countries, onfavourable te rms , inc luding on concess iona l andpreferential terms, as mutually agreed, taking into ac-count the need to protect intellectual property rights aswell as the special needs of developing countries for thei m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f A g e n d a 2 1 ;

(b) Consider issues related to the provision of finan-cial resources from all available funding sources andmechanisms, as contained in paragraphs 33.13 to 33.16of Agenda 21;

6. Recommends that the Commission consist ofrepresentatives of fifty-three States elected by the Eco-

nomic and Social Council from among the Membersof the United Nations and members of its specializedagencies for three-year terms, with due regard to equita-ble geographical distribution; the regional allocation ofseats could be the same as that of the Commission onScience and Technology for Development, as decidedby the Economic and Social Council in its decision1992/222 of 29 May 1992; representation should be ata high level, including ministerial participation; otherMembers of the United Nations and members of its spe-cialized agencies, as well as other observers of the UnitedNations, may participate in the Commission in the ca-pacity of observer, in accordance with established practice;

7. Also recommends that the Commission:(a) Provide for representatives of various parts of the

United Nations system and other intergovernmental or-ganizations, including international financial institu-tions, GATT, regional development banks, subregionalfinancial institutions, relevant regional and subregionaleconomic and technical cooperation organizations andregional economic integration organizations, to assistand advise the Commission in the performance of itsfunctions, within their respective areas of expertise andmandates, and participate actively in its deliberations;and provide for the European Community, within itsareas of competence, to participate fully—as will be ap-propriately defined in the rules of procedure applicableto the Commission—without the right to vote;

(b) Provide for non-governmental organizations, in-cluding those related to major groups as well as to in-dustry and the scientific and business communities, toparticipate effectively in its work and contribute withintheir areas of competence to its deliberations;

8. Requests the Secretary-General, in the light of para-graph 7 above, to submit, for the consideration of theEconomic and Social Council at its organizational ses-sion for 1993, his proposals on the rules of procedureapplicable to the Commission, including those relatedto participation of relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as recommended by theConference, taking into account the following:

(a) The procedures, while ensuring the intergovern-mental nature of the Commission, should allow its mem-bers to benefit from the expertise and competence ofrelevant intergovernmental and non-governmental or-ganizations;

(b) The procedures should permit relevant inter-governmental organizations inside and outside theUnited Nations system, including multilateral financialinstitutions, to appoint special representatives to theCommission;

(c) The rules of procedure of the Economic and So-cial Council and those of its functional commissions;

(d) The rules of procedure of the United NationsConference on Environment and Development;

(e) Decisions l/l and 2/l of the Preparatory Com-mittee for the United Nations Conference on Environ-ment and Development;

(f) Paragraphs 38.11 and 38.44 of Agenda 21;9. Recommends that the Commission shall meet once

a year for a period of two to three weeks; the first sub-stantive session of the Commission will be held in NewYork in 1993, without prejudice to the venue of futuresessions at Geneva and/or in New York;

10. Requests the Committee on Conferences to con-sider the need for readjusting the calendar of meetings


in order to take account of the interrelationship betweenthe work of the Commission and the work of other rele-vant United Nations intergovernmental subsidiary or-gans, in order to ensure timely reporting to the Eco-nomic and Social Council;

11. Recommends that in 1993, as a transitional meas-ure, the Commission hold a short organizational ses-sion in New York; at that session, the Commission willelect the officers of the Commission, namely, a chair-man, three vice-chairmen and a rapporteur, one fromeach of the regional groups, decide on the agenda of itsfirst substantive session and consider all other organiza-tional issues as may be necessary; the agenda of the or-ganizational session of the Commission shall be decidedon by the Economic and Social Council at its organiza-tional session for 1993;

12. Also recommends that the Commission, at its firstsubstantive session, adopt a multi-year thematic pro-gramme of its work that will provide a framework toassess progress achieved in the implementation ofAgenda 21 and ensure an integrated approach to all ofits environment and development components as wellas linkages between sectoral and cross-sectoral issues;this programme could be of clusters that would integratein an effective manner related sectoral and cross-sectoralcomponents of Agenda 21 in such a way as to allow theCommission to review the progress of the implementa-tion of the entire Agenda 21 by 1997; the programmeof work could be adjusted, as the need arises, at subse-quent sessions of the Commission;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to submit hisproposals for such a programme of work during the or-ganizational session of the Commission;

14. Recommends that in order to carry out its func-tions and implement its programme of work effectivelythe Commission consider organizing its work on the fol-lowing lines:

(a) Financial resources, mechanisms, transfer oftechnology, capacity-building and other cross-sectoralissues;

(b) Review of the implementation of Agenda 21 atthe international level, as well as at the regional and na-tional levels, including the means of implementation,in accordance with paragraph 12 above and the func-tions of the Commission, taking into account, where ap-propriate, information regarding progress in the im-plementation of relevant environmental conventions;

(c) A high-level meeting, with ministerial participa-tion, to have an integrated overview of the implemen-tation of Agenda 21, to consider emerging policy issuesand to provide necessary political impetus to the im-plementation of the decisions of the Conference and thecommitments contained therein;Review and consideration of the implementation ofAgenda 21 should be in an integrated manner;

15. Requests the Secretary-General to provide for eachsession of the Commission, in accordance with the pro-gramme of work mentioned in paragraph 12 above andwith its organizational modalities, analytical reports con-taining information on relevant activities to implementAgenda 21, progress achieved and emerging issues tobe addressed;

16. Also requests the Secretary-General to prepare, forthe first substantive session of the Commission, reportscontaining information and proposals, as appropriate,on the following issues:

(a) Initial financial commitments, financial flowsand arrangements to give effect to the decisions of theConference from all available funding sources andmechanisms;

(b) Progress achieved in facilitating and promotingtransfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooper-ation and capacity-building;

(c) Progress in the incorporation of recommenda-tions of the Conference in the activities of internationalorganizations and measures undertaken by the Adminis-trative Committee on Coordination to ensure that sus-tainable development principles are incorporated intoprogrammes and processes within the United Nationssystem;

(d) Ways in which, upon request, the United Na-tions system and bilateral donors are assisting countries,particularly developing countries, in the preparation ofnational reports and national Agenda 21 action plans;

(e) Urgent and major emerging issues that may beaddressed in the course of the high-level meeting;

17. Decides that organizational modalities for theCommission should be reviewed in the context of theoverall review and appraisal of Agenda 21 during thespecial session of the General Assembly and adjusted,as may be required, to improve its effectiveness;

Relationship with other United Nationsintergovernmental bodies

18. Recommends that the Commission, in dischargingits functions, submit its consolidated recommendationsto the Economic and Social Council and, through it,to the General Assembly, to be considered by the Coun-cil and the Assembly in accordance with their respec-tive responsibilities as defined in the Charter of theUnited Nations and with the relevant provisions of para-graphs 38.9 and 38.10 of Agenda 21;

19. Also recommends that the Commission actively in-teract with other intergovernmental United Nations bod-ies dealing with matters related to environment and de-velopment;

20. Emphasizes that the ongoing restructuring andrevitalization of the United Nations in the economic.social and related fields should take into account the or-ganizational modalities for the Commission, with a viewto optimizing its work and the work of other intergovern-mental United Nations bodies dealing with mattersrelated to environment and development;

Coordination within the United Nations system21. Requests all specialized agencies and related or-

ganizations of the United Nations system to strengthenand adjust their activities, programmes and medium-term plans, as appropriate, in line with Agenda 21, inparticular regarding projects for promoting sustainabledevelopment, in accordance with paragraph 38.28 ofAgenda 21, and make their reports on steps they havetaken to give effect to this recommendation available tothe Commission and the Economic and Social Councilin 1993 or, at the latest, in 1994, in accordance with Ar-ticle 64 of the Charter;

22. Invites all relevant governing bodies to ensure thatthe tasks assigned to them are carried out effectively,including the elaboration and publication on a regularbasis of reports on the activities of the organs, pro-grammes and organizations for which they are respon-sible, and that continuous reviews are undertaken oftheir policies, programmes, budgets and activities;

Environment 6 7 9

23. Invites the World Bank and other international,regional and subregional financial and development in-stitutions, including the Global Environment Facility,to submit regularly to the Commission reports contain-ing information on their experience, activities and plansto implement Agenda 21;

24. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to theCommission, at its substantive session of 1993, recom-mendations and proposals for improving coordinationof programmes related to development data that existwithin the United Nations system, taking into accountthe provisions of paragraph 40.13 of Agenda 21, inter aliaregarding “Development Watch”;

United Nations Environment Programme, United NationsDevelopment Programme, United Nations Conference on

Trade and Development and United NationsSudano-Sahelian Office

25. Requests the Governing Council of the United Na-tions Environment Programme, the Governing Coun-cil of the United Nations Development Programme andthe Trade and Development Board to examine the rele-vant provisions of chapter 38 of Agenda 21 at their nextsessions and to submit to the General Assembly at itsforty-eighth session, through the Commission and theEconomic and Social Council, reports on their specificplans to implement Agenda 21;

26. Takes note of the work of the United NationsCentre for Urgent Environmental Assistance, estab-lished by the Governing Council of the United NationsEnvironment Programme on an experimental basis, andinvites the Governing Council to report to the GeneralAssembly at its forty-eighth session on the experiencegained within the Centre;

Regional commissions27. Requests United Nations regional commissions to

examine the relevant provisions of chapter 38 of Agenda21 at their next sessions and to submit reports on theirspecific plans to implement Agenda 21;

28. Requests the Economic and Social Council to de-cide on the arrangements required for the reports ofregional commissions with the conclusions related tosuch a review to be made available to the Commissionon Sustainable Development in 1993, or at the latest in1994;

High-level Advisory Board29. Endorses the view of the Secretary-General that

the High-level Advisory Board should consist of emi-nent persons broadly representative of all regions of theworld, with recognized expertise on the broad spectrumof issues to be dealt with by the Commission, drawnfrom relevant scientific disciplines, industry, finance andother major non-governmental constituencies, as wellas various disciplines related to environment and de-velopment, and that due account should also be givento gender balance;

30. Decides that the main task of the Advisory Boardis to give broad consideration to issues related to im-plementation of Agenda 21, taking into account thethematic multi-year programme of work of the Com-mission, and provide expert advice in that regard to theSecretary-General and, through him, to the Commis-sion, the Economic and Social Council and the GeneralAssembly;

31. Takes note of the views of the Secretary-Generalregarding the functions of the Advisory Board and ofthe Committee for Development Planning, and requestshim to submit appropriate proposals to the Economicand Social Council at its organizational session for 1993,including the possibility of establishing rosters of experts;

Secretariat support arrangements32. Takes note of the decision of the Secretary-General

to establish a new Department for Policy Coordinationand Sustainable Development, headed at the Under-Secretary-General level, and in this context calls uponthe Secretary-General to establish a clearly identifiable,highly qualified and competent secretariat support struc-ture to provide support for the Commission, the Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development andthe High-level Advisory Board, taking into account gen-der balance at all levels, the paramount importance ofsecuring the highest standards of efficiency, competenceand integrity, and the importance of recruiting staff onas wide a geographical basis as possible in accordancewith Articles 8 and 101 of the Charter and the follow-ing criteria:

(a) It should draw on the expertise gained and theworking methods and organizational structures devel-oped during the preparatory process for the Conference;

(b) It should work closely with United Nations andother expert bodies in the field of sustainable develop-ment and should cooperate closely and cooperativelywith the economic and social entities of the Secretariatand the secretariats of the relevant organs, organizationsand bodies of the United Nations system, including thesecretariats of international financial institutions, andit should provide for effective liaison with relevant non-governmental organizations, including those related tomajor groups, in particular non-governmental organi-zations from developing countries;

(c) The secretariat, which will be located in NewYork, should ensure to all countries easy access to itsservices and effective interaction with secretariats ofother international organizations, financial institutionsand relevant conventions whose secretariats have beenestablished definitively or on an interim basis, andshould have a relevant office at Geneva to establish closelinks with activities related to follow-up to legal instru-ments signed at or mandated by the Conference andto maintain liaison with agencies in the fields of environ-ment and development; the secretariat should also havea liaison office at Nairobi, on the basis of arrangementsmade at the Conference;

(d) It should be headed by a high-level official desig-nated by the Secretary-General to work closely anddirectly with him and with assured access to him, as wellas with the heads of relevant organizations of the UnitedNations system, including the multilateral financial andtrade organizations, dealing with the implementationof Agenda 21;

(e) It should be funded from the United Nationsregular budget and depend to the maximum extent pos-sible upon existing budgetary resources;

(f) It should be supplemented or reinforced, as ap-propriate, by secondments from other relevant bodiesand agencies of the United Nations system, especiallythe Uni ted Nat ions Envi ronment Programme, theUni ted Nat ions Development Programme and theWorld Bank, taking into account the need to ensure that


the work programmes of those organizations are notnegatively affected, and from national Governments, aswell as by appropriate specialists on limited-term con-tracts from outside the United Nations in such areasas may be required;

(g) It should take into account relevant resolutionsand decisions of the General Assembly and the Eco-nomic and Social Council regarding women in theUnited Nations Secretariat;

(h) Sustainable development should be integratedand coordinated with other economic, social and en-vironmental activities of the Secretariat; organizationaldecisions should be consistent with consensus resolu-tions in the context of the restructuring and revitaliza-tion of the United Nations in the economic, social andr e l a t e d f i e l d s ;

33. Requests the Secretary-General to make the neces-sary interim secretariat arrangements to ensure a d e -

quate preparations and support for the first session ofthe Commission and the work of the Inter-Agency Com-mittee;

34. Also requests the Secretary-General to report tothe General Assembly at its forty-eighth session on theimplementation of the present resolution.



Approved by Second Committee (A/47/719) without vote, 16 December(meeting 51); draft by Malaysia (A/C.2/47/L.61), orally revised; agendai t e m 7 9 .

Financial implications. 5th Committee, A/47/814; S-G, A/C.2/47/L.90,A/C.5/47/81.

Meeting numbers. GA 47th session: 2nd Committee 51; 5th Committee 49;plenary 93.

The Secre ta ry-Genera l es t imated tha t reso lu-t ion 47 /191 would en ta i l an expend i tu re o f $1 .8million for 1993.

Capacity-building

In an April 1992 report to the Governing Coun-c i l o f t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s D e v e l o p m e n t P r o -gramme (UNDP), (16) the UNDP Administrator out-l i n e d a p r o g r a m m e o f s u p p o r t t o d e v e l o p i n gc o u n t r i e s a s p a r t o f t h e p l a n n e d f o l l o w - u p t oUNCED. UNDP, through its field offices, would or-ganize United Nations capacity-building efforts,mobilize donor resources on behalf of Govern-ments for capac i ty-bui ld ing , ass i s t count r ies ini d e n t i f y i n g a n d m o b i l i z i n g d o m e s t i c f i n a n c i a lresources, raise awareness of the role of women andpromote the participation of all parts of society,particularly NGOs and the private sector. UNDP

support for Agenda 21 would focus on helping de-veloping countries to prepare national sustaina-ble development strategies and on building capac-i t ies for sus ta inable development .

On 26 May,(17) taking into account the reportof the Joint Inspection Unit assessing the environ-mental focus of projects financed by UNDP andother agencies,(18) the Governing Council re-quested the Administrator to assist developingcount r ies in s t rengthening the i r capac i ty to for -

mulate and implement policies and programmesfor sustainable development.

During the year, UNDP launched an initiativeknown as Capacity 21, which, according to the Ad-ministrator,(19) would complement existing pro-grammes and be used to facilitate the integrationof environmental considerat ions in al l pro-grammes. A goal of $100 million had been set forthe pilot phase of the programme.(20)


On 22 December, on the recommendation of theSecond Committee, the Assembly adopted reso-lution 47/194 without vote.

Capacity-building for Agenda 21The General Assembly,Welcoming the adoption by the United Nations Con-

ference on Environment and Development of Agenda21, in particular chapter 37 thereof, which contains aset of important recommendations on capacity-building,

Noting with interest the launching by the Administratorof the United Nations Development Programme of the“Capacity 21” initiative,

1. Invites the Governing Council of the United Na-tions Development Programme, taking into account thenational policies, priorities and plans of recipient coun-tries, to give due consideration to the adoption of con-crete programmes and measures to implement Agenda21 recommendations on capacity-building through, interalia the “Capacity 21” initiative, with a view to promot-ing early action in support of developing countries, inparticular the least developed countries in the area ofcapacity-building;

2. Invites all relevant United Nations agencies, withintheir mandates, to promote early action to implementthe provisions of chapter 37 of Agenda 21;

3. Requests the Commission on Sustainable Devel-opment, in execution of its mandate, to give urgent con-sideration to the implementation of the provisions ofAgenda 21 on capacity-building.

G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y r e s o l u t i o n 4 7 / 1 9 4


Approved by Second Committee (A/47/719) without vote, 16 December(meeting 51); draft by Malaysia (A/C.2/47/64); agenda item 79.

Coordina t ion wi th in the UN sys tem

In a November report to the UNEP GoverningCouncil,(21) ACC reported that the Secretary-General had established an Inter-Agency TaskForce on Environment and Development, com-posed of the Executive Heads of the Food andAgr icu l tu re Organiza t ion of the Uni ted Nat ions ,the United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization, the World Health Organi-z a t i o n , t h e W o r l d M e t e o r o l o g i c a l O r g a n i z a t i o n(WMO), the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP, withUNCED invited to attend as an ex-officio member.The Task Force submitted to ACC recommenda-tions relating to the allocation and sharing ofresponsibilities of the United Nations system stem-ming from Agenda 21.

Environment 681

ACC, in October, established an Inter-AgencyCommittee for Sustainable Development, com-prising the member organizations of the TaskForce and two additional organizations to be desig-nated by the Secretary-General.

REFERENCES(1)Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Develop-ment, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I-III, Sales No. E.93.I.8.(2)GA res. 44/228, 22 Dec. 1989. (3)YUN 1972, p. 318.(4)A/CONF.151/PC/L.28 & Add.1-14. (5)YUN 1982, p. 181.(6)A/CONF.151/PC/128. (7)A/46/897. (8)A/AC.198/1992/3.(9)YUN 1991, p. 84. GA res. 46/73 B, 11 Dec. 1991.(10)A/47/25. (11)UNEP/GCSS.III/2 & Corr.1,2 and Add.1,2.(12)UNEP/GCSS.III/3 & Corr.1/Rev.1 & Add.1. (13)UNEP/GCSS.III/4 & Corr.1 & Add.1. (14)A/47/598 & Add.1.(15)A/47/753. (16)DP/1992/14. (17)E/1992/28 (dec. 92/16).(18)A/47/457 & Add.1. (19)DP/1993/11. (20)DP/1993/10.(21)UNEP/GC.17/12.

Genera l aspects

S u s t a i n a b l e d e v e l o p m e n tIn April,(1) the Secretary-General, in response

to a 1989 General Assembly resolution,(2) submit-ted a report on the follow-up to two 1987 resolu-tions dealing with sustainable development. Oneof the resolutions(3) had established a frameworkfor the achievement of environmentally sound de-velopment, and the other(4) had emphasized theneed for sustainable development.

In preparing the report, the Executive Direc-tor of UNEP, on behalf of the Secretary-General,had requested information from Governments andUnited Nations organizations on implementationof the two resolutions. In all, 38 countries and 28United Nations bodies replied. The report con-cluded that while progress had been made, it waslimited and uneven in relation to what was needed,and would remain so unless the structural aspectsof the state of the world’s environment and devel-opment received the attention of political leaders.Necessary structural changes included adjustmentsin the composition and distribution of productionand consumption, population control, adjustmentsin international economic relations, alleviation ofpoverty and improvement of the qual i ty andmeans of governance to minimize waste and in-justice and maximize the creative involvement ofpeople.

The UNEP Governing Council, on 5 Febru-ary,(5) had taken note of an earlier version of thereport(6) and called on Governments to devotemore attention to achieving sustainable develop-ment and to allocate the necessary resources. Itrequested the Executive Director to report to theCouncil on the implementation of the decision in1993.

The Economic and Social Council, on 31 July,by decision 1992/296, and the General Assem-bly, on 22 December, by decision 47/444, tooknote of the Secretary-General’s report.

In other act ion, the Council , by decision1992/252, approved the preparation of a progressreport on human rights and the environment bya Special Rapporteur (see PART THREE, ChapterX).

UNCTAD action. In August,(7) the UNCTADsecretariat submitted to the Trade and Develop-ment Board a report on sustainable development,including UNCTAD’s contr ibut ion to the im-plementation of UNCED’S conclusions and recom-mendations. The report covered cross-sectoral is-sues, including policy principles, tradeable permitsand poverty, and sectoral links, including com-modities, industry and other sectors, energy policyand tradeable emission entitlements and the pro-motion of environmentally sound technologies.

Internat ional convent ions

Cl imate change convent ion

The United Nations Framework Convention onClimate Change(8) was opened for signature on 4J u n e . D u r i n g t h e y e a r i t w a s s i g n e d b y 1 5 8 S t a t e s

and EEC, and ratified by nine States.(9) The Con-vention was to remain open for signing in NewYork from 20 June 1992 to 19 June 1993. It wouldenter into force on the ninetieth day after the dateof deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification,acceptance, approval or accession.

The objective of the Convention was to stabi-lize atmospheric concentrations of “greenhousegases’‘, which absorbed and re-emitted infraredradiation, at a level that would prevent danger-ous anthropogenic interference with the climatesystem. Developed countries and countries under-going transition to a market economy were to seta goal of limiting the emission of greenhouse gases,including carbon dioxide, to 1990 levels. The de-veloped countries were to provide financial andtechnological resources to the developing countriesto assist them in implementing the Convention.The Convention defined a mechanism for provid-ing financial resources on a grant or concessionalbasis through the Global Environment Facility (seebelow).

All parties to the Convention were to reportperiodically on national inventories of anthropo-genic emissions and to cooperate in the develop-ment of processes that controlled them.

The Convention was drafted by an Intergovern-mental Negotiating Committee, which was opento all United Nations Members or members of thespecialized agencies, established pursuant to a 1990General Assembly mandate.(10) One hundred and


f i f ty-seven count r ies , inc luding 118 developingcount r ies , par t ic ipa ted in the negot ia t ions .

The Committee held its fifth session in two parts( N e w Y o r k , 1 8 - 2 8 F e b r u a r y a n d 3 0 A p r i l - 9May) , (11) in accordance wi th a 1991 Assemblyresolution,(12) to finalize the drafting of the Con-vent ion , which i t adopted on 9 May.

In June , the Cha i rman of the Commit tee , pur -suant to a 1990 Assembly request(10) reiterated in1991 , (12) submi t t ed a r epor t to UNCED on theresults of the Committee’s negotiations, for earlyentry into force of the Convention.(13)

In October, the Secretary-General, pursuant toa 1991 Assembly resolution,(12) submitted a reporton implementa t ion of the reso lu t ion and poss ib ler e q u i r e m e n t s f o r f u t u r e w o r k . ( 1 4 ) H e s a i d t h eC o n v e n t i o n c o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d a f i r s t s t e p ,prov id ing a f ramework for fu r ther e labora t ion asnew sc ient i f ic ev idence became avai lab le .

The Committee held its sixth session at Geneva(7-10 December)(15) to prepare for the first sessionof the Conference of the Par t ies and to draw upan in te r im work p lan .

Voluntary funds. A review(16) of the two fundses tab l i shed pursuan t to a 1990 Assembly reso lu-tion(10)—the special voluntary fund to support theparticipation of developing countries and the trustfund for the negotiating process(17)—stated that,as at 18 November, contributions to assist develop-ing countries totalled about $3 million. Contribu-t ions rece ived or p ledged towards suppor t of thenego t i a t ing p rocess s tood a t abou t $420 ,000 .


O n 2 2 D e c e m b e r , t h e G e n e r a l A s s e m b l yadopted resolution 47/195 without vote.

Protection of global climate for presentand future generations of mankind

The General Assembly,Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988 and

44/207 of 22 December 1989, in which it recognized cli-mate change as a common concern of mankind,

Recalling also its resolutions 45/212 of 21 December1990, by which it established an IntergovernmentalNegotiating Committee to prepare an effective frame-work convention on climate change, and any related legalinstruments as might be agreed upon, for signature dur-ing the United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment, and 46/169 of 19 December 1991, by whichit provided for the continuation of work on climatechange until the end of 1992,

Taking note with appreciation of the reports of the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee for a FrameworkConvention on Climate Change on its work up to May1992 and the report prepared on behalf of the Commit-tee, by its Chairman, for submission to the United Na-tions Conference on Environment and Development,

Taking note of resolution 15(EC-XLIV), adopted by theExecutive Council of the World Meteorological Organi-zation at its forty-fourth session,

Noting that, in accordance with paragraph 4 of its reso-lution 46/169 and pursuant to resolution INC/1992/1adopted by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Commit-tee on 9 May 1992, arrangements were made for thesixth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Com-mittee,

Noting also that the sixth session of the Intergovern-mental Negotiating Committee was held at Geneva from7 to 10 December 1992,

Noting further the interim arrangements contained inarticle 21 of the United Nations Framework Conven-tion on Climate Change, including the provision thatthe secretariat established by the General Assembly inresolution 45/212 should be the interim secretariat ofthe Convention until the completion of the first sessionof the Conference of the Parties to the Convention,

Noting with appreciation the support provided for theoperation of the secretariat during 1992 by the UnitedNations Conference on Trade and Development, theUnited Nations Development Programme, the UnitedNat ions Envi ronment Programme and the Wor ldMeteorological Organization, as well as by bilateral con-tributors,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,with particular reference to the possible requirementsfor intergovernmental and secretariat work on the im-plementation of the Convention in the period up to andincluding the first session of the Conference of the Par-ties to the Convention,

1. Welcomes the adoption, on 9 May 1992, of theUnited Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Commit-tee for a Framework Convention on Climate Changeand its signing by a large number of States;

2. Considers the Convention one of the achievementsof the international community working through theUnited Nations and a first step in a cooperative responseto the common concern for the change in the Earth’sclimate and its adverse effects;

3. Calls upon States that have not done so to sign oraccede to the Convention, as appropriate, and all sig-natories that have not yet done so to ratify, accept orapprove it, so that it may enter into force;

4. Invites signatories of the Convention to commu-nicate to the head of the interim secretariat of the Con-vention, as soon as feasible, information regarding meas-ures consistent with the provisions of the Convention,pending its entry into force;

5. Urges States to support and contribute to the ac-tivities at the national, subregional, regional and inter-national levels related to the basic scientific and techni-cal needs specified in the Convention, including thoseactivities carried out under the World Climate Pro-gramme and the Global Climate Observing System;

6. Decides that the Intergovernmental NegotiatingCommittee shall continue to function in order to pre-pare for the first session of the Conference of the Par-ties, as specified in the Convention, and, in that con-text, to contribute to the effective operation of theinterim arrangements set out in article 21 of the Con-vention;

7. Invites the Intergovernmental Negotiating Com-mittee, in this regard, to implement expeditiously theplan of preparatory work drawn up at its sixth session,and requests the Secretary-General to make arrange-ments within the overall calendar of conferences for the

Environment 6 8 3

Committee to hold sessions, in accordance with theneeds of that plan;

8. Requests the Intergovernmental Negotiating Com-mittee to promote a coherent and coordinated pro-gramme of activities by competent bodies aimed at sup-porting the entry into force and effective implementationof the Convention, including strengthening the capaci-ties of developing and all other countries to prepare fortheir participation in the Convention;

9. Calls upon the organs, organizations and bodiesof the United Nations system involved in work relatingto climate change, including the interim secretariat ofthe Convention, to initiate and strengthen such activi-ties, where possible in collaboration with each other, andinvites them to make information on these activities andon any coordination arrangements regularly availableto the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee,through its secretariat;

10. Invites the Intergovernmental Negotiating Com-mittee to convey information on its work to the GeneralAssembly, as well as to the Economic and Social Coun-cil and the Commission on Sustainable Development,as appropriate, in particular in the context of chapter9 of Agenda 21;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to strengthen thesecretariat established by the General Assembly in itsresolution 45/212 so that it may function as the interimsecretariat of the Convention until the completion of thefirst session of the Conference of the Parties to the Con-vention and, in that capacity, provide adequate supportto the evolving work of the Intergovernmental Negotiat-ing Committee, and also requests him to make provi-sions for this purpose within the current and forthcom-ing programme budgets;

12. Invites the United Nations Environment Pro-gramme, the World Meteorological Organization andother United Nations bodies with relevant expertise, tocontinue to cooperate closely with, and to contribute staffto assist, the head of the interim secretariat;

13. Requests bilateral sources to continue to assist theinterim secretariat as hitherto;

14. Requests the head of the interim secretariat tomaximize opportunities for collaborative work with othersecretariat entities, including the secretariat of the Com-mission on Sustainable Development;

15. Requests the Secretary-General to maintain thespecial voluntary fund established under paragraph 10of General Assembly resolution 45/212 to support theparticipation of developing countries, in particular theleast developed among them and small island develop-ing countries, as well as developing countries strickenby drought and desertification, in the work of the In-tergovernmental Negotiating Committee and in the firstsession of the Conference of the Parties to the Conven-tion, bearing in mind, inter alia, resolution INC/1992/1of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee;

16. Also requests the Secretary-General to maintain thetrust fund established under paragraph 20 of GeneralAssembly resolution 45/212 to contribute to the costsof the interim secretariat of the Convention;

17. Takes note with appreciation of the contributions madeto these extrabudgetary funds and invites further ade-quate and timely contributions to both funds;

18. Decides that, subject to the relevant provisions ofGeneral Assembly resolutions 40/243 of 18 December1985, 41/213 of 19 December 1986 and 42/211 of 21 De-

cember 1987, the costs of the work of the Committeeand the interim secretariat should be funded within thecurrent and forthcoming programme budgets, withoutadversely affecting the programmed activities of theUnited Nations, and through voluntary contributionsto the trust fund, as appropriate;

19. Welcomes the invitation by the Government of Ger-many to host the first session of the Conference of theParties to the Convention;

20. Invites the Chairman of the IntergovernmentalNegotiating Committee to submit a final report to theGeneral Assembly on behalf of the Committee on thecompletion of the Committee’s work, following the con-clusion of the first session of the Conference of the Par-ties to the Convention;

21. Requests the Secretary-General to report to theGeneral Assembly at its forty-ninth session on the im-plementation of the present resolution;

22. Decides to include in the provisional agenda ofits forty-ninth session the item entitled “Protection ofglobal climate for present and future generations ofm a n k i n d ” .

Gene ra l Assembly r e so lu t ion 47 /195


Draft by Uruguay (A/47/L.49), orally amended; agenda item 80.Financial implications. 5th Committee, A/47/815; S-G, A/C.5/47/83.Meeting numbers. GA 47th session: 5th Committee 49; plenary 93.

On the same date , the Assembly , by decision47/446, took note of a report of the Second Com-mittee,(18) which had considered two draft resolu-t i o n s o n p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e g l o b a l c l i m a t e . T h eC o m m i t t e e d e c i d e d t o t a k e n o a c t i o n o n o n edra f t , (19) bu t the Cha i rman announced tha t hewould submit it, with amendments, directly to theA s s e m b l y i n p l e n a r y m e e t i n g . T h e o t h e r d r a f tt e x t ( 2 0 ) w a s s u b s e q u e n t l y w i t h d r a w n b y i t ssponsor .

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convent ion on Bio log ica l Divers i ty wasopened for s igna ture a t the Ear th Summit on 5June and was to remain open in New York un t i l4 June 1993. During the year it was signed by 160States and EEC and ratified by six States.(9) TheConvention would enter into force on the nineti-eth day after the deposit of the thirtieth instrumentof ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

The Convention’s objectives were the conserva-tion of biological diversity, the sustainable use ofi t s components and the fa i r and equi tab le shar -ing of the benefits arising from the use of geneticresources . I t s 42 a r t ic les covered , among o thert h i n g s , t h e u s e o f t e r m s ; j u r i s d i c t i o n a l s c o p e ;cooperation; identification and monitoring; in-situand ex-situ conservation; sustainable use of com-ponents of biological diversity; incentive measures;research and t ra in ing ; publ ic educa t ion ; impac tassessment and minimiz ing adverse impacts ; ac-cess to genetic resources; access to and transfer oftechnology; exchange of informat ion; technica la n d s c i e n t i f i c c o o p e r a t i o n ; h a n d l i n g o f b i o -


technology and distribution of its benefits; finan-cial resources; settlement of disputes; and adop-tion of protocols.

The Convention was drafted by the Intergovern-mental Negotiating Committee for a Conventionon Biological Diversity, which held two sessionsin 1992 (Nairobi, 6-15 February(21) and 11-22May(22)). It was adopted by the Conference forthe Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Conven-tion on Biological Diversity (Nairobi, 22 May).The Conference also adopted resolutions invitingthe Global Environment Facility (see below) toserve as the interim financial mechanism for theConvention, calling for international cooperationin the conservation of biological diversity, anddescribing the interrelationship between the Con-v e n t i o n a n d t h e p r o m o t i o n o f s u s t a i n a b l eagriculture.

Montreal ProtocolThe parties to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on

Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,(23)which entered into force on 1 January 1989, heldtheir fourth meeting from 23 to 25 November atCopenhagen, Denmark.(24) They agreed to ac-celerate the Protocol’s schedule for phasing outseveral ozone-depleting substances, including chlo-rofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, halons andmethyl chloroform. They also amended the Pro-toco l t o i nc lude hyd roch lo ro f luo roca rbons ,hydrobromofluorocarbons and methyl bromideamong the substances to be regulated. The amend-ment would enter into force on 1 January 1994,provided that 20 States parties to the Protocol hadapproved it. In addition, a multilateral fund wascreated to assist developing countries in eliminat-ing the controlled substances. At the end of theyear , 97 States and EEC were par t ies to theProtocol.(9)

The 1990 London Amendment to the MontrealProtocol(25) entered into force on 10 August 1992with the ratification, acceptance, approval or ac-cession of 27 States during the year. Forty-oneStates and EEC had become parties to the Amend-ment by the end of the year.(9)

Global Environment FacilityThe Global Environment Facility (GEF), a joint

effort of the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP, wasestablished in 1991(26) to help developing coun-tries respond to environmental problems in fourprogramme areas: climate change, ozone deple-tion, pollution of international waters and bio-diversity. UNCED, in Agenda 21, recommendedthat GEF be restructured to facilitate its financingof environmental activities.

GEF participants held two meetings during theyear (Washington, D.C., 29 and 30 April; Abid-

jan, Côte d’Ivoire, 3-5 December) to begin theprocess of evaluation and restructuring to meetthose requirements.(27)

In April, participating Governments decidedthat land degradation issues, primarily desertifi-cation and deforestation, as they related to the fourestablished programme areas, would be eligible forfinancing by GEF.(28) It was also agreed that GEFwould operate as the funding mechanism for thecl imate change and biodiversi ty conventionssigned at UNCED.

At the December meeting, participants reiter-ated the April decision, but did not reach con-sensus on including land degradation in GEF asa priority area.

REFERENCES(1)A/47/121-E/1992/15. (2)GA res. 44/227, 22 Dec. 1989.(3)YUN 1987, p. 661, GA res. 42/186, 11 Dec. 1987. (4)Ibid.,p. 679, GA res. 42/187, 11 Dec. 1987. (5)A/47/25 (dec.SS.III/2). (6)UNEP/GCSS.III/4 & Corr.1 & Add.1.(7)TD/B/39(1)/7. (8)A/AC.237/18(Part II)/Add.1 & Corr.1.(9)Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary-General: Status as at31 December 1992 (ST/LEG/SER.E/11), Sales No. E.93.V.11.(10)GA res. 45/212, 21 Dec. 1990. (11)A/AC.237/18(Parts I & II).(12)YUN 1991, p. 491, GA res. 46/169, 19 Dec. 1991.(13)A/CONF.151/8. (14)A/47/466. (15)A/AC.237/24 & Corr.1.(16)A/AC.237/20. (17)A/AC.237/23 & Corr.1 & Add.1.(18)A/47/720. (19)A/C.2/47/L.58. (20)A/C.2/47/L.38/Rev.1.(21)UNEP/Bio.Div/N6-INC.4/4. (22)UNEP/Bio.Div/N7-INC.5/4 & Corr.1. (23)YUN 1987, p. 686. (24)UNEP/OzL.Pro.4/15. (25)YUN 1991, p. 493. (26)Ibid., p. 505.(27)UNEP/GC.17/23. (28)UNEP/GC.17/14.

Environmental activities

State of the environmentA report entitled “The state of the environment

(1972-1992): saving our planet—challenges andhopes”(1) was prepared for presentation to UNCEDby the UNEP Executive Director, pursuant to a 1989request of the Governing Council.(2) It comprisedfive parts: the state of the environment; develop-ment activities and environment; human conditionsand well-being; perceptions, attitudes and responses;and challenges and priorities for action.

The report said that the most significant con-cerns were the lack of many of the prerequisitesfor informed decision-making and good environ-mental management, in particular: the databasewas still of variable quality, with a shortage of datafrom developing countries; despite advances in thetechnical ability to monitor the world environ-ment, those advances had not been generally ap-plied, mainly because of a lack of equipment andtrained personnel in many countries; there hadbeen no agreement on the socio-economic indi-cators of a healthy relationship between people andtheir environment or on standards for a decent en-

Environment 6 8 5

vironment; and comprehensive assessments of theenvironmental situation and of the Earth’s carry-ing capacity were, in consequence, difficult.

In his opening statement to the UNEP Govern-ing Council (Nairobi, 3-5 February),(3) the Ex-ecutive Director said the report showed that, des-pite the efforts undertaken, the global environmentwas worse than it had been 20 years earlier. Notone major environmental issue raised at the 1972United Nations Conference on the Human En-vironment(4) had been solved, while new prob-lems of planetary dimensions had emerged. Thereport, he said, outlined achievable targets thatcould constitute an agenda for action for the nextdecade.

On 5 February,(5) the Council took note of thereport and requested the Executive Director tobring it to the attention of UNCED.

Protect ion against harmfulp r o d u c t s a n d w a s t e s

The Secretary-General submitted in June 1992a report(6) on products harmful to health and theenvironment, containing the third triennial reviewof the consolidated list of products whose con-sumption and/or sale had been banned, with-drawn, severely restricted or not approved byGovernments. The first such review was submit-ted in 1986.(7)

In accordance with a 1989 General Assemblyresolution,(8) the report reviewed the list and dis-cussed issues and future directions. It concludedthat the list should continue to refer to all the rele-vant work being accomplished within the UnitedNations system and ensure that for each productentry reference was made to the complementarypublications and international conventions. Thefourth issue of the list, published at the end of 1991,covered regulatory action taken by 92 Govern-ments on more than 600 products.

The Economic and Social Council, by decision1992/296 of 31 July, and the Assembly, by deci-sion 47/439 of 22 December, took note of thereport.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes andtheir Disposal, adopted in 1989, entered into forceon 5 May 1992. It was ratified or acceded to by19 States during the year.(9)

E c o s y s t e m s

Deser t i f i ca t ion and drought cont ro l

In response to a 1989 request of the General As-sembly,(10) the UNEP Executive Director submit-ted a report(11) to UNCED on the status of deser-tification and implementation of the 1977 UnitedNations Plan of Action to Combat Desertification

(PACD).(12) The report considered the world statusof desertification, PACD, policy guidelines andcourse of action for combating desertification, andfinancing. Currently, desertification affected about3.6 billion hectares—70 per cent of the totaldrylands, or nearly a quarter of the total land areaof the world—and affected about one sixth of theworld’s population.

The report presented five preventive, correctiveand rehabilitation measures, as well as six support-ing measures.

On 5 February,(13) the Governing Council tooknote of the report and endorsed the preventive andcorrective activities. It recommended that Govern-ments provide additional financial and technicalassistance on the most favourable terms, in par-ticular to the developing countries, to deal withdesertification, and invited countries participatingin GEF to consider financing anti-desertificationprogrammes. The Council further recommendedthat Agenda 21 address desertification and the fi-nancing of programmes to combat it, and re-quested the Executive Director to transmit the re-p o r t t o t h e U N C E D S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l f o rconsideration by the Preparatory Committee. TheCouncil also requested the Executive Director togive emphasis to refining the assessment of the sta-tus of desertification, promoting the adoption aswell as the monitoring and evaluation of the ef-fectiveness of the report’s policy guidelines andcourse of action and assigning benchmarks and in-dicators of progress. The Executive Director wasto report to the Council in 1993 on implementa-tion of the decision.

Studies by the Secretary-General . In June1992, in response to a 1991 request of the Eco-nomic and Social Council,(14) the Secretary-General presented an interim report on combat-ing aridity, soil erosion, salinity, waterlogging,desertification and the effects of drought in SouthAsia.(15) Although the Council had requestedhim, in collaboration with the heads of UNEP,UNDP, UNCED and other organizations, to assessthe problem and its effects on the peoples of theregion, it was determined that a study of suchmagnitude could not be completed in the time-frame specified. The report was therefore limitedto informing the Council of arrangements beingmade for the preparation of the study, and wassubmitted on the understanding that the full studywould be presented in 1993.

In September, in response to a 1991 General As-sembly request,(16) the Secretary-General submit-ted a report highlighting the requirements for im-p l e m e n t i n g A g e n d a 2 1 i n t h e a r e a s o fdesertification and drought.(17) The Secretary-General hoped that the international communitywould increase assistance to such activities, andsuggested that the Assembly might consider call-


ing for a percentage of the expected increase inODA funds to be specifically allocated to them.

UNEP activities. In a report(18) to the UNEPGoverning Counci l on the implementat ion ofPACD in 1991 and 1992, the Executive Directorstated that UNEP, during that period, assisted Ar-gentina, Bahrain, Mongolia, Oman, Peru, theUnited Arab Emirates and Yemen in developingnational plans of action to combat desertification.In addition, UNEP, through its DesertificationControl Programme Activity Centre, continued toprovide assistance to Mozambique and Zimbabwefor the formulation and initiation of pilot villageprojects. In support of the African MinisterialConference on Environment pilot village pro-gramme, which trained African villagers and tech-nicians in ecological farming, UNEP in October or-ganized a training workshop at Nanjing, China,for 20 participants from 17 French-speaking Afri-can countries.

The Deser t i f icat ion Control Research andTraining Network for Asia and the Pacific (DES-CONAP) was given high priority during the period.In February, the third DESCONAP regional consul-tative meeting and tripartite review meeting washeld in Thailand, and, in November, an expertgroup meeting for the Asia-Pacific and West Asiaregions was held at Tehran, Iran, with the aim ofdeveloping a unified approach to desertificationassessment and mapping. In addition, UNEP par-ticipated in the organization of four regional semi-nars and workshops on desertification control. Aninternational symposium on soil resilience and sus-t a i n a b l e l a n d u s e ( B u d a p e s t , H u n g a r y , 2 8September-2 October) was attended by 164 scien-tists representing 33 countries and 18 internationalorganizations.

U N E P c o n t i n u e d t o c o n d u c t t r a i n i n g p r o -grammes on combating desertification. In 1991-1992, 231 participants from Africa, Asia and LatinAmerica were t ra ined in the management ofdryland natural resources, sustainable foodproduction, monitoring and assessment of deser-

tification, increased application of new technolo-gies and public information. A project was in-i t i a t e d t o a c c u m u l a t e d a t a o n s u c c e s s f u ldesertification control projects, with a view to theirreplication elsewhere.

UNEP continued to disseminate information onprogramme results and problems related to deser-tification control worldwide. Issues 20 and 21 ofthe Desertification Control Bulletin were published in1992, and the World Atlas of Desertification, contain-ing maps of thematic indicators of desertification,was published and distributed to Governments atUNCED.

During the year, the Governments participat-ing in GEF decided that desertification projectswould be eligible for financing by GEF (see above).

UNDP action. On 26 May,(19) the UNDP Gov-erning Council requested the Administrator to re-port in 1993 on proposals on specific ways to com-b a t d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n a n d d r o u g h t , i n c l u d i n gstrengthening the coordinated operations of theUnited Nations system.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ACTION

On 31 July, the Economic and Social Council,acting on a recommendation of its Economic Com-mittee, adopted resolution 1992/55 without vote.

Combating aridity, soil erosion, salinity,water-logging, desertification and the

effects of drought in South AsiaThe Economic and Social Council,Recalling its resolution 1991/97 of 26 July 1991,Taking note of the interim note by the Secretary-General

on the implementation of Economic and Social Coun-cil resolution 1991/97,

Stressing that south Asia, one of the most populous regionsin the world, contains significant areas subject to aridity,soil erosion, salinity, water-logging, desertification andthe effects of drought, which affect the lives of millionsof people and the entire environment of the region,

Stressing also the importance of the study requested inits resolution 1991/97 in the context of national and in-ternational cooperative efforts,

1. Notes with concern that the complete implementa-tion of resolution 1991/97 could not be carried out andits results presented to the Council at its substantive ses-sion of 1992;

2. Urges the Secretary-General, in full compliancewith resolution 1991/97, to submit the study to theGeneral Assembly at its forty-seventh session.

Economic and Soc ia l Counc i l r e so lu t ion 1992 /55

31 July 1992 Meeting 42 Adopted without vote

Approved by Economic Committee (E/1992/109) without; vote, 28 July (meet-ing 16); 4-nation draft (E/1992/C.1/L.10), orally revised following informalconsultations; agenda item 12.

Sponsors: Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan.

The Council, by resolution 1992/31, appealedto the internat ional community to contr ibutegenerously, on a voluntary basis, to the secondphase of the Special Programme for Sub-SaharanAfrican Countries Affected by Drought and Deser-tification of the International Fund for Agricul-tural Development.


On 22 December, the General Assembly, on therecommendat ion of the Second Commit tee ,adopted without vote resolution 47/188.

Establishment of an intergovernmental negotiatingcommittee for the elaboration of an international

convention to combat desertificationin those countries experiencing serious drought

and/or desertification, particularly in AfricaThe General Assembly,Recalling its resolutions 44/172 A of 19 December 1989,

44/228 of 22 December 1989 and other relevant General

Environment 6 8 7

Assembly resolutions, as well as decisions adopted bythe United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment, in particular the recommendation bywhich the Conference invited the General Assembly toestablish at its forty-seventh session, under its auspices,an intergovernmental negotiating committee for theelaboration of an international convention to combatdesertitication in those countries experiencing seriousdrought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa,with a view to finalizing. such a convention by June 1994,

1. Welcomes with satisfaction the results and the recom-mendations of the United Nations Conference on En-vironment and Development, particularly chapter 12 ofAgenda 21, entitled “Managing fragile ecosystems: com-bating desertification and drought”;

2. Decides to establish, under its auspices, an Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee for the elabora-tion of an international convention to combat desertifi-cation in those countries experiencing serious droughtand/or desertification, particularly in Africa, taking intoaccount proposals that may be submitted by States par-ticipating in the negotiating process, with a view tofinalizing such a convention by June 1994, and welcomesthe candidature of Ambassador Bo Kjellen (Sweden) forthe chairmanship of the Committee;

3. Also decides that the Intergovernmental Negotiat-ing Committee shall be open to all States Members ofthe United Nations or members of the specialized agen-cies, with the participation of observers in accordancewith the established practice of the General Assembly;

4. Further decides that the Intergovernmental Negotiat-ing Committee shall hold, in addition to an organiza-tional session, five substantive sessions, each lasting fortwo weeks, at Geneva and Nairobi, in New York and,in accordance with paragraph 5 of General Assemblyresolution 40/243 of 18 December 1985, in Paris; thedates of these sessions will be determined by the Com-mittee at its organizational session, subject to review ofthe timetable at the end of each negotiating session andtaking into account the schedule of other relatedmeetings;

5. Decides that at the first session of the Intergovern-mental Negotiating Committee, to be held at Nairobi,the first week shall be devoted to the sharing of techni-cal information and assessments, with the involvementof experts, on drought and desertification;

6. Decides that provision shall be made for an or-ganizational session of up to one week’s duration, to beheld in New York not later than February 1993, in orderto organize the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiat-ing Committee and to elect its officers, which shall con-sist of a chairman, three vice-chairmen and a rappor-teur, each of the five regional groups being representedby one officer;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to establish atGeneva as soon as possible an ad hoc secretariat of ap-propriate size and calibre, drawing, inter alia on staffresources of the United Nations system, in order to en-sure that the ad hoc secretariat embodies the requisitetechnical expertise to assist the IntergovernmentalNegotiating Committee in the fulfilment of its mandate;

8. Invites the United Nations Development Pro-gramme, the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office,the United Nations Environment Programme, the Foodand Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,the International Fund for Agricultural Development,

the World Health Organization, the World Meteorolog-ical Organization, the United Nations Conference onTrade and Development, the United Nations Educa-tional, Scientific and Cultural Organization and otherrelevant international organizations dealing with deser-tification, drought and development, to make appropri-ate contributions to the work of the IntergovernmentalNegotiating Committee in the fulfilment of its mandate;

9. Decides that the Secretary-General shall appointas head of the ad hoc secretariat a senior official at anappropriate level who shall act under the guidance ofthe Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee;

10. Requests the Secretary-General, through the headof the ad hoc secretariat, to prepare draft rules of proce-dure to be cons idered by the In te rgovernmenta lNegotiating Committee at its organizational session;

11. Requests the head of the ad hoc secretariat to makeavailable to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Com-mittee, at the first substantive session, the most relevantand recent information available, in conformity with itsmandate as stated in paragraph 2 above;

12. Decides to establish a multidisciplinary panel ofexperts to assist the ad hoc secretariat and, under itsauthority, to provide the necessary expertise in the scien-tific, technical, legal and other related fields, makingfull use of the resources and expertise within and avail-able to Governments and/or organizations of the UnitedNations system dealing with drought and desertification;

13. Also decides that the negotiation process shall befunded through existing United Nations budgetaryresources, without negatively affecting its programmedactivities, and through voluntary contributions to a trustfund established specifically for that purpose for the du-ration of the negotiations and administered by the headof the ad hoc secretariat, under the authority of theSecretary-General;

14. Urges Governments, regional economic integra-tion organizations and other interested organizations,including non-governmental organizations, to contrib-ute generously to the trust fund;

15. Decides to establish a special voluntary fund, tobe administered by the head of the ad hoc secretariat,under the authority of the Secretary-General, to assistdeveloping countries affected by desertification anddrought, in particular the least developed countries, toparticipate fully and effectively in the negotiation pro-cess, and invites Governments, regional economic in-tegration organizations and other interested organiza-tions, including non-governmental organizations, tocontribute generously to the fund;

16. Invites relevant or interested organizations, or-gans, programmes and agencies of the United Nationssystem and intergovernmental, subregional and regionalorganizations to participate actively in the work of theIntergovernmental Negotiating Committee;

17. Urges States to organize, in close collaborationwith the regional commissions and national, subregionaland regional organizations, activities to support the In-tergovernmental Negotiating Committee process, withthe involvement of the scientific and industrial commu-nities, trade unions, the relevant non-governmental or-ganizations and other interested groups;

18. Invites the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Of-lice to assist the countries covered under its mandate intheir preparations for and participation in the negotiat-ing process and to mobilize resources for this purpose;


19. Invites all relevant non-governmental organiza-tions and, especially, encourages non-governmental or-ganizations from developing countries to contribute con-structively to the success of the negotiating process inaccordance with the rules of procedure of the Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee and taking intoaccount procedures followed in the United Nations Con-ference on Environment and Development process;

20. Requests the Chairman of the Intergovernmen-tal Negotiating Committee to submit progress reportsto the Commission on Sustainable Development andother appropriate bodies;

21. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the pres-ent resolution to the attention of all Governments, in-tergovernmental and non-governmental organizationsand relevant scientific institutions;

22. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit tothe General Assembly at its forty-eighth session a re-port on the implementation of the present resolution;

23. Decides to include in the provisional agenda ofits forty-eighth session a sub-item entitled “Elaborationof an international convention to combat desertificationin those countries experiencing serious drought and/ordesertification, particularly in Africa” under an itementitled “Implementation of decisions and recommen-dations of the United Nations Conference on Environ-ment and Development”.

G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y r e s o l u t i o n 4 7 / 1 8 8


Approved by Second Committee (A/47/719) without vote, 16 December(meeting 51); draft by Malaysia (A/C.2/47/L.46); agenda item 79.



Also on 22 December, by decision 47/444, theAssembly took note of the Secretary-General’s re-port on implementing Agenda 21 in the areas ofdesertification and drought.(17)

M a r i n e e c o s y s t e m s

Straddling and highly migratory fish stocks

The problems relating to straddling fish stocks(those occurring within the exclusive economiczones of two or more coastal States or both withinthe exclusive economic zone and in an area be-yond and adjacent to it) and highly migratory fishstocks were considered in 1992 by UNCED and theGeneral Assembly.

On 21 May, Mexico transmitted to UNCED thetext of the Declaration of Cancun, adopted by theInternational Conference on Responsible Fishing(Cancun, Mexico, 6-8 May),(20) which called onStates to take steps to ensure the supply of fishproducts and to improve management- systems andscientific knowledge.

UNCED noted in Agenda 21 that during thepast decade fisheries on the high seas had ex-panded considerably. There were problems of un-regulated fishing, excessive fleet size, the reflag-ging of vessels to escape controls, insufficiently

selective fishing gear, unreliable databases and lackof sufficient cooperation between States. Agenda21 said that States should convene an intergovern-mental conference to promote implementation ofthe provisions of the 1982 United Nations Con-vention on the Law of the Sea(21) on straddlingand highly migratory fish stocks.


On 22 December, the General Assembly, on therecommendat ion of the Second Commit tee ,adopted without vote resolution 47/192.

United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocksand Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

The General Assembly,Recalling Agenda 21, adopted at the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development, in par-ticular chapter 17, programme area C, relating to thesustainable use and conservation of marine livingresources of the high seas,

Recalling also the Strategy for Fisheries Managementand Development, adopted by the World Conferenceon Fisheries Management and Development,

Taking note of the Declaration of Cancun, adopted atthe International Conference on Responsible Fishingheld at Cancun, Mexico, from 6 to 8 May 1992,

Inviting all members of the international community,particularly those with fishing interests, to strengthentheir cooperation in the conservation and managementof living marine resources, in accordance with the pro-visions of the United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea,

Taking note of relevant recent discussions on interna-tional fisheries,

1. Decides to convene in 1993, under United Nationsauspices and in accordance with the mandate agreedupon at the United Nations Conference on Environmentand Development, an intergovernmental conference onstraddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks,which should complete its work before the forty-ninthsession of the General Assembly;

2. Also decides that the intergovernmental conference,in accordance with the said mandate, shall take into ac-count relevant activities at the subregional, regional andglobal levels, with a view to promoting effective im-plementation of the provisions of the United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea on straddling fishstocks and highly migratory fish stocks, and that, draw-ing, inter alia, on scientific and technical studies by theFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Na-tions, it should:

(a) Identify and assess existing problems related tothe conservation and management of such fish stocks;

(b) Consider means of improving fisheries cooper-ation among States;

(c) Formulate appropriate recommendations;3. Reaffirms that the work and results of the confer-

ence should be fully consistent with the provisions ofthe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,in particular the rights and obligations of coastal Statesand States fishing on the high seas, and that Statesshould give full effect to the high seas fisheries provi-sions of the Convention with regard to fisheries popu-

Environment 6 8 9

lations whose ranges lie both within and beyond exclu-sive economic zones (straddling fish stocks) and highlymigratory fish stocks;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to invite to the con-ference those listed in paragraph 9 of its resolution 46/168of 19 December 1991 and in its decisions 46/469 and46/470 of 13 April 1992, and also to invite regional andsubregional fisheries organizations to attend as ob-servers;

5. Decides that in 1993 the conference shall hold anorganizational session of up to five days at United Na-tions Headquarters for the purposes of electing a chair-man and other officers, namely, three vice-chairmen anda rapporteur, giving due regard to equitable geo-graphical representation, and of organizing its work;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to make appropri-ate secretariat arrangements;

7. Decides that in 1993 the conference shall hold asession of three weeks’ duration in July at United Na-tions Headquarters to deal with substantive matters;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare draftrules of procedure for the consideration of the confer-ence at its organizational session;

9. Decides to establish a voluntary fund for the pur-pose of assisting developing countries, especially thosemost concerned by the subject-matter of the conference,in particular the least developed among them, to par-ticipate fully and effectively in the conference, and in-vites Governments and regional economic integrationorganizations to contribute to the fund;

10. Also decides that the funds necessary for thepreparatory process and the conference itself should,subject to the relevant provisions of General Assemblyresolutions 40/243 of 18 December 1985, 41/213 of 19December 1986 and 42/211 of 21 December 1987, bemade available within the programme budget withoutadversely affecting other ongoing activities and withoutprejudice to the provision of extrabudgetary resources;

11. Invites relevant specialized agencies, particularlythe Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations, and other appropriate organs, organizationsand programmes of the United Nations system, as wellas regional and subregional fisheries organizations, tocontribute relevant scientific and technical studies andreports and to organize regional and subregional tech-nical meetings in order to contribute to the work of theconference;

12. Invites relevant non-governmental organizationsfrom developed and developing countries to contributeto the conference, within the areas of their competenceand expertise, on the basis of procedures for their ac-creditation used for the United Nations Conference onEnvironment and Development, as recommended inparagraph 38.44 of Agenda 21;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to theGeneral Assembly at its forty-eighth session a report onthe work of the conference;

14. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the pres-ent resolution to the attention of all members of the in-ternational community, relevant intergovernmental or-ganizations, agencies, programmes and bodies withinthe United Nations system, regional and subregionalfisheries organizations and relevant non-governmentalorganizations;

15. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of itsforty-eighth session, under an item entitled “Implemen-

tation of the decisions and recommendations of theUnited Nations Conference on Environment and De-velopment”, a sub-item entitled “Sustainable use andconservation of the marine living resources of the highseas: United Nations Conference on Straddling FishStocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks”.



Approved by Second Committee (A/47/719) without vote, 16 December(meeting 51); draft by Malaysia (A/C.2/47/L.62), orally revised; agendaitem 79.



Drift-net fishing

In accordance with a 1991 General Assemblyresolution,(22) the Secretary-General, in October1992,(23) submitted a report on large-scale pelagicdrift-net fishing and its impact on the living ma-rine resources of the world’s oceans and seas. Thereport reviewed region by region the activities ofin te rgovernmenta l o rgan iza t ions and S ta tes tha thad been called on to implement a global morato-rium on all large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing.

The Assembly, by decision 47/443 of 22 De-cember , took note of the repor t and reques ted afu r the r r epor t i n 1993 .

REFERENCES(1)UNEP/GCSS.III/2 & Corr.1,2 & Add.1,2. (2)A/44/25(dec. 15/13 A). (3)A/47/25. (4)YUN 1972, p. 318. (5)A/47/25(dec. SS.III/3). (6)A/47/222-E/1992/57 & Corr.1. (7)YUN 1986,p. 654. (8)GA res. 44/226, 22 Dec. 1989. (9)Multilateral TreatiesDeposited with the Secretory-General: Status as at 31 December 1992(ST/LEG/SER.E/11), Sales No. E.93.V.11. (10)GA res. 44/172,19 Dec. 1989. (11)UNEP/GCSS.III/3 & Corr.1/Rev.1 & Add.1.(12)YUN 1977, p. 509. (13)A/47/25 (dec. SS.III/1). (14)YUN1991, p. 501, ESC res. 1991/97, 26 July 1991. (15)E/1992/53.(16)YUN 1991, p. 501, GA res. 46/161, 19 Dec. 1991.(17)A/47/393. (18)UNEP/GC.17/14. (19)E/1992/28 (dec. 92/16).(20)A/CONF.151/15. (21)YUN 1982, p. 181. (22)YUN 1991,p. 503, GA res. 46/215, 20 Dec. 1991. (23)A/47/487.

Programme and finances of UNEP

On 8 December, on the recommendation of theSecre ta ry-Genera l , (1 ) the Genera l Assembly ap-pointed Elizabeth Dowdeswell of Canada as UNEPExecutive Director for a four-year term beginningo n 1 J a n u a r y 1 9 9 3 .

F i n a n c e s

Envi ronment Fund

As at 31 December 1992,(2) $62.5 mill ion hadbeen pa id to the Envi ronment Fund by 44 coun-tries for 1992; another 32 countries were expectedto make contributions totalling $1.2 million for theyear. The estimated total of $63.7 million repre-


sented an increase of 6.8 per cent over the 1991contributions of $60 million, but was significantlyshort of the Governing Council’s target of $100million.

1990-1991 accoun t s

On 23 December, the General Assembly, byresolution 47/211, accepted the financial reportand audited financial statements of the Environ-ment Fund for the biennium ended 31 December1991(3) and the audit opinions and report of theBoard of Auditors regarding the Fund.

Trus t funds

Forty-live general and technical cooperationtrust funds,(4) administered by UNEP, spent $32.7million during the 1990-1991 biennium.

REFERENCES(1)A/47/752. (2)UNEP/GC.17/16. (3)A/47/5/Add.6.(4)UNEP/GC.17/19.

Environmental aspects ofpolitical, economic and other issues

Pursuant to a 1991 request of the GeneralAssembly,(1) the Secretary-General submitted inJune 1992 a report(2) on international cooperationto mitigate the environmental consequences onKuwait and other countries in the region result-ing from the situation between Iraq and Kuwait.The United Nations inter-agency plan of actionto respond to the environmental crisis was led byUNEP, in cooperation with the Regional Organi-zation for the Protection of the Marine Environ-ment (ROPME) and a number of special izedagencies.

The Secretary-General reported that as a resultof the massive oil spill in the Persian Gulf, esti-mated at between 6 million and 8 million barrels,about 600 kilometres of coastline along the Saudicoast from Khafgi to Abu Ali Island were severelydamaged. At least 30,000 marine birds died; 20per cent of the mangroves on the eastern coast ofSaudi Arabia were oiled and about 50 per cent ofthe coral reefs were affected. The Iranian, Iraqiand Kuwaiti coasts were affected to a lesser extent.

Oil pollution was not limited to oil spills. Fall-out from burning oil formed slicks on the surfaceo f t he wa te r , r e l eas ing po lycyc l i c a roma t i chydrocarbons and heavy metal-laden soot parti-cles into the water column. Beaches were destroyedthrough the construction of defence installations.The destruction of sewage-treatment plants inKuwait resulted in the release of more than 50,000

cubic metres per day of raw sewage into KuwaitBay, threatening the intertidal ecosystem.

The United Nations effort to assess the state ofthe marine environment culminated in the launch-ing, in late February 1992, of a 100-day cruise inthe ROPME sea area by the Mount Mitchell, a 231-foot research vessel of the United States NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Air pollution from the burning oil wells inKuwait represented a potential health hazard.About 6 million barrels of oil were being burntdaily from more than 600 burning wells. However,a WMO/UNEP meeting of experts (Geneva, 25-29May) analysed the atmospheric effects of the oilfires and found that the smoke had no effect onthe weather or climate outside the region.

The destruction of terrestrial ecosystems was ex-tensive, particularly in Iraq, Kuwait and SaudiArabia. In Kuwait, the impact on soil and vege-tation was very serious owing to the formation ofhuge oil pools, extending over vast areas of the des-ert. Moreover, a layer of oil droplets and soot cov-ered hundreds of square kilometres. In some areas,pulverization of the surface soil by off-road mili-tary vehicles had destabilized the soil, increasingits vulnerability to wind erosion. In addition, thepresence of land-mines and unexploded ordnanceand munitions still presented a serious hazard tohuman life and the environment.

In Iraq, the military activities devastated largeareas of land and adversely affected the agricul-tural production and livestock of the country, whilein Saudi Arabia, the main terrestrial impact wasdue to the fallout of soot, particularly south of theSaudi/Kuwaiti border.

While inter-agency activities were carried outat the technical level, further attention was givento the political and financial aspects of the environ-mental crisis. Following a request from Kuwait,Margaret Joan Anstee, Director-General of theUnited Nations Office at Vienna, was dispatchedin October 1991 to Kuwai t as the PersonalRepresentative of the Secretary-General to coor-dinate United Nations efforts.

In March 1992, Joseph Verner Reed was namedto succeed Miss Anstee, with the title of SpecialRepresentative. He visited Kuwait and other coun-tries of the region to reassess the situation afterthe burning oil wells were capped. He assured theKuwaiti Government of the continued support ofthe United Nations to redress the environmentaldamage in Kuwait and the region.

An environmental rehabilitation programmewas p repa red by U N E P in coope ra t i on w i thR O P M E . T h e p r o g r a m m e i n c l u d e d p r o j e c tproposals covering marine, atmospheric and ter-restrial pollution, technical cooperation aspectsand the needs of the countries of the region foroil clean-up, recovery and restoration.

Environment 691

On 30 July, the Economic and Social Council,by decision 1992/285, took note of the Secretary-General’s report.(2)

UNEP ac t ion . On 5 February,(3) the UNEPGoverning Council invited the international com-munity, Governments and intergovernmental or-ganizations to participate technically and finan-cial ly in rehabil i tat ion programmes aimed atmitigating the environmental deterioration of theregion and in strengthening ROPME’s capabilityto coordinate and implement those programmes.


On 18 December, on the recommendation of theSecond Commi t t ee , t he Gene ra l Assemblyadopted resolution 47/151 by recorded vote.

International cooperation to mitigate theenvironmental consequences on Kuwait andother countries in the region resulting from

the situation between Iraq and KuwaitThe General Assembly,Aware of the disastrous situation caused in Kuwait and

neighbouring areas by the torching and destruction ofhundreds of its oil wells and of the other environmentalconsequences on the atmosphere and on land and ma-rine life,

Bearing in mind all relevant Security Council resolu-tions, in particular section E of resolution 687(1991) of3 April 1991,

Having taken note of the report submitted by theSecretary-General to the Security Council describingthe nature and extent of the environmental damagesuffered by Kuwait,a

Recalling decision 16/11 A adopted by the GoverningCouncil of the United Nations Environment Programmeon 31 May 1991,

Recalling also its resolution 46/216 of 20 December 1991,Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General,Profoundly concerned at the degradation of the environ-

ment as a consequence of the damage, especially thethreat posed to the health and well-being of the peopleof Kuwait and the people of the region, and the adverseimpact on the economic activities of Kuwait and othercountries of the region, including the effects on livestock,agriculture and fishing, as well as on wildlife,

Welcoming the recent Mount Mitchell Research Cruise,which was organized under the sponsorship of the In-tergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of theUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Or-ganization, the Regional Organization for the Protec-tion of the Marine Environment and the United Na-tions Environment Programme, to make a scientificassessment of environmental conditions in the region,

Awaiting the meetings due to be held in 1993, at whichthe results of the Mount Mitchell Research Cruise willbe discussed and evaluated,

Acknowledging the fact that dealing with this catastrophegoes beyond the capabilities of the countries of the re-gion and, in that regard, recognizing the need forstrengthened international cooperation to deal with thesituation,

Noting with appreciation the appointment by theSecretary-General of an Under-Secretary-General as his

Personal Representative to coordinate United Nationsefforts in this field,

Also noting with appreciation the efforts already under-taken by the Member States of the region, other States,the organizations of the United Nations system and gov-ernmental and non-governmental organizations to study,mitigate and minimize the consequences of this environ-mental catastrophe,

Bearing in mind the effective work of the Regional Or-ganization for the Protection of the Marine Environ-ment and the inter-agency task force established underthe leadership of the United Nations Environment Pro-gramme especially to consider the environmental situ-ation in the region, as well as the plan of action,

Expressing its special appreciation to the Governments thathave extended financial support to the two trust fundsestablished for the purpose by the Secretary-General ofthe International Maritime Organization and the Ex-ecutive Director of the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, and to the Governments and organizationsthat supported the recent international research cruiseorganized under the auspices of the IntergovernmentalOceanographic Commission, the Regional Organiza-tion for the Protection of the Marine Environment andthe United Nations Environment Programme,

1. Appeals to all States Members of the United Na-tions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organi-zations, scientific bodies and individuals to provide as-s i s tance for programmes a imed a t the s tudy andmitigation of the environmental degradation of the re-gion and for strengthening the Regional Organizationfor the Protection of the Marine Environment and itsrole in coordinating the implementation of these pro-grammes;

2. Calls upon the organizations and programmes ofthe United Nations system, in particular the Interna-tional Maritime Organization and the United NationsEnvironment Programme, to pursue their efforts to as-sess the short-term as well as the long-term impact ofthe environmental degradation of the region and to con-sider measures that may be needed to counteract theseeffects;

3. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Per-sonal Representative, to render assistance to the mem-bers of the Regional Organization for the Protection ofthe Marine Environment in the formulation and im-plementation of a coordinated and consolidated pro-gramme of action comprising costed project profiles, tohelp identify all possible resources for the programmeof action and, inter alia for strengthening the environ-mental capacities of the members of the Regional Or-ganization for the Protection of the Marine Environ-ment to deal with this problem, and to allocate, withinexisting resources, the minimum resources required toenable his Personal Representative to continue to helpcoordinate the activities of the United Nations systemto that end;

4. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to theGeneral Assembly at its forty-ninth session, through theEconomic and Social Council, a report on the im-plementation of the present resolution;

5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of itsforty-ninth session the sub-item entitled “International

aS/22535 & Corr.1,2.


cooperation to mitigate the environmental consequenceson Kuwait and other countries in the region resultingfrom the situation between Iraq and Kuwait” under theitem entitled “Development and international economiccooperation”.

General Assembly resolution 47/151

18 December 1992 Meeting 92 159-0-2 (recorded vote)

Approved by Second Committee (A/47/718/Add.6) by recorded vote (133-0-1), 9 December (meeting 49); 101-nation draft (A/C.2/47/L.7/Rev.1),orally amended by Vice-Chairman; agenda item 78 (e).

Sponsors: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain,Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Her-zegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CapeVerde, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’lvoire, Cyprus,Czechoslovakia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Domini-can Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, India,Iran, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho,Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Namibia,Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kittsand Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, SanMarino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sin-gapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thai-land, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, UnitedRepublic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zaire, Zimbabwe.

Meeting numbers. GA 47th session: 2nd Committee 17, 49; plenary 92.

Recorded vote in Assembly as follows:

In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argen-tina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Ban-gladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bo-tswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi,

Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile,China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’lvoire, Croatia,Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Es-tonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana,Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau Guyana, Haiti, Hon-duras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s DemocraticRepublic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Lux-embourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, MarshallIslands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique,Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger,Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay,Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic ofMoldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis,Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Prin-cipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slove-nia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tur-key, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, UnitedRepublic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, VietNam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against: None.Abstaining: Iraq, Sudan.

By resolution 47/37, the Assembly urged Statesto ensure compliance with the existing interna-tional law applicable to the protection of the en-vironment in times of armed conflict.

REFERENCES( 1 ) Y U N 1 9 9 1 , p . 5 0 6 , G A r e s . 4 6 / 2 1 6 , 2 0 D e c . 1 9 9 1 .(2)A/47/265-E/1992/81. (3)A/47/25 (dec. SS.III/3).

Documents

[ 1992 ] Part 3 Chapter 8 Environment