The Rio Conventions: Committing to Sustainability

A key outcome of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio were six international environmental agreements (two agreed at Rio and four since) which define specific government commitments towards the following issues: 

•	Biodiversity 
•	Climate Change 
•	Desertification 
•	Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 
•	Prior Informed Consent (PIC) 
•	Straddling and Migratory Fish Stocks 

The agreements support specific environmental aspects for the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Rio Principles. Since Rio, the conventions on Biodiversity and Climate Change have expanded to include new legal mechanisms - the Biosafety and Kyoto Protocols - the former if yet to be brought into force. Similarly the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) are yet to be enforced. Finally, the Agreement on Conservation and Management of Straddling and Migratory Fish Stocks entered into force since the first version of this paper was produced (Table 1). 

Furthering implementation and commitment to each of these agreements will give a clear signal to the international community of national commitments over the next ten to fifteen years toward making real progress on sustainable development. 

This paper is a brief up-date on the current status of these agreements. It outlines their broad aims, procedures, obligations and the forthcoming meetings which offer an opportunity for further progress. 

Table 1. Current Status of the Rio International Environment Agreements 	
Agreement	Signatories to agreement	Parties to agreement	Total countries required to come into force	Countries still required (e = enforced)	
Biological Diversity	168	186	50	e	
Biosafety Protocol	103	36	50	14	
Climate Change	166	186	50	e	
Kyoto Protocol	84	95	55	Not enforced (see page )	
Desertification	115	186	50	e	
Prior Informed Consent	75	33	50	17	
Persistent Organic Pollutants	151	23	50	27	
Fish Stocks	59	32	30	e	

Convention Biodiversity Diversity
& Biosafety Protocol

	CBD	Biosafety Protocol	
Date of Adoption	1992	2000	
Entry into force	December 1993	Not yet in force	
Parties to Convention	182	36	
Total required to come into force	In force	50	

Convention Biodiversity Diversity
& Biosafety Protocol

Aims 

The overarching aim of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety establishes a regulatory framework to control the harm arising from Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) on biodiversity and human health.  Biological resources, both habitats and species, are being critically threatened. Key habitats are being lost at a rapid rate. For example a third of coral reefs are expected to be lost within 10– 15 years and over half the land area of mangroves, the coral reef neighbour, have been destroyed in last thirty years. Species are disappearing at a rate 50 – 100 times the natural rate. 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species face extinction, and 30% of the principle breeds of farm animals are now subject to the high risk of extinction. 

Obligations

CBD makes commitments to integrate the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity into national and international decision-making, including:
•	Scientific and technical cooperation: including access to and transfer of biotechnology.
•	Regulatory measures: On access to genetic resources. Control of risks derived from organisms modified through biotechnology.
•	Natural resource management: Establishment of protected areas and rehabilitation. Restoration of degraded ecosystems and threatened species. Prevention/control and eradication of alien species which threaten biodiversity.
•	Shared benefits from genetic resources: recognising national sovereignty and ensuring access to biological resources is based on “mutually agreed terms” subject to “prior informed consent”.
•	Traditional knowledge: recognition of the role of indigenous and local communities, ensuring that such groups receive a share in the benefits obtained from their use and conservation, further to “respect, preserve and maintain” their knowledge and practices.
•	Provision of financial resources: targeted to CDB related activities.

Biosafety Protocol commitments include:
•	Control on transboundary movement of GMOs: Article 27 establishes a process to development international rules and procedures for liability and redress the negative impacts from transboundary movements of GMOs. This operationalises the concept of the Precautionary Principle.
•	GMO standards: Sets requirements for Labelling of LMO imports. Imposes “Advanced Informed Agreement” procedures on the import of seeds, live fish and other GMOs which are to be intentionally introduced into the environment. 

Procedures

Due to its cross-sectoral nature CBD is to retain close links with other conventions and international processes. Financial support comes from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). By 1999 GEF contributed $1 billion for biodiversity projects in over 120 countries. The Biosafety Clearing House created by the Biosaftey Protocol deals with importation of GMOs. It also facilitates exchange of information and best practice experiences. The Conference of the Parties (COP) secretariat undertakes to monitor and coordinate national reports and the progress of implementation by parties to the convention. By 1998, 100 countries had reported to the COP on their progress. It created a working group on Biosafety (concluded in 1999) and a group on Knowledge of Indigenous and Local Communities.

Challenges & Follow-up

•	National commitment to bring the Biosafety Protocol into force
•	Linking international trade rules with sustainable management and use of biodiversity
•	Greater financial resources to support effective implementation and enforcement
•	Enhanced coordination between governments and with stakeholders
•	Increased data collection, understanding and better use of technology (both hi-tech and traditional)
•	COP6 was held in The Hague, The Netherlands, 7-19 April 2002. The Intergovernmental Committee for Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety met at the same time.
•	Ad Hoc Inter-Sessional Meeting on the Multi-Year Programme of Work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010, will take place 17th - 19th March 2003 in Montreal, Canada. COP-7 will meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 2004  

Links: www.biodiv.org

Table 2. National commitment to Biodiversity Convention and Biosafety Protocol	
Country

CBD  (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 
Biosafety (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country

CBD  (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 
Biosafety (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country

CBD  (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 
Biosafety (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country

CBD  (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 
Biosafety (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country

CBD  (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 
Biosafety (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country

CBD  (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 
Biosafety (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	
Afghanistan	12	Chad	123	Georgia	2	Lesotho	124	Palau	23	Sudan	12	
Albania	2	Chile	123	Germany	123	Liberia	124	Panama	1234	Suriname	12	
Algeria	123	China	123	Ghana	12	Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	12	Papua New Guinea	12	Swaziland	12	
Andorra		Colombia	123	Greece	123	Liechtenstein	12	Paraguay	123	Sweden	1234	
Angola	12	Comoros	12	Grenada	123	Lithuania	123	Peru	123	Switzerland	1234	
Antigua and Barbuda	123	Congo	123	Guatemala	12	Luxembourg	1234	Philippines	123	Syrian Arab Republic	12	
Argentina	123	Cook Islands	123	Guinea	123	Madagascar	123	Poland	123	Tajikistan	2	
Armenia	12	Costa Rica	123	Guinea Bissau	12	Malawi	123	Portugal	123	Thailand	1	
Australia	12	Côte d'Ivoire	12	Guyana	12	Malaysia	123	Qatar	12	Macedonia	23	
Austria	1234	Croatia	1234	Haiti	123	Maldives	124	Republic of Korea	123	Netherlands	1234	
Azerbaijan	12	Cuba	1234	Holy See		Mali	1234	Republic of Moldova	123	Togo	123	
Bahamas	123	Cyprus	12	Honduras	123	Malta	12	Romania	123	Tonga	2	
Bahrain	12	Czech Republic	1234	Hungary	123	Marshall Islands	12	Russian Federation	12	Trinidad and Tobago	124	
Bangladesh	123	DPR Korea	123	Iceland	123	Mauritania	12	Rwanda	123	Tunisia	123	
Barbados	124	DR Congo	12	India	123	Mauritius	124	Saint Kitts & Nevis	124	Turkey	123	
Belarus	124	Denmark	1234	Indonesia	123	Mexico	1234	Saint Lucia	2	Turkmenistan	2	
Belgium	123	Djibouti	124	Iraq		Monaco	123	Saint Vincent & Grenadines	2	Tuvalu	1	
Belize	12	Dominica	2	Ireland	123	Mongolia	12	Samoa	1234	Uganda	1234	
Benin	123	Dominican Rep.	12	Iran	123	Morocco	123	San Marino	12	Ukraine	12	
Bhutan	124	Ecuador	123	Israel	12	Mozambique	123	Sao Tome and Principe	12	UEA	12	
Bolivia	1234	Egypt	123	Italy	123	Myanmar	123	Saudi Arabia	2	UK	123	
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	El Salvador	123	Jamaica	123	Namibia	123	Senegal	123	Tanzania	12	
Botswana	1234	Equatorial Guinea	2	Japan	12	Nauru	124	Seychelles	123	USA	1	
Brazil	12	Eritrea	2	Jordan	123	Nepal	123	Sierra Leone	2	Uruguay	123	
Brunei Darussalam		Estonia	123	Kazakhstan	12	New Zealand	123	Singapore	12	Uzbekistan	2	
Bulgaria	1234	Ethiopia	123	Kenya	1234	Nicaragua	1234	Slovak Republic	123	Vanuatu	12	
Burkina Faso	123	EC	1234	Kiribati	23	Niger	123	Slovenia	123	Venezuela	1234	
Burundi	12	Micronesia	12	Kuwait	12	Nigeria	123	SolomonIslands	12	Viet Nam	12	
Cambodia	2	Fiji	1234	Kyrgyzstan	2	Niue	24	Somalia		Yemen	12	
Cameroon	123	Finland	123	Lao PDR	2	Norway	1234	South Africa	12	Yugoslavia	12	
Canada	123	France	123	Latvia	12	Oman	12	Spain	1234	Zambia	12	
Cape Verde	12	Gabon	12	Lebanon	12	Pakistan	123	Sri Lanka	123	Zimbabwe	123	
Central African Rep.	123	Gambia	123									

Framework Convention on Climate Change
& Kyoto Protocol

	FCCC	Kyoto	
Date of adoption	1993	1999	
Entry into force	March 1994	Not in force	
Parties to convention	186	95	
Total required to come into force	In force	Not in force	

Aims 

The overarching aim of the Framework Convention on 
Climate Change is to stabilise the concentrations of Green House Gases (GHGs, e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perflurocarbons and sulphur hexafluride) in the atmosphere that are related to human induced interference with the climate system. GHGs are thought to exacerbate climate change and alter agricultural / eco zones e.g. mid-latitude regions are expected to shift 200 - 300 km for each one degree Celsius increase in temperature. Due to glacial melt and thermal expansion of the sea, sea levels are predicted to rise by as much as 65 cm by 2100, threatening both coastal and low lying areas. The frequency and intensity of extreme natural events e.g. storms and hurricanes are also expected to increase.  

Obligations

UNFCCC party commitments include:
•	National inventory: presentation to the COP of a national inventory of emissions
•	Implementation programmes: formulate national and regional programmes with measures to mitigate climate change, incorporating principles of “common but differentiated responsibilities” according to economic and political situations. 24 OECD countries have committed to return to 1990 levels of GHG emission by 2000
•	Cooperation: a joined-up approach is vital to reduce GHG emissions, including action relating to transport, energy, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management
•	Industrial responsibility: industrial countries bear greatest responsibility to carry out the agreement as the principal GHG emitters, including technology transfer and financial commitment 

Kyoto Protocol commitments include:
•	Targets: a legally binding emission target on the six key GHGs (listed above) i.e. a 5% reduction on 1990 levels by 2008 -2012
•	Establish new financial mechanisms: an Emissions Trading System, a Joint Implementation mechanism between countries in the OECD and economies in transition countries (so called “Annex I countries”) and Clean Development Mechanism for projects between Annex I countries and developing countries (“non Annex I parties”). 
•	The Kyoto Protocol shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date when not less than 55 Parties to the Convention, incorporating Annex I Parties which accounted in total for at least 55 % of the total carbon dioxide emissions for 1990 from that group, have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Annex 1 countries include developed countries and countries with economies in transition who are typically the largest contributors to CO2 emissions. 12 out of the 37 Annex 1 countries have yet to ratify to the Protocol.

Procedures

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (established 1988) reports, monitors and reviews progress on GHG stabilisation at a global level. In March 2001 the IPCC produced their third assessment report on global prospects with policy recommendations. Other institutions include the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, Subsidiary body for implementation, Conference of Parties and Secretariat for the Convention. The GEF operates the financial mechanism for FCCC on an on-going basis, with four yearly review of its role and responsibilities. 

Challenges & Follow-up

•	National commitment to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force, especially from Annex 1 countries
•	Communication of progress, review of implementation
•	The COP 7 was held 29 October to the 9 November 2001.  Parties  finalized operational details of Kyoto Protocol, opening the way for widespread ratification and early entry into force.
•	Progress made on increasing financial and technological support to developing countries to enable them to move towards sustainable energy future. 
•	COP 8 will be from 23rd October to the 1st of November 2002, in New Delhi, India

Links: www.unfccc.int

Table 3. National commitment to Climate Change Convention  * = Annex 1 Country	
Country 

FCCC (Signed: 1 Party: 2)
Kyoto Protocol (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country 

FCCC (Signed: 1 Party: 2)
Kyoto Protocol (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country 

FCCC (Signed: 1 Party: 2)
Kyoto Protocol (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country 

FCCC (Signed: 1 Party: 2)
Kyoto Protocol (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country 

FCCC (Signed: 1 Party: 2)
Kyoto Protocol (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	Country 

FCCC (Signed: 1 Party: 2)
Kyoto Protocol (Signed: 3 Party: 4)	
Afghanistan	2	Chile	123	Germany*	1234	Liechtenstein*	123	Panama	1234	Suriname	12	
Albania	2	China	1234	Ghana	12	Lithuania	123	Papua New Guinea	1234	Swaziland	12	
Algeria	12	Colombia	124	Greece	1234	Luxembourg*	1234	Paraguay	1234	Sweden*	1234	
Angola	12	Comoros	12	Grenada	124	Madagascar	12	Peru	1234	Switzerland*	123	
Antigua & Barbuda	1234	Congo	12	Guatemala	1234	Malawi	124	Philippines	123	Syrian Arab Republic	2	
Argentina	1234	Cook Islands	1234	Guinea	124	Malaysia	1234	Poland*	1234	Tajikistan	2	
Armenia	12	Costa Rica	1234	Guinea-Bissau	12	Maldives	1234	Portugal*	1234	Thailand	1234	
Australia*	123	Côte d'Ivoire	12	Guyana	12	Mali	1234	Qatar	2	Togo	12	
Austria*	1234	Croatia*	123	Haiti	12	Malta	1234	Republic of Korea	123	Tonga	2	
Azerbaijan	124	Cuba	1234	Honduras	1234	Marshall Islands	123	Republic of Moldova	12	Trinidad & Tobago	1234	
Bahamas	124	Cyprus	124	Hungary*	124	Mauritania	12	Rep. of Tanzania	124	Tunisia	12	
Bahrain	12	Czech Republic*	1234	Iceland*	124	Mauritius	124	Romania*	1234	Turkmenistan	1234	
Bangladesh	124	Democratic rep. of Congo	2	India	124	Mexico	1234	Russian Federation*	123	Tuvalu	1234	
Barbados	124	D. P. R .of Korea	12	Indonesia	123	Micronesia	1234	Rwanda	12	Uganda	124	
Belarus	12	Denmark*	123	Iran	12	Monaco*	123	Saint Kitts & Nevis	12	Ukraine*	123	
Belgium*	1234	Djibouti	124	Ireland*	1234	Mongolia	124	Saint Lucia	123	UAE	2	
Belize	12	Dominica	2	Israel	123	Morocco	124	Saint Vincent &  Grenadines	23	UK*	1234	
Benin	124	Dominican Republic	124	Italy*	1234	Mozambique	12	Samoa	1234	USA*	123	
Bhutan	124	E.E.C.*	1234	Jamaica	124	Myanmar	12	San Marino	12	Uruguay	1234	
Bolivia	123	Ecuador	1234	Japan*	1234	Namibia	12	Sao Tome & Principe	12	Uzbekistan	234	
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	Egypt	123	Jordan	12	Nauru	124	Saudi Arabia	12	Vanuatu	124	
Botswana	12	El Salvador	1234	Kazakstan	123	Nepal	12	Senegal	124	Venezuela	12	
Brazil	1234	Equatorial Guinea	124	Kenya	12	Netherlands*	1234	Seychelles	1234	Viet Nam	1234	
Bulgaria*	1234	Eritrea	2	Kiribati	124	New Zealand*	123	Sierra Leone	12	Yemen	12	
Burkina Faso	12	Estonia*	123	Kuwait	2	Nicaragua	1234	Singapore	1	Yugoslavia	2	
Burundi	124	Ethiopia	124	Kyrgyzstan	2	Niger	123	Slovakia*	1234	Zaire	12	
Cambodia	24	Fiji	1234	Lao P D R	2	Nigeria	12	Slovenia*	1234	Zambia	123	
Cameroon	124	Finland*	1234	Latvia*	1234	Niue	234	Solomon Islands	123	Zimbabwe	12	
Canada*	123	France*	1234	Lebanon	12	Norway*	1234	South Africa	124			
Cape Verde	12	Gabon	12	Liberia	1	Oman	12	Spain*	1234			
Central African Republic	12	Gambia	124	Lesotho	124	Pakistan	12	Sri Lanka	124			
Chad	12	Georgia	24	Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	12	Palau	124	Sudan	12			

Convention on Desertification

Date of adoption	 1994	
Entry into force	December 1996	
Parties to convention	186	
Total required to come into force	In force	

Aims 

As described in Ch. 12 of Agenda 21, the Convention to Combat Desertification seeks to not only tackle the impacts of desertification but also to mitigate the effects of droughts. Under the convention desertification refers to dryland areas vulnerable to over-exploitation and inappropriate land-use as a result of poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation. Currently the livelihoods of over 1.2 billion people are threatened or at risk because of drought and desertification, impacting 110 countries.

Obligations

Affected countries are to address the causes and establish strategies to tackle desertification, including:
•	Facilitate awareness and participation in local communities
•	Enhance legislation  

Developed countries are committed to support affected countries through:
•	Provision of substantial resources and promoting access to technology
•	Introducing their own strategies in combating the effects of desertification, including enhanced hydrological and climatological capabilities, policy frameworks, participation and regular review processes 

Procedures

Implementation is defined at a regional level since the convention breaks down into five regions, as defined in the “Implementation Annex” of the convention. The regions are: Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean and the Northern Mediterranean. Many countries within these regions have already adopted national action plans to implement the convention.

Funding for the convention is through the convention’s Global Mechanism and the fund is hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). A request for additional funding through GEF was raised during the fourth COP session in December 2000 at Bonn.

The COP for the convention receives reports from countries to regularly review the effectiveness of government action plans for implementing the agreement. 150 reports were submitted between 1999 and 2000. The COP also coordinates and reviews institutional processes between parties.

Challenges and follow-up

•	New and additional funding for implementation
•	Enhanced South - South cooperation
•	The COP-5 met 1st-12th October 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland.  A permanent committee for the review of implementation of convention was established.
•	The COP-6 will meet in October 2003.

Links : www.unccd.int 

Table 4. National commitment to Desertification Convention	
Country 

CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	Country 

CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2)	Country 

CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	Country 

CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2)	Country 

CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	
Afghanistan	2	Cook Islands	2	Iceland	2	Myanmar	2	Singapore	2	
Albania	2	Costa Rica	12	India	12	Namibia	12	Slovak Republic	2	
Algeria	12	Côte d'Ivoire	12	Indonesia	12	Nauru	2	Slovenia	2	
Andora	2	Croatia	12	Iran	12	Nepal	12	Solomon Islands	2	
Angola	12	Cuba	12	Ireland	12	Netherlands	12	Somalia	2	
Antigua and Barbuda	12	Cyprus	2	Israel	12	New Zealand	2	South Africa	12	
Argentina	12	Czech Republic	2	Italy	12	Nicaragua	12	Spain	12	
Armenia	12	DR of Congo	12	Jamaica	2	Niger	12	Sri Lanka	2	
Australia	12	Denmark	12	Japan	12	Nigeria	12	Sudan	12	
Austria	2	Djibouti	12	Jordan	12	Niue	2	Suriname	2	
Azerbaijan	2	Dominica	2	Kazakhstan	12	Norway	12	Swaziland	12	
Bahamas	2	Dominican Republic	2	Kenya	12	Oman	2	Sweden	12	
Bahrain	2	Ecuador	12	Kiribati	2	Pakistan	12	Switzerland	12	
Bangladesh	12	Egypt	12	Kuwait	12	Palau	2	Syrian Arab Republic	12	
Barbados	2	El Salvador	2	Kyrgyzstan	2	Panama	12	Tajikistan	2	
Belarus	2	Equatorial Guinea	12	Lao PDR	12	Papua New Guinea	2	Tanzania	12	
Belgium	2	Eritrea	12	Lebanon	12	Paraguay	12	Thailand	2	
Belize	2	Ethiopia	12	Lesotho	12	Peru	12	Togo	12	
Benin	12	EC	12	Liberia	2	Philippines	12	Tonga	2	
Bolivia	12	Fiji	2	Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	12	Poland	2	Trinidad and Tobago	2	
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	Finland	12	Liechtenstein	2	Portugal	12	Tunisia	12	
Botswana	12	Former Yugoslav Rep. Of Macedonia	2	Luxembourg	12	Qatar	2	Turkey	12	
Brazil	12	France	12	Madagascar	12	Republic of Korea	12	Turkmenistan	12	
Bulgaria	2	Gabon	2	Malawi	12	Republic of Moldova	2	Tuvalu	2	
Burkina Faso	12	Gambia	12	Malaysia	12	Romania	2	Uganda	12	
Burundi	12	Georgia	12	Maldives	2	Rwanda	12	UAE	2	
Cambodia	12	Germany	12	Mali	12	Saint Kitts and Nevis	2	UK	12	
Cameroon	12	Ghana	12	Malta	12	Saint Lucia	2	Ukraine	2	
Canada	12	Greece	12	Marshall Islands	2	Saint Vincent & Grenadines	12	USA	12	
Cape Verde	12	Grenada	2	Mauritania	12	Samoa	2	Uruguay	2	
Central African Republic	12	Guatemala	2	Mauritius	12	San Marino	2	Uzbekistan	12	
Chad	12	Guinea	12	Mexico	12	Sao Tome and Principe	12	Vanuatu	12	
Chile	12	Guinea-Bissau	12	Micronesia	12	Saudi Arabia	2	Venezuela	2	
China	12	Guyana	2	Monaco	2	Senegal	12	Viet Nam	2	
Colombia	12	Haiti	12	Mongolia	12	Seychelles	12	Yemen	2	
Comoros	12	Honduras	12	Morocco	12	Sierra Leone	12	Zambia	12	
Congo	12	Hungary	2	Mozambique	12			Zimbabwe	12	

Prior Informed Consent

Date of adoption	 September 1998	
Entry into force	Not in force	
Parties to convention	33	
Total required to come into force	
50	

Aims 

Based on the “London Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on Chemicals in International Trade” and “International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides”, the aim of the “Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade” is to protect citizens and the natural environment from potential dangers of hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Each year thousands die or are poisoned by toxic pesticides and chemicals. These substances also accumulate in animals and plant life.  Under the agreement export of such chemicals can only take place with the prior informed consent of the importing party. 

Obligations

•	Importing countries powers: importers retain the power to decide which chemicals to receive or exclude according to their ability to manage them safely. They also monitor and control trade of dangerous substances.
•	Exchange of information: the exporting agent should report information on banned or restricted substances, if a party is experiencing problems in combating a hazardous substance. 
•	Reporting occurs prior to the event of trading a particular product and includes a safety data sheet following an internationally agreed format

Procedures

Currently the convention is operated by UNEP and FAO. Governments are required to create “Designated National Authorities” to monitor imports and exports of listed substances.  Parties shall provide technical assistance and training to other parties in order to help with the management of chemicals throughout their life-cycle.

Challenges & Follow-up

•	National commitments to ratify the agreement and bring it into force
•	Identification of new substances and government ratification of the convention will be necessary to ensure effective international coordination. 
•	An agreement was reached in October 2001 at the eighth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to ban all formulations of monocrotophos; until then, only certain forms had been banned.
•	The third Session of the Interim Chemical Review Committee was held on 17th- 21st February 2002 in Geneva. 
•	The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee at its Ninth Session (INC9). Bonn, met from 30th September to 4th October 2002

Links: www.pic.int

Table 5. National commitment to Prior Informed Consent Convention	
Country 

PICs (Signed: 1  Party: 2 )	Country 

PICs (Signed: 1  Party: 2 )	Country 

PICs (Signed: 1  Party: 2 )	
Angola	1	Gambia	2	Pakistan	1	
Argentina	1	Germany	12	Panama	12	
Armenia	1	Ghana	1	Paraguay	1	
Australia	1	Greece	1	Peru	1	
Austria	12	Guinea	2	Philippines	1	
Barbados	1	Guinea-Bissau	1	Portugal	1	
Belgium	1	Hungary	12	Republic of Korea	1	
Benin	1	Indonesia	1	Saint Lucia	1	
Brazil	1	Iran	1	Saudi Arabia	2	
Bulgaria	2	Israel	1	Senegal	12	
Burkina Faso	1	Italy	12	Seychelles	1	
Cameroon	12	Jamaica	2	Slovenia	12	
Canada	2	Japan	1	Samoa	2	
Chad	1	Jordan	2	South Africa	2	
Chile	1	Kenya	1	Spain	1	
China	1	Kuwait	1	Suriname	2	
Colombia	1	Kyrgyzstan	12	Sweden	1	
Congo	1	Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	2	Switzerland	12	
Costa Rica	1	Luxembourg	12	Syrian Arab Republic	1	
Côte d'Ivoire	1	Madagascar	1	Tajikistan	1	
Cuba	1	Malaysia	2	Tanzania	12	
Cyprus	1	Mali	1	Thailand	2	
Czech Republic	12	Mauritania	1	Togo	1	
DR Congo	1	Mongolia	12	Tunisia	1	
Denmark	1	Namibia	1	Turkey	1	
Ecuador	1	Netherlands	12	United Arab Emirates	2	
El Salvador	12	New Zealand	1	UK	1	
European Community	1	Nigeria	2	USA	1	
Finland	1	Norway	12	Uruguay	1	
France	1	Oman	2			
Persistent Organic Pollutants

Date of adoption	To be adopted	
Entry into force	Not in force	
Parties to convention	23	
Total required to come into force:	50 	

Aims 

The aim of the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants will be to tackle chemical substances that persist and bioaccumulate through the food web and pose a risk to human health and to the environment.  It will  initially cover 12 POPs including: 8 pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene), 2 industrial chemicals (Poly Chlorinate Biphenyls - PCBs and hexachlorobenzene, also a pesticide) and 2 by-products of combustion and industrial processes (dioxins and furans). 

Obligations

UNEP is required to initiate immediate action to develop guidelines and exchange of information relating to managing POPs and developing possible alternatives for these chemicals. This includes seeking replacements (chemical, practices and technologies) to POPs for pesticide and industrial purposes, as well as identification of sources of PCBs, dioxins, means of furans destruction and management.

Procedures

The Convention is funded by donations received through the POPs’ Club, a creative group established by UNEP.  The Club has already raised US $ 5,150,000 necessary for funding of the five sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. 

Chemical Expert Group (CEG) was established to develop science-based criteria and methods for identifying further POPs. UNEP continues to organize regional and sub-regional workshops on the management of POPs and their release. These workshops seek to strengthen regional cooperation and to initiate the development of national strategies, action plans, and projects. The Global Network for the Monitoring of Chemicals in the Environment, a UNEP chemicals project focused on the development of national implementation plans for the management of POPs, is working to assist twelve countries in meeting obligations under the Convention.

Challenges & Follow-up

•	National commitments to ratify the agreement and bring it into force
•	The sixth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for and International Legally Binding Instrument for implementing International Action on Certain Persistent Organic Pollutants took place on the 17th-22nd June 2002 in Geneva. 
•	The Seventh Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the Stockholm Convention, will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, July 14th -18th 2003 

Links: www.chem.unep.ch/pops 

Table 6. National commitment to Persistent Organic Pollutants	
Country 
CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	Country 
CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	Country 
CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	Country 
CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	Country 
CCD (Signed: 1 Party: 2) 	
Albania	1	Cuba	1	Italy	1	Netherlands	12	Spain	1	
Algeria	1	Czech Republic	12	Jamaica	1	New Zealand	1	Sri Lanka	1	
Antigua and Barbuda	1	Democratic People's Rep. of Korea	2	Japan	2	Nicaragua	1	Sudan	1	
Argentina	1	Denmark	1	Jordan 	1	Niger	1	Sweden	12	
Armenia	1	Djibouti	1	Kazakhstan	1	Nigeria	1	Suriname	1	
Australia	1	Dominican Republic	1	Kenya	1	Niue	1	Switzerland	1	
Austria	12	Ecuador	1	Kiribati	1	Norway	12	Syrian Arab Republic	1	
Bahamas	1	Egypt	1	Kyrgyzstan	1	Oman	1	(Former Yugoslav Rep) Macedonia	1	
Bahrain	1	El Salvador	1	Kuwait	1	Pakistan	1	Tajikistan 	1	
Bangladesh	1	Ethiopia	1	Lao people’s democratic Rep.	1	Palau	1	Thailand	1	
Belgium	1	EC	1	Latvia	1	Panama	1	Togo	1	
Benin	1	Fiji	12	Lebanon	1	Papua New Guinea	1	Tonga	1	
Bolivia	1	Finland	12	Lesotho	12	Paraguay	1	Tunisia	1	
Bosnia and Herzegovina	1	France	1	Liberia	2	Peru	1	Turkey	1	
Brazil	1	Gambia	1	Liechtenstein	1	Philippines	1	Ukraine	1	
Brunei Darussalam	1	Gabon		Lithuania	1	Poland	1	United Arab Emirates	12	
Bulgaria	1	Georgia 	1	Luxembourg	1	Portugal	1	UK	1	
Burkina Faso	1	Germany	12	Madagascar	1	Republic of Korea	12	United Rep. of Tanzania 	1	
Burundi	1	Ghana	1	Malawi	1	Republic of Moldova	1	USA	1	
Cambodia	1	Greece	1	Malaysia	1	Romania	1	Uruguay	1	
Cameroon	1	Guatemala	1	Mali	1	Russian Federation	1	Vanuatu	1	
Canada	12	Guinea	1	Malta	1	Rwanda	2	Venezuela	1	
Central African republic	1	Guinea-Bissau	1	Mauritania	1	Saint Lucia	2	Viet Nam	12	
Chad	1	Haiti	1	Mauritius	1	Samoa	12	Yemen	1	
Chile	1	Honduras	1	Mexico	1	Sao Tome and Principe	1	Yugoslavia	1	
China	1	Hungary	1	Micronesia 	1	Saudi Arabia	1	Zambia	1	
Colombia	1	Iceland	12	Monaco	1	Senegal	1	Zimbabwe	1	
Comoros	1	India	1	Mongolia	1	Seychelles	1			
Congo	1	Indonesia	1	Morocco	1	Singapore	1			
Costa Rica	1	Iran	1	Mozambique	1	Slovakia	12			
Côte d’Ivoire	1	Ireland	1	Nauru	12	Slovenia	1			
Croatia	1	Israel	1	Nepal	1	South Africa	12			

Agreement on Conservation and Management 
of Straddling and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

Date of adoption	1995	
Entry into force	December 2001	
Parties to convention	31	
Total required to come into force	
30	

Aims 

The Straddling and Migratory Fish Stocks agreement  - or the “Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks” is a part of  UNCLOS that entered into force on 16 November 1994 and incorporates the principle that all the interrelated problems associated with ocean space. The agreement seeks to lay down a comprehensive regime for the conservation and sustainable management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks. 

Obligations

The Fish Stock Agreement breaks down into four parts: general principles; measures for strengthening regional and sub-regional cooperation; measures for monitoring, surveillance and enforcement; and the settlement of disputes. Parties to the agreement are bound to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks, by resolving to:
  
•	Improve conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks through collection, reporting, verification, exchange and analysis of fisheries data and related information
•	Undertake stock assessment and scientific research
•	Monitor, control, surveillance, compliance and enforcement, including training and capacity-building at the local level, development and funding of national and regional observer programmes and access to technology and equipment

Challenges and Follow-up

•	Further national commitments to ratify the agreement
•	Improve co-operation between parties on activities pertaining to the agreement 
•	Call for more effective enforcement by flag States, port States and coastal States of the conservation and management measures adopted for such stocks
•	Improve management of the seas with reference to the problem of uncontrolled and excessive fishing in particular
•	National Commitment to responsible fisheries
•	Avoid adverse impact on the marine environment and preserve biodiversity
•	Recognise the need for specific assistance in order that developing states can participate effectively in the agreement
•	The 12th meeting of state parties to the convention was held on the 16th-26th April 2002 in New York.

Links 

UN Oceans and Seas homepage: 
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_fish_stocks.htm  

Signatory status: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/reference_files/status2002.pdf 

Table 6. National commitment to Fish Stocks Agreement	
Country 

MSFS  (Signed: 1  Party : 2 )	Country 

MSFS  (Signed: 1  Party : 2 )	Country 

MSFS  (Signed: 1  Party : 2 )	
Argentina	1	Greece	1	Norway	12	
Australia	12	Guinea-Bissau	1	Pakistan	1	
Austria	1	Iceland	12	Papua New Guinea	12	
Bahamas	2	Indonesia	1	Philippines	1	
Bangladesh	1	Iran	2	Portugal	1	
Barbados	2	Ireland	1	Republic of Korea	1	
Belgium	1	Israel	1	Russian Federation	12	
Belize	1	Italy	1	Saint Lucia	12	
Brazil	12	Jamaica	1	Samoa	12	
Burkina Faso	1	Japan	1	Senegal	12	
Canada	12	Luxembourg	1	Seychelles	12	
China	1	Maldives	12	Solomon Islands	2	
Cook Islands	2	Malta	2	Spain	1	
Costa Rica	2	Marshall Islands	1	Sri Lanka	12	
Cote d'Ivoire	1	Mauritania	1	Sweden	1	
Cyprus	2	Mauritius	2	Tonga	12	
Denmark	1	(Federated States of)Micronesia 	12	Uganda	1	
Egypt	1	Monaco	2	Ukraine	1	
European Community	1	Morocco	1	UK	12	
Fiji	12	Namibia	12	USA	12	
Finland	1	Nauru	2	Uruguay	12	
France	1	Netherlands	1	Vanuatu	1	
Gabon	1	New Zealand	12			
Germany	1	Niue	1			

Summary

In the run up to the summit a number of countries signed and ratified these key agreements.  The Biosfety Protocol, PIC and POPs still need to be brought into force. There also needs to be substantial progress on effectively implementing and enforcing these international environmental agreements at the national level. Relating to each of the Rio conventions there are some common elements which will be necessary to ensure effective institutional and governance structures, as well as legal frameworks, for furthering implementation, these include:

•	Information collation, dissemination and exchange about critical issues 
•	Regular review and monitoring of progress
•	Awareness raising, education, capacity building, participation and technology transfer 
•	Securing substantial, long term and incentive-based financial resource, particularly to support developing countries 
•	Coordination and collaboration between governments, as well as with other stakeholder groups
•	Verification to ensure the effective compliance, ratification and implementation of the agreement

Several Governments, along with UNEP, continue to campaign for the universal ratification of the UN Economic Commission for Europe’s Aarhus Convention on “Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters” which was adopted on 25th June 1998 at the Fourth Ministerial Conference on the Environment. Reference to Rio Principle 10, to which the convention refers, was included in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. However more substantive legal frameworks need to be developed at the international level. The next UNEP Governing Council session (22nd session), from the 3rd - 7th Feburary in 2003, is set to address this issue. 

In addition to the MEAs, there are a number of International Developments Targets (IDT) that require effective implementation. All of these targets were recommitted to at Johannesburg and some new ones introduced. This includes new targets on. New and existing targets include:

•	Poverty eradication: to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people globally whose income is less than $1a day.
•	Sustainable Development: National Strategies for Sustainable Development to be implemented by 2005.
•	Education: to narrow the gender gap in primary and secondary education by 2005; ensure that, by 2015, all 
	children complete a full course of primary education.
•	Environment: Reverse the loss of environmental resources by 2015; Achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity.
•	Gender: to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005.
•	Housing: By 2020, achieve a significant improvement for at least 100 million slum dwellers, as proposed in the “Cities without slums” initiative 
•	Health: To reduce infant mortality by 66%; maternal mortality by 75% by 2015; access for all to primary 
	reproductive health services by 2015; Enhance health education with the objective of achieving improved health literacy on a global basis by 2010; to halt, and begin to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015; To reduce by 25% the rate of HIV infection in people 15- 24 years of age, in the most affected countries before 2005, and globally before 2010. At least 90% of young men and women must have access to HIV-preventive information and services by 2005, 95% by 2010.
•	Water: by 2015 to halve the proportion of people who don’t have access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation; Develop integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans by 2005.
•	Ozone depletion:  Facilitate implementation of the Montreal Protocol by ensuring adequate replenishment of its fund by 2003/2005; Improve access by developing countries to alternatives to ozone-depleting substances by 2010.
•	Small Island Developing States: Undertake initiatives by 2004 aimed at implementing the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities; Develop community-based initiatives on sustainable tourism by 2004; strengthen efforts on energy supply and services by 2004.
•	Africa: Support African countries in developing and implementing food security strategies by 2005; Support Africa’s efforts to implement NEPAD objectives on energy, which seek to secure access for at least 35 per cent of the African population within 20 years, especially in rural areas.
•	Sustainable production and consumption: Encourage and promote the development of a 10-year framework of programmes to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production.
•	Oceans and fisheries: Encourage the application of the ecosystem approach of the oceans by 2010; On an urgent basis and by 2015, maintain or restore depleted fish stocks to levels that can produce the maximum sustainable yield; Manage fishing capacity by 2005; Prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by 2004; Develop and facilitate approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the elimination of destructive fishing practices, the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with international law and based on scientific information, including representative networks by 2012; Establish by 2004 a regular process under the UN for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment.
•	Chemicals: By 2020, aim to use and produce chemicals in ways that do not lead to significant adverse effects on human health and the environment; Promote the ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam Convention so that it can enter into force by 2003 and the Stockholm Convention so that it can enter into force by 2004; Further develop a strategic approach to international chemicals management by 2005; implement the new globally harmonized system for the classification and labelling of chemicals by 2008.

It is crucial that the numerous experiences that have been gained through formulating and implementing existing agreements and targets are shared in partnerhsips between governments and with other stakeholders. This will help to assist coordination and help formulate new international agreements. Such activities will help ensure that governments are better able to implement the agreements and make greater progress in achieving the overarching goal of sustainable development. 

For general information on the Rio Conventions contact: United Nations Environment Programme, 
Division of Environmental Conventions/IUC International Environment House 15, 
chemin des Anémones 1219 Châtelaine, Switzerland Tel : +41-22-917-8242/8196 Fax : +41-22-717-9283  Email: iuc@unep.ch  Web: http://www.unep.org/unep/convention/sec.htm 

This briefing was written by Rosalie Gardiner and Zoe Hatherly as part of the Towards Earth Summit 2002 project. 
Up-dated October 2002. Stakeholder Forum, 7 Holyrood Street, London SW1 2EL U.K. 
Tel: (44) 207 089 4301 .  Fax: (44) 20 7089 4310
Email: rgardiner@earthsummit2002.org  .  Web: http://www.earthsummit2002.org