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                                                                   E/1995/32
                                                                               
                                                             E/CN.17/1995/36

                              United Nations

                  Commission on Sustainable Development
                        Report on the Third Session
                             (11-28 April 1995)

                       Economic and Social Council
                         Official Records, 1995
                            Supplement No.12

                     United Nations - New York, 1995


                                   NOTE

          Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital
          letters combined with figures.

                              ISSN 1020-3559


                                   CONTENTS

Chapter                                                                  Page

   I.  MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OR
       BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION  ......................................     1

       A.  General discussion on progress in the implementation of
           Agenda 21, focusing on the cross-sectoral components of
           Agenda 21, and the critical elements of sustainability .....     1

       B.  Financial resources and mechanisms .........................    23

       C.  Education, science, transfer of environmentally sound 
           technologies, cooperation and capacity-building ............    28

       D.  Review of sectoral cluster:  Land, desertification, forests
           and biodiversity ...........................................    39
     
       E.  Other matters ..............................................    60

       F.  Provisional agenda for the fourth session of the Commission     61

  II.  CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY OF THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION .    62

 III.  GENERAL DISCUSSION ON PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
       AGENDA 21, FOCUSING ON THE CROSS-SECTORAL COMPONENTS OF
       AGENDA 21, AND THE CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY .........    67

  IV.  FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MECHANISMS .............................    71

   V.  EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND 
       TECHNOLOGIES, COOPERATION AND CAPACITY-BUILDING ................    73

  VI.  REVIEW OF SECTORAL CLUSTER:  LAND, DESERTIFICATION, FORESTS AND
       BIODIVERSITY ...................................................    75

 VII.  OTHER MATTERS ..................................................    78

VIII.  HIGH-LEVEL MEETING .............................................    79

  IX.  PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ....    81

   X.  ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS THIRD SESSION ..    82

  XI.  ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION ....................................    83

       A.  Opening and duration of the session ........................    83

       B.  Attendance .................................................    83

       C.  Election of officers .......................................    83

       D.  Agenda and organization of work ............................    84


                                    Annexes

   I.  ATTENDANCE .....................................................    85

  II.  LIST OF DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMISSION AT ITS THIRD SESSION ...    92


                                   Chapter I

             MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
                      COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION


           A.  General discussion on progress in the implementation of
               Agenda 21,  1/ focusing on the cross-sectoral components
               of Agenda 21, and the critical elements of sustainability

                      1.  Information for decision-making

1.   The Commission, having examined the report of the Secretary-General on
information for decision-making and Earthwatch (E/CN.17/1995/18), noted and
welcomed the important measures taken by Governments to make information more
accessible to decision makers at the national level, and calls upon national
Governments to utilize this information for sustainable development at the
country level.  The aim of such measures includes the development of a
comprehensive and coherent information programme, drawing upon public
participation in data collection and assessment.  In this context, developed
countries are urged to utilize both bilateral and multilateral channels to
facilitate access by developing countries, and countries whose economies are
in transition, to sources of information relative to sustainable development. 
The Sustainable Development Networking Programme of the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) is one model for such initiatives.  

2.   The Commission calls attention to the feasibility study undertaken by
UNDP to provide access to information on sustainable development to 35 small
island developing States,  2/ which was welcomed by the General Assembly
in its resolution 49/122 on the Global Conference on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States.

3.   The Commission expresses its appreciation to the organizers of the six
workshops that furthered understanding of the issues addressed in chapter 40
of Agenda 21, particularly the efforts related to developing a work programme
on indicators of sustainable development, and it supports and encourages
further work in this area as elaborated in paragraphs 7 and 8 below.

4.   The Commission welcomes the contribution of non-governmental
organizations to the process of generating information for decision-making,
including the articulation of views from local and grass-roots levels and from
major groups, and expresses its desire that these activities continue and be
integrated, to the extent possible, with those of national Governments,
organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental
organizations. 

5.   The Commission expresses appreciation for the extensive international
collaboration in the United Nations system-wide Earthwatch and its
responsiveness to the priorities of Agenda 21 and to user needs.  It urges
Governments and major groups, as well as relevant international organizations
and the scientific community, to participate actively in strengthening
Earthwatch as an international partnership to ensure an adequate flow of
information on the global and regional environment, to support decision-making
and to give early warning on the state of the environment.  Special attention
is drawn to the need for improved delivery of information to decision makers
and to increased participation in environmental observations at the local and
national levels within regional and international frameworks.  In this regard,
the Commission welcomes all appropriate participation in the Global Learning
and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Programme, as described in
General Assembly resolution 49/112.

6.   The Commission recalls that, in addition to Earthwatch, which is a
global system for environmental information, Agenda 21, in paragraph 40.13,
calls for the more effective coordination also of development data, "perhaps
through an equivalent and complementary 'Development Watch'".  In this
context, the Commission noted the cooperative effort of the organizations of
the United Nations system to prepare proposals for the creation of such a
Development Watch.  It requests UNDP, with the Department for Policy
Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat,
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank, the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO), and in cooperation with the regional commissions and
other interested organizations, to further define Development Watch and, in
this regard, to submit a progress report on the implementation of the
programme of work for Development Watch to the Commission at its session in
1997, taking into account the need for a close linkage between Development
Watch and Earthwatch.

7.   The Commission noted the importance of developing, among the
organizations of the United Nations system, a common or compatible system of
access to their respective databases, in order to share data fully, to
streamline the collection and interpretation of data and to identify data
gaps, for the purpose of providing more comprehensive and integrated data to
decision makers at the national, regional and international levels.  The
Commission invites the Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development to
refine measures for establishing such a common or compatible system and to
report thereon to the Commission at its fourth session.  The Commission notes
also the rapidly growing number of information systems for sustainable
development at the national and regional levels, and invites the
Secretary-General to consider ways of enhancing compatibility among and access
to these systems and to report his findings to the Commission at its session
in 1997.

8.   Governments are encouraged to develop or conduct studies on the
development of indicators of sustainable development in accordance with
specific national conditions.  In this context, there is a need for
coordination, especially through the Commission, of the many intergovernmental
and scientific institutions working in this area, as well as a need for
intensive international dialogue.

9.   The Commission urges bodies such as the Statistical Division of the
United Nations Secretariat, the statistical services of Member States and
other appropriate institutions, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development, the Statistical Office of the European Communities and major
groups to cooperate in the development of indicators of sustainable
development.  Furthermore, the Commission encourages the scientific community,
including the project on indicators of sustainable development undertaken by
the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), to focus its
efforts on the development and improvement of such indicators.

10.  The Commission reiterates the importance of developing indicators of
sustainable development for use by decision makers at the local, regional and
national levels and expresses its appreciation to the organizations, both
intergovernmental and non-governmental, and the Governments that have
contributed to the process of defining a programme of work for the further
development of indicators of sustainable development. 

11.  The Commission approves the programme of work on indicators for
sustainable development contained in annex I to the report of the Secretary-
General (E/CN.17/1995/18) and calls upon the organizations of the United
Nations system, with the support of other intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, and through the coordination of the Department
for Programme Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations
Secretariat, to implement, within existing resources, the following, as
outlined in the programme of work:  (a) enhancement of information exchange
among all interested actors; (b) development of methodology sheets to be made
available to Governments; (c) training and capacity-building at the regional
and national levels; (d) testing of an appropriate combination of indicators
and monitoring of experiences in a few countries; (e) evaluation of the
indicators, including those mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General
(E/CN.17/1995/18), and adjustment, as necessary; (f) identification and
assessment of linkages among the economic, social, institutional and
environmental elements of sustainable development; (g) development of highly
aggregated indicators; and (h) further development of the conceptual framework
for sustainable development indicators, involving experts from the areas of
economics, the social sciences and the physical sciences and policy makers, as
well as incorporating non-governmental organization and indigenous views.  The
Commission requests the Secretariat to provide it with a progress report on
the implementation of the programme of work at its fourth session, in 1996.

12.  The Commission took note of the report of the Statistical Commission on
its twenty-eighth session,  3/ and expresses its appreciation to the
Statistical Commission for its offer to collaborate with and support the
Commission in its work on indicators for sustainable development.  In this
context, the Commission also welcomes the action taken by the Statistical
Commission with respect to the international compilation of environmental
indicators from national statistical services and looks forward to the
contribution of this work to the overall programme of work on indicators of
sustainable development.  The Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat should promote and
assist these efforts.


        2.  Integrating environment and development in decision-making

13.  The Commission, having examined the report of the Secretary-General on
integrating environment and development in decision-making (E/CN.17/1995/19),
noted the need for a framework at the national level for integrating economic,
social and environmental issues and for bringing together sectoral plans in a
more comprehensive manner.  The Commission calls on Governments to continue
their efforts to establish, where appropriate, national mechanisms and to
develop integrated, participatory strategies for sustainable development.

14.  The Commission welcomes paragraph 11 of the report and emphasizes the
importance of the steps taken by the Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable
Development to assist Governments in the elaboration of national environmental
and sustainable development strategies and plans and to develop frameworks in
which sectoral plans can be accommodated.  It urges all organizations of the
United Nations system, in cooperation with Governments, to participate, as
relevant, in the ongoing programme, and calls upon non-governmental
organizations to contribute to this process to the fullest extent possible.

15.  The Commission welcomes offers for hosting international conferences on
promoting sustainable development in order to promote regional and
multilateral cooperation on sustainable development.  In this context, the
Commission welcomes the convening of the Third Ministerial Conference,
"Environment for Europe", to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1995.  The
Commission also welcomes the initiative of the Government of Belarus for the
possible convening of an international conference of the countries with
economies in transition on promoting sustainable development.  The Commission
encourages interested Governments and relevant subregional, regional and other
interested organizations to place, inter alia, the Pan-European Environment
Action Programme for Central and Eastern Europe within the broader framework
of sustainable development, taking due account of the need for the full
integration of countries in transition from centrally planned to market
economies, as well as all other countries, into the world economy, which is
essential to sustainable development.

16.  The Commission requests the organizations of the United Nations system
and other relevant organizations to organize, within existing resources,
regional workshops to explore, discuss and further develop methodological
approaches to integration based upon, for example, work being done in
environmental economics, valuation, natural resource accounting and integrated
economic and environmental accounting.

17.  The Commission underlines the importance of integrated environmental and
economic accounting for sustainable development and encourages Governments to
undertake further national activities in this area.

18.  The Commission takes note of the work in integrated economic and
environmental accounting being undertaken by the Statistical Division of the
United Nations Secretariat, organizations of the United Nations system and
other intergovernmental organizations and calls upon them, inter alia, to
further this work, particularly with regard to promoting the implementation of
national programmes and strengthening technical cooperation in this area.


                               3.  Major groups

19.  The Commission noted that major group organizations were forging strong
linkages between their activities and contributions to Agenda 21 and
international conference processes and expressed its appreciation of the
efforts of those organizations to maintain Agenda 21 as the umbrella framework
for achieving sustainable development. 

20.  The Commission noted with appreciation the series of events highlighting
the role of local authorities and the local Agenda 21 process, under the
banner of "A Day of Local Authorities", during the current session, and
requested that similar projects and activities highlighting the role of other
major group sectors be carried out in future years.  One such activity, for
the fourth session, in 1996, could involve case-studies on partnerships in the
workplace, involving two major group sectors:  workers and trade unions and
business and industry.  It could also involve case-studies of successful
environmental management/sustainable development policies of small- and
medium-sized enterprises.  In that context, a programme of events focusing on
the role and contribution of major groups could be organized on the margins of
the fourth session.  Governments, international organizations and private
sources were invited to provide voluntary funding support for such special
events. 

21.  The Commission welcomed and encouraged the emerging practice of
including representatives of major groups in national delegations to the
Commission as an effective way of increasing the participation of such groups
at the international level.

22.  The Commission reiterated the importance of enabling and empowering
partnerships between the governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental
sectors in achieving the goals of Agenda 21.  It emphasized national-level
participation of major groups in the implementation and monitoring of
Agenda 21 inter alia, through national coordinating mechanisms, including
national councils on sustainable development or national networks of major
groups, and recommended that such participation needed to be further
encouraged, strengthened and expanded.  The Commission:

     (a) Noted with appreciation the efforts of those countries that had
supported major group participation in the national coordinating mechanisms; 

     (b) Recommended that both the existing and the to-be-established
national coordination mechanisms should strive to achieve the representation
of all relevant major group sectors in their composition;

     (c) Recommended that in establishing these mechanisms, national and
local major group organizations should choose their own representatives, in
accordance with national consultative mechanisms;

     (d) Recognized the importance of efforts to enable the participation of
major groups at the international and regional levels.

23.  The Commission recognized the efforts of Governments, United Nations
organizations and major groups that had promoted major group involvement in
inter-sessional meetings and other meetings relevant to the work of the
Commission, and: 

     (a) Recommended that all concerned continue to involve major groups in
inter-sessional events and other relevant meetings, particularly with the aim
of enabling a multiplier effect in terms of the diversity of major-group
sectors and organizations invited;

     (b) Encouraged partnerships among Governments, intergovernmental
organizations and the major groups in jointly organizing future
inter-sessional activities and other relevant meetings. 

24.  The Commission recognized the desirability of increased funding to
undertake efforts that increased major-group participation in the Commission's
sessions, its inter-sessional activities and other meetings relevant to the
follow-up of Agenda 21.  This would be particularly desirable in the case of
major-group organizations from developing countries and countries with
economies in transition.  The Commission urged interested institutions to
explore the possibility of creating suitable arrangements to that end.

25.  The Commission emphasized the importance of regular information
exchange.  Electronic networks were pointed out as an effective and efficient
mode of channelling information between major groups and intergovernmental and
governmental organizations.  The Commission requested Governments and
international organizations, in collaboration with such major groups as
business and industry and the academic communities, to explore ways of
increasing the availability of and access to such electronic systems,
especially in developing countries, and urged all countries to seek and enable
appropriate public-private partnerships.

26.  The Commission, having noted the important contribution of major groups
to its work, recommended that the overall access of major groups, including
non-governmental organizations, to the work of the Commission throughout the
year be defined.  Without prejudice to the outcome of the general review of
arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations to be
carried out by the Economic and Social Council, the Commission recommended
that:

     (a) In reviewing the arrangements for consultation with non-governmental
organizations, the Economic and Social Council ensure that major groups,
including non-governmental organizations, relevant to the work of the
Commission were given the opportunity to participate in the Commission's work;

     (b) The implementation of Economic and Social Council decision 1994/300
concerning chapter I, paragraph 24, of the report of the Commission on its
second session  4/ not result in the interruption of the participation of
non-governmental organizations in the work of the Commission.  To this end,
Roster status should be continued through the completion of any processes
resulting from the Council review.

27.  The Commission, while noting the increase in the quantity and quality of
inputs from major groups, felt that there was a need to ensure that the
information submitted by major-group organizations for the Commission's
reporting process was fully utilized in the analyses under the various
sectoral and cross-sectoral reports.  The Commission requested the
Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development to elaborate on that issue
to achieve the best and coordinated use of major-group submissions, and to
submit the results to the Commission at its fourth session.

28.  The Commission reaffirmed that recognizing and strengthening the role of
major groups at the national and local levels were important for their
effective participation in the process of sustainable development.  It
requested the Secretary-General to include information and developments in
that area in his report on major groups to be submitted to the Commission at
its fourth session.

29.  The Commission stressed the particular role of youth groups in the
context of sustainable development:  the young were those who would suffer if
long-tern development was not sustainable; their enthusiasm and sense of
commitment were necessary elements in all strategies for sustainable
development.

30.  In view of the convening of the Fourth World Conference on Women: 
Action for Equality, Development and Peace, to be held in Beijing in September
1995, the Commission stressed the central role played by women in creating
appropriate conditions for sustainable development and invited the Conference
to fully include the need for sustainable development in its deliberations.

               4.  Changing production and consumption patterns

31.  The Commission affirms that while poverty results in certain kinds of
environmental stress, the major cause of the continued deterioration of the
global environment is the unsustainable pattern of consumption and production,
particularly in industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern,
aggravating poverty and imbalances.  The Commission thus reaffirms the need to
change the patterns of consumption and production that are detrimental to
sustainable development.  In the context of common but differentiated
responsibilities in this field, the developed countries bear a special
responsibility and have agreed to take the lead by taking effective measures
for change in their own countries.  In that context, the Commission reiterates
that national authorities should endeavour to promote the internalization of
environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, as appropriate,
taking into account the polluter-pays principle.

32.  The Commission, taking into account Agenda 21, in particular chapter 4,
entitled "Changing consumption patterns", welcomes the recent increase in
activities and efforts at the local, national, and international levels aimed
at changing the prevailing unsustainable production and consumption patterns. 
The Commission recognizes that Governments should continue to improve their
decision-making so as to integrate environmental, economic and social
considerations, which will involve the use of a range of different policy
approaches and instruments.  The Commission notes the initiative taken by the
Government of Norway in hosting the Oslo Ministerial Roundtable Conference on
Sustainable Production and Consumption (6-10 February 1995) and its
contribution to underlining the importance of focusing on demand-side issues
as a complement to the traditional supply-side approach.  The Commission also
notes the inputs provided to the Oslo Conference by various sources, including
the Zeist Workshop on Facilities for a Sustainable Household (23-25 January
1995), organized by the Government of the Netherlands, and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology/Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) Experts Seminar on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns
(Cambridge, Massachusetts, 18-20 December 1994).

33.  In welcoming the inter-sessional work undertaken by Governments, the
Commission reaffirms the need for additional substantial efforts and real
progress by States, in particular the developed countries, in changing their
unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and in assisting in
redressing the present imbalances obtaining between industrialized and
developing nations.  It welcomes further contributions from the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UNEP and other international
organizations, such as OECD, in this area.

34.  The Commission notes with concern the significant gaps in per capita
income between developing and developed countries and the continuing current
imbalances in the global patterns of consumption and production.  The
Commission notes also with concern that the growing recognition of the need to
address patterns of production and consumption has not yet been matched by a
full understanding of the implications of such patterns on economic, social
and environmental conditions at the local, national and global levels.  In
order to most effectively design and implement public policies consistent with
the earth's carrying capacity, more needs to be known about the role of
current and projected consumption and production patterns in relation to
environmental quality, economic growth and population dynamics.  Thus,
sustainability, including equity concerns, should continue to be addressed by
Governments, the Commission, and other forums in their deliberations on how
changing production and consumption patterns will affect environmental, social
and economic conditions in and among countries at all levels of development.

35.  The Commission urges Governments at all levels, business and industry,
and consumers to intensify efforts at reducing the energy and material
intensities of production and consumption, through improving energy
efficiency, taking energy-saving measures, technological innovations and
transfer, increased waste recovery, and reusing and recycling of materials. 
The Commission stresses that all countries have, and should exploit,
opportunities for further improving efficiency in resource consumption and for
reducing environmentally harmful by-products of current consumption and
production patterns in accordance with national priorities and international
agreements, for example, by promoting the use of renewable energy sources.  In
this context, taking into account the particular needs and conditions of
developing countries, and based on the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities, the Commission urges developed countries to intensify effort
to encourage the transfer of appropriate technologies to developing countries
to assist them in such efforts.

36.  The Commission notes that the above-mentioned Oslo Conference, which
focused on consumption and production patterns in the developed countries,
highlighted the demand-side and supply-side issues as deserving of equal
emphasis and referred to the life-cycle approach to assessing the
environmental, social and economic impacts associated with unsustainable
production and consumption patterns.  To this end, the Commission emphasizes
the responsibility shared by all stakeholders in society.  Governments should
provide an overall framework, including the regulations, economic incentives
and infrastructure required to create the necessary conditions and facilities
for business, industry and households to move towards sustainable production
and consumption patterns.  Business and industry in developed countries should
fulfil their responsibility for managing the life-cycle impact of the goods
and services that they supply, and are encouraged to provide information on
the environmental and health effects arising from the production and
consumption of their products.  Households, particularly in developed
countries, should adopt sustainable consumption habits and lifestyles.  In
this regard, public awareness campaigns, education and community-based
voluntary action could contribute to fostering changes in lifestyles.

37.  The Commission reaffirms that Governments themselves also play a role in
consumption, particularly in countries where the public sector plays a large
role in the economy and can have a considerable influence on both corporate
decisions and public perceptions.  Governments should therefore review the
purchasing policies of their agencies and departments so that they may
improve, where possible, the environmental content of government procurement
policies, without prejudice to international trade principles.  Governments
and intergovernmental organizations, through appropriate mechanisms, may
exchange information and experiences consistent with national laws and
regulations in the area of their procurement policies.

38.  The Commission takes note of the lack of information identified in the
report of the Secretary-General on changing consumption and production
patterns (E/CN.17/1995/13) and other documents, and calls on Governments,
international organizations, legislative bodies, research and scientific
institutions, business and industry, and consumer organizations and other
non-governmental organizations to join in concerted efforts to provide
comprehensive information on the status of, and changes and projected trends
in, the environment, ecosystems and the natural resources base at the
national, regional and global levels.  At the product level, while the
Commission recognizes the need to reaffirm the importance of informing
consumers about any environmental and health effects arising from the
production and consumption of a given product, it notes that such information
should not be used as a disguise for protectionist trade measures.

39.  Given the long time-frame in which the interactions of economic
activities and the environment take place, the Commission reiterates the need
for launching medium- and long-term studies to monitor and track the evolution
of production and consumption patterns as well as associated environmental,
social and economic impacts, both within and among nations.  Such studies
should cover technological innovation and transfer, economic growth and
development, and demographic factors.  They should produce quantifiable and
measurable indicators so as to facilitate policy analysis and debate on
relevant issues and trends.  In undertaking these studies, attention should be
paid to the various effects, including the potential trade effects and in
particular the effects on developing countries and countries with economies in
transition, of new measures and policy stances to be adopted in promoting
sustainable production and consumption.

40.  The Commission calls for the promotion of internalization of
environmental costs, taking into account the polluter-pays principle, with due
regard to the public interest and without distorting international trade and
investment.  In this regard, it welcomes progress made so far, including in
countries with economies in transition and developing countries, in further
analysing, adapting and applying various measures and policy instruments
designed to internalize environmental externalities.  The Commission
recognizes that command-and-control measures and social and economic
instruments all have their role to play in changing production and consumption
patterns.  Governments should take into account local and national conditions
in designing and implementing such instruments.  In the long run, economic and
other market-based instruments are likely to be more cost-effective in
bringing about sustained changes in producer and consumer behaviour.  In this
regard, the Commission invites Governments to consider introducing economic
measures, including tax and subsidies reform designed to reduce negative
environmental impacts and support employment.

41.  The Commission regards natural resource accounting as a valuable tool
for the comprehensive full-cost pricing of resource use, and calls upon
Governments and international organizations to promote efforts aimed at
integrating natural resource accounting into standard systems of national
accounts.  The Commission welcomes pilot projects launched by United Nations
agencies in this area and urges Governments, as appropriate, to give full
support to these activities.

42.  The Commission recognizes the international dimensions of national
efforts to change consumption and production patterns within the context of
common but differentiated responsibilities.  The Commission emphasizes that
strengthened international cooperation in harmonizing criteria for the setting
of voluntary product standards, with due regard to the specific environmental,
social and economic conditions in developing producer/exporting countries,
should take into account concerns about market access and the competitiveness
of products and services.  In this regard, the Commission calls upon
Governments to intensify efforts to encourage the transfer of appropriate
technology.

43.  The Commission also recognizes the wide scope and multiplicity of the
issues related to consumption and production patterns.  The Commission
stresses the importance of and encourages the exchange of information at all
levels on experience in changing production and consumption patterns.

44.  The Commission welcomes in this regard the initiative of the Republic of
Korea to organize a workshop on policy measures for changing consumption
patterns.  Further reviews of country experiences might be initiated by the
Commission on Sustainable Development in collaboration with relevant United
Nations bodies, including the regional commissions, and other international
organizations.

45.  Taking into account the preceding paragraphs, the Commission adopts for
its future work on changing production and consumption patterns the following
work programme:

A.  Identifying the policy implications of projected trends in consumption
    and production patterns

     The Commission will review periodic reports containing long-term
projections of the world economy with a time-horizon of up to 40 years.  Such
projections should cover, inter alia, resource consumption and associated
environmental, social and economic impacts, with particular reference to
developing countries' efforts at meeting basic needs, eradicating poverty and
achieving economic growth.  Such studies should, inter alia, build upon the
existing work of the United Nations system and other international
organizations, and should make use of global models designed to project a
number of indicators on environmental stress and its impact on the environment
and human health.

     B.  Assessing the impact on developing countries, especially the least
         developed countries and small island developing States, of changes
         in consumption and production in developed countries

     The Commission will review periodic reports on the economic, social and
environmental impacts, particularly on developing countries, of world-wide
changes in consumption and production patterns.  Such reports should assess,
inter alia, the additional trade opportunities open to developing countries
arising from the increasing demand for environmentally sound products in
developed countries, as well as possible adverse impacts on exports from
developing countries.  The reports should also examine the prospects of
increasing technology transfer through enhanced foreign direct investment.

     C.  Evaluating the effectiveness of policy measures intended to change
         consumption and production patterns, such as command-and-control,
         economic and social instruments, government procurement policies
         and guidelines

     The Commission will review reports on the effectiveness of policy
measures in changing consumption and production patterns, for example, through
the internalization of environmental costs.  The reports should evaluate the
performance of command-and-control, social and economic instruments in
country-specific situations with a view to facilitating a better understanding
of the policy options that are available to policy makers in all countries.

     D.  Eliciting timebound voluntary commitment from countries to make
         measurable progress on those sustainable development goals that
         have an especially high priority at the national level

     The Commission will review a synthesis of national information to assess
progress in fulfilling timebound commitments by Governments concerned on a
voluntary basis.  In this context, the Commission urges Governments and other
stakeholders to use the report of the Oslo Ministerial Roundtable Conference
on Sustainable Production and Consumption, entitled "Elements for an
international work programme on sustainable production and consumption", as a
basis for actions and for discussion in suitable forums, and thereafter to
report to the Commission on the implementation of those recommendations
considered most appropriate, in time for consideration by the Commission at
its fifth session, in 1997.

     E.  Revision of the guidelines for consumer protection

     The Commission recommends that the guidelines for consumer protection
adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 39/248 of 9 April 1985 be
expanded to include guidelines for sustainable consumption patterns. 

46.  The Commission urges Governments, the various organizations and bodies
of the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, the
secretariats of the various international conventions, and major groups,
particularly local authorities, business and industry, to undertake specific
elements of the Commission's work programme on changing production and
consumption patterns.  The Commission stresses the importance of exchanging
country experiences.  The Commission also notes with appreciation ongoing OECD
work on sustainable production and consumption, and encourages OECD to submit
the results of its work in this area to the Commission as soon as possible. 
The Commission recommends the convening of an expert meeting on sustainable
production and consumption patterns, with the widest possible participation
and hosted by interested Governments, to be held before its next substantive
session with a view to collecting information, ideas and suggestions for the
follow-up of this work.


              5.  Trade, environment and sustainable development
                                                                              

 47. The Commission reiterates the initial perspectives for consideration in
subsequent work on trade and environment issues contained in its 1994 decision
and stresses that trade and environment policies should be mutually supportive
in promoting sustainable development.  This requires that account be taken of
the special conditions and development needs of the developing countries. 
There is also a need for support to build institutional capacity in the area
of trade and development and environmental assessment in developing countries
and countries with economies in transition.  There is also a need for
complementarity, coordination, transparency and accountability among
international organizations involved in the development of policies on trade
and environment.

48.  The Commission considered a number of key issues related to the linkages
among trade, environment and sustainable development.  These include product
measures and market access, process standards and competitiveness,
internalization of environmental externalities and trade, multilateral
environmental agreements and trade policy, environmental factors as trading
opportunities, and trade policies and the environment.  Each of these issues
involves conceptual and empirical as well as policy questions.  Ongoing work
in different international organizations aims at clarifying these issues,
through policy analysis and debate, and at deriving policy conclusions
therefrom.  Major groups, such as non-governmental organizations and the
private sector, are also addressing trade and environment linkages and are
making important contributions to a better understanding of them, as well as
to awareness-building and public education.  

49.  The Commission stresses that States should cooperate to promote a
supportive and open international economic system that would lead to economic
growth and sustainable development in all countries, so as to better address
the problems of environmental degradation.

50.  The Commission notes that the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
negotiations agreements represent a substantial liberalization of
international trade, the strengthening of multilateral rules and disciplines
to ensure stability and predictability in trade relations, the establishing of
rules and disciplines in new areas and the founding of a new institutional
framework in the form of the World Trade Organization, with an integrated
dispute-settlement mechanism that should avert unilateral actions that are
against international trade rules.  The agreements thus represent an essential
element for the achievement of global sustained economic growth for the
benefit of all countries, in particular developing countries, which is a
fundamental element for achieving sustainable development.  In this context,
the Commission calls for the urgent and full implementation of the agreements
contained in the Final Act Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations,  5/ stresses the urgent need for trade
liberalization, including through substantial reduction of tariffs and other
barriers to trade and the elimination of discriminatory treatment in
international trade relations, and improved access to markets of all
countries, in particular those of developed countries.

51.  The Commission on Sustainable Development stresses the importance of the
work of the Committee on Trade and Environment of the World Trade
Organization, in accordance with its mandate, which calls upon the Committee
to make appropriate recommendations on whether any modifications of the
provisions of the multilateral trading system are required, compatible with
the open, equitable and non-discriminatory nature of the system, as regards,
in particular (a) the need for rules to enhance positive interaction between
trade and environmental measures, for the promotion of sustainable
development, with special consideration given to the needs of developing
countries, in particular those of the least developed among them; and (b) the
avoidance of protectionist trade measures, and the adherence to effective
multilateral disciplines to ensure responsiveness of the multilateral trading
system to environmental objectives set forth in Agenda 21 and the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development,  6/ in particular principle
12; and (c) surveillance of trade measures used for environmental purposes, of
trade-related aspects of environmental measures that have significant trade
effects, and of effective implementation of the multilateral disciplines
governing those measures.

52.  The Commission notes that positive measures, such as improved market
access, improved access to finance, access to and transfer of technology,
capacity-building and special provisions for small firms, are effective
instruments to support developing countries and countries in transition in
their efforts to internalize environmental costs.

53.  The Commission reiterates paragraph 32 of its 1994 decision.  It further
notes that trade provisions in multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)
should be transparent and should not constitute a means of arbitrary or
unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international
trade. In accordance with principle 12 of the Rio Declaration, unilateral
actions to deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the
importing country should be avoided.  Environmental measures addressing
transboundary or global environmental problems should, as far as possible, be
based on international consensus.  

54.  The Commission recognizes that progress has been made by virtue of the
new World Trade Organization provisions, and underscores the importance of
building on these accomplishments, in particular with regard to transparency
and the use of outside review groups where specialized knowledge is relevant.

55.  The Commission reaffirms that efforts should be geared to promoting the
convergence of environmental standards and regulations at a high level of
environmental protection, while bearing in mind that regulations and standards
that are valid in the most advanced countries may be inappropriate and have
unwarranted economic and social costs for the developing countries.  It
further notes the importance of transparency of environmental regulations and
standards and of supporting developing countries in the development of
effective domestic regulations and standards.

56.  The Commission considers that there is a need to analyse the potential
effects of product-specific policies, in particular those based on life-cycle
approaches, which have emerged recently, such as eco-labelling and certain
packaging and recycling requirements, especially as regards their potential
impacts on the exports of developing countries and countries with economies in
transition.  It is also important to analyse how improved transparency and
international cooperation could be strengthened so as to facilitate the export
prospects of developing countries and as a means of strengthening
environmental protection.

57.  The Commission notes that consumer preferences for
"environment-friendly" products may create trading opportunities including for
developing countries. More work is needed to specify ways and means by which
the credibility of environmental claims relating to products and technologies
can be substantiated. 
58.  The Commission considers that further trade liberalization is a
necessary but not sufficient condition for sustainable development.  Trade
liberalization along with sustained economic growth can be expected to pave
the way for the gradual raising of environmental standards at the national and
the global level.  At the same time, trade liberalization needs to be
complemented by the adoption of sound environmental policies.  National
Governments have an interest in analysing environmental and social effects of
significant changes in the volume and composition in production and
consumption patterns, including those resulting from trade policy reforms, and
making, if required, the necessary policy adjustments with a view to
correcting market and policy failures and internalizing environmental costs.

59.  Within the context of the overall aims of sustainable development, the
Commission welcomes the substantial progress achieved in the World Trade
Organization, UNCTAD and UNEP, in particular through the work of the World
Trade Organization Committee on Trade and the Environment, the UNCTAD Ad Hoc
Working Group on Trade, Environment and Development and the joint UNEP/UNCTAD
programme, as well as the important role of UNEP, in particular in relation to
multilateral environmental agreements, and invites the institutions concerned,
as well as OECD, to continue their work on trade and the environment.  It
further emphasizes efforts to make trade and environment mutually supportive
through, inter alia, strengthening technical assistance for capacity-building
undertaken by UNCTAD, UNDP and UNEP, including in integrating the
consideration of all factors relevant to the formulation of trade and
sustainable development policies.  The Commission considers that the present
division of labour in the international discussions on trade and the
environment is generally satisfactory and stresses the need for continued
close cooperation and complementarity in the work of the World Trade
Organization, UNEP and UNCTAD.  In this context, the Commission invites UNEP
and UNCTAD to continue their joint initiative, preferably at a technical level
with a focused agenda.

60.  The Commission invites UNCTAD, the task manager for trade and
environment, in cooperation with UNEP, the World Trade Organization, FAO, WHO,
the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the
United Nations Secretariat and other appropriate institutions, to prepare a
background paper for the Commission that would review the growing volume of
research on trade, environment and sustainable development linkages carried
out by international organizations, as well as academic institutions and non-
governmental organizations in developed and developing countries, including
within the framework of projects supported by international and bilateral aid
agencies with a view to identifying possible gaps, including through the use
of independent trade and environment expert groups.

61.  As called for in Agenda 21, the Commission recommends that Governments
of developed countries and multilateral aid agencies strengthen efforts to
improve access to markets, finance and access to and transfer of technology
and to build capacity in order to support developing countries and countries
with economies in transition in their efforts to internalize environmental
costs.  UNCTAD in cooperation with UNDP, FAO and UNEP and other international
bodies, programmes and organizations is invited to undertake further work in
this area with a view to identifying innovative approaches.  The joint
UNEP/UNCTAD programme is also invited to carry out further work in this area,
giving particular attention to principle 16 of the Rio Declaration and
capacity-building in developing countries and countries with economies in
transition, in cooperation with other relevant organizations, such as FAO.

62.  In order to gain better understanding on the impact of the
internalization of environmental costs on competitiveness and trade earnings,
particularly in developing countries, UNCTAD is invited to carry out an
analytical study on the relationship of environmental protection to
international competitiveness, job creation and development, with the input of
Governments, regional economic integration organizations, the private sector
and non-governmental organizations as well as other relevant regional and
international organizations.

63.  The Commission invites UNCTAD and UNEP in cooperation with the World
Trade Organization, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
and other relevant international organizations to analyse how transparency and
international cooperation could be strengthened with respect to
product-specific policies, in particular to eco-labelling and certain
packaging and recycling requirements, so as to avoid or mitigate adverse trade
effects, including through the provision of technical assistance to developing
countries and countries with economies in transition and other measures aimed
at facilitating their exports.

64.  The Commission recognizes that eco-labelling and recycling requirements
must be transparent and should take into account the special situation and
needs of the developing countries and countries with economies in transition. 
The Commission encourages UNCTAD and UNEP, in cooperation with other relevant
international organizations, to continue to explore the scope for mutual
recognition among eco-labelling schemes on the basis of environmental
equivalencies or appropriately high levels of environmental protection.

65.  The Commission invites UNCTAD and UNEP, in cooperation with UNDP,
international financial institutions (IFIs) and other international bodies,
programmes and organizations to examine the effects of trade measures in MEAs
on the achievement of environmental goals and on trade and competitiveness of
developing countries and countries with economies in transition and how
positive measures can assist those countries in meeting their obligations
under the agreements.

66.  With respect to eco-labelling and environment-friendly products, the
Commission invites multilateral and bilateral development institutions to
provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to developing countries and
countries with economies in transition in order to facilitate their
participation in international work on eco-labelling and environment-friendly
products carried out by ISO and other relevant international organizations. 

67.  The Commission invites the joint UNEP/UNCTAD programme to carry out
further work, in cooperation with UNDP and other relevant international
organizations, on the development of a framework to facilitate the assessment
of the environmental impact of trade policies, taking into account the special
needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. 
Such work should take into account the different elements mentioned in
paragraph 33 of the 1994 Commission on Sustainable Development decision.

68.  The Commission notes the ongoing work of OECD on trade and environment
and encourages it to submit the results of its work to the Commission on
Sustainable Development.

69.  The Commission encourages Governments to develop or strengthen processes
to assess the environmental effects of trade policies, enhance coordination
between environmental and trade policies, including cooperation between
environmental and trade officials in the policy development process, and
promote transparency and openness to the public in these processes.

70.  The Commission encourages cooperation and exchange of experiences among
countries to develop and strengthen environmental protection laws and
programmes in the pursuit of the mutual supportiveness of trade and
environment.

71.  The Commission encourages international organizations, Governments and
the business community, and non-governmental organizations, to promote the
implementation of trade and sustainable development principles consistent with
Agenda 21.

72.  The Commission reiterates the importance of achieving transparency,
openness and the active involvement of the public and experts in relation to
work on trade and environment.


                             6.  Combating poverty

73.  The Commission welcomes the Copenhagen Declaration on Social
Development  7/ and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social
Development.  8/  With reference to combating poverty, it takes note, in
particular, of commitment 2 of the Declaration  9/ in which Governments
commit themselves to the goal of eradicating poverty in the world, through
decisive national actions and international cooperation.  The Commission
recalls that the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 6/ embodies
the principle that eradicating poverty is an indispensable requirement of
sustainable development, and that all States and all people shall cooperate in
this essential task.  The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change  10/ in its section on commitments,  11/ and the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing
Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa,  12/ in
its preambular section also recognize that economic and social development and
poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of the developing
countries and are essential to meeting sustainability objectives.  This was
reiterated in the recent decisions of the first session of the Conference of
the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held
in Berlin.  The Commission further notes that in all the major United Nations
conferences held since 1990, including the World Summit for Children, the
International Conference on Nutrition, the World Conference on Human Rights,
the International Conference on Population and Development and the World
Summit for Social Development, there has been a recognition of the need to
launch a global attack on poverty and commitments made in recognition of that
need.  The forthcoming 1995 World Conference on Women should similarly
emphasize the importance of women in strategies to eradicate poverty.

74.  The Commission stresses that the link between poverty eradication and
sustainable development is complex and must be clearly understood.  People
living in poverty, with their meagre consumption, are also often reduced, by
their lack of income and command over productive resources and their social
exclusion, to eking out a precarious existence on marginal and ecologically
fragile ecosystems where they often live under life- and health-threatening
circumstances as well.  The Commission is deeply convinced that economic
development, social development and environmental protection are
interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development,
which is the framework for efforts to achieve a higher quality of life for all
people.  Equitable social development that recognizes empowering of the poor
to utilize environmental resources sustainably is a necessary foundation for
sustainable development.  Broad-based and sustained economic growth within the
context of sustainable development is necessary to sustain social development
and social justice.

75.  The Commission affirms that economic growth will continue to be
important to combat poverty in the long run particularly in developing
countries, but reliance cannot be placed on economic growth alone to combat
poverty.  There is an urgent need to formulate or strengthen policies and
strategies geared to substantially reducing overall poverty in the shortest
possible time, and reducing inequalities, and to eradicate absolute poverty by
a target date to be specified by each country within its national context. 
Such strategies should also incorporate measures to ensure environmental
sustainability.  The essential task of eradicating poverty is an indispensable
requirement for sustainable development.  Strategies aimed at poverty
eradication are also necessary to prevent the overexploiting of natural
resources out of sheer survival strategies, which leads to the degradation of
resources required to sustain populations over the long term.

76.  The Commission stresses the need for a multidimensional and integrated
approach towards the goal of poverty eradication in partnership with all
actors of civil society.  To this end, national strategies should be geared
towards the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development
and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, in
particular commitment 2 of the Declaration and chapter II of the Programme of
Action.  National budgets and policies should be oriented, as necessary, to
meeting basic needs, reducing inequalities and targeting poverty as a
strategic objective.  The Commission further stresses that the promotion of
full employment and the sustainable use of resources is an essential
requirement for combating poverty and promoting social integration.  The
Commission notes that this is the primary responsibility of States themselves.

Governments must create an enabling economic environment aimed at promoting
more equitable access for all to income, resources and social services.  The
Commission recognizes that women, as constituting the majority of the people
living in abject poverty, and who bear a disproportionate share of the burden
of poverty, must be a central focus of poverty eradication efforts.  It also
urges the introduction of programmes that would focus on the specific needs of
children and youth, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the
Child.  13/  The Commission also recognizes that full participation of
people living in poverty in the design, planning and implementation of
projects aimed at the eradication of poverty would help ensure effective
implementation of such strategies.

77.  The Commission urges Governments to reaffirm, promote and strive to
ensure the realization of rights contained in relevant international
instruments and declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights,  14/ the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights  15/ and the Declaration on the Right to Development,  16/
including those relating to education, food, shelter, employment, health and
information, particularly in order to assist people living in poverty.  The
Commission also recognizes the need to promote, as regards people living in
poverty, access to - and opportunity for - food, water, employment, shelter,
education, health, information, transportation and other essential public
services.  People living in poverty must be enabled so as to have access to
productive resources and sustainable livelihoods, including credit, land,
education and training, and technology.  They should also be empowered to
participate in the formulation and implementation of the policies and
decisions affecting them. 

78.  The Commission reaffirms that a favourable international economic
environment, and the critical provision of financial and technical assistance
flows, are essential catalysts towards poverty eradication.  Better terms of
trade, better access to markets, particularly for labour-intensive products,
for agricultural and agro-based products, and for those of medium- and
small-scale enterprises, access to and transfer of environmentally sound
technology on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential
terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the need to protect
intellectual property rights as well as the special needs of developing
countries are therefore also important conditions for sustainability.  An
effective, equitable, development-oriented and durable solution to the
external debt problems of heavily indebted least developed and other low-
income countries, particularly sub-Saharan countries, would be helpful to free
up resources for programmes aimed at the eradication of poverty.  Transfer of
environmentally sound technologies is also indispensable for the adoption of
sustainable production patterns both in industry and in agriculture.  The
Commission also stresses that activities geared towards eradication of poverty
should be accompanied by meaningful programmes that aim to substantially
reduce environmentally and socially unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption.

79.  The Commission stresses the need for the public accountability of
private businesses.

80.  The Commission reiterates the need for full implementation of the
commitments, agreements and targets agreed upon by the international community
aimed at the eradication of poverty.  The Commission calls upon Governments,
the international community, including the United Nations system, and IFIs as
well as non-governmental organizations to pursue implementation in this
context of commitment 2 of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development
and chapters II and V of the Programme of Action of the World Summit for
Social Development, and chapter 3 of Agenda 21.

81.  The Commission recommends that the Economic and Social Council, when
considering a common framework for the implementation of the outcome of United
Nations conferences in the economic and social fields, examine how to ensure
synergy and cooperation between the Commission on Sustainable Development and
other functional Commissions with responsibilities in the area of poverty
eradication, including consideration about the proper division of labour among
them.

82.  The Commission suggests to the Economic and Social Council that in its
future work the Commission on Sustainable Development focus its attention on
the linkages between programmes aimed at poverty eradication and sustainable
development deriving from Agenda 21 and the Copenhagen Declaration on Social
Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social
Development.


                  7.  Demographic dynamics and sustainability

83.  The Commission on Sustainable Development takes note of the report of
the Secretary-General on demographic dynamics and sustainability
(E/CN.17/1995/15), including the proposals for action contained therein. 
Within this context, the Commission urges Governments to implement fully the
Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and
Development  17/ and emphasizes as well the importance of the follow-up
mechanism defined in General Assembly resolution 49/128 to monitor
implementation at the national, regional and international levels.

84.  The Commission fully acknowledges that population, poverty, health,
education, technology, patterns of production and consumption and the
environment are closely interconnected.  There is therefore a need to achieve
a sustainable relationship among population, resources and development.  The
Commission stresses the full and equal participation of women in all aspects
of sustainable development planning and programmes.  The Commission
furthermore recognizes that chapter 5 of Agenda 21 and chapter III of the
Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and
Development reinforce one another, and together form a comprehensive and
compelling up-to-date account as to what needs to be done about the interface
among population, environment and sustainable development.

85.  The Commission thus welcomes chapter III of the Programme of Action of
the International Conference on Population and Development which calls on
Governments, with the support of the international community and regional and
subregional organizations, to formulate and implement population-related
policies and programmes to support the objectives and actions agreed in
Agenda 21 and other conferences and other international agreements, taking
into account the common but differentiated responsibilities reflected in those
agreements.

86.  The Commission acknowledges that many of the linkages among population,
environment and development need further study.  The national reports of the
developing countries contain useful information on these linkages.

87.  The Commission recommends that Governments, international organizations
and other relevant bodies undertake research on the linkages among population,
poverty, consumption and production, environment and natural resources,
education and human health as a guide to effective sustainable development
policies.

88.  Although the Commission notes that the integration of population
concerns into national planning poses some challenges, it commends the
accomplishments of the last two decades in the formation of central government
institutions charged with the implementation of comprehensive
population-related policies and programmes.  The Commission on Sustainable
Development welcomes the fact that more recently steps have been taken to
integrate population issues into other levels of development planning.

89.  The Commission recommends to Governments that they reinforce their
efforts at institution-building in the field of population, environment and
development-related policies with a view to achieving prompt integration of
population concerns into sustainable development planning and policies.

90.  The Commission urges regional intergovernmental organizations, United
Nations system organizations, funds and programmes, and non-governmental
organizations to make further progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 and
the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and
Development.

91.  The Commission notes with concern that, due to cumulative effects of
global and local environmental degradation, populations are at risk in some
areas.  The Commission therefore invites the Commission on Population and
Development, with the assistance of UNDP, the United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA), UNEP and other relevant institutions, to prepare at reasonable
intervals a report on populations at risk because of environmental degradation
and their needs for additional assistance, including from the international
community.

92.  The Commission notes the growing awareness of the linkages among
development, environmental protection and the empowerment of women.  In
accordance with decisions taken at relevant United Nations conferences, it
calls upon Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and major
groups to give particular attention to the need to involve women in
decision-making at all levels of population- and sustainable development-
related strategies, policies, projects and programmes.  The Commission also
calls for the further promotion of measures directed at empowerment of women,
ensuring their full access to literacy, education and training, and health,
and at the removal of all obstacles to their access to credit and other
productive resources and to their ability to buy, hold and sell property and
land equally with men.  Such empowerment is an important factor in influencing
demographic trends and sustainability.

93.  The Commission recognizes the important role that non-governmental
organizations have played in Rio de Janeiro and in Cairo and play locally, and
encourages them to increase their communications, cooperation and coordination
at the local, regional and international levels with a view to enhancing their
contribution to the mutual understanding of issues related to population and
development and facilitating their active participation in the implementation
of chapter 5 of Agenda 21 and chapter III of the Programme of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development.

94.  The Commission calls upon all countries to consider making contributions
to the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International
Conference on Population and Development, taking into account the provisions
of chapters XIII and XIV of the Programme of Action, and the economic
constraints faced by developing countries, and urges the international
community to promote a supportive international economic environment.

95.  The Commission also recognizes that the effective implementation of the
Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and
Development will require an increased commitment of financial resources, both
domestically and externally, and within this context calls upon the developed
countries to complement the national financial efforts of developing countries
on population and development and to intensify their efforts to transfer new
and additional resources to the developing countries, in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the Programme of Action of the International Conference
on Population and Development, in order to ensure that population and
development objectives and goals are met.

96.  The Commission recommends that the Economic and Social Council, when
considering a common framework for the implementation of the outcome of United
Nations conferences in the economic and social field, examine how to ensure
synergy and cooperation between the Commission on Sustainable Development and
the Commission on Population and Development.


               8.  Progress in the implementation of decisions on
                   sectoral issues adopted by the second session
                   of the Commission on Sustainable Development

97.  The Commission recalls the decisions taken on the sectoral clusters of
"Health, human settlements and freshwater" and "Toxic chemicals and hazardous
wastes" at the second session of the Commission on Sustainable Development,
requests detailed consideration regarding the follow-up activities thereon and
urges further efforts to ensure the full implementation of these decisions.

98.  The Commission notes that in the area of health a joint WHO/UNDP
interregional initiative has succeeded in incorporating health-and-environment
concerns in the preparation of national plans for sustainable development in
12 countries so far.  Regional initiatives relating health and environment
within the context of sustainable development have led to the creation of an
Environment Health Action Plan for Europe and the preparatory work for a
Pan-American Conference on Health and the Environment in Sustainable
Development is under way. 

99.  In the area of human settlements, the Commission notes that substantial
progress has been made in the development of an electronic catalog of "best
practice" as regards environmental planning and management, including
performance indicators.  Initiatives in this area are based on the land
management component of two ongoing inter-agency projects, the Urban
Management Programme and Sustainable Cities Programme, which launched
demonstration activities in several cities achieving tangible results
particularly with regard to stimulating national initiatives.  

100. The comprehensive assessment of freshwater resources has started under
the auspices of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC)
Subcommittee on Water Resources with the involvement of a core group of its
member organizations composed of the Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat, UNEP, the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), FAO, WHO
and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) working
with the Stockholm Environment Institute.  The Commission again invites
Governments to cooperate actively and encourages countries to provide
financial support to this important initiative and looks forward to reviewing
the work at its session in 1997.

101. In the area of environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals the
Commission welcomes the progress in establishing the mechanism of the
Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals among UNEP,
the International Labour Organization (ILO), FAO, WHO, UNIDO and OECD; the
first meeting of the Inter-sessional Group of the Intergovernmental Forum on
Chemical Safety, held in Bruges, Belgium, 20-23 March 1995; and the progress
in the implementation of the voluntary Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure
as well as the preparation for the development of an internationally legally
binding instrument for its application.

102. The Commission takes note of the initiatives of the Summit of the
Americas (Miami, 9-11 December 1994) and the follow-up, United States of
America and Mexico-hosted International Workshop on Phasing Lead Out of
Gasoline (Washington, D.C., 14 and 15 March 1995), in particular the efforts
by developing countries and the commitments made by countries in the western
hemisphere at the Summit of the Americas to develop action plans to achieve a
phase-out of the use of lead in gasoline.

103. The Commission calls upon all countries to consider and all interested
countries to develop action plans with a view to phasing out or reducing the
use of lead in gasoline, and invites them to inform the Commission on
Sustainable Development of their decisions and progress as appropriate at the
fourth session of the Commission in 1996.  To this end, in the context of the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, donor countries and
international financial institutions should assist developing countries in the
financing and transfer of relevant technologies in accordance with chapters 33
and 34 of Agenda 21.  Furthermore, developing countries are encouraged to
disseminate their acquired knowledge and experience in the reduction of or
phasing out of leaded gasoline, including the use of biomass ethanol as an
environmentally sound substitute for lead in gasoline.  The Commission further
calls upon countries to guard against the replacement of lead in gasoline with
the excessive use of aromatics that are also harmful to human health.

104. The Commission welcomes and supports the work of the International Coral
Reef Initiative (ICRI) and its goal of encouraging strategies for sustainable
management of fragile coral reef systems.

105. The Commission welcomes the action of the General Conference of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in September 1994, which
initiated the preparation for a convention on the safe management of
radioactive wastes.


           9.  Information provided by Governments and organizations

106. The Commission noted with appreciation the receipt of information from
55 States and organizations.  It welcomed the country presentations on
national experiences in elaborating sustainable development strategies and on
land management and sustainable agriculture.

107. The Commission also welcomed the work of the Secretariat in simplifying
the guidelines in order to facilitate further exchange of information and to
present a summary report on the information obtained from the guidelines
supplemented by graphs and tables.

108. The Commission requested the Secretariat to further streamline and
simplify the guidelines for the 1996 session in order to facilitate further
exchange of information on national and other relevant experience in
implementing Agenda 21; in particular, the streamlining should allow country
reports to focus on identifiable achievements and lessons learned.

109. The Commission requested relevant organizations within and outside the
United Nations system, as well as donors, to provide, upon request, technical
and financial assistance to developing countries for the preparation of
national strategies for sustainable development, national Agenda 21 action
plans and periodic communications and reports on these activities to the
Commission on Sustainable Development.  The Commission noted the intention of
several donors and organizations to consider such requests favourably.

110. The Commission requested the Secretariat to provide draft guidelines for
obtaining information on the overall implementation of Agenda 21 for the 1997
special session of the General Assembly, to be considered at the fourth
session of the Commission.


                    B.  Financial resources and mechanisms

111. The Commission on Sustainable Development recalls the financial
recommendations and commitments set out in chapter 33 of Agenda 21, especially
those in paragraphs 33.13 and 33.14 thereof.

112. The Commission emphasizes that, in general, the financing for the
implementation of Agenda 21 will come from a country's own public and private
sectors.  For developing countries, particularly the least developed
countries, official development assistance (ODA) is a main source of external
funding; substantial new and additional funding for sustainable development
and the implementation of Agenda 21 will be required.  Furthermore, ODA plays
a significant role in addressing sustainable development concerns in those
areas of the world, as well as in addressing social and environmental concerns
and meeting the needs of certain infrastructural sectors that currently are
not favourably placed to attract private financial flows, including foreign
direct investment.  The decline of ODA, both in absolute terms and as a
percentage of gross national product (GNP), remains a matter of great concern
to the Commission.

113. The Commission urges the developed countries to continue pursuing
policies aimed at increasing the flow of ODA to developing countries,
consistent with the commitments that they made at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development.

114. The Commission, in its work on monitoring the implementation of
recommendations and commitments of Agenda 21 related to ODA, will promote:

     (a) New approaches to enhancing the effectiveness of ODA and increasing
it within relevant bilateral and multilateral mechanisms with the objective of
achieving the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of GNP, as reaffirmed in
chapter 33.13 of Agenda 21, as soon as possible;

     (b) Improved cooperation and coordination among national institutions in
recipient and donor countries, international organizations (including
financial institutions) and the private sector and the non-governmental
organizations, as appropriate, inter alia, through the elaboration of national
sustainable development strategies and plans, with a view to enhancing the
effectiveness of ODA delivery and use;

     (c) Use of ODA to leverage additional domestic and external financial
resources, through various innovative schemes (such as co-financing and joint
ventures, underwriting of country risks, and venture capital funds) in order
to more efficiently mobilize new financial flows for sustainable development
from all potential sources.  In this context, the Commission could initiate
case-studies of national experiences in this area;

     (d) Public and political support in donor countries for raising the
levels of ODA, including through highlighting its crucial role for sustainable
development and reform measures, as appropriate, in recipient countries that
increase its effectiveness;
     
     (e) International awareness of the importance of an adequate eleventh
replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA), which is to
come into effect from June 1996.

115. The Commission welcomes the increase in private capital flows, while
recognizing that they are concentrated in a few countries and sectors. 
However, the fact that their stability and sustainability and their
environment and technology transfer content are not assured remains a cause
for concern for the Commission and requires monitoring.  Therefore, the
Commission invites UNCTAD and the international financial institutions, in
particular the Bretton Woods institutions, to carry out further studies in
this regard, focusing on the high volatility and short-term nature of a
substantial part of such flows and proposing measures to stimulate more
long-term capital flows and to reduce the destabilizing effects of highly
volatile short-term financial flows, and to share the results with the
Commission.

116. The Commission emphasizes that developed and developing countries should
encourage policies to promote private foreign investment in developing
countries that can contribute to sustainable development.  In addition,
consideration should be given to the establishment of mechanisms and
international arrangements to address the effects of sudden outflows of
private capital from developing countries.

117. The Commission reiterates the fact that further progress is essential
for the achievement of an effective, equitable, development-oriented and
durable solution to the external debt problems of a large number of developing
countries, particularly the poorest and most heavily indebted among them.  The
Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development of the World Summit for Social
Development suggests even more favourable terms of debt relief measures.  It
highlights the importance of ensuring the urgent implementation of existing
debt relief agreements and negotiating further initiatives, in addition to
existing ones, to alleviate the debt of the poorest and heavily indebted
low-income countries at an early date, especially through more favourable
terms of debt forgiveness, including application of the terms of debt
forgiveness agreed upon in the Paris Club in December 1994, which encompass
debt reduction, including cancellation or other debt relief measures; where
appropriate, these countries should be given a reduction of their bilateral
official debt sufficient to enable them to exit from the rescheduling process
and resume growth and development.  

118. The Commission further emphasizes that measures to tackle the problem of
external debt should also include the consideration and implementation, where
appropriate, of innovative mechanisms such as debt-for-nature and debt-for-
social development swaps.  The Commission takes note of successful examples of
debt-for-sustainable development swaps and recommends their further promotion,
as appropriate.  

119. The Commission urges international financial institutions and all
relevant development agencies to continue to increase financial flows for
sustainable development.  Specifically, these institutions should extend their
recent efforts beyond incorporating environmental and social considerations
into their projects and activities by integrating economic, social and
environmental goals of sustainability from the outset into their institutional
mandate, overall development policies, strategy formulation, and priorities
established by Agenda 21 and other related international instruments and
agreements.  

120. The Commission notes the importance of the further development of
sustainable development indicators and their possible application, once
agreed, that aim at integrating economic, social and environmental goals.  The
further development of sustainable development indicators should be
undertaken, with the effective participation of all relevant parties in
particular developing countries.

121. The Commission and the policy-making bodies of the international
financial institutions (in particular the Interim and Development Committees)
should strengthen communication, interaction and partnership with a view to
promoting approaches and activities geared towards meeting the objectives of
sustainable development under Agenda 21.  

122. The Commission notes that the restructured and replenished Global
Environment Facility (GEF) will continue on an interim basis as the entity
entrusted with the operation of the financial mechanisms of the Convention on
Biological Diversity  18/ and the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.  The Commission emphasizes the importance of the speedy
implementation of these commitments and the other responsibilities of GEF and
recalls that, at its second session, in 1994, it stated that the first
replenishment of the restructured GEF was a first step at a minimum level, and
noted that there would be a need for further replenishment of its funds as the
implementation of commitments under the various agreements and objectives
envisaged for the Facility proceeded.  19/  Furthermore, the Commission
recommends that GEF procedures be further improved to speed up project
implementation without compromising the quality of appraisal and
participation.  It notes the fact that GEF procedures are being reviewed. 

123. The Commission stresses the need for the fulfilment of the financial
commitments contained in Agenda 21.  The Commission encourages the
mobilization of domestic financial resources, inter alia, through the use of
economic instruments and policy reforms in both developed and developing
countries and the establishment of national environmental funds.  It
emphasizes that these measures should not be seen as a substitute for the
needed increased international financial flows from all sources, including
ODA, but that both channels of financing should supplement and mutually
reinforce each other.

124. The Commission's review of the use of economic instruments in developed
countries, countries with economies in transition and developing countries
demonstrates clearly that - depending on their specific conditions - they have
in varying degrees attempted to achieve a less distortionary tax system by
introducing environmental taxes.  In addition, valuable experience is being
gained in the use of the various other economic instruments.  The Commission
emphasizes that future discussions on economic instruments should explore ways
and means of overcoming obstacles to their implementation in developed
countries, developing countries and countries with economies in transition. 
Particular attention should be paid to specific country situations and the
phasing out of environmentally unfriendly practices, as well as to problems of
capacity-building in developing countries and distributional problems. 

125. The Commission underscores the importance of strengthening national
capacities and capabilities in the use of economic instruments, including the
elimination of environmentally unfriendly subsidies and other practices,
within the context of national strategies and policies for sustainable
development.  It recommends that these efforts should be supported by
Governments and international organizations, in particular UNDP, UNEP, UNCTAD,
the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the regional
commissions.

126. The Commission's review of the usefulness of the national environment
funds shows that in developed countries, countries with economies in
transition and developing countries, there is a great variety of different
types of funds at work.  In many countries these funds play an important and
constructive role as effective financial mechanisms.  Their role should be
evaluated from the perspective of searching for optimal solutions.  In this
context, particular attention should be given to the advantages and
disadvantages of earmarking funds for environmental expenditures.

127. The Commission will provide leadership in developing further proposals
for promoting the exchange of experiences in the implementation of policy
reforms for sustainable development.  

128. The Commission, in its discussion of innovative mechanisms for resource
mobilization, noted that the Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Finance
considered in a preliminary manner the feasibility and utility of such
measures as an environmental user charge on air transport, activities
implemented jointly and internationally tradable carbon dioxide (CO2) permits.


129. The Commission notes that the air transport of passengers and cargo is a
source of environmentally damaging emissions and would consider it worthwhile
to examine in detail a properly designed environmental user charge on air
transport if an in-depth study demonstrated its need and feasibility.  The
Commission recommends that such a study be undertaken in cooperation with the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other relevant bodies. 
It also recommends that the study address the environmental, economic, legal,
administrative, and political aspects of such a mechanism, taking into account
the particular needs and conditions of developing countries.  

130. The Commission's discussion on internationally tradable CO2 permits and
activities implemented jointly reflects concerns and recognition about their
extreme complexity and makes it clear that work undertaken in this regard
should be pursued in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, taking into account the situation of countries, particularly
the developing countries, as specified in the relevant paragraphs of the
Convention.  In the context of its discussion, the Commission noted the
outcome of the first Conference of the Parties to the Convention, in
particular the launching of a pilot phase for activities implemented jointly. 
The Commission noted that participation in the pilot phase is voluntary and
that activities implemented jointly should be compatible with and supportive
of national environment and development priorities and strategies, contribute
to cost effectiveness in achieving global benefits and be conducted in a
comprehensive manner covering all relevant sources, sinks and reservoirs of
greenhouse gases.  It notes that no credits are to be provided to any party as
a result of greenhouse gas emissions reduced or sequestered during the pilot
phase, and that developed and developing countries and countries with
economies in transition can be involved in the pilot phase on a voluntary
basis.

131. The Commission emphasizes that financing the transfer of environmentally
sound technology and biotechnology should be considered within the context of
the relevant chapters of Agenda 21.  The transfer of environmentally sound
technology, on favourable terms, including concessional and preferential
terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the need to protect
intellectual property rights as well as the special needs of developing
countries for the implementation of Agenda 21, in accordance with chapter 34
of Agenda 21, is highlighted by the Commission as having a particularly
important role to play in realizing the goals of sustainable development.

132. The Commission notes that fostering investments in environmentally sound
technologies (ESTs) requires that Governments promote a favourable environment
for the transfer of technology, the adoption of favourable policies for
business development and the creation of a wider framework to encourage
investments in the technology development process, including research,
development and adaptation of technology.  The particular problems of small-
and medium-sized enterprises were emphasized. 

133. The Commission notes that financing of the transfer of ESTs can also be
promoted by partnerships between the private and public sector, such as
publicly funded intermediaries for EST transfer and publicly sponsored
investment funds with a focus on these technologies.  Venture capital funds
were particularly noted.  Furthermore, the Commission recommends that the need
for and effectiveness of environmentally sound technology rights banks 
20/ and the practical feasibility of establishing such banks should be further
studied.  

134. The Commission encourages the use of ESTs and such innovative private
sector financing mechanisms as build-operate-transfer (BOT) schemes for
promoting EST transfer, including building the capacities of developing
countries and countries with economies in transition to negotiate BOT
contracts.

135. In addressing the financing of biotechnology, the Commission takes note
of proposals for several funding support mechanisms such as (a) the
establishment of an international biosafety trust fund, (b) the establishment
of an international venture capital fund for biotechnology and (c) creation of
an expert volunteer corps in biotechnology.  These actions require further
study and consultations among interested Governments before concrete proposals
can be made. 

136. The Commission recognizes that many of the sources of finance, economic
instruments and innovative mechanisms considered in the report of the
Secretary-General on financial resources and mechanisms for sustainable
development:  overview of current issues and developments (E/CN.17/1995/8) are
also applicable to financing the transfer of technology and biotechnology
sectors.  Nevertheless, detailed study would be required on the application of
the "matrix approach" and countries may choose the most appropriate mix of
instruments and mechanisms.

137. The Commission notes that the analytical framework presented by the
matrix contained in the annex to the above-mentioned report of the
Secretary-General is illustrative and may help to integrate the application of
the range of financial and policy options with individual sectors and
cross-sectoral activities, and could prove valuable in identifying the
appropriate and most promising options, as well as complementarities, taking
into account the social, economic and distributional impact of policy options
and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.  

138. The Commission emphasizes that the matrix approach deserves further
detailed study, including efforts at making the analysis more pragmatic and
comprehensive, quantifying the potential resources generated by the use of
different economic instruments and by policy reform measures.  Studies should
exploit the full potential of the matrix as an analytical tool to assist
policy makers, including in examining the appropriate role of public and
private actors, and ways and means of promoting interaction and cooperation
between them.  The Commission encourages Governments, United Nations
organizations, international financial institutions, academic and research
communities and other actors, including the private sector, to support and
participate in these efforts. 

139. The Commission recognizes that in pursuing studies on economic
instruments, innovative mechanisms and the matrix approach, full consideration
should be given to the concerns of developing countries stated above,
including the mobilization of resource flows, and to promoting national
capacities and capabilities, taking into account the social, economic and
distributional impacts of policy options and keeping in mind the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities.

140. The Commission expresses its appreciation of the inter-sessional work
that has been undertaken to prepare for its deliberations on financial
resources and mechanisms.  It takes note in particular of the role of the
Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Finance and its report
(E/CN.17/1995/11).

141. The Commission invites international financial institutions and
development agencies and, as far as practicable, private enterprise, research
organizations and non-governmental organizations to participate in its work,
including its inter-sessional work.  Furthermore, the Commission will seek out
valuable national experiences as case-studies, encourage informal technical
group meetings and promote pilot projects in order to enhance the
effectiveness of its work.


           C.  Education, science, transfer of environmentally sound
               technologies, cooperation and capacity-building      

        1.  Transfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation
            and capacity-building                                      

142. The Commission on Sustainable Development:

     (a) Took note of the report of the Secretary-General on the transfer of
environmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity-building
(E/CN.17/1995/17 and Add.1) and the compilation of information on policies and
programmes of countries, international organizations and financial
institutions to promote the transfer of environmentally sound technologies,
cooperation and capacity-building (E/CN.17/1995/17/Add.1);

     (b) Welcomed the elements of a work programme contained in section V of
the report, and noted that the report made full use of the inter-sessional
meetings on issues related to the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies, cooperation and capacity-building, including the Workshop on the
Promotion of Access to and Dissemination of Information on Environmentally
Sound Technologies, organized by the Government of the Republic of Korea, the
Third High-level Advisory Seminar on Cleaner Production, organized by the
Government of Poland, the Workshop on Cleaner Production Technologies in
Developing Countries, organized by OECD, and the Round Table on Technology
Transfer, Cooperation and Capacity-building, organized by UNIDO, in
cooperation with UNEP and the Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat;

     (c) Noted the gradual shift of focus from pollution control and waste
management to pollution prevention approaches in policies and programmes at
the country level and bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and observed
that this shift had resulted in the introduction of production patterns that
emphasized the more efficient use of raw materials and energy, taking into
account the capture and recycling of wastes and the better use of end-products
of the productive system;

     (d) Reaffirmed the importance of the balanced approach of chapter 34 of
Agenda 21 concerning the transfer of environmentally sound technology,
cooperation and capacity-building, also reaffirmed the necessity of access to
and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in particular to
developing countries, on favourable terms, including on concessional and
preferential terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the need to
protect intellectual property rights, as well as the specific needs of
developing countries for the implementation of Agenda 21, through supportive
measures that promoted technology cooperation and that should enable the
transfer of necessary technological know-how as well as the building of
economic, technical and managerial capabilities for the efficient use and
further development of technology, and further reaffirmed the need to
strengthen North-South and South-South cooperation to implement the provisions
of chapter 34 of Agenda 21;

     (e) Recognized that international cooperation was essential to promote
access to and dissemination of environmentally sound technologies and that an
adequate approach to the transfer of environmentally sound technologies should
not only consider existing market forces, but also other relevant factors such
as social, cultural, environmental and economic factors, and also recognized
that commercial transactions were an important source of technology
cooperation with regard to environmentally sound technologies, and that such
transactions should be encouraged;

     (f) Further recognized that much of Agenda 21 needed to be implemented
at the national level.  To accomplish this task, Governments would have to
face new challenges in order to meet the requirements of sustainable
development.  This process should be enhanced through the development and
transfer of environmentally sound technologies, in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph 34.14 (b) of Agenda 21, to implement the objectives of
sustainable development.  Such technologies should be demand-driven,
environmentally sound and appropriate for the intended users of the
technology, taking into account the social, economic and cultural conditions
in the country concerned, in accordance with its priorities;

     (g) Recalled that the promotion, facilitation and financing, as
appropriate, of access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies
and corresponding know-how, in particular to developing countries, was one of
the means for the implementation of Agenda 21;

     (h) Recalled that the private sector was an important vehicle for
technology transfer and that Governments should provide an enabling and
supportive environment;

     (i) Highlighted the need to develop a programme of work on the transfer
of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity-building, with
the objective of reporting on its implementation by 1997.  Consistent with the
decision on the transfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation
and capacity-building, adopted by the Commission at its second session, 
21/ the specific activities contained in the programme of work would relate to
three interlinked priority areas.

143. The Commission therefore urges Governments, relevant organizations of
the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, the
secretariats of the various international conventions, and major groups,
particularly business and industry, to make clear commitments to undertake
specific elements of the following work programme:


                                Work programme

                A.  Access to and dissemination of information on
                    environmentally sound technologies

     1.  The Commission welcomes the work being initiated by the United
     Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in cooperation with other United
     Nations bodies and relevant organizations, on a survey of existing
     information systems and sources related to environmentally sound
     technologies as a practical step towards enhancing cooperation and
     compatibility between existing and projected information systems and
     clearing-house mechanisms.  In this regard, the Commission invites UNEP
     to submit an interim report to it at its fourth session, in 1996, which
     should also take into account other work now under way such as the
     inventory on climate-related technologies to be prepared by the
     secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
     Change.  This report should:

         (a)   Include systems and sources from developed and developing
     countries;

         (b)   Analyse information and identify deficiencies, gaps and
     duplications;

         (c)   Evaluate systems with respect to information quality,
     accessibility and costs;

         (d)   Explore the idea of a broadly based consultative mechanism that
     would facilitate consultation among information providers and potential
     users.

     2.  The Commission urges that information and experiences be shared on
     the successful implementation of transfer operations of environmentally
     sound technologies through, for example, workshops or expert panels, the
     dissemination of well-documented case-studies, and networking
     activities, and that the results be made available to the Commission.

     3.  The Commission also urges that information and experiences be shared
     on the impact and effectiveness of governmental, public and private
     sector initiatives and policies, including voluntary agreements and
     initiatives, economic instruments and other policies on the development,
     transfer and dissemination of environmentally sound technologies. 
     Examples include country- or sector-specific workshops or expert panels
     and the dissemination of well-documented case-studies, the results of
     which would be made available to the Commission.  Such workshops or
     panels could include representations from Governments, international
     bodies, industry and other major groups.


             B.  Institutional development and capacity-building for
                 managing technological change

     4.  Effective measures need to be implemented at the national level to
     develop the skills, in particular of developing countries, to access,
     assess, adapt and apply environmentally sound technologies within
     specific contexts and to enhance the innovative capabilities of the
     technology users.  In this regard, Governments, international
     organizations and major groups, including business and industry, should
     undertake:

         (a)   Efforts to establish or strengthen environmentally sound
     technology centres, networks or other mechanisms, and in particular to
     support the establishment or strengthening of such centres, networks or
     other mechanisms in developing countries.  Functions to be performed by
     the environmentally sound technology centres should take into account
     specifications such as those contained in the Seoul Plan of Action
     concerning Information Exchange about Environmentally Sound Technologies
     (see document E/CN.17/1995/30, annex) and the United Nations Industrial
     Development Organization (UNIDO) Round Table on Technology Transfer,
     Cooperation and Capacity-building, giving priority attention to:

         (i)   Conducting, as appropriate, surveys and assessments of
               environmentally sound technologies;

         (ii)  Training of trainers and advisers; 

        (iii)  Demonstration projects that highlight the economic and
               environmental benefits of the use of environmentally sound
               technologies and management skills; 

         (iv)  Awareness building, inter alia, through dissemination of
               well-documented case-studies that clearly present those
               economic benefits;

         (v)   Capacity-building for technology assessment.

     The promotion of environmentally sound technology centres, or their
     equivalent networks, should build upon existing national institutions
     and organizations, including research centres, for example, centres
     established with the support of UNIDO, UNEP or bilateral donors.  The
     environmentally sound technology centres could also facilitate
     technology transfer involving the private sector;

         (b)   Cooperation in the development of basic criteria or general
     guidelines for environmentally sound technology assessment, building
     upon already existing work.  These criteria or guidelines should
     emphasize the transfer of cleaner technologies;

         (c)   Sharing of experiences in case-studies on national needs
     assessments in support of the transfer of environmentally sound
     technologies as well as the implementation of their results, through,
     for example, expert meetings.  There is also a need for exchanging such
     experiences gained in current cooperation projects, in order to compare
     approaches and identify their respective strengths and weaknesses.  The
     results should be made available to the Commission to enable it to keep
     this issue under review;

         (d)   Encouraging joint ventures and partnerships of the private
     sector from developed and developing countries and countries with
     economies in transition, with particular emphasis on small- and
     medium-sized enterprises.  Bilateral technology partnership arrangements
     could be used as a means of encouraging private sector initiatives in
     disseminating state-of-the-art technologies and enhancing technology
     development, innovation and capacity-building;

         (e)   Developing environmental performance indicators at the national
     level, taking into account international work on indicators and
     criteria, which may be used in assessing technology options;

         (f)   Developing measures for strengthening the "technology triangle"
     that involve the participation of scientific, private and government
     sectors at the national level.


                  C.  Financial and partnership arrangements

     5.  Urgent and concrete steps are needed towards the provision and
     mobilization of resource flows from developed to developing countries,
     in particular, consistent with chapter 33 of Agenda 21, especially
     paragraphs 33.13 and 33.14, and, as relevant, paragraphs 33.15 and
     33.16, as well as chapter 34 of Agenda 21, and promoting partnership
     arrangements between technology suppliers and potential users.  In this
     regard:

         (a)   Governments are encouraged to take appropriate measures to
     strengthen strategic interactions and collaboration and links among
     government agencies and institutions, the private sector and
     institutions of science and technology, at the national level, and to
     develop and utilize a similar approach at the international level;

         (b)   Governments of developed countries are encouraged to include
     environmentally sound technologies as an integral part of their
     technology cooperation and technical assistance programmes, in
     accordance with the provisions of paragraph 34.14 (b) of Agenda 21, and
     to provide encouragement to the private sector, both local enterprises
     and transnational corporations, including financial and fiscal
     incentives, as appropriate, to promote and accelerate the transfer of
     environmentally sound technologies, in particular pollution prevention
     and control and waste management technologies, to developing countries
     and countries with economies in transition;

         (c)   Governments are urged to take measures, in cooperation with
     international organizations, as appropriate, to enhance both North-South
     and South-South cooperation.  Initiatives should also be targeted
     towards integrating the economies in transition into the system of
     global technology cooperation and partnership.  In this regard,
     particularly relevant areas are:

         (i)   Joint technological research and development programmes
               targeted at the frontiers of technologies to accelerate
               technological change and facilitate technology "leap-frogging"
               in developing countries and economies in transition;

         (ii)  Cooperation between technological research and development
               institutions of developed and developing countries and
               economies in transition;

        (iii)  Cooperation among technological research and development
               institutions of developing countries;

         (iv)  Strengthening of existing regional centres that play a role in
               the exchange of information about environmentally sound
               technologies and in capacity-building of developing countries
               and economies in transition for managing technological change;

         (d)   Governments, international organizations and the private sector
     could provide information on case-studies on experiences gained in the
     transfer and application of environmentally sound technologies in order
     to facilitate the replication of successful examples.  Note should be
     taken of the useful experiences of environmentally sound technology
     projects funded through both the Global Environment Facility and the
     Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
     the Ozone Layer.  The Commission encourages the sharing of these and
     similar experiences at meetings relevant to its work;

         (e)   Governments are invited to create enabling conditions in order
     to increase the amount of foreign direct investment in environmentally
     sound technologies through measures such as creating a demand for
     environmentally sound technologies through market mechanisms and the
     examination of the framework of laws and regulatory policies that affect
     technology cooperation;

         (f)   Existing global and regional funds are urged to allocate
     resources to build and strengthen in-country capacity to identify
     projects tailored to specific countries' needs and to carry out
     in-country pre-feasibility studies with a view to further attracting
     funding for technology transfer projects;

         (g)   The financial sector is encouraged to promote an assessment of
     the potential impact and benefits of the use and transfer of
     environmentally sound technologies.


                    2.  Science for sustainable development

144. The Commission took note of the report of the Secretary-General on
science for sustainable development (E/CN.17/1995/16), including the
initiatives taken by national Governments, the United Nations system, other
international organizations, major groups and the scientific and technological
community to implement science-related policies and programmes.

145. The Commission welcomed the proposals for action contained in section
III, which identified areas for priority actions that should be taken by
countries and regional and international organizations, with a view to further
enhancing the contribution of science to sustainable development, in
particular in developing countries.

146. The Commission noted recent intergovernmental processes relevant to
science for sustainable development, such as the establishment of the
Commission on Science and Technology for the South (COMSATS), with its aim of
creating 20 centres of excellence in the South as the frontier areas of
science related to sustainable development, and the related Network of
International Centres of Excellence in the South.

147. The Commission also noted the meetings of the Presidential Forum on the
Management of Science and Technology for Development in Africa which,
inter alia, led to the inauguration of the African Foundation for Research and
Development (AFRAND).

148. The Commission highlighted the useful cooperation and collaboration with
the Commission on Science and Technology for Development through its Panel on
Science and Technology for Integrated Land Management, which provided an
important input into the discussions of the Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working
Group on Sectoral Issues.

149. The Commission stressed the importance of North-South and South-South
cooperation and partnerships as mechanisms to support initiatives in capacity-
building for science at the country level.

150. The Commission stressed the interdisciplinary nature of science and the
need for related initiatives and research to reflect the linkages among the
economic, social and natural aspects of science.

151. The Commission recognized the importance of indigenous people's
knowledge and that indigenous sciences, traditions and communities should be
consulted to help solve sustainable development problems.

152. The Commission:

     (a) Invites the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, 10/ the Convention on Biological Diversity 18/ and the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing
Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, 12/ to fully
explore the possibilities of intensified scientific cooperation as provided
for in those Conventions;

     (b) Urges countries and international organizations to accord high
priority to measures aimed at capacity-building and sharing of know-how in
science, with particular emphasis on the needs of developing countries as
provided for in chapter 33 of Agenda 21, particularly paragraphs 33.13 and
33.14 and, as relevant, paragraphs 33.15 and 33.16, as well as in chapter 35
of Agenda 21.  In this regard, Governments, organizations of the United
Nations system and other relevant intergovernmental organizations should:

     (i) Share reliable and sector/country-specific information concerning
         scientific capacities and know-how and its impact on achieving
         sustainable development objectives in developing countries, in
         particular the least developed countries, and make this information
         available to the Commission, through, inter alia, well-documented
         case-studies;

    (ii) Specify and implement activities, including through joint
         initiatives, cooperation and partnership arrangements, that are
         targeted towards enhancing the scientific capacities and
         capabilities of developing countries in the following priority
         areas:  promoting general scientific education and sharing of
         know-how and training, particularly with regard to women; enhancing
         the status of science; enhancing the capabilities of decision makers
         to use existing scientific information in the development of
         sustainable development policies; improving the integration of
         science into national development policies and plans; promoting
         interdisciplinary approaches and use of new technologies; and
         increasing training in specialized scientific areas;

     (c) Encourages Governments to enhance, with the support of
intergovernmental and other relevant international organizations,
international scientific cooperation, including North-South and South-South
cooperation, taking into account current and planned efforts, for example, the
initiatives of COMSATS and the Presidential Forum on the Management of Science
and Technology for Development in Africa.  In this regard, there is a need
for:

     (i) The networking of national and international centres of excellence
         which would build upon existing national and regional research,
         education and development institutions, organizations and
         programmes;

    (ii) The enhanced participation of developing countries in international
         research programmes on global environmental issues, recognizing that
         in many scientific fields related to sustainable development,
         generation of new knowledge requires enhanced international
         scientific cooperation.  Joint efforts could relate to:

         a.    Making full use and exploring the development of Global
               Environment Observing Systems;

         b.    Reinforcing and, where necessary, expanding existing
               international scientific programmes to ensure coordination and
               high-quality scientific results;

         c.    Identifying emerging issues for international scientific
               cooperation and addressing appropriate response strategies;

     (d) Encourages initiatives at the country level to improve communication
among science, industry, policy makers and major groups and to enhance the
application of science.  In this regard, Governments, the scientific and
technological community, including universities, and the industrial sector
should enhance cooperative efforts to ensure that the most recent and
comprehensive scientific information is collected, synthesized and made
available to interested groups.  In addition, these groups should also
cooperate to identify priority research needs in support of sustainable
development;

     (e) Invites the donor community to consider targeted financial support
for the implementation of specific activities related to scientific capacity-
building in the identified priority areas.  In this regard, adequate funding
is needed, inter alia, for:

     (i) Promoting basic scientific education, enhancing interdisciplinarity
         between natural and social sciences, enhancing research on and
         development of new technologies and increasing training in
         specialized scientific areas, according to national priorities. 
         Such efforts should also be part of relevant United Nations
         organization programmes and a goal of domestic education programmes
         in all countries;

    (ii) Networking of national and international centres of excellence;

   (iii) Implementing problem-oriented interdisciplinary research and
         demonstration projects, in particular in developing countries, in
         support of the development of sector-specific sustainable resource
         management policies.


             3.  Environmentally sound management of biotechnology

153. The Commission on Sustainable Development takes note of the report of
the Secretary-General on the subject of chapter 16 of Agenda 21, entitled
"Environmentally sound management of biotechnology" (E/CN.17/1995/20) and its
Proposals for action provided in section V of that report which identify areas
for priority action by countries and international organizations, with a view
to enhancing the potential contribution of biotechnology in the attainment of
sustainable development objectives at national, regional and international
levels within a framework of biosafety.  Future reports should place a
stronger emphasis, including more information and proposals, on the
ecological, safety, health, and socio-economic and ethical aspects of the
application of biotechnology and the commercialization of biotechnology
products, with particular reference to genetic engineering, including
genetically modified organisms when human genetic material is involved.  Such
reports should take into account existing uncertainties and the most recent
findings of the science of genetics.  This would enable the Commission to take
a balanced and objective approach to biotechnology.

154. The Commission recalls that chapter 16 of Agenda 21 states that the
environmentally sound management of biotechnology has the potential to make a
significant contribution to enabling the development of better health care,
enhanced food security through sustainable agriculture practices, improved
supplies of potable water, more efficient industrial development processes for
transforming raw materials, support for sustainable methods of afforestation
and reforestation, the removal of pollutants from the environment, and the
conservation and use of natural resources, notably biological resources.  The
Commission urges United Nations bodies to continue to monitor and evaluate
biotechnology experiments and projects.

155. The Commission recognizes, however, that concerns exist about biosafety
in the application of biotechnology and the commercialization of biotechnology
products, in particular with regard to genetically modified organisms.  It
notes the absence of a globally agreed framework for the safe handling and
transfer of biotechnology, and the sustainable management of genetically
modified organisms.  It further notes the particular significance of this for
developing countries. Taking into account the precautionary approach, the
Commission attaches high priority to the safe handling of biotechnology.  It
therefore welcomes the decision of the first meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to establish a process for
considering the need for and modalities of a protocol on biosafety in the
field of the safe transfer, handling and use of any living modified organisms
resulting from biotechnology that may have adverse effect on the conservation
and sustainable use of biological diversity.  That decision involves the
establishment of a panel of experts and an open-ended ad hoc working group of
experts nominated by Governments.  It also welcomes the decision of the
Conference of the Parties to include consideration of the knowledge,
innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities in its
medium-term programme of work.

156. The Commission also notes recent initiatives for the implementation of
the objectives of chapter 16, such as the WHO Conference on Biotechnology and
World Health, the recent launch of the Biosafety Information Network and
Advisory Service (BINAS) within the United Nations system under the auspices
of UNIDO, and the ongoing work in UNEP, as well as the work taking place
within the European Union and OECD and the rapid streamlining and
rationalization of the regulation of biotechnology products in the United
States.

157. The Commission, therefore:

     (a) Urges Governments to take specific action, within the framework of
articles 16 and 19 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, aimed at
enhancing the potential contribution of the private sector, financial,
academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations and other
major groups, to the implementation of the objectives of chapter 16,
particularly in view of their significant role in research and the
development, application, and financing of biotechnology, and in capacity-
building for biosafety, risk management and assessments, and to:

     (i) Increase where appropriate the involvement of business and industry,
         and financial, academic and research institutions, non-governmental
         organizations and other major groups in national, regional and
         international consultations on biotechnology development trends and
         on impact assessments;

    (ii) Encourage the conducting of case-studies on "best practice" in the
         environmentally sound and safe development, application and
         management of biotechnology, and to make the results available,
         especially to developing countries at national and regional levels; 

   (iii) Support as appropriate the establishment of biotechnology
         associations, particularly in developing countries, with a view to
         facilitating the safe commercialization and application of
         biotechnology products and processes, in accordance with the
         provisions of articles 16 and 19 of the Convention on Biological
         Diversity;

    (iv) Also support as appropriate the establishment and strengthening of
         research facilities in universities, research institutes and
         Governments in connection with scientific aspects of biosafety and
         risk management and assessments; 

     (v) Mobilize financial resources from both the public and the private
         sector for biotechnology research, development and work on safety
         and for its sustainable use and management, especially in developing
         countries;



     (b) Urges countries and international organizations to accord high
priority to measures aimed at integrating biotechnology, including biosafety
concerns, effectively into national and regional sustainable development
policies and programmes.  In this regard, support should be provided to:

     (i) Enhance the contribution of business and industry, local
         authorities, scientific and technological communities,
         non-governmental organizations and other major groups to the
         identification of problems (and appropriate solutions) related to
         the environmentally sound use and management of biotechnology;

    (ii) Promote a balanced and accurate understanding of biotechnology
         issues as they impinge upon sustainable development including those
         related to biosafety and progressive trends in biotechnology
         development, through, for example, training at national and regional
         levels;

   (iii) Establish national databases on information related to biosafety
         where these do not currently exist and promote the exchange of
         information concerning biosafety in biotechnology;

    (iv) Encourage the national and local scientific and technological
         communities to exercise ethical responsibility, through safe
         laboratory practices and effective and transparent interaction with
         the public at large;

     (v) Assess the need for advice and assistance in promoting the
         development or re-enforcement of biotechnology and biosafety
         regulations, norms and standards, especially in the fields of
         agricultural, human and animal health, with a view to designing
         effective programmes for the environmentally sound management of
         biotechnology, building whenever possible upon existing activities
         and capacities; 

    (vi) Enhance efforts aimed at human resource development, transfer and
         development of technology and capacity-building in developing
         countries to regulate, manage and control risks associated with the
         use and release of living modified organisms resulting from
         biotechnology;

     (c) Invites the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity to keep the Commission informed of developments
concerning the work on the need for and modalities of a protocol on biosafety,
with a view to identifying areas for further cooperation on this issue.  Such
areas might include work on capacity-building measures, especially in
developing countries;

     (d) Invites countries, international organizations and the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to make their
experiences gained in the environmentally sound application and management of
biotechnology available in order to facilitate the Commission's work in
keeping this issue under review;

     (e) Notes the work on the development of possible international
voluntary technical guidelines on biosafety and stresses that such work should
not be seen as overriding existing national and regional legislation or as
prejudging the result of the ongoing discussions on the need for and
modalities of a protocol on biosafety under the Convention on Biological
Diversity.


              D.  Review of sectoral cluster:  Land, desertification,
                  forests and biodiversity

                          1.  Overall considerations

158. The Commission on Sustainable Development notes that chapter 10 of
Agenda 21, on an integrated approach to the planning and management of land
resources, provides an overall framework for the implementation of the entire
cluster.  While all the chapters are related to land, those on forests and
sustainable agriculture are concerned with the sustainable management and use
of physical and biological resources, while those on desertification and
sustainable mountain development reflect the particular problems of fragile
environments; the issue of the conservation of biodiversity and the
sustainable use of its components is of a cross-cutting nature, and includes
those concerned with freshwater as well as coastal and marine ecosystems. 
Farmers - men and women - indigenous people, other rural communities and the
private sector, as the major stakeholders in the use of land and its related
resources, must be the focal points in all the areas of the cluster.

159. Respect for national sovereignty, as well as the need for a
comprehensive approach to implementing the recommendations and commitments
contained in Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development,
and the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global
Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All
Types of Forests,  22/ are fundamental for achieving sustainable
development.

160. National efforts in developing countries to mobilize financial resources
for the full and effective implementation of Agenda 21, including its land-
related chapters under review, have to be supported by the international
community.  It is imperative that all financial recommendations and
commitments of Agenda 21 be implemented, in particular those contained in
paragraphs 13 and 14 of chapter 33 of Agenda 21.  The need for partnership for
sustainable development among all countries and better cooperation and
coordination among national institutions, international organizations,
including international financial institutions, the private sector and
non-governmental organizations, including farmers' and rural people's
organizations, was underscored.

161. The sharing of scientific knowledge and the transfer of environmentally
sound technology, including on concessional and preferential terms as mutually
agreed, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 34, are crucial
instruments for achieving the objectives of Agenda 21.

162. The Commission on Sustainable Development recommends that high priority
be given to the facilitation of practical action for the transfer, sharing,
adaptation and development of technology for sustainable resource management
in all sectors, at the national and international levels, including under the
auspices of the United Nations system, in particular UNEP, UNIDO and UNESCO,
and of international conventions, as appropriate.  Such action should include
support for a wide range of initiatives, including (a) capacity- and
institution-building; (b) exchange of information, making use, inter alia, of
inventories on eco-technologies in those sectors; and (c) education and
training - through the establishment of mechanisms such as environmental
technology centres.

163. The Commission on Sustainable Development urges States to sign, ratify,
accede to and implement the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious
Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, making these
Conventions the principal instruments for advancing international cooperation
and practical action in their respective fields.  The Commission stresses the
need for the formulation of coordinated approaches towards the implementation
of these instruments at the national and international levels, with a view to
making efficient use of resources.  The Commission further agrees to look into
the relationship between work under these Conventions and ongoing work on
sustainable development in other related processes in the follow-up to the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

164. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 49/111 on the report of
the Commission on Sustainable Development on its second session, the
Commission encourages Governments to continue to share their experiences in
the implementation of Agenda 21, taking into account recent efforts and
initiatives to promote sustainable development at the national, subregional,
regional and interregional levels.  It welcomes the readiness of some
countries to accomplish specific sustainable development goals by means of
closer regional cooperation to facilitate the implementation of Agenda 21, and
recognizes the importance of regional approaches for the effective
implementation of the Conference agreements to support global and national
efforts.  The Commission calls upon the regional commissions to increase their
efforts in support of recent national, subregional, regional and interregional
initiatives for promoting sustainable development.  It also recognizes the
need to strengthen its ties with regional institutions and in particular with
the regional commissions.  The Commission will continue to review and monitor
these regional initiatives aimed at making the transition to sustainable
development more effective in all countries and which support appropriate
global and national efforts.


              2.  Integrated approach to the planning and management
                  of land resources

165. The Commission notes with great concern that an estimated one sixth of
the total arable land surface of the globe has been damaged by human-induced
soil degradation.  A global partnership is required to protect and restore the
health of the Earth's terrestrial ecosystems.

166. The Commission notes with concern the convergence of poverty, hunger and
the degradation of terrestrial resources in environmentally more fragile
marginal lands, where the large majority of poor smallholder farmers are
increasingly located.  The Commission calls upon Governments, bilateral
donors, multilateral financial institutions, technical specialized agencies,
and non-governmental organizations to give a high priority to rural
development in such lower-potential areas, particularly by enhancing the
productivity of farmers on a sustainable basis.

167. The Commission stresses that an integrated approach to the planning and
management of land and water resources is central to the implementation of
Agenda 21 recommendations concerning land, desertification, mountains, forests
and biodiversity.  Land needs to be considered as a finite resource relative
to many and varied needs; its allocation must aim to satisfy these needs in
the most equitable and sustainable way.

168. An integrated and multidisciplinary approach to the planning,
development and management of land resources is a process that methodically
identifies human and environmental needs; identifies the potential and options
for change and improvement; identifies and evaluates all relevant physical,
social, economic and policy factors; and develops a series of actions
necessary to permit and facilitate change.  The process needs to address an
array of cross-sectoral issues, such as the creation of productive employment;
the eradication of poverty; responses to pressures on the land caused by
poverty; unsustainable consumption and production; population growth; and
changing demographic patterns.  The clarification and security of land rights,
possibly involving land-tenure and ownership reforms, are central to the
solution of such problems.  A holistic approach to the management of land
resources requires the integration of land and water-resource issues as they
relate to land use.  The mismanagement of land and water often leads to land
degradation in the form of erosion, flooding, waterlogging and salinity, and
the depletion of groundwater resources.  The demands of rural and urban
communities for land and its associated water resources will often conflict
with each other if they are not properly managed.

169. The Commission notes that soil and water degradation due to
contamination by agricultural, urban and industrial effluents is of increasing
importance in both developed and developing countries; the Commission invites
Governments, international organizations and groups to increase their efforts
in this field.

170. A people-oriented approach that is adapted to suit local circumstances
is central to the sustainable development of land resources.  All
stakeholders, especially women, farmers, indigenous peoples, landless
labourers and other major groups, should participate in the planning and
management of land resources, in identifying problems and in proposing
solutions and should also participate in the consensus-building process.  For
that process, the intermediate level is important:  Governments should
encourage the participation of all stakeholders at that level.  The
empowerment of people and communities, the creation of social equity and an
enabling environment, and the strengthening of capacities and the building of
awareness at all levels are all important elements in this multi-stakeholder
approach.  Security of tenure and the existence of equitable and efficient
legal and fiscal systems are important management tools for ensuring increased
productivity and securing conservation efforts.

171. The Commission notes with appreciation the outcome of the international
workshop on Agenda 21, chapter 10, entitled "Integrated approach to the
planning and management of land resources", which was organized by the
Government of the Netherlands and FAO and hosted by the Government of the
Netherlands (Wageningen, 20-22 February 1995).  The Commission invites the
Government of the Netherlands and FAO to disseminate the report and
recommendations of the workshop (E/CN.17/1995/33, annex) as widely as
possible.

172. The Commission stresses the importance of the collecting, processing and
disseminating of timely and reliable information, as well as the importance of
utilizing modern land-assessment and evaluation technologies, together with
technologies for resource characterization, all of which are essential for the
planning and management of land resources.  The development and use of
appropriate indicators, including performance indicators, on the basis of
sound scientific knowledge that is tailored to meet local requirements and
circumstances, are essential for formulating and implementing policies and
monitoring results.  There is a need to ensure that technical information is
fully linked with social and economic aspects at the local, regional and
national levels.  The Commission also takes note with appreciation of the
report of the Panel on Science and Technology for Integrated Land Management
of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development; the report adds
an important dimension in furthering the implementation of chapter 10 of
Agenda 21.

173. The Commission notes with concern the uneven pace of progress achieved
in implementing the objectives and recommendations contained in chapter 10 of
Agenda 21, especially with regard to existing institutional structures, which
are largely sector-oriented, thus leading to an overlapping of governmental
responsibilities; the Commission also notes the need for community-driven
approaches.

174. The Commission urges Governments to take all necessary steps to achieve
the objectives set out in chapter 10 within the agreed time-frame.  At the
international level, priority should be given to the development of a holistic
and integrated framework for establishing social and economic conditions that
will facilitate sustainable production and the conservation of biodiversity. 
Technical and infrastructural support, which can be applied in any country
with appropriate modifications to take account of local needs and conditions,
will be desirable in many cases.

175. The Commission urges Governments, in keeping with their respective needs
and priorities, to develop national and/or local land-use planning systems
that contain a statement of objectives and a detailed timetable for
implementation spread over a period of years.  Such systems should aim to
remove constraints and provide incentives, thus enhancing the involvement and
empowerment of peoples; should develop information and management systems; and
should modify institutions, establishing suitable linkages among them.  The
Commission also urges Governments to exchange views on their programmes for
integrated land management, involving all sectors of the community and all
stakeholder groups, developed and implemented at the appropriate level.

176. The Commission requests the Secretary-General to strengthen coordination
and cooperation among the organizations and bodies of the United Nations
system by developing and implementing joint approaches and collaborative
programmes.  FAO, in partnership with UNEP, UNDP, other international bodies
and Governments, and with the appropriate contributions of non-governmental
organizations, should develop tools and recommend actions for integrated land
management.  Such action should involve the Commission in its capacity as a
forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in an open and transparent
manner, with the full and effective participation of developing countries in a
way that reflects their specific conditions and needs.

177. The Commission urges Governments, with the cooperation and support of
the organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, as appropriate, to
pay particular attention to:

     (a) Establishing stable land-use systems in areas where important
ecosystems or ecoregions are being endangered by human activities;

     (b) Applying integrated planning and development approaches in regions
that are becoming open to intensified settlement and agricultural production;

     (c) Bringing about integrated approaches to capacity-building.

178. The Commission reaffirms the commitments contained in chapters 33 and 34
of Agenda 21 for the effective implementation of chapter 10 of Agenda 21.


           3.  Managing fragile ecosystems:  combating desertification
               and drought

179. The Commission notes that some 1 billion people live in the rural areas
of the world's drylands, which constitute one third of the land on Earth. 
They are at risk, and more than 100 million are already significantly affected
and face having to abandon their lands and migrate.  The Commission is
concerned that, according to the report of the Secretary-General on managing
fragile ecosystems:  combating desertification and drought (E/CN.17/1995/4),
the economic loss caused by desertification world wide, in terms of average
income forgone, was estimated in 1991 to be more than US$ 42 billion per year,
most of it in Asia (US$ 20.9 billion per year) and Africa (US$ 9.3 billion per
year).  These figures are all the more alarming in Africa, where the affected
countries rank among the poorest and least developed in the world.

180. Desertification and drought are closely interlinked with other issues
such as loss of biodiversity, food security, population growth, poverty,
climate change, water resources, deforestation, resource consumption patterns,
deterioration of terms of trade, economics and, especially, social and
cultural issues.  Desertification is a social and economic as well as an
environmental  problem.  Drought and land degradation can occur in most
climatic zones, affecting a large number of people.  The Commission emphasizes
the need to take action on the effects of drought and to recognize that land
degradation also occurs in sub-humid and humid regions.  Within the context of
food security, combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought
take on particular significance.

181. The Commission welcomes the timely conclusion of the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious
Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, and urges all
Governments to recognize the urgent need for its early signature, ratification
and entry into force, and to support the resolution on urgent action for
Africa, adopted by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the
Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification in those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in
Africa, at its fifth session,  23/ as well as to promote actions in
other regions.  Implementation of the programme areas of Agenda 21 should be
carried out within the context of the Convention, including its regional
implementation annexes.  The Commission urges Governments and
intergovernmental organizations to give strong political support to the first
session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, to be held once
the Convention has been ratified by at least 50 countries, and to support
fully the work of the interim secretariat in preparing for the first meeting
of the Conference of Parties.

182. The Commission underlines the importance of the following features of
the Convention:

     (a) The open, participatory approach, based on active work at the local
level and the particularly important contribution of women;

     (b) The need for improved donor coordination and the establishment of
partnerships between Governments in donor and affected countries, and the
active involvement of non-governmental organizations;

     (c) The integrated, that is, global and multidisciplinary, approach,
emphasizing the importance of the links between land and water management; and
the role of energy, in particular new and renewable sources of energy, as well
as the role of socio-economic factors and the need to combat poverty;

     (d) The need for an active role of science in improving the situation in
the drylands, and in humid and sub-humid areas.

183. The Commission urges Governments to take an integrated approach to
combating desertification, taking into account the link between
desertification and poverty and the need for appropriate low-cost
environmentally sound technologies for sustainable development.  Sectoral
strategic framework plans need to be consolidated within overall national
planning and budgeting frameworks.  The Commission draws the attention of
Governments to the potential for the Convention to provide an in-country
coordinating mechanism for integrated land management in arid, semi-arid and
sub-humid lands.

184. In order to be fully effective, the Convention needs to be better known. 
The Commission therefore emphasizes that, despite the increased understanding
of desertification and drought issues, there is a continuing need to raise
public awareness of the issues.  The Commission urges Governments to enhance
awareness among policy makers and the public at large through national
institutions in the framework of the Convention, and of the International
Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, and through the observance of World Day
to Combat Desertification and Drought, on 17 June of every year.

185. The Commission stresses the need for the mobilization of financial
resources, inter alia, as called for by the relevant provisions of the
Convention (articles 6, 20 and 21) and needed for its implementation,
particularly in Africa.  The Commission recommends that appropriate
organizations of the United Nations system take steps to facilitate the
financing of programmes and projects in dry and sub-humid areas.  The
Commission urges developed countries to agree on coherent policies and
adequate resource allocations for fulfilling their commitments towards the
implementation of the Convention.

186. The Commission notes that the wealth of information, knowledge and
experience concerning the causes and effects of desertification and drought
that are already available allow for action to be stepped up immediately. 
Measures that assist information-sharing (for example, workshops) should be
encouraged.  The Commission also considers that the need for substantial
improvement and better use of existing scientific knowledge of the problem is
fundamental to further improving understanding of the significance of
desertification and drought.  Meeting this need would involve improved
monitoring to provide data collection for desertification assessment and early
warning of drought, as well as the improvement of capacities to facilitate
access to and application of this information by land users.  A more precise
understanding of the desertification issue would involve concerted activities,
including consultations with major groups, at the national level in affected
countries, and the recognition by Governments of its importance, that is, a
cross-sectoral effort involving physical, social, humanitarian and economic
factors.

187. The Commission recognizes that the strengthening of national capacities
is central to combating desertification and drought.  The Commission urges
affected countries, regional and subregional organizations:

     (a) To take effective action to set up institutional arrangements and
policy frameworks for developing, managing and implementing national
strategies and action programmes, incorporating provision for active public
participation, especially among those most affected;  

     (b) To encourage Governments to improve national coordination among
agencies in order to implement measures for combating desertification and
managing drought more effectively and for the sustainable use of natural
resources, given the cross-cutting nature of these issues;

     (c) To establish, as a matter of highest priority, coordinating
arrangements and to create partnerships with donors and national stakeholders,
within the context of the Convention.  

188. The Commission recognizes the importance of preserving the knowledge of
farmers and indigenous and local people concerning dryland management and
survival strategies.  Their full involvement in the sustainable development of
these drylands - their homelands - needs to be ensured.  In this regard, the
Commission notes with satisfaction that the principle of allowing more
effective participation of local people, especially farmers, through their
representative organizations in the planning and development of their natural
resources is being more willingly accepted in many affected countries.  It
also notes the fact that many organizations, especially non-governmental
organizations, have stepped up their participatory approaches with the
inclusion of marginalized and disadvantaged groups, especially women, in the
dryland development process. 

189. The Commission takes note of the statement in the report of the
Secretary-General (E/CN.17/1995/4) to the effect that United Nations
organizations have already taken steps to align their drought and
desertification activities in accordance with Agenda 21.  Further agreements
on the system-wide division of labour and proposals on further partnership
arrangements between agencies (and corresponding targeted work plans) are
needed.  The Commission recommends that these organizations further define
their roles, comparative advantages, cooperative mechanisms, level of
intervention and corresponding resource allocations in the implementation of
the Convention. 


                     4.  Sustainable mountain development

190. The Commission recognizes that mountain ecosystems and environments are
of crucial importance as rich and unique centres of biological and cultural
diversity, water stores and sources of minerals.  Mountains cover at least
one fifth of the Earth's landscape and are home to at least 10 per cent of the
world's population, predominantly economically poor people.  Mountain
ecosystems are complex, fragile, unique in geomorphology, and react
sensitively to global climate change.  There is a corresponding need for a
comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to sustainable mountain development
as well as for the effective participation and empowerment of mountain people
in the use and conservation of mountain resources.

191. The Commission recognizes that with increased accessibility into
mountain areas, resource degradation and, in some cases, economic and
political marginalization of mountain communities has taken place.  In order
to reverse this trend and to combat the poverty of mountain people, strategies
for mountain development must empower mountain communities to exercise larger
control over local resource management and conservation and generate income in
sustainable and equitable ways.  In this context, the Commission recognizes
the central role of women in the sustainable use and management of resources;
therefore, the specific needs and constraints of women must be acknowledged
and addressed.  Furthermore, support is needed to recover and foster the
cultural expressions of mountain populations because mountain cultural
diversity is a strong and valid basis for the sustainable use and conservation
of mountain resources; in this context, the protection of indigenous people's
interests, including the recognition of their knowledge, should be an integral
part of sustainable development.

192. The Commission stresses that the fragility of mountain ecosystems and
the adverse impact of the degradation of those systems on highland and lowland
populations have not been fully appreciated.  The Commission recognizes the
importance of mountains as the predominant and most dependable source of
freshwater currently used by humanity, and therefore stresses the importance
of providing adequate protection for both quality and quantity of water
resources from mountainous regions.  The Commission recognizes the vital
protective function of a stable forest cover for the safeguarding of
mountainous settlements and infrastructure.  It also urges expanding the
network of protected mountain areas to cover all types of mountain ecosystems,
strengthening existing management capabilities for conserving mountain
ecosystems, species and genetic diversity and promoting local and
non-governmental organizations' participation in the management of these
areas.

193. In order to ensure an integrated approach to the complexity of mountain
ecosystems and the socio-economic issues at stake, the Commission recognizes
the need for strengthening the existing institutional mechanisms as well as
the knowledge base about mountain ecosystems through research, database
development, pilot projects and information exchange, along with support for
training in-country of scientific and technical experts and local natural
resource managers. 
194. The Commission urges interested Governments, with the support of the
international community, to prepare and implement comprehensive national
and/or local mountain development programmes in relevant countries as outlined
in chapter 13 of Agenda 21:  the "mountain agenda".  These include
strengthening national capacity for sustainable mountain development and the
preparation of long-term mountain action plans.  Action-oriented projects and
programmes should emphasize the long-term monitoring of their environmental,
economic and social impacts.  Initiatives to implement the mountain agenda
should incorporate development strategies that address the impacts on mountain
communities and ecosystems of, inter alia, production and land-use systems,
tourism, transportation policies and energy production and use.  These
initiatives must incorporate a participatory approach involving all
stakeholders, including farmers, women, and local and indigenous communities,
as well as non-governmental organizations.

195. The Commission also recognizes that there is a need to take a new look
at the overall flow and full-cost pricing of resources and services to and
from mountain areas, including water, wood and non-wood as well as range
products, energy, mineral resources, tourism and human and government
services.  The Commission further recognizes the need for a fair share of the
benefits derived from the use of mountain resources to remain with the local
people and their communities.

196. The Commission notes that there is a need to examine the relationship of
chapter 13 with other chapters of Agenda 21 and with the global conventions
and to analyse the extent to which the concerns of mountain areas can be
better integrated into their follow-up.

197. The Commission welcomes and supports ongoing efforts in preparing and
negotiating subregional and interregional agreements on mountains and, in this
context, notes the entry into force of the Alpine Convention as one example,
in line with paragraph 13.8 (c) of Agenda 21, of cooperation between countries
for the protection of mountain ecosystems.

198. The Commission calls upon Governments and the international community to
take action at all levels with the objective of combating poverty in mountain
areas, diversifying mountain economies, protecting the environment and food
security of local communities, strengthening global information networks and
databases, addressing environmental problems, and creating new livelihood
opportunities, within the context of appropriate institutional frameworks.

199. The Commission urges interested Governments and organizations, including
the private sector, to promote initiatives aimed at raising awareness,
including the convening of regional intergovernmental consultations.  A wider
international meeting involving relevant United Nations bodies could
facilitate the exchange of objectives, results and experiences of sustainable
development in different mountain regions.


             5.  Combating deforestation and the Non-legally Binding
                 Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global
                 Consensus on the Management, Conservation and
                 Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests 22/

200. The Commission notes that forests and forestry must be managed in order
to continue to meet the growing needs of humankind for forest products,
environmental services, and social and cultural benefits, as well as for
livelihoods that are based on them.  Although some corrective actions have
been attempted to alleviate pressures exerted on forest resources, rapidly
growing populations, poverty, unsuitable land use, adverse incentives, and
production and consumption patterns, as well as various other external
threats, including pollution, have continued to damage forests.  The need to
sustain forests and to manage them for future generations, because of the
growing demand on their multiple functions and services, remains a major
challenge.  Particular attention should be focused on the integrated and
balanced approach towards environmental and developmental functions of
forests, sustainable forest management, conservation of biological diversity,
air quality, conservation of  soil and water resources, restoration of damaged
forests; and on shortages of forest products and services, including those
that are vital for rural communities, such as fuelwood and forest-based
medicines; and on participation of major groups, particularly indigenous
people and local communities.  

201. The Commission welcomes progress that has been made with regard to the
level of awareness, adaptation of policies, preparation or adaptation of
strategies and action plans on forests.  The Commission notes with
appreciation the results of several country-led forums that have contributed
significantly to international dialogue on forests, national reporting and
better understanding of sustainable forest management.  These forums include
approaches towards national reporting, co-sponsored by India and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; criteria and indicators for
sustainable forest management through the Helsinki, Montreal, Amazon and
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) processes; the
Intergovernmental Working Group on Forests, co-sponsored by Malaysia and
Canada, to examine opportunities and options for action on forests; and the
Global Forest Policy Dialogue co-sponsored by Indonesia and the Centre for
International Forestry Research (CIFOR).  However, the Commission calls for
further attention to the cross-sectoral factors that are the underlying causes
of deforestation and degradation of forests such as production and consumption
patterns, poverty, population growth, insufficient environmental education and
knowledge, terms of trade, discriminatory trade practices and unsustainable
policies and practices related to such sectors as agriculture, energy and
trade as well as forestry.  In this regard, it stresses the need for
addressing policy issues including the conservation, valuation and sustainable
use of forests in an integrated and holistic manner.  The Commission also
considers that the potential role of voluntary certification schemes with
regard to sustainable forest management, trade in forest products, and
consumer education should be further studied, ensuring full transparency and
participation of all interested parties.

202. The Commission considers that further actions are required to improve
the conservation and sustainable management of existing forests, to restore
degraded forests and, where possible, to create new forests, including
plantations, in order to reduce pressure on natural forests, to increase wood
supplies as well as to fulfil other production, protection and social
functions of forests, through an integrated and multidisciplinary,
people-oriented approach.  In this regard, the Commission welcomes the Rome
Statement on Forestry as adopted by the  Meeting of Ministers Responsible for
Forests, the first under the framework of FAO (Rome, 16 and 17 March 1995). 
The Commission notes that the Ministers fully assumed their sectoral
responsibility for the forest-related provisions of Agenda 21 and expressed
their political support for further enhancement of national capabilities and
international cooperation and coordination, as well as for the formulation and
implementation of appropriate policies required to meet the challenges in the
field of forests.

203. The Commission urges Governments and interested organizations and groups
to mobilize financial resources, including the provision of new and additional
resources, and the transfer of environmentally sound technology on favourable
terms as mutually agreed for full and effective implementation of the
Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global
Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Development of All Types of
Forests (Forest Principles) and chapter 11 of Agenda 21.

204. The Commission considers further concrete actions, on the management,
conservation and sustainable development of forests, particularly by
Governments, to be an urgent priority.  It stresses the need to further assess
actions already undertaken to combat deforestation and forest degradation and
to promote management, conservation and sustainable development of all types
of forests, including environmental and socio-economic impacts; and against
that background, to propose options for further action.  In order to pursue
consensus and formulation of coordinated proposals for such action, the
Commission decides to establish an open-ended ad hoc Intergovernmental Panel
on Forests, under its aegis, to work in an open, transparent and participatory
manner.  The mandate, modalities for the establishment, and terms of reference
for the proposed Panel are given in annex I below.




                                    Annex I

               COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OPEN-ENDED
                      INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON FORESTS


                                 I.  OBJECTIVE

1.   The Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Sectoral Issues met in New
York from 27 February to 3 March 1995, and recommended that at its third
session in April 1995, the Commission on Sustainable Development establish,
under its aegis, an open-ended ad hoc Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (to
be referred to hereinafter as the "Panel").  The recent Rome Meeting of
Ministers Responsible for Forests welcomed such a proposal.

2.   The Commission considers further concrete actions on the management,
conservation, and sustainable development of forests, particularly by
Governments, to be an urgent priority.  It stresses the need to further assess
action already undertaken to combat deforestation and forest degradation and
to promote management, conservation and sustainable development of all types
of forests, including environmental and socio-economic impacts; and against
that background to propose options for further actions.  In order to pursue
consensus and formulation of coordinated proposals for action, the Commission
decides to establish an open-ended ad hoc Intergovernmental Panel on Forests,
under its aegis, to work in an open, transparent and participatory manner.

3.   The Panel should promote multidisciplinary action at the international
level consistent with the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of
Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and
Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests (Forest Principles), adopted
by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.  The
Commission recognizes the sovereignty of countries over their natural
resources, as set forth in principle 1 (a) of the Forest Principles.  The
Commission also recognizes that the right to development must be fulfilled so
as to equitably meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and
future generations.


                        II.  ISSUES FOR PRIORITY ACTION

1.   The issues for priority action should include the following elements,
which are derived from the Forest Principles and chapter 11 of Agenda 21, and
which take into account subsequent international initiatives related to
forests, including the report of the ad hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on
Sectoral Issues of the Commission on Sustainable Development and the Rome
Statement on Forestry, 16 and 17 March 1995.  In pursuing consensus and
formulation of coordinated proposals for action, the Panel should consider the
following main interrelated categories of issues:

     (a) Implementation of United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development decisions related to forests at the national and international
level including an examination of sectoral and cross-sectoral linkages;

     (b) International cooperation in financial assistance and technology
transfer;

     (c) Scientific research, forest assessment and development of criteria
and indicators for sustainable forest management;

     (d) Trade and environment relating to forest products and services;

     (e) International organizations and multilateral institutions and
instruments including appropriate legal mechanisms.


                            III.  PROGRAMME OF WORK

                                       I

1.   Consider actions to promote progress through national forests and land-
use plans and programmes in implementing the Forest Principles and chapter 11
and other chapters related to forests in Agenda 21, through an open,
transparent and participatory process involving Governments and all interested
parties, including major groups, particularly indigenous people and local
communities.

2.   Identify and consider ways to address the underlying causes of
deforestation, forest degradation and the difficulties in implementing
sustainable forest management, with particular attention to cross-sectoral
factors, including the impact on and from forests, at the national and
international levels, such as consumption and production patterns, poverty,
population growth, pollution, terms of trade, discriminatory trade practices
and unsustainable policies related to sectors such as agriculture, energy and
trade.

3.   Consistent with the terms of the Convention on Biological Diversity,
encourage countries to consider ways and means for the effective protection
and use of traditional forest-related knowledge, innovations and practices of
forest dwellers, indigenous people and other local communities, as well as
fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from such knowledge,
innovations and practices.

4.   Monitor actions to support afforestation, reforestation and the
restoration of forest systems, where appropriate, particularly in countries
with fragile ecosystems and affected by desertification and/or drought,
particularly in Africa.  Within this context, also consider specific actions
in countries whose forests are affected by pollution, particularly those with
economies in transition in central and eastern Europe.

5.   Propose measures to address the needs and requirements of developing
countries and other countries with low forest cover in order to promote the
activities aimed at conserving the existing coverage, with particular
attention to the unique types of forests.

                                      II

1.   Explore ways of improving the efficiency and coordination of bilateral
and multilateral assistance; and consider ways to address the critical areas
relating to the transfer and development of environmentally sound technology
on favourable terms as mutually agreed and the mobilization of financial
resources, including the provision of new and additional resources with a view
to assisting developing countries to pursue policies and comprehensive
strategies for achieving sustainable forest management, recalling principles
10 and 11 of the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for
a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development
of All Types of Forests, and the Rome Statement on Forestry, agreed by
Ministers Responsible for Forests in March 1995.

                                      III

1.   Review existing periodic assessment of forests, including relevant
socio-economic and environmental factors, at the global level; identify
shortfalls in present assessments relative to policy considerations; and
recommend practical ways of improving such assessments.  Examine ways to
broaden the scientific knowledge and the statistical database available in
order to better understand the ecological, economic, cultural and social
functions performed by all types of forests.  Promote the further development
of methodologies for properly valuing the multiple benefits derived from
forests in the form of goods and services, and subsequently to consider their
inclusion within the systems of national accounting, drawing upon work that
has been already undertaken by the United Nations and other relevant
organizations.

2.   Encourage national implementation of criteria and indicators for
sustainable forest management and study the feasibility of further developing
internationally agreed upon criteria and indicators against which progress
towards sustainable forest management of all types of forests could be
measured, taking into account the specific regional and subregional conditions
of forests and the diversity of economic, social and cultural environments. 
Within this context, facilitate the engagement of regions and countries not
yet involved in developing criteria and indicators of sustainable forest
management; share experiences in testing and implementing them; and examine
the need to promote comparability and the appropriateness of convergence among
international initiatives in this regard.

                                      IV

1.   Examine relevant factors affecting trade in forest products and other
forest-and-trade issues in an integrated and holistic approach that promotes a
supportive relationship between trade and environment.  In this connection,
identify opportunities and recommend measures for improving market access for
forest products on a non-discriminatory basis and consider factors that may
distort trade in forest products and affect their value, including pricing,
import/export controls, subsidies and the need to remove unilateral bans and
boycotts inconsistent with the rules of the international trade system.  
Promote the development of methodologies to advance the full valuation,
including replacement and environmental costs, of forest goods and services,
with a view to promoting full cost internalization.  Taking account of the
interests of all sectors and particularities of different countries and
ensuring full transparency and participation of all interested parties,
examine the issue of voluntary certification and labelling of forest products
so as to contribute to a better understanding of the role of voluntary
certification with regard to the sustainable management of forests, including
the impact of certification on developing countries.

                                       V

1.   Develop a clearer view of the work being carried out by international
organizations and multilateral institutions and under existing instruments as
appropriate, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing
Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and
the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) in forest-related issues,
including United Nations Conference on Environment and Development decisions
related to forests, and the institutional linkages emanating therefrom, in
order to identify any gaps, and areas requiring enhancement, as well as any
areas of duplication.

2.   In the light of issues I-V.1 above, based on consensus-building in a
step-by-step process, consider and advise on the need, or otherwise, for other
instruments or arrangements in further implementation of the Forest
Principles, including appropriate legal arrangements and mechanisms covering
all types of forests.


           IV.  PANEL COMPOSITION, ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF WORK

1.   The Commission on Sustainable Development recommends that the Panel
should be an open-ended intergovernmental body.  The Panel shall be composed
of representatives from Governments.  The European Community shall be entitled
to participate in the same manner as under the Economic and Social Council
decision as to its status in the Commission on Sustainable Development. 
Intergovernmental organizations and the full range of non-governmental
organizations and other groups would participate as observers in the Panel, on
an open-ended and fully participatory basis.

2.   The Panel should draw particularly on the resources and technical
expertise of relevant organizations, including FAO, UNEP, UNDP, the World
Bank, ITTO and other relevant organizations within and outside the United
Nations system as well as secretariats of relevant conventions, with
appropriate contributions of non-governmental organizations.

3.   The Panel will submit a progress report to the fourth session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development in 1996 and its final conclusions,
recommendations and proposals for action to the Commission on Sustainable
Development's fifth session in 1997.  At its first session, which should be
held as soon as practicable in 1995, the Panel will consider the need for
dividing its tasks among appropriate subgroups, as decided.  At this session,
the Panel will also resolve pending issues on the modalities of work,
including election and designation of office-holders.  The Panel should seek
inputs of major groups in all activities in its programme of work.


              V.  SECRETARIAT AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE PANEL

1.   The ultimate responsibility for the process and product of the Panel
will reside with the Panel itself.  Secretariat support should be provided by
a small team under the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development of the United Nations Secretariat, possibly coordinated by a
temporary direct hire, assuming the availability of funds and with the
secondment of relevant personnel from the United Nations system and other
organizations, where relevant, particularly FAO as task manager for chapter 11
of Agenda 21 in the United Nations system, UNEP, UNDP and ITTO.  The
secretariat would relay tasks from the Panel to appropriate organizations,
develop and maintain an effective communication system between the Panel and
organizations, and undertake logistic meeting preparations and document
dissemination.  Under the direction of the Panel, the secretariat would also
facilitate coordination of work undertaken.

2.   Operation of the panel will require funding to support meetings and
participation by developing country representatives and major groups from
developing countries.  In addition to drawing on existing resources where
efficient, the following sources of funding should be considered:

     (a) Voluntary extrabudgetary contributions from Governments and
international organizations to support the work of the Panel;

     (b) Secondments from international organizations;

     (c) In-kind contributions from countries and international
organizations, including hosting meetings.

3.   To ensure quick start-up of the Panel, interested Governments and
organizations are encouraged to make early voluntary contributions.  As far as
possible, support from the United Nations system should be derived from the
reallocation of resources within existing budgets of United Nations bodies in
order to respond to high-priority activities.



                                   Annex II

          PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED
          IN THE DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION AT ITS THIRD SESSION


1.   Under the terms of paragraph 204 of chapter I of the report of the
Commission on its third session, the Commission decides to establish an open-
ended ad hoc Intergovernmental Panel on Forests, under its aegis, to work in
an open, transparent and participatory manner.

2.   Following the review of the mandate, modalities and terms of reference
of the Panel as outlined in annex I to section D.5 above and relating
consultations, it is assumed that the Panel would have one session in 1995,
two sessions in 1996 and one session in 1997 of one week duration each.  The
substantive support to the Panel would be provided by the Department for
Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations
Secretariat and would be equivalent to 24 Professional and 24 General Service
work-months per year (12 Professional and 12 General Service work-months in
1995), to be financed from extrabudgetary resources.  The conference-servicing
would be provided in all official languages of the United Nations.

3.   On the basis of the above assumptions, the costs of the activities would
be as follows:

                                                   1995         1996-1997
                                                     $              $

     Travel of members of the Commission
     to the Panel                                 132 500        636 000

     Substantive support                          314 900        682 800

     Conference-servicing requirements            320 600        998 700


4.   Should the Economic and Social Council adopt the recommendation of the
Commission, the costs relating to attendance of the Commission's members at
the Panel's session in 1995 ($132,500) would be financed from the 1994-1995
appropriation approved for the Commission's activities.  The relating costs
for 1996-1997 ($636,000) represent additional requirements under section 7A of
the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.  This requirement
would be dealt with in accordance with the procedure for use and operation of
the contingency fund established by General Assembly resolution 42/211.

5.   The conference-servicing requirements for the meetings ($320,600 for
1995 and $998,700 for 1996-1997) will be dealt with within the overall
provisions for conference-servicing of United Nations meetings and
conferences, reserved in the programme budget for those periods respectively. 
The actual conference-servicing costs of the meetings will be reported to the
General Assembly within the context of the budget performance reports.

6.   Extrabudgetary funds will be sought to meet the requirements for
substantive support and servicing of the Panel by the Department for Policy
Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United Nations Secretariat 
($314,900 in 1995 and $682,800 in 1996-1997).

          6.  Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development

205. The Commission notes with concern that, even though some progress has
been reported, disappointment is widely expressed at the slow progress in
moving towards sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD) in many
countries.

206. The Commission recognizes the need for further practical action to
promote and enhance sustainable agriculture and rural development.  Such
action should aim at balancing the immediate need to increase food production
and food security and to combat poverty, and the need to protect physical and
biological resources.  While the Commission recognizes the potential of
sustainable use of lands to enhance food production for local food security,
it notes that the approach must also focus on the small farmers in marginal
lands.  This approach must lead to a productive sustainable agriculture which
contributes to the social and economic vitality of rural areas and ensures
balanced rural/urban development.  In addition, traditional agriculture, which
produces a substantial proportion of the world's food supply and which at the
same time contributes to the protection of biodiversity, must be maintained
and developed in a sustainable way. 

207. There is a need for a deeper and wider understanding of various relations
between the farmer and his and her environment at the household and community
levels and of the biophysical processes that underlie the interactions between
farming activities and the ecologies in which they take place.  SARD
objectives need to be pursued with the full and vigorous participation of
rural people and their communities.  The capacity of local Governments, with
regard to decision-making and the implementation of economically viable,
environmentally sound and socially equitable agricultural and rural
development programmes and the participation of private sector,
non-governmental organizations and farmers' organizations therein, needs to be
enhanced.

208. The Commission recommends that FAO, the United Nations Development Fund
for Women (UNIFEM) and UNDP, together with national and local government
agencies, and in cooperation with non-governmental and people's representative
organizations, promote an exchange of experiences with participatory
mechanisms, with a view to enhancing their effectiveness.

209. Sustainable agriculture and rural development must take place within the
framework of an undistorted sectoral and economy-wide policy framework that
fully integrates environmental considerations.  In this context, the full
implementation of the Final Act Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations 5/ is an important step contributing to
liberalizing international trade in agriculture.  In particular, the reforms
to achieve substantial and progressive reduction in the support and protection
of agriculture, in accordance with the Uruguay Round agreement covering
internal regimes, market access and export subsidies, are ongoing.  With a
view to promoting sustainable development, non-trade concerns such as
economic, social, food security and environmental impact of trade policies,
including trade liberalization, should be monitored and evaluated, especially
taking into account their impact on developing countries, in particular the
least developed countries and the net food-importing developing countries. 
Such monitoring and evaluation should be done in consultation with major
groups.

210. The Commission requests FAO, within existing resources, in collaboration
with UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization, UNDP, UNEP and other relevant
organizations, to analyse the implications for SARD of the Final Act Embodying
the Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations at
national, regional and international levels.

211. In this context, the Commission notes, taking into account the impact on
and the socio-economic conditions in developing countries, in particular least
developed countries and net food-importing developing countries, the
importance of a comprehensive examination of the environmental consequences of
the use of agricultural practices and policies, including agricultural
subsidies, in all countries and their impact on sustainable agricultural and
rural development.

212. The Commission notes that the absence of sufficiently comprehensive
indicators hampers the effective monitoring of progress.  In this regard, the
Commission stresses the importance of developing appropriate internationally
agreed agri-environmental criteria and indicators applicable to developed and
developing country situations in order to monitor the status of and progress
towards SARD, with the full and effective participation of developing
countries, reflecting their specific conditions and priority needs.  Such
indicators should cover environmental, economic, social and cultural
dimensions.  In developing such criteria and indicators, account should be
taken of ongoing work at the national level.

213. The achievement of the multiple objectives related to sustainable
agriculture and rural development requires a whole-system approach that
recognizes that it is not possible to focus on agricultural activities alone. 
There is a need to incorporate other aspects such as land-use planning and
community development.  In this regard, consideration should be given to
increasing farmers' capacity to assume activities such as marketing and
processing.  This could involve more efficient allocation and use of
resources;  a move from policy-induced surpluses in developed countries; an
international economic environment more supportive of the implementation of
policies aimed at the achievement of sustainable agricultural and rural
development; more predictable market access and export earnings; making credit
available for enhancing production; provision of technical and financial
assistance to support developing countries, in particular least developed
countries and net food-importing developing countries so as to improve their
agricultural productivity and infrastructure; and taking advantage of the
trading environment emerging from the Uruguay Round.  Such microeconomic
development would ensure the revitalization of rural economies and the
strengthening of rural communities.  There is also a need to change attitudes
and take concrete steps towards adopting sustainable agricultural policies and
practices in order to enhance that process.  The Commission urges Governments,
with the support of the international community and non-governmental
organizations, to work out their own comprehensive agricultural policies and
programmes that take full account of environmental concerns and
capacity-building, including strengthening farmers' organizations.

214. The Commission notes the need to promote in all countries sustainable
agriculture and ecological farming practices and supportive strategic,
problem-solving agricultural research, including the acquisition of
technological information.  The Commission urges support for research and
technology development through strengthening institutional arrangements, such
as national research institutions and extension and education systems,
developing regional cooperative networks, including those of farmers and other
rural producers where locally appropriate, and enhancing support of and from
the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system. 
This support should encourage and reward the active involvement of farmers and
fieldworkers and their innovations so as to recognize their role as developers
of technology through informal research.  Research priorities should be
established in consultation with farmers and their representative
organizations, to ensure that the issues related to resources-poor farmers,
living in arid and dry sub-humid areas and amid degraded soils, and to women
are integrated.

215. Agricultural research programmes should focus on developing location-
specific technologies for farming systems so as to encompass not only the
whole range of annual crops, including horticulture, but also livestock
management and household production and processing systems, appropriate low-
cost soil and water conservation practices, and yield optimization strategies
combining appropriate low-cost inputs with time-tested local and high-yielding
new varieties having biotic and abiotic resistance, as well as on the use of
organic and ecological farming methods, and integrated pest management (IPM).

216. The Commission encourages Governments to integrate action on energy into
their efforts for sustainable agriculture and rural development, paying
particular attention to the use of energy for electrification, heating and
other purposes, by means of renewable and other forms of energy.

217. The Commission urges Governments to support and facilitate efforts of
interested developing countries in their transition towards the sustainable
use of an appropriate mix of fossil and renewable sources of energy for rural
communities, taking note of the recommendations made by the Committee on New
and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development, at its special
session in February 1995.

218. The Commission notes with concern that attention to and progress in the
area of animal genetic resources have not been commensurate with those related
to plant genetic resources.  The Commission urges that national and
international action be strengthened with the objective of bringing
international cooperation and support for the conservation and sustainable use
of animal genetic resources to a level similar to that of ongoing initiatives
concerning plant genetic resources.

219. The Commission notes with appreciation the efforts of the organizations
within and outside the United Nations system in terms of coordination and
cooperation concerning activities related to sustainable agriculture and rural
development.  The Commission urges that such efforts be further strengthened. 
FAO's Integrated Cooperative Programme Framework for Sustainable Agriculture
and Rural Development (ICPF/SARD) and its component Special Action Programmes
provide a useful vehicle for bringing together the initiatives of different
development partners. 

220. The Commission notes the progress that has been made by both developing
and developed countries that have adopted policies of pesticide use reduction
as a means of moving towards sustainable agriculture.  The Commission
recommends that all countries take steps to reduce the environmental impact of
pesticide use by promoting IPM as an alternative to exclusive reliance on
chemical pesticides. The Commission further invites FAO, in collaboration with
UNEP, UNDP, the World Bank, the CGIAR centres and other interested
organizations, to strengthen and extend to a wider number of countries its
ongoing programmes and projects for sustainable land and water management in
agriculture, integrated pest management and integrated plant nutrition
management, with participation of major groups.

221. The Commission recommends that, under the auspices of FAO as task manager
and building on a partnership between Governments, intergovernmental agencies
and agricultural research institutions, and non-governmental and farmers
organizations, drawing on successful examples of SARD, there should be a
synthesis and exchange of information and practical experience with a view to
identifying models that could be applied in other situations.  Such an
exchange could be through the holding of sub-regional or regional workshops,
the results of which would be widely disseminated.


                   7.  Conservation of biological diversity

222. The Commission reaffirms the importance of the conservation of biological
diversity and the sustainable use of its components, including marine and
coastal ecosystems.  It recognizes that the Convention on Biological Diversity
provides the principal mechanism for advancing these objectives and notes with
appreciation the statement presented by the President of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention.

223. The Commission notes the successful outcome of the first session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in
Nassau, the Bahamas, in 1994.  It welcomes the adoption by the Conference of
the Parties of a medium-term programme of work that reflects a balance among
the Convention's three objectives:  conservation of biological diversity,
sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.  The Commission
also welcomes the prompt establishment under the Conference of the Parties of
the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the
rapid action towards the development of a clearing-house to promote and
facilitate technical and scientific cooperation.

224. Furthermore, the Commission welcomes the invitation by the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to participate in a
dialogue on biodiversity and forests and recognizes the crucial role of
conservation and sustainable management of all types of forests for
maintaining the biological diversity of the whole planet, as well as the role
of biological diversity for the integrity and functioning of forest
ecosystems.  The Commission emphasizes that biological diversity is of
essential importance for the ecosystem functions of forests and further
recognizes the role of conservation, management and sustainable use of forests
for achieving the objectives of the Convention and welcomes future
contributions of the Conference of the Parties to this end.

225. The Commission welcomes the activities to date undertaken within the
United Nations system as well as the active participation of non-governmental
organizations in the post-United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development process.

226. The Commission stresses that the conservation of biological diversity and
the sustainable use of its components cut across a wide spectrum of sectoral
and cross-sectoral issues addressed in Agenda 21.  The underlying motivation
for conserving biological diversity and using its components sustainably is
based on its significance for the integrity and functioning of the life-
supporting ecosystems, and this is deeply rooted in concerns for the
well-being and sustainable development of humankind, embracing such issues as
ecosystem services, food security, poverty and the traditional knowledge,
innovations and practices of indigenous people and local communities. 

227. The Commission recognizes that, as provided for in article 20.4 of the
Convention, the extent to which developing-country parties will effectively
implement their commitments under the Convention will depend on the effective
implementation by developed-country parties of their commitments under the
Convention related to financial resources and transfer of technology.

228. The Commission notes the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity to include in its medium-term Programme,
inter alia, consideration of the knowledge, innovations and practices of
indigenous and local communities.

229. The Commission notes that the restructured and replenished Global
Environment Facility (GEF) will continue on an interim basis as the entity
entrusted with the operation of the financial mechanisms of the Convention on
Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change.  The Commission emphasizes the importance of a speedy implementation
of these commitments and the other responsibilities of GEF and recalls its
1994 decision in which it stated that the first replenishment of the
restructured GEF was a first step at a minimum level and that there would be a
need for further replenishment of its funds as the implementation of
commitments under the various agreements and objectives envisaged for the
Facility proceeded.

230. The Commission, stressing that these activities have to be implemented
through the Convention:

     (a)  Urges the Governments that have not yet done so to ratify, accede to
and begin implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity;

     (b)  Urges the international community to support efforts aimed at
capacity-building as well as human resource development, and at the transfer
of technology to developing countries for the conservation of biodiversity,
including through in situ and ex situ conservation, and the sustainable use of
its components, and also urges each country to take legislative,
administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, with the aim of having the
private sector facilitate access to joint development of technology, in
accordance with article 16.4 of the Convention;

     (c)  Encourages the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity, in collaboration with relevant organizations, to explore
means for coordinating relevant global and regional agreements related to the
Convention on Biological Diversity and establishing effective cooperation
mechanisms;

     (d)  Urges Governments to integrate actions geared to conserving
biodiversity and the sustainable utilization of its components and to promote
sustainable development, inter alia, through integrated action plans and
sectoral strategies, particularly in forests, agriculture, living marine
resources, rural development and land use, and to monitor the implementation
and reporting of progress made;

     (e)  Also urges Governments to promote the fair and equitable sharing of
the benefits accruing from the utilization of biological resources, in
accordance with the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity;

     (f)  Calls upon multilateral organizations, other intergovernmental
organizations and non-governmental organizations to cooperate with the
Convention on Biological Diversity and Governments in developing coordinating
mechanisms based on national plans and programmes in accordance with the
provisions of the Convention so as to ensure the effective implementation of
the Convention and other related agreements;

     (g)  Welcomes the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention to establish the clearing-house mechanism of the Convention, and
urges Governments and intergovernmental, as well as non-governmental
organizations, to collect, analyse and disseminate more reliable and adequate
data for measuring achievements at the national, regional and global levels; 

     (h)  Calls upon Governments, and multilateral and other intergovernmental
organizations to make full use of existing knowledge and to further improve
understanding of biodiversity in sustainable development;

     (i)  Calls upon the international community to make efforts to develop
economic mechanisms for determining the costs and benefits of the conservation
of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components, and upon
Governments in accordance with their national plans, policies and programmes
to consider and undertake policies aimed at the effective implementation of
the objectives of chapter 15 of Agenda 21;

     (j)  Welcomes the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity to include in its medium-term programme,
inter alia, consideration of the knowledge, innovations and practices of
indigenous and local communities; takes note of the statement of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention (E/CN.17/1995/27, annex) and notes
that it would also be desirable that future work on the protection of
traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous and local communities
relevant to conservation and sustainable use be coordinated with the relevant
bodies; and welcomes the progress made in revising the International
Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture which relates
to outstanding matters concerning plant genetic resources, including access to
ex situ collections and the question of farmers' rights.


                               E.  Other matters

               Ad hoc open-ended inter-sessional working groups
                               of the Commission

231. The Commission decides that two ad hoc open-ended inter-sessional working
groups will be set up in order to prepare for its fourth session.  The Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Sectoral Issues will deal with sectoral
chapters of Agenda 21 under review in 1996, namely chapter 9 on the protection
of the atmosphere and chapter 17 on protection of the oceans, all kind of
seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the
protection, rational use and development of their living resources.  The other
group will deal with financial resources and mechanisms as well as changing
production and consumption patterns.  Both groups will address related aspects
of transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-
building, in accordance with the decision contained in paragraph 217 of
Chapter I of the report of the Commission on its second session.  The
Commission requests the Bureau in consultation with member States and with the
assistance of the Secretariat to elaborate the provisional agendas for the
ad hoc open-ended inter-sessional working groups and proposals on
organizational modalities.


        F.  Provisional agenda for the fourth session of the Commission

232. The Commission recommends that the Economic and Social Council approve
the provisional agenda for its fourth session, set out below:

     1.   Election of officers.

     2.   Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.

     3.   Cross-sectoral issues, with particular reference to the critical
          elements of sustainability (Agenda 21, chapters 2-5).

     4.   Financial resources and mechanisms (Agenda 21, chapter 33).

     5.   Education, science and the transfer of environmentally sound
          technology, with particular reference to Agenda 21, chapters 34, 36
          and 37.

     6.   Review of sectoral clusters:

          (a)  Chapter 9 (Atmosphere) and chapter 17 (Oceans and all kinds of
               seas);

          (b)  Progress report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests;

          (c)  Progress report on the implementation of the decisions made by
               the Commission at its second and third sessions.

     7.   Progress in the implementation of the Programme of Action for the
          Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

     8.   Other matters.

     9.   High-level meeting.

    10.   Provisional agenda for the fifth session of the Commission.

    11.   Adoption of the report of the Commission on its fourth session.




                                  Chapter II

        CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY OF THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF THE COMMISSION


1.   The Commission on Sustainable Development has met for its third session
with an impressive show of attendance on the part of more than 50 State
Ministers and Secretaries.

2.   This time not only environmental Ministers but those responsible for
other relevant sectors such as finance, planning, development cooperation,
forestry, agriculture, labour and infrastructure actively participated in the
proceedings.

3.   Another significant feature was the genuine collaboration of the entire
family of United Nations institutions, both during the preparatory phase and
at the session itself.

4.   This clearly underlines the Commission on Sustainable Development's firm
commitment to the Rio de Janeiro follow-up process, and establishes the
principle of sustainability as the driving force for the integration of
economic, social, environmental and institutional concerns.

5.   The intensity and diversity of initiatives for sustainable development,
whether of national, regional or international scope, indicate the
Commission's growing influence and this was emphasized by the participants. 
The Commission has received valuable support from Governments, the United
Nations system, and other international organizations, and its work has
captured the attention and the participation of the major groups of society.

6.   The Commission on Sustainable Development has thus mobilized a variety
of efforts and gained political impetus in implementing the concept of
sustainable development, in an open and transparent manner.  On the other
hand, while advancing intergovernmental exchanges and achieving some degree of
consensus-building, it has attributed operational significance to the promises
and expectations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development.

7.   Following the pattern set in Rio, the Commission on Sustainable
Development has assured intense participation by all stakeholders in the
process of shaping the sustainable development agenda for the future.  The
proposal to establish an Intergovernmental Panel on Forests, the analysis of
patterns of consumption and production, a review of the mechanisms for
transferring environmentally sound technologies and the formulation of
sustainable development indicators are typical examples of the progress made
by the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities.

8.   High-level meeting participants described a number of encouraging
initiatives at the national and international levels, among which was the
action taken to phase out lead in gasoline.  In this respect, the Commission
encouraged the exchange of national experiences, particularly among developing
countries, in the use of environmentally sustainable technologies such as the
use of ethanol and biomass as alternative sources of energy.

9.   The need to further pursue the implementation of all United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development decisions and commitments was
highlighted by several participants.

10.  One of the continuing areas of concern remains the financing of
sustainable development aimed at supporting national efforts in developing
countries and economies in transition.  Much disappointment was expressed with
regard to the need for new and additional resources in terms of official
development assistance (ODA), which has declined both in absolute terms and as
a percentage of gross national product (GNP).

11.  Many speakers stressed the importance of ODA in promoting institutional
strengthening and other aspects of sustainable development in many parts of
the world, and they urged the Commission on Sustainable Development to review
the extent to which Agenda 21 recommendations were in fact implemented.  At
the same time, emphasis was often placed on the importance of international
and domestic policies on economic instruments, financial mechanisms and other
means of mobilizing financial resources in the direction of sustainable
development.

12.  The setting up of an Intergovernmental Panel on Forests was unanimously
supported, and seen as a real achievement demonstrating the level of
credibility attained by the Commission on Sustainable Development in
fulfilling one of the main decisions reached at the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development.

13.  Practical and action-oriented guidance is expected from the Panel in
order to advance international understanding and consensual agreement on this
complex issue.  It is essential to maintain the political momentum achieved by
all parties during the third session and assure the Panel an early and
successful start.  The Panel shall have two co-chairmen to be proposed by the
Chairman of the Commission on Sustainable Development in consultation with the
Bureau and interested ministers and elected at its first session.  Regular
meetings will be held preferably in New York, but may take place in other
locations in order to ensure the widest possible participation, whenever
possible, depending upon the availability of adequate resources.

14.  An integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources
was presented as a cornerstone in the combating of deforestation,
desertification and drought; the promoting of sustainable agriculture, rural
and mountain development; the conservation of biological diversity; and the
sustainable management of all types of forests.  An essential element in
addressing those initiatives is a people-oriented, balanced approach, adapted
to specific circumstances so as to solicit participation at the local and
intermediate levels of decision-making.

15.  Practical and successful tools recommended for the implementation of
sustainable solutions were among others the development of land-use planning
systems, the promotion of pest management programmes in agriculture, and
regional/subregional agreements in relation to mountain ecosystems.  Enhanced
productivity in agriculture and other rural activities could be further
obtained through the appropriate use of renewable energy sources as well as
fossil fuels.

16.  Participants highlighted the importance of national information to
document efforts and progress made at the national level in implementing
Agenda 21, also in preparation for the 1997 review.  They noted with
satisfaction that 53 States and 2 organizations had submitted national
information to the Secretariat.  The presentation of national experiences
during this session by 10 countries representing all regions was considered a
very valuable complement to the written reports; it deserves follow-up at
future sessions.  The related work on indicators forms an important element in
the reporting process.  Donors were encouraged to support developing countries
with their preparations for future sessions of the Commission on Sustainable
Development.  Given the heavy reporting burden and the risk of excessive
fragmentation, there is a need for streamlining of the various requirements
for reporting on national progress in achieving sustainable development.

17.  The participants in the high-level segment expressed their appreciation
for the continued participation of major groups in the Commission's work.  A
conscious effort to support and encourage the involvement of civil society in
the post-Rio process was felt to be a source of strength.  The Day of Local
Authorities was seen as a constructive approach to highlighting concrete
results at the local level through the contributions of specific major groups.

This approach must be continued in coming sessions.  A Day of the Workplace,
foreseen for the fourth session, will help demonstrate the contributions of
workers and trade unions and business and industry to sustainable development.

18.  The crucial role of women as well as youth and indigenous people and
other local communities in decision-making was reiterated by many delegations.

They felt that the Commission should build on the dynamism displayed by
non-governmental organizations and other major groups at the national and
international levels through their active participation and contributions to
sustainable development in general and to the work of the Commission in
particular.  Involvement of all relevant groups in a dialogue at the national,
regional and international levels is imperative to achieving a sustainable
future.

19.  They are essential in a people-centred focus within the paradigm of
sustainable development.  Within this context, the participants recognized the
enormous contribution made by the International Conference on Population and
Development and by the World Summit for Social Development and the importance
of implementing the Programmes of Action that they had adopted, noting that
through such implementation all of the objectives agreed in Agenda 21 in
respect of combating poverty and addressing demographic issues would be fully
achieved.  There was a clear recognition that poverty eradication is an
indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

20.  The Panel discussion on employment and sustainable development provided
a timely opportunity to highlight the critical links between the commitments
made by the international community at the Rio Earth Summit and the Copenhagen
World Summit for Social Development.  It emphasized the role of partnership
and participation of the relevant stakeholders in promoting full employment as
an essential component of fulfilling sustainable development objectives. 
Globalization, the increased reliance on market mechanisms and the growing
interdependence among nations makes this a complex and challenging task.  The
Panel discussion stressed the need for much greater attention to be given to
these issues in future.

21.  The adoption of the world programme on changing production and
consumption patterns confirms that this issue is at the heart of the work of
the Commission.  How do we bring about the changes in all countries, but
especially in developed countries, so as to make the transition to a society
in which the patterns of production and consumption are sustainable?  In this
respect, the reassertion of the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities was particularly stressed.  Many linkages with the sectoral
issues will come to the forefront in the preparations for next year's session.

Energy and transport, essential sectors when addressing production and
consumption patterns, are an important part of the chapter of Agenda 21 on
protection of the atmosphere, which the Commission will review next year.

22.  The participants emphasized the responsibility shared by all
stakeholders in society.  Governments should provide an overall framework,
including regulation, economic incentives and infrastructure to create the
necessary conditions and facilities for business, industry and households to
move towards sustainable production and consumption patterns.  Business and
industry, particularly those of developed countries, should fulfil their
responsibility for managing the life-cycle impact of the goods and services
they supply and are encouraged to provide information on the environmental and
health effects arising from the production and consumption of their products. 
Households, particularly in developed countries, should adopt sustainable
consumption habits and lifestyles.  In this regard, public awareness
campaigns, education and community-based voluntary action could contribute to
fostering changes in lifestyles.  The panel on mass media showed concrete
examples in this respect.  It also highlighted the importance of generating a
higher level of interest in the Commission on Sustainable Development's
achievements by the media.

23.  It was recognized that there was a need to analyse the potential effects
of environmentally related trade issues and in particular product-specific
policies, such as eco-labelling and certain packaging and recycling
requirements, especially as regards their potential impacts on exports,
especially those of developing countries and countries with economies in
transition; it was also necessary to strengthen mechanisms to improve
transparency in the setting of such standards and to strengthen international
cooperation which could create trading opportunities for developing countries
in expanding markets for environmentally friendly products.  In view of the
impacts of trade liberalization on changing production patterns in exporting
countries, the need for capacity-building in developing countries and
economies in transition to further the integrating of trade and environmental
policies was stressed.

24.  The participants welcomed various initiatives presented by many
developed and developing countries during the high-level segment to support
the inter-sessional work of the Commission with a view to enriching the
preparations for the Commission's fourth session.

25.  Following the pattern of the previous inter-sessional period, two ad hoc
open-ended inter-sessional working groups will be set up to address the
sectoral items programmed for 1996, namely atmosphere and oceans, and related
technology issues, on the one hand, and the cross-sectoral issues of financial
resources and mechanisms as well as changing production and consumption
patterns, on the other.

26.  Furthermore, it was underscored that the 1997 special session of the
General Assembly, which is expected to review the overall progress achieved
since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, should be
seen as an important opportunity to take stock both of practical experiences
gained at the national and international levels to achieve sustainable
development, and of main global political developments, such as the outcomes
of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States, the International Conference on Population and Development,
the World Summit for Social Development, the Fourth World Conference on Women,
the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), and the
United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish
Stocks, in their relationship to the implementation and enhancing of the
outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and
to forwarding progress towards sustainable development world wide.  The year
1997 will provide the opportunity to define the key issues of sustainability
and the future role of the Commission on Sustainable Development in addressing
them.

27.  The Bureau of the Commission considers as one of its main tasks the
analysis of all material available as a result of the work of the Commission
on Sustainable Development, and the review of the procedures adopted so far
for the organization and clustering of the main topics of Agenda 21. 
Furthermore, a special effort will be made at Bureau level to consider
preparations for the 1997 review.



                                  Chapter III

             GENERAL DISCUSSION ON PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
             AGENDA 21, FOCUSING ON THE CROSS-SECTORAL COMPONENTS OF
            AGENDA 21, AND THE CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY


1.   The Commission considered item 3 of its agenda at the 4th, 6th, 7th,
14th and 19th meetings, on 12, 13, 26 and 28 April 1995.  It had before it the
following documents:

     (a) Report of the Secretary-General on the role and contribution of
major groups (E/CN.17/1995/9);

     (b) Report of the Secretary-General on trade, environment and
sustainable development (E/CN.17/1995/12);

     (c) Report of the Secretary-General on changing consumption and
production patterns (E/CN.17/1995/13);

     (d) Report of the Secretary-General on poverty eradication and
sustainable development (E/CN.17/1995/14);

     (e) Report of the Secretary-General on demographic dynamics and
sustainability (E/CN.17/1995/15);

     (f) Report of the Secretary-General on information for decision-making
and Earthwatch (E/CN.17/1995/18);

     (g) Report of the Secretary-General on integrating environment and
development in decision-making (E/CN.17/1995/19);

     (h) Report of the Secretary-General on policy issues that may be
addressed at the high-level meeting of the third session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/1995/21);

     (i) Report of the High-Level Meeting on Trade, Environment and
Sustainable Development submitted by the secretariats of the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development and the United Nations Environment
Programme (E/CN.17/1995/23);

     (j) Report of the Secretary-General on national information
(E/CN.17/1995/24);

     (k) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the activities of the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and of the World Food
Programme in sustainable development (E/CN.17/1995/28);

     (l) Letter dated 18 March 1995 from the Permanent Representatives of
Belgium and Costa Rica to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-
General transmitting a brief summary report of the Workshop on Indicators of
Sustainable Development for Decision-Making held in Ghent, Belgium, from 9 to
11 January 1995 (E/CN.17/1995/32);

     (m) Letter dated 12 April 1995 from the Permanent Representative of
Sweden to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
(E/CN.17/1995/35).

2.   At the 4th meeting, on 12 April 1995, introductory statements were made
by the Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development, the Deputy Executive Director (Technical Services) of the United
Nations Population Fund and the Director, Division for Sustainable Development
of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the
United Nations Secretariat.

3.   At the 6th meeting, on 13 April 1995, introductory statements were also
made by the Director of the Division for Sustainable Development of the
Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the United
Nations Secretariat and by representatives of the Secretariat as well as of
the Statistical Division of the Department for Economic and Social Information
and Policy Analysis of the United Nations Secretariat.

4.   During the consideration of the item, statements were made by the
representatives of Bangladesh, France (on behalf of States Members of the
United Nations that are members of the European Union), Brazil, Canada, the
United States of America, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, the
Philippines (on   behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China), Morocco, Malaysia, Belgium, the Islamic
Republic of Iran, India, China, Australia, Belarus, the Philippines, Japan,
Mexico, Bulgaria, Iceland, Uruguay, Venezuela and Tunisia, as well as by the
observers for Norway, Algeria, Costa Rica, Sweden, Ecuador, Israel and the
European Community.

5.   A statement was also made by the observer for Switzerland.

6.   A statement was made by the representative of the World Bank.

7.   Statements were also made by the following non-governmental
organizations:  the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Women's Environment and
Development Organization, and by two non-governmental organizations accredited
to the Commission on Sustainable Development.


                        Information for decision-making

8.   At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.8) entitled "Information for decision-making".  

9.   At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


          Integrating environment and development in decision-making

10.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.9) entitled "Integrating environment and development
in decision-making".

11.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


                                 Major groups

12.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.10) entitled "Major groups".

13.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


                 Changing production and consumption patterns

14.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a  draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.12) entitled "Changing production and consumption
patterns".

15.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


                Trade, environment and sustainable development

16.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Trade, environment and sustainable development".

17.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


                               Combating poverty

18.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Combating poverty".

19.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


                    Demographic dynamics and sustainability

20.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Demographic dynamics and sustainability".

21.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


            Progress in the implementation of decisions on the sectoral
            issues adopted by the second session of the Commission on
                            Sustainable Development

22.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Progress in the implementation of decisions on the sectoral
issues adopted by the second session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development".

23.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).


             Information provided by Governments and organizations

24.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Information provided by Governments and organizations".

25.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. A).




                                  Chapter IV

                      FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MECHANISMS


1.   At the 2nd, 5th, 14th and 19th meetings, on 11, 12, 26 and
28 April 1995, the Commission considered item 4 of its agenda.  It had before
it the following documents:

     (a) Report of the Secretary-General on financial resources and mechanism
for sustainable development:  overview of current issues and developments
(E/CN.17/1995/8);

     (b) Report of the Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Finance of the
Commission on Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/1995/11);

     (c) Letter dated 24 February 1995 from the Permanent Representative of
Malaysia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General transmitting
the report of the Second Expert Group Meeting on Financial Issues of Agenda
21, held at Glen Cove, New York, 15-17 February 1995 (E/CN.17/1995/29).

2.   The Commission heard a statement by the Chairman of the Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Finance of the Commission on Sustainable
Development.

3.   The Commission then heard presentations by members on a panel,
consisting of Dr. Lin See-Yan (Chairman of the Inter-sessional Working Group
on Finance), Mr. Nitin Desai (Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination
and Sustainable Development), Mr. Grzegorz Kolodko (Deputy Prime-Minister and
Minister of Finance of Poland), Mr. Andrew Steer (World Bank), Mr. Vito Tanzi
(IMF), Ms. Hilary Thompson (Director for Environmental Management (Westminster
National Bank)) and Mr. Maximo Kalaw (Chairman, Green Forum of the
Philippines), followed by a question-and-answer period.

4.   At the 5th meeting, on 12 April 1995, the Commission held a general
discussion of the item jointly with item 6, "Review of sectoral cluster: 
Land, desertification, forests and biodiversity" (see E/CN.17/1995/L.1/Add.4,
para. 5).

5.   At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
Philippines (on behalf of States Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China), Chile, China, Canada, Malaysia, Brazil,
India, Bangladesh, Australia, Iceland, Mexico, the United States of America,
France (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members
of the European Union), Uganda, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Hungary, the
Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan, as well as by the observer for Algeria.

6.   A statement was also made by the observer for Switzerland.

7.   The representative of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
the Pacific made a statement.

8.   At the same meeting, a statement was made by the observer for Greenpeace
International, a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council, category II.

Financial resources and mechanisms

9.   At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.11) entitled "Financial resources and mechanisms".

10.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. B).

11.  After the adoption of the draft decision, a statement was made by the
representative of the United States as follows:


                           Statement for the record

                           United States of America

                                 28 April 1995

Financial resources and mechanisms (chapter 33 of Agenda 21)

     With respect to paragraph 4 (a) of draft decision E/CN.17/1995/L.11, the
United States is not one of the countries that have affirmed, or reaffirmed in
chapter 33.13 of Agenda 21, a commitment to the United Nations 0.7 per cent
target for official development assistance.  The United States believes that
national Governments, not international donors, must have the primary
responsibility for their country's development.  Targets detract from the more
important issues of the effectiveness and quality of aid and the policies of
the recipient country.  The United States has traditionally been one of the
largest aid donors in volume terms and, consistent with the commitment it made
in chapter 33.13, will continue to work with developing countries to provide
aid in support of their efforts.




                                   Chapter V

             EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
                TECHNOLOGIES, COOPERATION AND CAPACITY-BUILDING


1.   The Commission considered item 5 of its agenda at the 8th, 9th, 14th and
19th meetings, on 17, 26 and 28 April 1995.  It had before it the following
documents:

     (a) Report of the Secretary-General on science for sustainable
development (E/CN.17/1995/16);

     (b) Report of the Secretary-General on the transfer of environmentally
sound technologies, cooperation and capacity-building (E/CN.17/1995/17 and
Add.1);

     (c) Report of the Secretary-General on environmentally sound management
of biotechnology (E/CN.17/1995/20);

     (d) Letter dated 22 February 1995 from the Charge' d'affaires of the
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to
the Secretary-General transmitting the report on the Workshop on the Promotion
of Access to and Dissemination of Information on Environmentally Sound
Technologies (ESTs), held at Seoul from 30 November to 2 December 1994
(E/CN.17/1995/30).

2.   At the 8th meeting, on 17 April 1995, introductory statements were made
by the task managers of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization and the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization, as well as by the representative of the United Nations
Environment Programme and the representative of the United Nations
Secretariat.

3.   At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
Republic of Korea, India, Brazil, Malaysia, the United States of America,
Pakistan, Hungary, the Islamic Republic of Iran, France (on behalf of the
States Members of the United Nations that are members of the European Union)
and Canada, as well as by the observers for the Czech Republic and the
observer for Switzerland.

4.   Statements were made by the observers for the International Council of
Scientific Unions (a non-governmental organization in consultative status with
the Economic and Social Council, category II, and the Third World Network (a
non-governmental organization accredited to the Commission).

5.   At the 9th meeting, on 17 April 1995, statements were made by the
representatives of China, Tunisia, Australia, Bangladesh, the Philippines (on
behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the
Group of 77 and China), Morocco, Indonesia, Barbados, Mexico and Japan.

6.   At the same meeting, statements were also made by the observers for
Algeria and Colombia.

7.   The representative of the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization made a statement.

8.   A statement was made by the observer of the African Timber Organization,
an intergovernmental organization.


                Transfer of environmentally sound technologies,
                       cooperation and capacity-building

9.   At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/1995/L.6) entitled "Transfer of environmentally sound
technologies, cooperation and capacity-building".

10.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. C).


                      Science for sustainable development

11.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/1995/L.7) entitled "Science for sustainable development".

12.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. C).


               Environmentally sound management of biotechnology

13.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Environmentally sound management of biotechnology".

14.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. C).




                                  Chapter VI

              REVIEW OF SECTORAL CLUSTER:  LAND, DESERTIFICATION,
                           FORESTS AND BIODIVERSITY


1.   At the 3rd, 5th, 14th and 19th meetings, on 12, 26 and 28 April 1995,
the Commission considered item 6 of its agenda.  It had before it the
following documents:

     (a) Report of the Secretary-General on an integrated approach to the
planning and management of land resources (E/CN.17/1995/2);

     (b) Report of the Secretary-General on "Combating deforestation" and the
Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global
Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All
Types of Forests (E/CN.17/1995/3);

     (c) Report of the Secretary-General on managing fragile ecosystems: 
combating desertification and drought (E/CN.17/1995/4);

     (d) Report of the Secretary-General on managing fragile ecosystems: 
sustainable mountain development (E/CN.17/1995/5);

     (e) Report of the Secretary-General on promoting sustainable agriculture
and rural development (E/CN.17/1995/6);

     (f) Report of the Secretary-General on conservation of biological
diversity (E/CN.17/1995/7);

     (g) Report of the Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Sectoral
Issues of the Commission on Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/1995/10);

     (h) Note by the Secretariat transmitting a statement of the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (E/CN.17/1995/27);

     (i) Letter dated 3 April 1995 from the Permanent Representative of the
Netherlands to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
transmitting the report of the International Workshop on Integrated Land
Management, held in the Netherlands, 20-22 February 1995 (E/CN.17/1995/33).

2.   At the 3rd meeting, on 12 April 1995, the Commission heard statements by
the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Sectoral Issues,
the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the
Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification in those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in
Africa, and the Chairperson of the first session of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

3.   At the same meeting, a statement was made by the observer for Israel.

4.   At the same meeting, the Commission also heard presentations by members
of a panel consisting of Sir Martin Holdgate (Chairman of the Ad Hoc
Inter-sessional Working Group on Sectoral Issues), His Excellency the
Honourable John Falloon (Minister of Forestry of New Zealand and Chairman of
the Ministerial Meeting on Forestry of the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations), Mr. Franz Fischler (European Commissioner for
Agriculture), Ms. Elizabeth Dowdeswell (Executive Director of the United
Nations Environment Programme), Mr. David Harcharick (Assistant Director-
General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and
Mr. Graham Blight (President of the International Federation of Agricultural
Producers).

5.   At the 5th meeting, on 12 April 1995, the Commission held a general
discussion on the item jointly with item 4 (see E/CN.17/1995/L.1/Add.2,
para. 4).


                            Overall considerations

6.   At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.2) entitled "Overall considerations".

7.   At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. D).


              Integrated approach to the planning and management
                               of land resources

8.   At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.3) entitled "Integrated approach to the planning and
management of land resources".

9.   At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, after statements by the
representatives of India and France, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. D).


            Managing fragile ecosystems:  combating desertification
                                  and drought

10.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.4) entitled "Managing fragile ecosystems: combating
desertification and drought".

11.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. D).


                       Sustainable mountain development

12.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision (E/CN.17/1995/L.5) entitled "Sustainable mountain development".

13.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. D).


                Combating deforestation and the Non-legally Binding
                Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global
                Consensus on the Management, Conservation and
                Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests

14.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Combating deforestation and the Non-legally Binding
Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the
Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests".


15.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission also had before it
a statement pertaining to programme budget implications of the draft decision
(see chap. I, sect. D.5, annex II).

16.  At the same meeting, after a statement by the representative of Gabon,
the Commission adopted the draft decision (see chap. I, sect. D).


            Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development

17.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development".

18.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. D).


                     Conservation of biological diversity

19.  At the 14th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman introduced a draft
decision entitled "Conservation of biological diversity".

20.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission adopted the draft
decision (see chap. I, sect. D).



                                  Chapter VII

                                 OTHER MATTERS


               Ad hoc open-ended inter-sessional working groups
                               of the Commission

1.   At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission considered item 7
of its agenda.

2.   At the same meeting, the Chairman introduced a draft decision entitled
"Ad hoc open-ended inter-sessional working groups of the Commission".

3.   The Under-Secretary-General for Policy and Coordination and Sustainable
Development responded to a query made by the observer for Morocco.

4.   Also at the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft decision (see
chap. I, sect. E).



                                 Chapter VIII

                              HIGH-LEVEL MEETING


1.   The Commission considered item 8 of its agenda at the 15th to 19th
meetings on 26, 27 and 28 April 1995.  It had before it the following
documents:

     (a) Report of the Secretary-General on policy issues that may be
addressed at the high-level meeting of the third session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development (E/CN.17/1995/21);

     (b)  Report of the High-level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development
at its third session (E/CN.17/1995/25).

2.   At the 15th meeting, on 26 April 1995, the Chairman made an opening
statement.  Statements were made by the Under-Secretary-General for Policy
Coordination and Sustainable Development and the Minister of Development of
Denmark.

3.   At the same meeting, statements were made by the Secretary for
Socio-Economic Planning and Chairman, Council for Sustainable Development of
the Philippines; the Minister for the Environment of France; the Minister for
Forestry of Indonesia; the Minister of Environment of the Russian Federation;
the Minister for Development Cooperation of the Netherlands; the Minister of
Environment of Morocco; the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea;
the Minister for Environment, Sport and Territories of Australia; the Minister
of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment of Uruguay; and the Minister
of Transport, Environment and Women's Affairs of Sri Lanka.

4.   At the 16th meeting, on 27 April 1995, the Commission heard statements
by the Secretary of State for the Environment of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland; the Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development of the United States of America; the Minister
for Public Works, Transport and Environment of Spain; the Minister of
Agriculture of Sweden; the Minister of Water and Forests, Postal Services and
Telecommunications, and the Environment of Gabon; the Minister of Environment
of Norway; the Minister of State of Japan; the Secretary of State, Ministry
for Environment and Regional Policy of Hungary; the Minister for the
Environment and Energy of Denmark; the Federal Minister for the Interior of
Switzerland; the Minister of Environment of Turkey; the Minister for the
Environment, Water Resources and the Legal Amazon of Brazil; the Minister of
Environment of Argentina; the Deputy Minister for the Environment and Nuclear
Safety of Germany; the Minister of Agriculture, Nature Management and
Fisheries of the Netherlands; and the Minister of Natural Resources, Energy
and Mines of Costa Rica. 

5.   At the 17th meeting, on 27 April 1995, statements were made by the
Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries of Mexico; the
Minister of the Environment and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada; the Minister
of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment of the Netherlands; the
Minister of Environment and Tourism of Burkina Faso; the Federal Minister for
Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development of Germany; the Deputy
Minister of Environment of Bulgaria; the Vice-Minister for Environment of
Colombia; the Director-General for Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety
of the European Community; and the representative of Egypt.

6.   At the same meeting, a statement was made by the Executive Director of
the United Nations Environment Programme.   

7.   At the 18th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission heard statements
by the Minister of the Environment of Italy; the Minister for Environment,
Science and Technology of Ghana; the Minister of Tourism, International
Transport and the Environment of Barbados; the Deputy Minister of Environment
of Poland; the Under-Secretary of Agriculture of Chile; the Director-General,
Federal Ministry of the Environment of Austria; and the representatives of
Finland, India, China, Venezuela, Malaysia, Belgium, Bangladesh, Belarus,
Pakistan, Ukraine, as well as the observers for Ecuador, the Czech Republic
and Cuba.

8.   At the same meeting, a statement was also made by the representative of
the International Tropical Timber Organization, an intergovernmental
organization.

9.   Also at the same meeting, a statement was made by three observers for
non-governmental organizations on behalf of the non-governmental organization
community.

10.  At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Chairman read out his summary
of the high-level meeting (see chap. II above).

11.  At the same meeting, after statements by the representatives of France
(on behalf of the State Members that are members of the European Union) and
Morocco, the Commission agreed to include the Chairman's summary in the report
of the Commission.



                                  Chapter IX

          PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION


1.   At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Commission considered the
provisional agenda for its fourth session.

2.   At the same meeting, after a statement by the observer for Egypt, the
Commission recommended that the Economic and Social Council approve the
provisional agenda (see chap. I, sect. F).

3.   The representative of Turkey made a statement.



                                   Chapter X

         ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS THIRD SESSION


1.   At the 19th meeting, on 28 April 1995, the Rapporteur introduced the
draft report of the Commission on its third session (E/CN.17/1995/L.1 and
Add.1-4, and additional papers in English only, including the Chairman's
summary).

2.   At the same meeting, after a statement by the representative of France
(on behalf of the State Members of the United Nations that are members of the
European Union), the Commission adopted the report.

3.   After the adoption of the report, statements were made by the
representatives of the United States of America, Canada, France (on behalf of
the State Members of the United Nations that are members of the European
Union), and the Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United
Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China), as well as by the
observer for Papua New Guinea.

4.   A statement was also made by the Under-Secretary-General for Policy
Coordination and Sustainable Development.

                                  Chapter XI

                          ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION


                    A.  Opening and duration of the session

1.   The Commission on Sustainable Development held its third session at
United Nations Headquarters from 11 to 28 April 1995.  The Commission held 19
meetings (1st to 19th meetings).

2.   The session was opened by the temporary Chairman, His Excellency
Mr. Klaus To"pfer (Germany).

3.   The Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development addressed the Commission.

4.   An introductory statement was made by the Co-Chairperson of the High-
level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development.

5.   In accordance with the recommendation contained in paragraph 14 (c) of
General Assembly resolution 47/191 of 22 December 1992, the Commission held,
on 26, 27 and 28 April 1995, a high-level meeting, with ministerial
participation, to provide for an integrated overview of the implementation of
Agenda 21, to consider emerging policy issues and to provide necessary
political impetus to the implementation of the decisions of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development and commitments contained therein
(see chaps. II and VIII).


                                B.  Attendance

6.   In accordance with Economic and Social Council decision 1993/207, the
Commission is composed of 53 members elected from among the States Members of
the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies.

7.   The session was attended by 46 States members of the Commission. 
Observers for other States Members of the United Nations, the European
Community, and two non-member States and the representatives of the
Secretariat, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, and observers for
intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations also
attended.  A list of participants is given in annex I to the present report.


                           C.  Election of officers

8.   At its 1st meeting, on 11 April 1995, the Commission elected the
following officers by acclamation:

     Chairman:  Henrique Brandao Cavalcanti (Brazil)

     Vice-Chairmen:  Yordan Uzunov (Bulgaria)
                     Magnus Johannesson (Iceland)
                     Takao Shibata (Japan)
                     Henry Aryamanya-Mugisha (Uganda)

9.   At the 3rd meeting, on 12 April 1995, Mr. Yordan Uzunov (Bulgaria) was
elected to serve also as Rapporteur.


                      D.  Agenda and organization of work

10.  At the 1st meeting, on 11 April 1995, the Commission adopted the
provisional agenda contained in document E/CN.17/1995/1, and approved its
organization of work.  The agenda was as follows:

     1.  Election of officers.

     2.  Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.

     3.  General discussion on progress in the implementation of Agenda 21,
         focusing on the cross-sectoral components of Agenda 21, and the
         critical elements of sustainability.

     4.  Financial resources and mechanisms.

     5.  Education, science, transfer of environmentally sound technologies,
         cooperation and capacity-building.

     6.  Review of sectoral cluster:  Land, desertification, forests and
         biodiversity.

     7.  Other matters.

     8.  High-level meeting.

     9.  Provisional agenda for the fourth session of the Commission.

    10.  Adoption of the report of the Commission on its third session.



                                    Annex I

                                  ATTENDANCE


                                    Members

Antigua and Barbuda             Lionel A. Hurst, John W. Ashe, Aqeelah Akbar,
                                Conrod Hunte 

Australia                       John Faulkner, Penelope Wensley, Joanne
                                Disano, Rod Holesgrove, Jennie Ludlow, Angus
                                Martyn, James Gilling, Peter Sutherland, Karen
                                Lanyon, David Turbayne, Mark Addis, Geoff
                                Gorrie, David Menere, Sean Sulliuvan, Mark
                                Gray

Bahamas

Bangladesh                      Akbar Hossain, Reaz Rahman, Syued Rafiqul
                                Alom, Masud Bin Momen

Barbados                        Richard Cheltenham, Teresa Marshall,
                                Betty Russell, David Blackman, Vernese Inniss

Belarus                         Alexei Mojoukhov, Gregory Borushko

Belgium                         Gu"nther Sleeuwagen, Joseph Engelen

Bolivia                         Luis Lema Molina, Edgar Camacho Omiste,
                                Alejandro Mercado, Marco A. Viduarre,
                                Jorge Rivera, Gustavo Pedraza, Martha Montano

Brazil                          Celso L. N. Amorim, Henrique R. Valle,
                                Antonio Augusto Dayrell de Lima,
                                Se'rgio Abreu e Lima Florencio,
                                Luiz Antonio Fachini Gomes, Enio Cordeiro,
                                Gustavo Krause, Antonio Fernando Cruz de
                                Mello, Haroldo de Mattos Lemos, Caspar Erich
                                Stemmer, Mariangela Rebua, Bra'ulio Ferreira
                                de Souza, He'lio dos Santos Pereira,
                                Henriqueta Lacourt Borba,
                                Ricardo Villela de Souza

Bulgaria                        Jordan Uzunov, Toor Staykov, Raiko Raichev

Burkina Faso                    Anatole Gomtirbou Tiendrebeogo,
                                Gaetan R. Ouedraogo, Prosper Sawadogo,
                                Mamadou Serme, Awa Ouedraogo

Burundi

Canada                          Sheila Copps, Clifford Lincolnm,
                                Robert R. Fowler, John Fraser, Mel Cappe,
                                Brigitta Gravitis, Duncan Dee, Jag Maini,
                                David Drake, Ann Cronin-Cosette,
                                Shirley Lewchuk, Judy Huska, Jennifer Irish,
                                Andrew Petter, Liseanne Forand, Luc Berard,
                                Elizabeth May, Peter Padbury,
                                Jean-Pierre Martel, John Dillon, Ovide
                                Mercredi

Chile                           Angel Flisfish, Juan Larrain,
                                Alejandro Gutierrez, Jose' Gon~i,
                                Jose' Antonio Prado, Juan Eduardo Eguiguren,
                                Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Carlos Weber,
                                Consuelo Mun~oz

China                           Li Zhaoxing, Wang Xuexian, Zhang Kunmin,
                                Yang Yuchou, Shen Longhai, Yang Yanyi,
                                Zheng Rui, Wang Weizhong, Yu Qingtaim,
                                Wang Xiaodu, Wang Xiaolong, Baiu Changbo

Ethiopia

Finland                         Reino Uronen, Sirkjka Hautoja"vim, Asko
                                Numminen, Tauno Ka"a"ria", Aira Kalela, Jan
                                Heino, Pekka Patosaari, Elias La"hdesma"ki,
                                Riitta Resch, Veikko Marttila, Leena
                                Karjalainen-Balk, Camilia Lommi-Kippola, Erja
                                Fagerlund, Minna Wilkki, Markku Aho, Esko
                                Joutsamo, Joho Pennanen

France                          Michel Barnier, Philippe Duclos, Jean Ripert,
                                Be'renge`re Quincy, Michel Vandepoorter,
                                Alain Le Seac'h, Christian Barthod,
                                Mauricette Steinfelder, Vie, Metoudi,
                                Michel Hors, Michel Oblin, Philippe Delacroix,
                                Christiane Aveline, Arnaud Apoteker,
                                Thierry Jaccaud

Gabon                           Christina Amoako-Nuama, Martin-Fide`le
                                Magnaga, Dangue Rewaka, Jean Baptiste Mebiame,
                                Guy Marcel Eboumy, Athanase Boussengue,
                                Andre' Jules Madingou, Suzanne Awakossa

Germany                         Klaus To"pfer, Erhard Jauck, Gerhard Henze,
                                Barbara Schuster, Michael von Websky,
                                Wolfgang Runge, Bernd Wulffen,
                                Hans-Peter Schipulle, Ulrich Hoenisch,
                                Hagen Frost, Manfred Konukiewitz,
                                Rainald Roesch, Knut Buyer,
                                Ediuth Kuerzinger-Wiemann,
                                Ju"rgen Hinrich Hietmann, Susanne Flechsig,
                                Birgit Wolz, Ronald Meyer, Uwe Taeger,
                                Stefan Schmitz, Monika Kohlhaw,
                                Juergen Wenderoth, Rolf Huesch,
                                Christine Kindervater, Britt von Bock und
                                Polach

Ghana                           Christina Amoako-Nuamah, George O. Lamptey,
                                Edward Dwumfour, James O. Naadjie

Guinea                          Aboubacar Dione, Sidibe Marliatou Diallo,
                                Bala Moussa Camara, Arafan Kaba

Hungary                         Katalin Szili, Tibor Farago', Sa'ndor Mo'zes,
                                Csaba Nemes, Gyula Holdampf,
                                Gabriella T. Moha'csy, Oszka'r Kufcsa'k, Imre
                                Me'cs

Iceland                         Magnu's Jo'hannesson, Thorir Ibsen,
                                Sveinbjo"rn Eyjo'lfsson, Korneli'us
                                Sigmundsson

India                           Prakash Shah, N. R. Krishnan, N. K. Singh,
                                K. B. Sazena, T. P. Sreenivasan, Savitri
                                Kunadi, Keshav Desiraju, Arun K. Singh

Indonesia                       Sarwono Kusumaatmadja,
                                Djamaludin Suryohadikjusumo,
                                Sjarifudin Baharsjah, Nugroho Wisnumurti,
                                R. E. Soeriaatmadja, Titus Sarijanto,
                                Toga Silitonga, Lukito Daryadi,
                                Dana A. Kartakusuma, I. G. M. Tantra,
                                Chairil Anwar Rasahan, Ngurah Sweetja,
                                Benni H. Sormin, Natigor Siagian, Triono
                                Wibowo, Dewa Made Sastrawan, Syarief Said
                                Alkadrie, Hendro Prastowo, Zachrial Coto,
                                Rudy Tarumengkeng, Johanes Hardian, Setiawan

Iran (Islamic Republic of)      Kamal Kharazi, Hossein Kamalian,
                                Mohammad R. H. K. Djabbari

Italy                           Paolo Baratta, Francesco Paolo Fulci,
                                Lorenzo Ferrarin, Paolo Coppini,
                                Ferruccio Marri Caciott, Valerio Astraldi,
                                Alberto Colella, Costanza Pera, Aldo Ravazzi,
                                Serfio Garribba

Japan                           Sohei Miyashita, Hisashi Owada, Shunji
                                Maruyama, Hiroshi Sawamura, Matsushiro
                                Horiguchi, Takao Shibata, Yoshihiro Natori,
                                Takashi Matsumura, Takjashi Hayase,
                                Ichiro Miyashita, Junji Kashiwagim,
                                Masahiro Mikami, JKazushige Noda,
                                Shigehito Kaino, Masamichi Saigo,
                                Yuji Hashimoto, Nenemu Oshida, Isai Takahashi,
                                Hiroshi Kudo, Susumu Kawakita, Takeshi Goto,
                                Yuji Imaizumi, Kiyohito Onuma, Nobuaki Ito,
                                Hidehiro Hosaka, Hironori Shibata,
                                Yoshihiko Orita, Majoto Takano,
                                Masanori Kobayashi

Malawi                          N. M. Mwaungulu, F. D. J. Matupa

Malaysia                        Razali Ismail, Othman Yeop Abdullah,
                                Ting Wen Lian, Lin See Yan, Tai Kat Meng,
                                Daing Abdul Rahman Daing Ibrahim,
                                Mohd. Sidek Hassan, Amha Buang, Lin Mui Kiang,
                                Hussein Haniff, Thang Hooi Chiew, Lim Eng
                                Siang

Mexico                          Julia Carabias, Jose Luis Samaniego,
                                Gerardo Lozano, Rafael Martinez Blanco,
                                Gloria Valdez, Jose Carlos Tenorio,
                                Ulises Canchola, Norberto Terrazas,
                                Mario Aguilar Sanchez, Jaime Palafox Granados

Morocco                         Noureddine Benomar Alami, Ahmed Snoussi,
                                Bani Layachi, Ahmed Amaziane, Jawad Guerraoui,
                                Mohamed Benyahia, Abdelkrim El Khiyari,
                                Bensouda Korachi, Omar Askarn, Mohamed Wakrim,
                                Abdellah El Ouadghiri

Namibia

Netherlands                     M. deBoer, J. P. Pronk, J. J. van Aartsen,
                                N. H. Biegman, P. E. de Jongh, J. A. Peters,
                                J. van Zijst, J. P. Hoogeveen, A. P.
                                Hamburger, K. A. Koekkoek, D. F. W. T.
                                Pietermaat, H. Th. H. Vrij, M. K. de Jong,
                                A. D. Adema, L. van Therm, M. Visser

Pakistan                        Mr. Ahmad Kamal, Omer Kureishi, Mansur Raza

Papua New Guinea                Utula U. Samana, Max H. Rai, Kappa Yarka,
                                Adam V. Delaney

Peru                            Jorge' Voto Bernales, Fernando Guille'n Salas,
                                Gasto'n Iba'nez, Augusto Freyre, Italo Acha

Philippines                     Cielito F. Babito, Felipe Mabilangan,
                                Aniceto M. Sobrepena, Ricardo M. Umali,
                                Enrique A. Manalo, Cecilia B. Rebong,
                                Francisco Fellizer, Jr. Jose Miguel de la
                                Rosa, Jimmy Blas, Fernando J. Yap,
                                Ma. Lourdes G. Ferrer, Imelda E. Perez,
                                Mari Elinor An~asco, Maximo T. Kalaw, Jr.,
                                Rev. Jose Pepito Cunanan, Patricia Ma.
                                Araneta, J. Edgar E. Ledonio, Glenn F. Corpin,
                                Bernado Agaloos, Jr., Ellamelides Antonio

Poland                          Stanislaw Zelichowski, Andrzej Szujecki,
                                Zbigniew Maria Wlosowica, Maciej Nowicki,
                                Leszek Banaszak, Czeslaw Wieckowski,
                                Tadeusz Strojwas, Marian Paszynski,
                                Wojciech Bienkowski, Kazimierz Rykowski,
                                Wojciech Ponikiewski

Republic of Korea               Zoong Wie Kim, Wonil Cho, Jee Jon Yoon,
                                Young Jae Ahn, Dong Wook Kim, Heung Shin Park,
                                Ha Young Moon, Won Min Kim, Jae Chul Choi,
                                Hee Chul Lee, Kyung Ho Kim, Nam Gyun Kim,
                                Yong Ha Park, Jong Ho Hong, Se Kyung Chung,
                                Jang Ryol Liu

Russian Federation              Eduard V. Kudryavatsev, Vladimir M. Zimyanin,
                                Alexsandr I. Pisarenko,
                                Nade-Da V. Kolokolchikova, Yuri N. Isakov,
                                Yuri V. Maltsev, Aleksandr A. Korneyev,
                                Aleksandr V. Davidenko

Senegal

Spain                           Jose' Borrell, Jose' Luis Dicenta,
                                Cristina Narbona, Juan Antonio
                                Yan~ez-Barnuevo, Arturo Laclaustra,
                                Concepcio'n Toquero, Fernando Moran, Juan Luis
                                Mun~oz, Mari'a Jose' Gomez, Santiago Neches,
                                Alicia Montalvo, Miguel Aguirre de Carcer,
                                Ana Menendez, Amparo Rambla,
                                Jesu's Maranda de Larra, Jose' Luis Herranz,
                                Jose' Luis Milas, Santiago Gomez-Acebo,
                                Juan Garay, Roma'n Martin, Ramiro Puig

Tunisia                         Abderrazak Azaiez, Khelil Attia

Turkey                          Hassan Ekinci, Inal Batu, Yavuz Yu"ksel,
                                Urdal Onursal, Sedak Yamak, Hakan Baykal,
                                L. Murat Burhan, H. Avni Karslioglu,
                                Leyla Derya, Tayyip Erdogan, Mehmet Hilmi
                                Gu"ler, Mehmet Duman, Riza Akcali, Ilhan
                                Bilgin, Nesrin Algan

Uganda

Ukraine                         Borys M. Hudyma, Anatoliy P. Dembitskiyf,
                                Igor V. Goumenny, Volodymyr M. Gavrylenko

United Kingdom of Great         John Gummer, Jonathan Tillson, Tom Burke,
Britain and Northern Ireland    Derek Osborn, Sir Martin Holdgate, Peter
                                Unwin, Brian Oliverf, Chris Tompkins, John
                                Stevens, Anthony Godson, Ian Symons, David
                                Turner, Mike Dudley, Chris Yarnell, Donald
                                MacLaren, Sir David Hannay, Stephen Gomersall,
                                Ann Grant, Robin Barnett, Jill Barrett, Felix
                                Dodds, Barry Coates, Joanna Hill, Vernon
                                Smith, Derek Bateman, Jane Morris, Tony Hams

United Republic of Tanzania

United States of America        J. Brian Atwood, Mark G. Hambley,
                                Eileen Claussen, Robert Pringle,
                                Timothy E. Wirth, Adela Backiel, Ann Carey,
                                Mary Coloumbe, Elinor G. Constable, Robert
                                Ford, Lynn Goldman, David Hales, David
                                Harwood, George Herrfurth, John P. MGuinness,
                                Franklin Moore, Trigg Talley,
                                Bisa Williams-Manigault, Norine Kennedy,
                                Sharyle Patton

Uruguay                         Juan A. Chiruchi, Mari'a del Luja'n Flores,
                                Victor Canton, Bernardo Greiver, Diego Pelufo

Venezuela                       Lui's Castro Morales, Imeria Nun~ez de
                                Odreman, Beatriz Pineda, Samuel Mendoza,
                                Eli'as Cordero, Luisa Rojas, Carmen Velasquez,
                                Zulenma Ramirez, Gonzalo Vivas, Keissy Diaz


         States Members of the United Nations represented by observers

     Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Co^te d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El
Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon,
Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Mali, Mauritania, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia,
Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Trinidad and
Tobago, Zimbabwe


            Non-member States and entities represented by observers

     Holy See, Switzerland, European Community


                                United Nations

     United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations International Drug
Control Programme, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for
Europe, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific


                Specialized agencies and related organizations

     International Labour Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, World Health Organization, World Bank, International Monetary
Fund, United Nations Industrial Development Organization


                          International organizations

     African Timber Organization, Agency for Cultural and Technical
Cooperation, Commonwealth Secretariat, International Tropical Timber
Organization, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development,
Organization of American States


                        Non-governmental organizations

     Category I:  International Confederation of Free Trade Unions,
Inter-Parliamentary Union, International Federation of Agricultural Producers

     Category II:  Greenpeace International, International Council of
Scientific Unions, World Resource Institute, Church World Service, Inc.

     Accredited to the Commission on Sustainable Development:  Third World
Network,  Women's Environment Development Organization


                                   Annex II

         LIST OF DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMISSION AT ITS THIRD SESSION


Document symbol     Agenda item                      Title

E/CN.17/1995/1           2          Provisional agenda

E/CN.17/1995/2           6          Integrated approach to the planning and
                                    management of land resources:  report of
                                    the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/3           6          "Combating deforestation" and the
                                    Non-legally Binding Authoritative
                                    Statement of Principles for a Global
                                    Consensus on the Management, Conservation
                                    and Sustainable Development of All Types
                                    of Forests:  report of the Secretary-
                                    General

E/CN.17/1995/4           6          Managing fragile ecosystems:  combating
                                    desertification and drought:  report of
                                    the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/5           6          Managing fragile ecosystems:  sustainable
                                    mountain development:  report of the
                                    Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/6           6          Promoting sustainable agriculture and
                                    rural development:  report of the
                                    Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/7           6          Conservation of biological diversity: 
                                    report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/8           4          Financial resources and mechanisms for
                                    sustainable development:  overview of
                                    current issues and developments:  report
                                    of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/9           3          Role and contribution of major groups: 
                                    report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/10          6          Report of the Ad Hoc Inter-Sessional
                                    Working Group on Sectoral Issues of the
                                    Commission on Sustainable Development

E/CN.17/1995/11          4          Report of the Ad Hoc Inter-Sessional
                                    Working Group on Finance of the Commission
                                    on Sustainable Development

E/CN.17/1995/12          3          Trade, environment and sustainable
                                    development:  report of the Secretary-
                                    General

E/CN.17/1995/13          3          Changing consumption and production
                                    patterns:  report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/14          3          Poverty eradication and sustainable
                                    development:  report of the Secretary-
                                    General

E/CN.17/1995/15          3          Demographic dynamics and sustainability: 
                                    report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/16          5          Science for sustainable development: 
                                    report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/17          5          Transfer of environmentally sound
and Add.1                           technologies, cooperation and capacity-
                                    building:  report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/18          3          Information for decision-making and
                                    Earthwatch:  report of the Secretary-
                                    General

E/CN.17/1995/19          3          Integrating environment and development in
                                    decision-making:  report of the Secretary-
                                    General

E/CN.17/1995/20          5          Environmentally sound management of
                                    biotechnology:  report of the Secretary-
                                    General

E/CN.17/1995/21          8          Policy issues that may be addressed at the
                                    high-level meeting of the third session of
                                    the Commission on Sustainable Development:

                                    report of the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/22          3          Progress in the implementation of the
                                    decisions and recommendations of the
                                    Commission on Sustainable Development
                                    taken at its second session:  report of
                                    the Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/23          3          Report of the High-level Meeting on Trade,
                                    Environment and Sustainable Development
                                    submitted by the secretariats of the
                                    United Nations Conference on Trade and
                                    Development and the United Nations
                                    Environment Programme:  note by the
                                    Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/24          3          National information:  report of the
                                    Secretary-General

E/CN.17/1995/25          8          Report of the High-level Advisory Board on
                                    Sustainable Development on its third
                                    session

E/CN.17/1995/26          6          Letter dated 26 January from the Permanent
                                    Representative of Canada to the United
                                    Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
                                    transmitting the report of the second
                                    meeting of the Intergovernmental Working
                                    Group on Global Forests, held at
                                    Ottawa/Hull, Canada from 10 to
                                    14 October 1994

E/CN.17/1995/27          6, 8       Statement of the Conference of the Parties
                                    to the Convention on Biological Diversity:

                                    note by the Secretariat

E/CN.17/1995/28          3          Note by the Secretary-General transmitting
                                    the activities of the Food and Agriculture
                                    Organization of the United Nations and of
                                    the World Food Programme in sustainable
                                    development

E/CN.17/1995/29          4          Letter dated 24 February 1995 from the
                                    Permanent Representative of Malaysia to
                                    the United Nations addressed to the
                                    Secretary-General transmitting the report
                                    of the Second Expert Group Meeting on
                                    Financial Issues of Agenda 21, held at
                                    Glen Cove, New York, 15-17 February 1995

E/CN.17/1995/30          5          Letter dated 22 February 1995 from the
                                    Charge' d'affaires of the Permanent
                                    Mission of the Republic of Korea to the
                                    United Nations addressed to the Secretary-
                                    General transmitting the report on the
                                    Workshop on the Promotion of Access to and
                                    Dissemination of Information on
                                    Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs),
                                    held at Seoul from 30 November to
                                    2 December 1994

E/CN.17/1995/31          7          ACC statement to the Commission on
                                    Sustainable Development

E/CN.17/1995/32          3          Letter dated 18 March from the Permanent
                                    Representatives of Belgium and Costa Rica
                                    to the United Nations addressed to the
                                    Secretary-General transmitting a brief
                                    summary report of the Workshop on
                                    Indicators of Sustainable Development for
                                    Decision-Making held in Ghent, Belgium,
                                    from 9 to 11 January 1995

E/CN.17/1995/33          6          Letter dated 3 April from the Permanent
                                    Representative of the Netherlands to the
                                    United Nations addressed to the Secretary-
                                    General transmitting the report of the
                                    International Workshop on Integrated Land
                                    Management, Netherlands, 20-22 February
                                    1995

E/CN.17/1995/34          6          Letter dated 6 April 1995 from the
                                    Permanent Representative of Peru to the
                                    United Nations addressed to the Secretary-
                                    General transmitting the final document of
                                    the Regional Workshop on the Definition of
                                    Criteria and Indicators for Sustainability
                                    of Amazonian Forests, held in Tarapoto,
                                    Peru, from 23 to 25 February 1995

E/CN.17/1995/35          3          Letter dated 12 April 1995 from the
                                    Permanent Representative of Sweden to the
                                    United Nations addressed to the Secretary-
                                    General transmitting the report of the
                                    Fourth Meeting of the Intergovernmental
                                    Working Group on the Advancement of
                                    Environmental Statistics, held at
                                    Stockholm, Sweden, from 6 to 10 February
                                    1995

E/CN.17/1995/L.1         10         Draft report of the Commission on its
                                    third
and Add.1-4                         session

E/CN.17/1995/L.2         6          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Overall
                                    considerations"

E/CN.17/1995/L.3         6          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Integrated
                                    approach to the planning and management of
                                    land resources"

E/CN.17/1995/L.4         6          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Managing
                                    fragile ecosystems:  combating
                                    desertification and drought"

E/CN.17/1995/L.5         6          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Sustainable
                                    mountain development"

E/CN.17/1995/L.6         5          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Transfer of
                                    environmentally sound technologies,
                                    cooperation and capacity-building"

E/CN.17/1995/L.7         5          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Science for
                                    sustainable development"

E/CN.17/1995/L.8         3          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Information
                                    for decision-making"

E/CN.17/1995/L.9         3          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Integrated
                                    environment and development in decision-
                                    making"

E/CN.17/1995/L.10        3          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Major groups"

E/CN.17/1995/L.11        4          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Financial
                                    resources and mechanisms"

E/CN.17/1995/L.12        3          Draft decision submitted by the Chairman
                                    of the Commission entitled "Changing
                                    production and consumption patterns"

E/CN.17/1995/L.13        9          Draft provisional agenda for the fourth
                                    session of the Commission



                                     Notes

1/    Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution
1, annex II.

2/    A/49/414, annex.


3/    Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1995, Supplement
No. 8 (E/1995/28). 

4/    Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994,
Supplement No. 13 (E/1994/33/Rev.1). 

5/    Legal Instruments Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations, done at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, vol. I.

6/    Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution
1, annex I. 

7/    A/CONF.166/9, chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.

8/    Ibid., annex II.

9/    Ibid., annex I, sect. C.

10/   A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.

11/   Ibid., article IV.

12/   A/49/84/Add.2, annex, appendix II.

13/   General Assembly resolution 44/25, annex.

14/   General Assembly resolution 217 A (III).

15/   See General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.

16/   General Assembly resolution 41/128, annex.

17/   A/CONF.171/13, chap. I, resolution 1, annex.


18/   See UNEP, Convention on Biological Diversity (Environmental Law and
Institutions Programme Activity Centre), June 1992.

19/   Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement
No. 13 (E/1994/33/Rev.1), chap. I, para. 60.

20/   Environmentally sound technology rights banks are ownership arrangements
that act as a broker for acquiring patent rights to sounder technologies and
make them available to countries in need of technical assistance, in
particular the developing countries, on favourable terms.

21/   See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994,
Supplement No. 13 (E/1994/33/Rev.1), chap. I, sect. C.

22/   Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution
1, annex III.

23/   A/49/84/Add.2, annex, appendix III, sect. A, resolution 5/1. 


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