UNCED, THE RIO DECLARATION AND AGENDA 21
URL: http://www.spatialgovernance.com/governance/history/unced.htm
© John S. Cook - Created on 6 September 2004
Last modified 26/07/06 17:10 Australian EST

 

1. BACKGROUND TO UNCED
Stockholm Declaration 1972
In 1968, Sweden proposed that the UN convene a special conference to address problems of the global environment. The UN General Assembly endorsed the proposal and convened the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) in Stockholm from 5 to 16 June 1972. The Conference concluded with the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment - also known as the Stockholm Declaration. Among other things, the Declaration emphasised:
bulletprotection and improvement of natural and man-made environments is an urgent desire of people and a major duty of all governments
bulleta growing class of problems were international or global in their extent and required new efforts in international cooperation
bulletmost environmental problems in developing countries were attributable to under-development where alleviation of poverty became an important step in improving environmental conditions

Outcomes of the UNCHE
Important outcomes of UNCHE the included:
bulletestablishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
bulletgreater official recognition by governments regarding protection and improvement of living environments
bulletgrowth in environmental law generally and international environmental law in particular

 Formation and Initial Activities of the UNEP
In a speech on 14 May 1970, the UN Secretary-General U Thant proposed a UN environmental agency to deal with all activities within the United Nations system pertaining to the environment.

established its headquarters in Nairobi, was officially presented by

An action plan resulting from the UNCHE included formation of UNEP

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United Nations - Report on the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm 1972

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United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - Home > Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment

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Björn-Ola Linnér, Department of Water and Environmental Studies, Linköping University, Sweden, 'How It All Began: Global Efforts on Sustainable Development from Stockholm to Rio', - available online in Microsoft Word

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Center for International Environmental Law - Home >

2. WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
Although recognition of a link between the human environment and development was clearly recognised in the Stockholm Declaration in 1972, little was done integrate the processes of economic development with preservation of the environment.

while it is possible to view development as involving things that diminish

to it was clear from the The United Nations established the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1983.

 

 In dealing with the WCED report, the United Nations General Assembly instructed its Secretary General

WCED Report published as Our Common Future

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United Nations > Documents

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Biography - Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland

PREPARATION FOR UNCED
The UNCED involved three years of preparation and culminated in two weeks of deliberation from 5-16 June 1992. 

Separate preparatory processes were undertaken in relation to the Climate Change and Biodiversity Conventions that were eventually signed at UNCED.

 A

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For a comprehensive overview of processes and documentation relating to UNCED, see Shanna L. Halpern, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Process and documentation, (Providence, RI: Academic Council for the United Nations System (ACUNS), 1992) - reproduced online by the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) with permission from ACUNS - See in particular:
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Table of Contents

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Chapter 1 - Preparations for the UNCED

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Chapter Two - A Chronological Digest of UNCED Documents

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UNCED - THE EARTH SUMMIT

UNCED brought together representatives of more than 170 nations, including 110 heads of state. Seemingly, the detailed preparatory work was a key to the success as measured by the way it drew nations together.

1,400 NGOS, 8,000 journalists and thousands of spectators.

Agreements Associated with UNCED
UNCED is associated with five major agreements:
In Rio, Governments — 108 represented by heads of State or Government — adopted three major agreements aimed at changing the traditional approach to development:
bulletThe Rio Declaration on Environment and Development — a series of principles concerning the rights and obligations of signatory States;
bulletAgenda 21 — a comprehensive programme for global action in relation to sustainable development;
bulletA Statement of Forest Principles — a set of principles relating to sustainable management of forests worldwide.

Two conventions underwent separate preparatory processes from other UNCED agreements but were opened for signature at UNCED. These conventions were:
bulletUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
bulletConvention on Biological Diversity

References:
bullet For a comprehensive overview of processes and documentation relating to UNCED, see Shanna L. Halpern, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: Process and documentation, (Providence, RI: Academic Council for the United Nations System (ACUNS), 1992) - reproduced online by the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) with permission from ACUNS - Table of Contents
bullet United Nations - Home > Department of Economic and Social Affairs > Division for Sustainable Development > Documents from UNCED:
bullet Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
bullet Rio Declaration -
bullet Framework Convention on Climate Change
bullet Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
bullet Statement of Forest Principles -
bullet Agenda 21 - Table of Contents -
bulletPress Summary of Agenda 21 - in PDF - although it extends over 45 pages, this document provides a useful overview of Agenda 21

UNITED NATIONS DIVISION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
United

nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE)

 

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United nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE)  

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United nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE)  

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United nations Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE)  

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