New commission builds on Earth Summit legacy.

PositionUN Commission on Sustainable Development; includes related article on protecting endangered rhinos in Africa - United Nations developments

One year after the "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro focused world attention on the environment, the new Commission on Sustainable Development met for its first substantive session (New York, 14-25 June) to discuss how to monitor Agenda 21 - the Summit's blueprint for action - and help translate its goals into deeds.

The 53-member Commission charted its future work programme, putting its work on a "very firm footing", according to its Chairman, Razali Ismail of Malaysia.

The body was formally established on 12 February by the Economic and Social Council.

United States Vice-President Al Gore, addressing the Commission on the opening day of the session, defined sustainable development as "economic progress without environmental destruction". He said the Commission had primarily a catalytic role: "It can serve as a forum for raising ideas and plans. it can help resolve issues that arise as nations proceed in their sustainable development agendas."

High-level meeting

The legacy of the Earth Summit - formally known as the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) - and the hopes invested in the work of the new Commission were discussed at the session's end, at a two-day high-level meeting (23-24 June), attended by over 40 Ministers.

Manuel Rodriguez, Director of the Environmental Institute of Colombia, speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the Commission's work was crucial in pursuing the principles agreed to in Rio. A slim flow of resources was impeding the implementation of Agenda 21 - the blueprint for sustainable development activities adopted by UNCED.

Sven Auken, Minister for the Environment of Denmark, said the Commission should develop into a political forum to make political decisions on the environment, something like a "Security Council on the environment".

Commission action

In adopting six resolutions, the new body outlined some mechanisms to monitor the implementation of Agenda 21.

An inter-sessional ad hoc group of experts was to be created to assist in monitoring requirements, availability and adequacy of financial resources, and related issues, such as debt relief and terms of trade.

Another ad hoc group was to assist in reviewing progress achieved in promoting the transfer of environmentally-sound technologies, cooperation and capacity-building.

Governments were encouraged to provide information on UNCED follow-up. The General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, was...

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