TNC Commission focuses on environment and development.

Transnational corporations (TNCs) have been urged by the Commission on TNCs to observe international environmental standards and industry-agreed guidelines in their activities.

At its seventeenth session 10-19 April and 7, 10 and 15 May, New York), the Commission also approved a text authorizing the preparation of action-oriented recommendations to encourage and mobilize TNCs and other large enterprises to cooperate in efforts to protect and enhance the environment in all countries. The recommendations will be the Commission's contribution to the landmark UN Conference on Environment and Development, to be held in 1992 in Brazil.

The Commission also adopted resolutions on corrupt practices in international business transactions and TNCs operating in South Africa. It considered several reports of the Secretary-General on recent developments related to TNCs and international economic relations.

In debate, many speakers stressed the important role TNCs could play in development and protection of the environment. Peter Hansen, Executive Director of the Centre on Transnational Corporations (CTC), rioted that critical global problems, such as environmental deterioration and indebtedness, could not be tackled effectively without recognizing and understanding the role of TNCs.

Policy-makers had to recognize the need for preserving environmental quality in the interest of sustainable development, said Antoine Blanca, DirectorGeneral for Development and International Economic Cooperation. He hoped the 1992 Conference on Environment and Development would encourage them to consider that complex relationship in the interest of environmentally sound economic development.

Delegates pointed out that TNCs should consider their wide-ranging environmental responsibilities, including the "polluter-pays" principle, and accept full liability for any damage to life and property resulting from their activities.

In its omnibus resolution dealing with its contribution to the 1992 Conference, the Commission agreed that among the issues to be addressed should be: observing internationally-agreed standards and instruments; improving management and regulation of industrial processes; transferring environmentally-sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms; using environment and development accounting and reporting methods; international environmental management, and preventive action and measures to minimize the risks to human life, property and the...