Chapter 1 - Preamble

Section 1 - Social & Economic Dimensions

Section 2 - Conservation and Management of Resources

Section 3 - Strengthening the Role of Major Groups

Section 4 - Means of Implementation
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40

Complete text of Agenda 21: Chapter 38
Chapter 38: Organizing for Sustainable Development

A large responsibility for following up on the Rio recommendations rests with the General Assembly of the United Nations, where all member countries have policy-making and other responsibilities to fulfill. The United Nations should consider a special session no later than 1997, to review progress on the implementation of Agenda 21.

The United Nations system has a critical role to play, and will require restructuring and revitalizing in economic, social and related fields to implement the concrete programmes of Agenda 21.

The UN Conference on Environment and Development recommended that the United Nations create a high-level Commission on Sustainable Development with membership from countries around the world. In its work, the Commission should draw on expertise of United Nations organizations, international financial institutions, and of non-governmental organizations, including industry, business and scientific groups. The Commission is to monitor progress and problems in the implementation of Agenda 21, and make recommendations to the United Nations.

The conference also recommended that the UN Secretary-General appoint a high-level of advisory board of environment and development experts.

The United Nations Environment Programme will need to develop and promote natural resource accounting and environmental economics. It also needs to improve environmental monitoring to provide the world with an early-warning system on environmental problems, and to develop international environmental law, including treaties. The agency can advise governments on how to integrate environmental considerations into their development policies and programmes.

The United Nations Development Programme, with its global network, will act as the lead agency in mobilizing donor assistance and organizing efforts by the United Nations system to build expertise for sustainable development.

The continued active and effective participation of non-governmental organizations, the scientific community and the private sector, as well as local groups and communities, is important in the implementation of Agenda 21.

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