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Agenda 21
Agenda 21 is a programme
run by the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable
development. It is a comprehensive blueprint of action
to be taken globally, nationally and locally by
organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups
in every area in which humans impact on the environment.
Development of Agenda 21
The full text of Agenda 21 was revealed at the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth
Summit), held in Rio de Janeiro on June 14, 1992, where
178 governments voted to adopt the programme. The final
text was the result of drafting, consultation and
negotiation, beginning in 1989 and culminating at the
two-week conference. The number 21 refers to an agenda
for the 21st century. It may also refer to the number on
the UN's agenda at this particular summit.
Rio+5
In 1997, the General Assembly of the UN held a special
session to appraise five years of progress on the
implementation of Agenda 21 (Rio +5). The Assembly
recognized progress as 'uneven' and identified key
trends including increasing globalization, widening
inequalities in income and a continued deterioration of
the global environment. A new General Assembly
Resolution (S-19/2) promised further action.
The Johannesburg Summit
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, agreed at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Earth Summit
2002) affirmed UN commitment to 'full implementation' of
Agenda 21, alongside achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals and other international agreements.
Implementation
The Commission on Sustainable Development acts as a high
level forum on sustainable development and has acted as
preparatory committee for summits and sessions on the
implementation of Agenda 21.
The United Nations Division for Sustainable Development
acts as the secretariat to the Commission and works
'within the context of' Agenda 21.
Implementation by member states remains essentially
voluntary.
Structure and contents
There are 40 chapters in the Agenda 21, divided into
four main sections.
Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions
Includes combating poverty, changing consumption
patterns, population and demographic dynamics, promoting
health, promoting sustainable settlement patterns and
integrating environment and development into
decision-making.
Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for
Development
Includes atmospheric protection, combating
deforestation, protecting fragile environments,
conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity), and
control of pollution.
Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major
Groups
Includes the roles of children and youth, women, NGOs,
local authorities, business and workers.
Section IV: Means of Implementation
Includes science, technology transfer, education,
international institutions and mechanisms and financial
mechanisms.
Local Agenda 21
The implementation of Agenda 21 was intended to involve
action at international, national, regional and local
levels. Some national and state governments have
legislated or advised that local authorities take steps
to implement the plan locally, as recommended in Chapter
28 of the document. Such programmes are often known as
'Local Agenda 21' or 'LA21'
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