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MULTI-YEAR THEMATIC PROGRAMME OF WORK

The proposed programme of work through 1997 was presented in document E/CN.17/1993/5. In each year from 1994-1996, the following five cross-sectoral clusters of Agenda 21 will be reviewed:

  • Critical elements of sustainability: Chapters 2 (international economic policies); 3 (combatting poverty); 4 (changing consumption patterns); and 5 (demographic dynamics and sustainability).
  • Financial resources and mechanisms (Chapter 33).
  • Education, science, transfer of environmentally sound technologies, cooperation and capacity-building: Chapters 16 (biotechnology); 34 (technology); 35 (science); 36 (education); and 37 (capacity-building).
  • Decision-making structures: Chapters 8 (integrating environment and development in decision making); 38 (international institutional arrangements); 39 (international legal instruments and mechanisms); and 40 (information for decision-making).
  • Roles of major groups (Chapters 23-32)
In each year particular emphasis will be on different chapters of Agenda 21 within each of the cross-sectoral clusters. The sectoral clusters will be reviewed in three phases, as follows:

  • 1994: Health, human settlements and freshwater (Chapters 6, 7, 18 and 21); and Toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes (Chapters 19, 20 and 22).
  • 1995: Land, desertification, forests and biodiversity (Chapters 10-15).
  • 1996: Atmosphere, oceans and all kinds of seas (Chapters 9 and 17).
The 1997 session will have an overall review and appraisal of Agenda 21 in preparation for that year's special session of the General Assembly, as envisaged in resolution 47/190. The division of Agenda 21 into these clusters was discussed in great detail during the organizational session in February and the proposed multi-year thematic programme of work met with little opposition.

The final decision document, E/CN.17/1993/L.4, states that the Commission will ensure an integrated approach to environment and development, taking full account of the principles of the Rio Declaration and all other aspects of UNCED, paragraph 4 of General Assembly resolution 47/191, as well as of the cross-linkages between and among sectoral and cross-sectoral components of relevant chapters of Agenda 21. In carrying out its programme of work, the CSD will take into account the results of major intergovernmental events and negotiating processes, with a view to integrating these activities in the process of review of the implementation of Agenda 21. The CSD will also take into account time-frames with regard to specific targets identified in Agenda 21.

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