AGENDA 21 and United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

Agenda 21 was adopted by more than 178 Governments at United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED- Rio Declaration) held at Rio de Janeiro from 3-14 June 1992.

Agenda 21 is an action agenda for the United Nations and other multilateral agencies around the world that can be executed at local, national and global levels. The ‘21’ in Agenda 21 indicates the 21^st century.

It is non-binding in nature and thus, becomes a voluntarily implemented action plan of UN with regards to Sustainable Development.

Sections of Agenda 21

Agenda 21 is a 300 page document divided into 40 Chapters that has been again sub-divided into four Sections:

Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions: this section is majorly directed towards combating poverty (especially in Developing Countries), changing consumption patterns, promoting health.

Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development: this section includes atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environment, control and conservation of biodiversity and management of biotechnology.

Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups: this section focuses on the encouraging various groups like roles of children, youth, NGO, women, local authorities, business, industry, indigenous people and their tribes and communities.

Section IV: Means of Implementation: this section talks about advancement of science and technology, and promotion of environmental education and awareness, promotion of research and development and development of various financial mechanisms.

Conclusion

Agenda 21 includes detailed recommendations on the use of solar power and wind power, and how to reuse, recycle and regenerate, emphasizes on the use CFL’s, switching to more greener, cleaner and energy efficient technologies and so on.

Thus Agenda 21 also strives in moulding the world to be a more civilized place which integrates the great benefit of environment with a better community development in all aspects for the use of future generations.

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