UN activity in the field of environment has been driven by major conferences and reports.
UN Conference on the Human Environment (1972)
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1992)
General Assembly Special Session on the Environment (1997)
World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002)
UN Conference on Sustainable Development (2012)
UN Sustainable Development Summit (2015)
UN Conference on the Human Environment (1972)
Economic and Social Council resolution 1346 (XLV) of 30 July 1968 recommended the General Assembly consider convening a UN conference on problems of the human environment.
Conference convened by General Assembly resolution 2398 (XXIII) of 3 December 1968
Held in Stockholm, 5-16 June 1972
Led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Vol.III + Corr.1: Statements made by Heads of State or Government at the summit segment of the Conference
Three major agreements adopted (found in Vol.I + Corr.1):
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, a series of principles defining the rights and responsibilities of States
Agenda 21, a global plan of action to promote sustainable development
Statement of Forest Principles, a set of principles to underpin the sustainable management of forests worldwide
Two multilateral treaties were opened for signature:
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Convention on Biological Diversity
Called for several major initiatives in other key areas of sustainable development, such as, a global conference on Small Island Developing States; negotiations began for a Convention to Combat Desertification, and for an agreement on highly migratory and straddling fish stocks.
General Assembly Special Session on the Environment (1997)
Called for by General Assembly resolutions 47/190 and 51/181
Known as the Earth Summit +5
19th special session of the General Assembly
Held in New York, 23-27 June 1997
Review of the implementation of Agenda 21
Outcome document: General Assembly resolution S-19/2 of 27 June 1997, Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21.
World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002)
Convened by General Assembly resolution 55/199 of 20 December 2000
Also known as Rio +10
Held in Johannesburg, 26 August - 4 September 2002
Reviewed progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 since its adoption in 1992