1 April 1997


Press Release
ENV/DEV/405


EXPERTS TO REVIEW IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21 MEASURES FOR LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

19970401
NEW YORK, 1 April (DPCSD) -- A meeting of experts will be held at Headquarters on 3 and 4 April to review progress in the implementation of measures for the least developed countries contained in Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. On the basis of the review, they are expected to propose further action to be taken both by the least developed countries themselves and the international community aimed at promoting environmentally-friendly development in those countries.

The group of experts include representatives from 12 of the 48 least developed countries, as well as experts from the United Nations system. The 12 countries to be represented at the governmental level are: Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Haiti, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, Samoa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen. They were selected on the basis of their geographical location and environmental particularities -- island countries, land-locked countries, and countries affected by desertification.

The conclusions of this meeting will contribute to the discussions at two important meetings on sustainable development to be held in New York over the next three months: the fifth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, to be held from 7 to 25 April, and the special session of the General Assembly to review the implementation of Agenda 21, from 23 to 27 June.

The Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa and the Least Developed Countries of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development (DPCSD) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) are jointly organizing the expert meeting.

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