ABSTRACT
As convenor of this conference, it is my pleasure, on this third World Environment Day, to call to order the first session of the First EARTHCARE Conference on the global protection of natural areas. We are privileged and honored indeed to be meeting in the Economic and Social Council chamber at United Nations headquarters, a chamber in which many of our concerns have been debated and will be debated in the future. We are pleased especially to give recognition to World Environment Day and to begin these deliberations on a day which is being observed around the world, this being just one of a great many observances.
