ABSTRACT
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were allowed to participate to an unprecedented extent in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development meeting, both in the official intergovernmental conference and the parallel NGO summit, Global Forum ’92. Agenda 21 established that level of NGO participation as standard for the future. The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) NGO Steering Committee was formed by representatives of NGOs and other ‘Major Groups’ present at annual sessions of the CSD. Members of the Committee are elected by region, issue and Major Group. Communications structures and opportunities are of vital importance to international conference activities. NGO participation in negotiations is often unbalanced. NGOs have become an integral part of conference activities over the years. They have options that clearly extend beyond their formally established rights. In the meantime, it has become common practice for NGO representatives to make statements at conferences and committee meetings.
