ABSTRACT
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, also known as the Earth Summit) was a landmark event. It launched an unprecedented global partnership for economic and social development and environmental protection, founded on consensus and commitment at the highest political level. It adopted the Rio Declaration, the Forest Principles and Agenda 21, an ambitious and comprehensive programme of action including many innovative initiatives and imaginative visions for sustainable development. It saw the opening for signature of the first international conventions on climate change and biological diversity.
