ABSTRACT

The United Nations is one of humanity's greatest achievements, and it is a dream, a work in progress, challenged by the social and environmental impacts of economic globalization and by persistent national policies and choices that undermine agreed on goals and objectives. The report issued by the Convention on the Human Environment held in Stockholm is the foundational document and reference point for subsequent advancements toward protection of the global environment made in Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg. United Nation Environmental Programme is credited with major contributions in developing the Montreal Protocol, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification and for helping over 100 countries develops their own environmental legislation and institutions. Several types of environmental and natural resource issues that the United Nations is uniquely able to address: monitoring global biodiversity, protecting the global commons, promoting and implementing international law and dispute resolution, and coordinating disaster relief.