This book is a compilation of the key documents associated with the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 3-14, 1992. It includes the full text of the two international environmental Conventions which were opened for signature at the UNCED Conference, namely: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, together with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Authoritative Statement on Forest Principles.

The book also includes the full text of Agenda 21, the programme for international action in the field of environment and development which was adopted as the centrepiece of UNCED's achievements and which is intended to set the stage for global efforts to achieve sustainable development well into the 21st century. Subdivided into forty chapters, Agenda 21 has four main themes: Social and Economic Dimensions; Conservation and Management of Resources for Development; Strengthening the Role of Major Groups; and Means of Implementation.

Some important ancillary documents are also included in the collection, for example, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution (44/228) which originally launched the UNCED process and key speeches by Mr Maurice Strong, UNCED's Secretary-General. Stanley Johnson, an international environment expert with over 25 years' experience of environment and development issues, provides the Introduction and comments on the various texts in a lucid and coherent manner.