FIRST-EVER GLOBAL GUIDELINES ADOPTED ON GENETIC RESOURCES; BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE

WILL ALSO ACT ON FORESTS, INVASIVE SPECIES

UNEP CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Governments to Advance Work on Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

THE HAGUE, 17 April 2002 -- With the legally-binding Protocol on Biosafety gaining momentum towards its entry into force, delegates from over 160 governments as well as non-governmental, intergovernmental and indigenous and private sector organizations will meet here for continuing discussions from 22-26 April.

GLOBAL WARMING TRIGGERS GLACIAL LAKES FLOOD THREAT

Himalayan Mountain Lakes at High Risk

Of Bursting Banks, with Devastating Consequences for People and Property

GENEVA/LONDON/NAIROBI, 16 April (UN Information Service) -- Nearly 50 lakes, high in the Himalayas, could burst their banks sending millions of gallons of deadly floodwaters swirling down valleys, putting at risk tens of thousands of lives, scientists are warning.

Commission on Sustainable Development

Acting as Preparatory Committee for

 World Summit on Sustainable Development

4^th Meeting (PM)

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT CONCLUDES THIRD SESSION

Final Session Will Be Held in Bali, Indonesia, 27 May-7 June;

Commission on Sustainable Development

Acting as Preparatory Committee for

 World Summit on Sustainable Development

3^rd Meeting (PM)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT PREPARATORY COMMITTEE HEARS REPORT

ON RECENT ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS' MEETING IN CARTAGENA

Commission on Sustainable Development

Acting as Preparatory Committee for

 World Summit on Sustainable Development

2^nd Meeting (AM)

COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HEARS FROM VICE-PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

ON LAND, WATER MANAGEMENT

UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME CONFIRMS LOW-LEVEL DEPLETED URANIUM CONTAMINATION

IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, URGES PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

(Reissued as received.)

Commission on Sustainable Development

Acting as Preparatory Committee for

 World Summit on Sustainable Development

1^st Meeting (AM)

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR JOHANNESBURG WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ADOPTS AGENDA, CONSIDERS ACCREDITATION OF NGOS, INTERGOVERNMENTAL BODIES

Background release

PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT TO HOLD

THIRD SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 25 MARCH - 5 APRIL

United Nations Forum on Forests

Second Session

11^th Meeting (PM)

UNITED NATIONS FORUM ON FORESTS CONCLUDES SECOND SESSION

The United Nations Forum on Forests on Friday, 15 March, concluded its second session, which began on 4 March, by adopting the report of its session and eight draft decisions.

The Forum also decided that its third session would be held in Geneva from