STATE OF ENVIRONMENT:  PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE?

Hard Facts:  Tough Choices as UNEP Launches Global Environment Outlook-3

LONDON, 22 May (UNEP) -- Over 70 per cent of the Earth's land surface could be affected by the impacts of roads, mining, cities and other infrastructure developments in the next 30 years unless urgent action is taken.

Background Release

PREPARATORY MEETING FOR WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

TO BE HELD IN BALI, 27 MAY - 7 JUNE

To Seek Agreement on Commitments,

OFFICIAL OPENING OF WORLD ECOTOURISM SUMMIT

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME ISSUES ‘10 YEARS AFTER RIO:  THE UNEP ASSESSMENT’,

REVIEWING INDUSTRY PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES

Reports on 22 Industrial Sectors Prepared

UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME AND TONGJI UNIVERSITY OPEN NEW CHINESE INSTITUTE

TO AID ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Institute Will Assist Monitoring of Three Gorges

Project, Great Western Development Programme and Olympic Planning

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

WILL ALSO ACT ON FORESTS, INVASIVE SPECIES

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.

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.

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