Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements.
It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Only 1
Only 2
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive and voluntary global action plan for sustainable development. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
It was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992.
This 1992 conference is also known as the Rio Earth Summit.
The number ‘21’ refers to the 21st century; it does not mean 21 chapters or 21 goals.
It is not a legally binding international treaty.
It was designed for implementation at global, national and local levels by governments, United Nations organizations and major social groups.
Agenda 21 covers social and economic dimensions, conservation and management of resources for development, the role of major social groups and means of implementation.
It includes subjects such as poverty, consumption patterns, human health, human settlements, forests, biodiversity, water and waste management.
Under it, local authorities were encouraged to prepare a ‘Local Agenda 21’ for their respective areas.
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development was established to monitor the implementation of Agenda 21.
The Rio Earth Summit is also associated with the Rio Declaration, the UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Forest Principles.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg in 2002.
The Johannesburg Summit emphasized reviewing and advancing the implementation of Agenda 21; Agenda 21 did not originate there. Therefore, Statement 2 is not correct.