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The United Nations Millennium Declaration, whose implementation is now underway, is the most comprehensive action plan ever prepared on order to conserve the quality of the environment. Article IV (Protecting our common environment) states that no effort should be spared to free all of humanity, and above all our children and grandchildren, from the threat of living on a planet irredeemably spoilt by human activities, and whose resources would no longer be sufficient for their needs. It reaffirms support for the principles of sustainable development, and resolves to:

• 1.

  To make every effort to ensure the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol,preferably by the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 2002, and to embark on the required reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.

• 2.

  To intensify the collective efforts for the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

• 3.

  To press for the full implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa.

• 4.

  To stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources by developing water management strategies at the regional, national and local levels, which promote both equitable access and adequate supplies.

• 5.

  To intensify cooperation to reduce the number and effects of natural and man-made disasters.

• 6.

  To ensure free access to information on the human genome sequence.

Moreover, the Declaration states that the UN will spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development. It also outlines the need to strengthen the capacity of all countries to implement the principles and practices of democracy and respect for human rights, including minority rights and to combat all forms of violence against women and to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Finally it resolved to ensure the freedom of the media to perform their essential role and the right of the public to have access to information.

The full Declaration is available at: www.un.org/millennium/declaration/ares552e.htm