At the World Conference on Human Rights , governments re-affirmed their commitments to all human rights. Appointment of the first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. ISO 14001 is adopted as a voluntary international standard for corporate environmental management systems. 1995 World Trade Organization established, with formal recognition of trade, environment, and development linkages. Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China.
Delegates adopt the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Women.
World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen, Denmark. International community formally expresses commitment to eradicate absolute poverty for the first time. 1996 Summit of the Americas held in Bolivia, focusing on the attainment of sustainable development in the region. Assembly produces a Programme for Further Implementation of Agenda 21, but the meeting ends without significant new commitments. Kyoto Protocol signed by delegates to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.