The 1992 UN Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio refocused global attention on environmental issues. The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna declared women's rights to be human rights and violations of women, such as wartime systematic rape, as human rights violations. On the recommendation of this conference, a special rapporteur on violence against women was appointed by the UN Commission on Human Rights. World Conference Preparations Conferences are composed of official government delegations representing UN member or observer states. Delegates represent their government's interests, not themselves.
All nations come together as equals, all have a voice, and all have an equal vote.
The UN Secretary General appoints a conference secretary general who handles administrative, logistical, UN-host government relations, and other substantive concerns of the conference. Often, UN regional preparatory meetings and regional NGO forums are held prior to the world conference. Delegates to the conference are selected by foreign ministries and heads of government of each country. Countries sometimes hold national meetings to discuss the conference agenda and that nation's priorities and input to the conference document. Drafting committees are often established to work out the final version of the document during the conference.