In February representatives of more than 70 countries concluded two years of talks still divided over whether to start negotiations on a legally binding agreement to curb over-logging and promote sustainable forestry. Many environmental organizations are disappointed with developments since Rio and do not conceal their skepticism about the future. Their result must include a clear strong message that 'business as usual,' which created most of our problems, is no longer acceptable. Prospects look best, U.N. officials and environmentalists say, for a new agreement addressing the serious shortage of fresh water in many regions, which was highlighted by a major U.N. study earlier this year. The General Assembly session in June is likely to give a green light to a new plan to protect the world's fresh water resources and to promote cooperation between countries drawing their supplies from the more than 800 rivers crossing national borders.
Agreement also appears close on new controls on chemical pollution.
A protocol is almost ready on insuring that such chemicals are not exported without the consent of an importing country. And governments are already committed to start talks at the end of the year on restricting the use of 12 toxic chemicals. But concrete action on cleaning up the oceans, and protecting fish stocks and forests are less likely, officials say. But the preparatory document for this week's talks says the world already has enough agreements on curbing pollution. What is needed, it said, is better enforcement of existing laws.