Preparatory talks resumed this week to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) opening in Johannesburg, South Africa, in late August 2002. The IAEA is among organizations attending sessions of the WSSD Preparatory Committee (PrepCom), which now is focusing on details of the agenda. The overall aim is to reach consensus on practical measures, particularly through partnerships, that will advance sustainable development around the world
As part of its support of the WSSD, the IAEA has contributed a background document that focuses on its assistance to developing countries for the implementation of Agenda 21, the global action plan adopted at the World Summit in 1992, in Rio de Janeiro. Also recently issued is a brochure that highlights the contributions of nuclear technologies and IAEA-supported projects in fields of water development; food and agricultural production; human health; environmental protection; and technology transfer to build up national infrastructures and capacities for implementing development projects.
After this PrepCom, which runs from 25 March to 8 April at the United Nations in New York, there will be one more Preparatory Meeting at the ministerial level in Bali, Indonesia. At that meeting, scheduled from 27 May to 7 June, participants will consider a political declaration to be endorsed by Heads of State and Government in Johannesburg.