United emission norms

under the aegis of the United Nations, an international agreement was signed by eight countries to develop globally uniform environmental regulations for motor vehicles. The agreement, pending for the past two years, is expected to "harmonise" the world's automobile standards.

UNITED NATIONS

The Earth Charter has been launched officially at the Hague, the Netherlands. Through this charter, its organisers are hoping to achieve their goal of reaching an International Covenant on Environment and Development. This is expected to be to be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002, the tenth anniversary of the Earth Summit held at Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched an urgent international appeal for US $2.5 million emergency funding to help flood victims in Mozambique. Director general of FAO Jacques Diouf said, "Around US $2.5 million is needed to help Mozambique's farmers get back to farming as quickly as possible so the country will be able to produce enough food to feed its people."

Preventing desertification

the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (unccd) recommended close regional cooperation amongst countries for measures to check desertification during a meeting held in New Delhi recently. Within this framework, the Regional Action Programme for Asia has identified six Thematic Programme Network areas. India will host the Thematic Programme Network 2 (tpn-2) on "Agro-forestry and Soil Conservation in Arid, Semi-Arid and Dry Sub-Humid Areas."

UNITED NATIONS

Delegates representing more than a hundred governments have agreed to set-up a permanent United Nations ( un ) body to protect forests. This was decided at the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF). The world's forests are in grave danger with only 20 per cent of the original cover still in existence. The group, while moving closer to talks on a new preservation treaty, fell short of promising full-fledged talks as desired by Canada.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations has decided to prepare a US $50-million action plan for the cyclone-affected areas of Orissa. A grade 5 cyclone hit the state on October 29. The super-cyclone ravaged numerous villages, killed thousands and rendering many homeless. Many villages still are submerged and can only be reached via boats. The Indian army, navy and the air force are distributing food, clothes and medicines to the affected people. There are reports of food riots in many places and the affected people are not happy with the quantity of relief distributed to them till now.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations (un) has asked for immediate steps for cleaning the River Danube of wastes generated by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (nato) bombing. Water from the Danube is used for drinking purposes in the downstream nations Romania and Bulgaria.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations General Assembly is holding a special session to draw up a strategy for limiting the world population, keeping in view the sharp divisions that exist on issues such as abortion, family planning and sex education in schools. The session is being held to review the decisions and recommendations taken at the Cairo Population conference being held to draw up priorities for the next century. The aim of the Cairo conference is to stabilise the world population at nine and a half million by 2050.

UNITED NATIONS

The rapid increase in small-mining in poor nations, often employing women and children, is taking a heavy toll by way of fatalities and diseases, said the International Labour Organisation (ILO). On an average, there has been a 20 per cent rise in the past five years in 35 countries studied by the ILO in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Small-scale mines employ an estimated 13 million workers worldwide and produce up to 20 per cent of precious metals, gems, building materials and non-fuel minerals globally.

Oceans of fantasy

Oceans. The first thoughts that strike the mind are of vastness, depth, large expanses of blue-green water, aquatic life, hidden treasures and waves lapping the shores.