§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what policy initiatives he is planning to undertake to promote international development and to-operation in the next six months; what meetings he is planning to attend; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 29 January 1993]: My right hon. Friend will continue to play a full part in the work of the European Community and other international fora. We welcome the establishment of the Sustainable Development Commission as envisaged at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio last year. My right hon. and learned Friend is also taking forward the initiatives announced by the Prime Minister at UNCED: the Darwin initiative for survival of species and preparations for an international conference of non-governmental organisations to exchange experience on the practical implementation of sustainable development to be held later this year. He will attend the global technology partnership conference in Birmingham in March, which was also announced by the Prime Minister at UNCED.