Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 43/53 of 6 December 1988 and 44/207 of 22 December 1989, in which it recognized climate change as a common concern of mankind, and resolution 45/212 of 21 December 1990, by which it established a single intergovernmental negotiating process for the preparation of a framework convention on climate change,

Reiterating the objective that an effective framework convention, containing appropriate commitments, and any related legal instruments as might be agreed upon should be completed prior to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and opened for signature during the Conference in June 1992,

Taking note of the relevant decisions adopted in 1991 by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, the eleventh session of the World Meteorological Congress, the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and other intergovernmental bodies,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General, on the progress of the negotiations for a framework convention on climate change,

1.         Notes with appreciation the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Framework Convention on Climate Change at its first, second and third sessions;

2.         Urges the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to expedite and successfully complete the negotiations as soon as possible and to adopt the framework convention on climate change, containing appropriate commitments and any related legal instruments as may be agreed upon, in time for it to be opened for signature during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development;

3.         Decides that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee should hold its fifth session in New York from 18 to 28 February 1992, with the possibility of holding a short resumed session in New York in April 1992 unless the Committee decides otherwise at its fifth session;

4.         Requests the Secretary-General to make appropriate arrangements for the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and its ad hoc secretariat for the rest of 1992 in the light of the consideration by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development of the report of the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on possible future steps in the field of climate change;

5.         Also notes with appreciation the contributions made to the special voluntary fund, established in accordance with paragraph 10 of its resolution 45/212 to ensure that developing countries, in particular the least developed among them, as well as small island developing countries, are able to participate fully and effectively in the negotiating process, and invites present and potential contributors to provide the additional and timely funding needed to ensure adequate support for the participation of developing countries in the negotiating process in 1992;

6.         Further notes with appreciation the initial contributions made to the trust fund for the negotiating process, established in accordance with paragraph 20 of its resolution 45/212, and invites present and new contributors to provide additional funding in 1992;

7.         Notes the arrangements made by the Secretary-General, as well as the welcome support provided by the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the World Meteorological Organization and by Governments, for the operation of the ad hoc secretariat of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee during 1991;

8.         Reiterates its request to the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, on behalf of the Committee, to submit a report to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 on the outcome of the negotiations, as well as on possible future steps in the field of climate change;

9.         Requests the Secretary-General, in the light of the outcome of the negotiations on the framework convention on climate change and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, to report to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session on the implementation of the present resolution and on possible future requirements in relation to climate change;

10.       Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-seventh session the item entitled "Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind".