Introduction The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, marked a breakthrough in the discussion of population and environment issues. UNFPA as part of its follow-up to UNCED, has identified those chapters and programmes areas of Agenda 21 that have programmatic, institutional and/or financial implications for UNFPA.			Strengthening the Role of NGOs Chapter 27 recognizes NGOs as partners in the implementation of Agenda 21. Indeed, without their participation, it is difficult to see how the objectives of Agenda 21 could be reached at all. UNFPA has collaborated closely with a variety of NGOs which have served as executing agencies for UNFPA-funded activities all over the world.
		Population and the Rio Declaration UNFPA's mandate is well reflected in the first principle of the Rio Declaration, which states: "Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development.  They are entitled to healthy and productive life in harmony with nature."			Promoting Education UNFPA recognizes the importance of creating awareness of the critical issues of population, environment and resources and has sought to do so through publications, sponsorship of and participation in other activities.
		Population and Agenda 21 From a population point of view, the key element of Agenda 21 is Chapter 5, "Demographic dynamics and sustainability." The activities and objectives proposed in this chapter are in complete harmony with UNFPA’s mandate.			National Mechanisms and International Cooperation of Skills and know-how are as important as technology and other factors to the promotion of developmental and environmental sustainability, and support for various kinds of capacity-building measures has long been part of UNFPA country programmes.
		Demographic Dynamics and Sustainability World population, 5.5 billion in 1992, will, according the the United Nations medium projection, reach 8.04 billion in 2025 and 9.4 billion in 2050. UNFPA is charged with extending sustained assistance to developing countries, at their request, in dealing with their population problems.			International Institutional Arrangements Chapter 38 provides for the establishment of a Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), which will have the task of monitoring and reviewing progress in the implementation of Agenda 21.
		Combating Poverty In Chapter 3 of Agenda 21 provides the framework for a comprehensive attack on poverty.  It recognizes poverty as a complex multidimensional problem.  More than 1 billion people live under conditions of extreme poverty.  UNFPA already supports a variety of projects and programmes with direct bearing on poverty.			Financial Resources It is estimated that, a present, some $9.5 billion is devoted to population activities in the developing countries, of which almost 80 per cent is provided by the developing countries themselves.  A programme as ambitious as Agenda 21 requires much in the way of financial resources and help from the developed nations.
		Protecting and Promoting Human Health Chapter 6 of Agenda 21 focuses on extremely important issue of health, and especially on the need for primary health care. A population in good health is at the core of all development efforts and family planning programmes.			Children and Youth The objectives set forth in Chapter 25 focuses precisely on children and youth.  Children and youth of today are tomorrow's parents.  UNFPA has, therefore, sought to increase awareness among the importance of formulating national policies concerning the reproductive health of youth.
		Global Action for Women Chapter 24 of Agenda 21 urges governments to adopt a variety of objectives and initiate numerous activities aimed at integrating women fully and equally in all development activities.			Conclusions UNFPA assistance in the area of population and environment will focus on research and analysis, including country case studies; awareness-creation and sensitization; integrated MCH/FP in environmental management projects; special women’s projects; population policy formulation and planning; and training.