With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements : 1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development. 2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• Agenda 21 is a comprehensive, non-binding global action plan for sustainable development covering social, economic and environmental dimensions (statement 1).
• Statement 2 is wrong: it was adopted at the Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) at Rio de Janeiro in 1992; the Johannesburg summit of 2002 reviewed its implementation.
• The '21' refers to the 21st century.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: Agenda 21 came from Rio 1992.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct: it is a sustainable development action plan.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.