Law and sustainable development since Rio

The ten years following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) have been years of intense activity in the reformation of national and international laws. Over the last decade, sustainable developmetn has become a universal watchword, and a major catalyst for the reorientation of legal texts. Profound legal changes have been triggered by the transformation of socialist economies and the accelerating globalization of trade and economy. At the same time, there has been a resurgent recognition of the critical role of the law in achieving development and environmental objectives and in supporting good governance. This publication reviews the important changes that have occurred over the last decade in food, agriculture and natural resources laws. It is a collaborative effort of the FAO Legal Office, reflecting its experience in providing advice to governments and intergovernmental bodies in the preparation of laws and treaties. International and national law are addressed together in chapters and organized around the major subjects within FAO's mandate.