Malaysia and UNCED: an analysis of a diplomatic process; 1989-1992

This thesis is a political and diplomatic analysis of a United Nations special conference - the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) which took place over a period of two and a half years from 1989 to 1992. It examines the process and substance of the UNCED negotiations as seen through the role played by Malaysia. It shows how Malaysia, a small, developing country, strives to influence events at the United Nations. A number of issues have been selected as negotiation case-studies. They include forests, biological diversity, climate change and the cross-sectoral issues of finance and technology transfer. The thesis examines the motives of nation-states in resolving these environmental problems and analyses the unprecedented role of non state actors which took an active part in UNCED process. Finally ,the thesis analyses the results of UNCED and attempts to predict its future as seen through the newly created Commission on Sustainable Development.