Focusing on programmes serving multiple demographic and sustainable development goals

If special attention were paid to women, to the poorest people living in critical areas and to other vulnerable groups in the implementation of nationally determined policies for integrated and multifaceted programmes, then the involvement of groups with a special potential to act as agents for change and sustainable development would be ensured. Special emphasis should also be placed on those programmes that: achieve multiple objectives; encourage sustainable economic development; mitigate adverse impacts of demographic trends and factors; avoid long-term environmental damage. Food security, access to secure tenure, basic shelter, and essential infrastructure, education, family welfare, women's reproductive health, family credit schemes, reforestation programmes, primary environmental care, women's employment should, as appropriate, be included among other factors.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.