LOCAL AGENDA 21
Pursuant to the importance and priority given to “global partnerships
for sustainable development” within Agenda 21, Chapter 28
is entitled “Local authorities’ initiatives in support of Agenda 21” .
This chapter is based upon the underlying conception that, “Because
so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by
Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and
cooperation of local authorities will be a determining factor in fulfilling
its objectives.”
As the primary objective in this Chapter, local authorities in
each country are called upon to undertake a consultative process with their populations and achieve a consensus on a “Local 21” for their communities. It would be interesting to note that Local Agenda 21 could only be included in Agenda 21 at the last minute, as a consequence of effective lobbying by local authorities. During the Prep Com meetings organized by the UN prior to the Rio Summit, the inclusion of a separate chapter on local authorities was not welcomed by national delegates, in particular by the representatives 
