contribute toenvironmental security andindustrial safety. 112.Representatives ofseveral developing countries notedthateconomic difficulties hadlimited theavailability ofresources forenvironmental protection. Toassistdeveloping countries indealing withtheirenvironmental problems, onerepresentative proposed theestablishment ofafundbywhich transnational corporations couldvoluntarily contribute totheprotection ofthe en··ironment indeveloping countries. Manydelegations voicedtheirsupport forthe funo. Qnerepresentative pointed outthatafundforenvironmental protection already existec, namelytheEnvironment FundoftheUnitedNations Environment,, I" t s e t :1 :1 '(Programme (UNEP); hewasnotsureoftheadvisability ofcreating another. He said,however, thatafundintended mainlyforcontributions fromtransnational corporations couldbeworthexploring, especially iftheproposal wasbroadened to in~j.ude contributions inkind. TheCommission recognized theimportance ofthe existing technical co-operation programme oftheCentreintheareaof environmental protection andurgedtheCentretoexpanditswork. 113.Manydelegations expressed theneedforfurther elaboration oftheconcept of sustainable development. Theylookedforward togreater clarity whentheGeneral Assembly, atitsforty-fourth session, in1989,considered plansforaUnited Nations conference onenviro~~ent anddevelopment in1992. Manyfeltthat,in spiteofthewlbiguity oftheconcept, theCentreoughttobeactively involved in thepreparation ofsuchaconference sothattheroleoftransnational corporations couldbeproperly highlighted. 114.WithregardtotheCentre's observation ontheprospective needtochange hydrocarbon production inordertoreducethegreenhouse effect, onerepresentative saidthat,rather, therewasaneedtochangetheuseofhydrocarbon fuels, asit wastheburning ofthem,nottheextraction, thatwasassociated withglobal warming. 115.TheCommission tooknoteofthecontinuing workoftheCentre onthefive themesoutlined inthereportoftheSecretary-General. Somedelegations stressed theimportance ofstudying thedecision-making processes oftransnational corporations onenvironmental matters sothatanytendency torelocete hazardous industries andwastestodeveloping countries couldbemoreeffectively curta~led. Mostdelegations expressed concern aboutthedisposal ofindustrial andnuclear wasteproducts indeveloping countries andrecognized theneedforgreater efforts withrespect tohazardous wastes, inparticular theeffectoftransboundary traffic inwaste. Somedelegations stressed theneedfordeveloping countries toenhance theircapacity fortechnological riskassessment inordertoenable themto negotiate effectively withtransnational corporations. O~herdele'Jations believed itwascrucial thataclearsystemofenvironmental accounting andreporting be developed. Onerepresentative notedtheneedforfurther analysis ofwaysto internalize costsofenvironmentally related expenses. Somedelegations stressed thattransnational corporations shouldtakeintoaccount thevarious guidelines beingpromulgated. 116.TheCommission encouraged theCentretoworkwithotherappropriate organizations oftheUnitedNations system. ItwasnotedthattheAPPELsystemof UNEPforaccident prevention provided abasisforinternational behaviour by transnational corporations andhostGoveLnments, evenintheabsence ofspecific national procedures onaccident prevention. 117.Insumming up,theExecutive Director notedwithsatisfaction thesubstantial discussion ontransnational corporations andtheenvironment, including the Centre's particular roleinthatfield. Although theCentre focused onmatters related totransnational corporations, itwasnotblindtotheneedtocontribute totheoverall environmental workoftheUnitedNations. Henotedthatthe international community couldhelpnudgetransnational corporations into recognizing theirresponsibilities inthatfieldandmodifying theiractivities to takeaccount oftheneedforsustainable development. --45-.) H J Action takenbytheCommission "TheEconomic andSocialCouncil, "Recalling General Assembly resolution 43/196of20December 1988ona UnitedNations conference onenvironment anddevelopment,Transnational corporations andenvironmental protection in
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the relationship between transnational corporations and environmental protection, discussing the need for sustainable development, environmental security, and industrial safety. The Commission encourages the Centre to work on these issues, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and the role of transnational corporations in environmental protection.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Industry