members of national delegations, was most unfortunate. As the preparatory body for the Congress, it was difficult to understand that no possibility existed for the Committee to be officially represented at that event, at least by its Bureau. It was obvious that such an arrangement would have financial implications that were, however, minimal when compared with the total cost of the congresses, including their preparatory work. The present situation was, in any case, both paradoxical and unsatisfactory. 12. With respect to item 3 (topic I) of the provisional agenda for the Eighth Congress, members of the Committee felt that the inclusion in it of environmental offences gave the Eighth Congress an opportunity to formulate recommendations for the protection of the environment. Such legal protection was urgently needed, both at the national and international levels. The introduction of sanctions against those who wilfully and unscrupulously exploited national resources without concern for the damage caused to the ecosystem should be seriously considered. That was particularly necessary in so far as criminal law had not, until very recently, taken into account the damage inflicted on the environment. National legislation in that field was lacking and, when available, appeared to be inadequate. But now pollution of different sorts had become an extreme threat to humankind, a situation that fully justified the Eighth Congress taking steps to criminalize a variety of behaviours in that area. 13. The opinion was voiced that it was necessary to start drafting an instrument that aimed at establishing civil and criminal liability for international activities harmful to nature and the environment. That should be followed by the formulation of a convention for the protection of the ecosphere, which included an appropriate role for criminal law. 14. The dumping of toxic wastes and radioactive substances in developing countries 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the protection of the environment and the need for legal measures to prevent harm to the ecosystem. It also touches on the idea of drafting an instrument to establish liability for international activities harmful to nature and the environment. The focus is on the need for international cooperation and the formulation of a convention for the protection of the ecosphere.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment