from the public and private sectors to discuss priorities, targets and actions for sustainable development. Their reports, although not binding on Governments, served as official Conference documents and a useful working basis in the elaboration of the final documents. Thus, the practical and economic contributions of the host Governments and the input of the participants provided invaluable support for the Bergen process. The ECE participated in all the workshops and made a contribution to each. (x) Non-governmental preparations (a) Focal Points 24. Following the decision of the Preparatory Committee to include NGOs in the Conference and based on consultations among the NGOs, five "focal points" were established: Voluntary organizations: A steering committee with representatives from the various subregions (North America, the European Communities, East Europe and the European Free Trade Association). A steering committee was elected to co-ordinate the preparations for Bergen. The Steering Committee was elected by a consultative meeting of some 25 European and North American organizations to co-ordinate the preparation of the voluntary organizations for Bergen. The European Environment Bureau (EEB) (through the Green Alliance, a U.K.-based organization) served as a secretariat. Industry: The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris. Science: The Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humanities (NAVF) in liaison with the European Science Foundation (ESF). Trade Unions: The Secretary to the Workers' Group in the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Youth: The Na~ional Council of Norwegian Youth Organizations (LNU), in liaison with the Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC) and the All-European Youth and Student Co-operation (AYSEC). (b) Preparations 25. The five NGO groups participated regularly in the Bergen preparatory process. The five groups took very different approaches in preparing their inputs to the Bergen Conference. I••. Voluntary organizations A/CONF.151/PC/10 English Page 7 26. Three hundred and fifty representatives from more than 300 environment and 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the preparations and organization of a conference related to sustainable development, with a focus on the participation of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from different sectors. The text mentions reports, targets, and actions, which suggests a focus on environmental and sustainable development issues.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International trade