The role played by scientists in advising intergovernmental policy processes on sustainable development has expanded rapidly.
Scientists are playing an increasing role in policy advice via participation in bodies such as the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety, the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests and the subsidiary scientific and technical bodies under the climate change, biodiversity and desertification conventions. These bodies provide scientific and technical input to intergovernmental negotiations and the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.
A further role for scientists which has grown rapidly in importance is that of the independent scientific assessment processes; notable examples include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (Fritz 1998). These activities are being stimulated by the concept of sustainable development, with its emphasis on the integration of environmental, economic and social concerns. A concept of 'new national systems of innovation' is emerging, which favours more interaction among universities, scientific research organizations, government agencies and the private sector. The net result should be an improvement in the scientific basis of policy-making (UNCSD 1998a).
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.