BASIC INFORMATION THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A significant institutional outcome of UNCED was the establishment of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in December 1992, to ensure effective follow-up of UNCED; and to monitor and report on implementation of the Earth Summit agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels. The CSD is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), with 53 members. The CSD consistently generates a high level of public interest. Over 50 ministers attend the CSD each year and more than one thousand non-governmental organizations (NGOs) contribute to its work. The Commission ensures the high visibility of sustainable development issues within the UN system and helps to improve the UN's coordination of environment and development activities. The CSD also encourages governments and international organizations to host workshops and conferences on different environmental and cross-sectoral issues. The results of these expert-level meetings enhance the work of CSD and help the Commission to work better with national governments and various non-governmental partners in promoting sustainable development worldwide. CSD and the Johannesburg Summit: The 55th General Assembly session decided in December 2000 that the CSD would serve as the central organizing body for the forthcoming Johannesburg Summit. Therefore, the tenth session of the CSD is acting as the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the Summit. Four sessions of CSD10 are being held for this purpose from during 2001 and 2002.