016.30 UNDP by Lawrence Yeung and Enzo Puliatti UNDP believes that communications and information technologies are important elements in the process of development and integration. Many successful experiences show that the use of emerging inexpensive technologies that can be easily assimilated by developing countries could provide new models of development. An innovative approach consisting of an appropriate use of technologies can bridge the gap between developing and developed countries in many fields. The upcoming United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to be held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June is a prime example of using communications and information technologies to address specific social, economic and environmental issues. It also provides a significant opportunity for researchers and Non-Government Organizations (NGO) to develop and implement new ways to disseminate information. Affirming that the protection and enhancement of the environment are major issues that affect the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world, UNCED is to elaborate strategies and measures to halt and reverse the effects of environmental degradation in the context of increased national and international efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally sound development in all countries. The UNCED Secretariat is supporting a proposal to enhance broad participation in the Conference, an Information Strategy Project in Rio (ISP/Rio) to establish a data communications network to allow efficient, low-cost and immediate information interchange between participants in the official site of the Conference and the sites where the NGOs' events will take place, as well as between these sites and other sites in Brazil and abroad. Linked to the Internet, this network will provide message exchange, database access and electronic conferencing to thousands of NGOs, researchers, journalists and other participants. An important role is played by AlterNex, a non-profit data communications system based in Rio de Janeiro affiliated with the Association for Progressive Communications. AlterNex is the result of a project between the Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses (IBASE, a research and consultancy public interest NGO), UNDP, and international donors through project BRA/88/014. UNDP has given full logistical support and part of the financial support to the implementation of AlterNex between 1988 and 1991. Also, through a regional project RLA/88/031 on Non-Commercial Data Communication Networks, UNDP is providing ongoing support to facilitate importation of necessary equipment and software for a major upgrade of the system to confront the enhanced needs of UNCED. ISP/Rio will have a 135 square meter room at the official site's (Riocentro) delegates hall, beside the NGO centre, equipped with workstations connected to AlterNex and the Internet. Similar installations will be available at the Global NGO Forum offices, at the NGO Communications Centre, the International Press Centre, the airport, the International Task Force office and at the AlterNex site. In order to use the system, individuals and organizations will need access to a terminal or workstation connected to some node of the ISP/Rio, or to a microcomputer connected to a standard phone line through a modem. Given the approximately 30 mile distances among the different sites of the Conference, the significance of ISP/Rio cannot be underestimated. Some of the documents and related papers on UNCED are kept at the UNDP INTERNET node for dissemination purposes among the registered users. Queries on access to this node can be directed to root@nygate.undp.org.