Brasília, 16 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - According to minister of Environment, José Carlos Carvalho, the Brazilian Agenda 21, which will be launched by president Fernando Henrique Cardoso today, contains proposals that will strengthen public and governmental action to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development.

Carvalho said that over the last few years Brazil has become a frontrunner in the international debate on the environment. An example of this is the concept of the Sustainable City, which is highlighted in the Brazilian Agenda 21, where problems such as garbage, pollution, agriculture and natural resource management in urban are dealt with, explained the minister. He went on to point out that Brazil was the first country to sign the Agenda 21. (AB)