This publication brings together the texts adopted by the Standing Committee of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The Congress, a consultative body of the Council of Europe, is made up of two chambers: one representing local authorities, the other the regions. Its aim is to reinforce democratic structures at local and regional level, and in particular to help the newly-emerging democracies in central and eastern Europe. The Congress adopts three different types of texts: recommendations, opinions and resolutions. Recommendations are proposals to the Committee of Ministers, and their application is left up to each member government. Sometimes they are also addressed to other international organisations. Opinions usually refer to questions to the Congress from the Committee of Ministers or the Parliamentary Assembly. The Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly consult the Congress on questions which are likely to affect the competence and the basic interests of the local and regional authorities which the Congress represents. Resolutions reflect the decisions that the Congress is authorised to take, or make recommendations to local and/or regional authorities and their associations.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

"The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a culmination of a centuries-long struggle by indigenous peoples for justice. It is an important new addition to UN human rights instruments in that it promotes equality for the world's indigenous peoples and recognizes their collective rights."--Back cover.

Summarizes the science of climate change and impacts on the United States, for the public and policymakers.