The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has planned to launch environment projects in China that will focus on air pollution, water management and education. The cost of three projects has been estimated at US $2.85 million. One project, co-financed by the Australian government, will aim at developing an action plan in China for improving urban water management and wastewater treatment in cities. Another project will help reduce hazardous air pollution in Beijing. UNDP will develop a traffic pollution abatement strategy to strengthen existing air pollution monitoring systems in the city. The third project will focus on creating awareness in China's youth by helping to launch an innovative, environmental education programme for primary and mid-level schools.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, & Cultural Organisation (unesco) will sponsor the Thirteenth Regional Training Course on Methods and Techniques in Exploration Geophysics between 15 October and 22 November 1997 in Hyderabad. The training programme has been planned to emphasis the use of geophysics in groundwater exploration. The course will cover topics such as satellite imageries and aerial photography, hydrogeological and geophysical techniques, pumping tests to estimate hydrological parameters, introduction to ground water management and techniques for drilling borewells.