Background
Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 called upon countries at the national level, as well as international, governmental and non-governmental organizations to develop indicators in order to provide the solid basis for decision-making at all levels. Agenda 21 specifically called for harmonization of efforts towards developing sustainable development indicators at the national, regional and global levels.

• At the UN Millennium Summit held in 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (8 goals, 18 targets and 48 indicators) were set in order to improve economic, social and environmental conditions in a specific timeframe. Goal 7 is set for countries to ensure environmental sustainability through integrating principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes, and reverse the loss of environmental resources.
• The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), 2002 called upon countries to initiate work on indicators in order to monitor progress on sustainable development. Governments in Johannesburg committed to various goals, targets and financial assistance (through ODA and partnership) in order to achieve a measurable positive change
• Under the Strengthening Environment Assessment and Monitoring Capabilities in Asia Pacific
  region (SEAMCAP) project, UNEP RRC.AP has produced national State of Environment Reports (SoE) for various countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Indicators are important data for these reports.

• Identification of Data: The indicators for each category were decided by our in-house experts after intensive consultations and discussions. The indicators finally chosen are the ones that are most relevant in their respective categories. The chosen indicators are also the ones that best indicate the condition and status of their field.
• Trends analysis: Data has been collected for each indicator for every country of each sub-region for the following years - 1990, 1995 and 2000. The data has then been displayed in a graph, enabling readers to see the progress of the indicator over the past decade. The graph display is useful to understand the environmental trends of a country. Each graph is accompanied by a brief analysis of the trend.
• Assessment: The report has explanatory notes on each environmental indicator. The explanatory notes provided for each indicator and the analysis of each category of indicators aim to make this publication easily understandable for lay persons and to help disseminate information to a wider audience.
• Report preparation: This involved computer programming and specialised software programming by our staff. It entailed designing of the report as well as visual graphics.