In pursuance of resolution 2.141 (a) adopted by the General Conference at its sixteenth session (October-November 1970), the Intergovernmental Conference for the Establishment of a World Science Information System (UNISIST) was organized by Unesco. The purpose of the Conference held October 4-8, 1971 was to make recommendations covering the basic principles of the proposed world science information system and the mechanisms and procedures by which member states and international organizations could play an active role in its implementation. The resolution adopted by the Conference and its general report appear in this volume. Additional appendices include the report of the U.S. delegation and remarks by the U.S. representatives to the Conference. (Author/SJ)