Bioresources have an important role in meeting the growing energy needs of the globe, especially those of the developing countries where biomass energy accounts for approximately 38 percent of total energy consumption. This paper outlines: (1) the critical importance of bioresources in meeting the basic energy needs of over 55 percent of the globe's population; (2) the potential for bioresources to sustainably supply the growing demand for energy in the world, not only for the basic energy needs of low-income households and rural industries but also for the growing demand for “modern” fuels; and (3) the potential for the sustainable development of bioresources to contribute to sustainable human and economic development as well as reduce the pressures on the local and global environment. The paper also presents three key objectives that must be addressed if bioresources are to be developed effectively. They are: (1) strengthening the role of biomass in national policy; (2) addressing the challenges to develep effective instruments to manage and utilize biomass energy resources; and (3) improving the international development agency perspective on the role of biomass energy resources. The paper concludes with a challenge to Bioresources '94 to clearly demonstrate the value of investing in the development and use of bioresources for energy to international development assistance agencies, national and local governments, private and financial sectors and, most importantly, the energy end-users.