Progress to date and remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits in the area of sustainable development and analysis of the themes for the conference: The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, 17-19 May 2010

Abstract

The concept of Sustainable Development is like a bridge. It seeks to bring together not only the three domains—economic, social, and environmental—but also developed and developing countries, governments, businesses, and civil society, scientific knowledge and public policy, the city and the country, and present and future generations. It also created the awareness that environment and development were not two separate agendas but two faces of the same agenda. Development is the midwife of sustainability, just as sustainability is the life support system for development. At its advent over two decades ago, this idea offered tremendous excitement and hope. The time has come not only to review and assess what has been achieved on the basis of this vision, but also to build upon it and revive its promise of integration, unity, and aspiration—the Spirit of Rio.