Secretary-General outlines vision for building secure future.

• Position: Kofi Annan, United Nations - Brief Article

The global economic growth that propelled many economies during the 1990s did not promote sustainable development or the kind of development that encompasses economic growth, social development and environmental protection, according to a new report issued on 20 December 2001 by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The report explains that, although the economic statistics for the 1990s were impressive overall--with a flourishing world trade resulting in exports amounting to more than $6 trillion in 2000, and where even developing countries as a group saw the gross domestic product increase by 4.3 per cent--the numbers masked the difficulties faced by many regions, notably Africa.

While some progress has been made to protect the environment, the report found that "the state of the world's environment is still fragile, and the conservation measures are far from satisfactory". It added: "In most parts of the developing world there has been, at best, limited progress in reducing poverty."

The Secretary-General's report will serve as one of the key factual documents for the negotiations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. It offers a critical assessment of progress towards the objectives of Agenda 21--the landmark plan of action on sustainable development adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The report affirms that Agenda 21, which will be the basis for commitments for action made at the Summit, remains a powerful, long-term vision for the future.

However, it also states that "despite initiatives by Governments, international organizations, business, civil society groups and individuals to achieve sustainable development, progress towards the goals established at Rio has been slower than anticipated and, in some respects, conditions are worse than they were ten years ago".

According to the report, the gap in implementation of sustainable development is especially visible in four areas:

* The current approach to development remains fragmented and piecemeal, and does not integrate the economic, social and environmental concerns that are vital to sustainable development.

* Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production continue to overburden the world's natural life support systems.

* Policy approaches to finance, investment, technology and resource development are not coordinated or coherent, and are driven by short-term considerations rather...