SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: NEED AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, is a milestone event, which effectively focused the world's attention on environmental and development problems faced equally by the global community. The Summit brought together governments from around the globe, representatives from international agencies and non-governmental organizations with the objective of preparing the world for attaining the long-term goals of sustainable development. It has therefore become imperative that countries come together to chart a sustainable course of development. Sustainable development is a development that attempts to bridge the gap between economic growth and environmental protection while taking into account other issues traditionally associated with development. Protection of natural resources is an issue closely associated with sustainable development. It also seeks to develop means of economic growth while supporting natural environment as well as abstaining the use of natural resources on short term basis at the expense of long term development.