Definitions:
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:
the concept of "needs", in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding
priority should be given; and
the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's
ability to meet present and future needs.
Thus the goals of economic and social development must be defined in terms of sustainability in all
countries -- developed or developing, market-oriented or centrally planned. Interpretations will
vary, but must share certain general features and must flow from a consensus on the basic concept
of sustainable development and on a broad strategic framework for achieving it.”i