economic, socialand environmental fields since 1992. We therefore resolve to takeconcrete measures that accelerate implementation of sustainabledevelopment commitments.B.Advancing Integration, Implementation, and Coherence: Assessing theprogress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of theoutcomes of the major summits on sustainable development andaddressing new and emerging challenges19.We recognize that the twenty years since the Earth Summit in 1992have seen uneven progress, including in sustainable development andpoverty eradication. We emphasize the need to make progress inimplementing previous commitments. We also recognize the need toaccelerate progress in closing development gaps between developed anddeveloping countries, and to seize and create opportunities toachieve sustainable development through economic growth anddiversification, social development and environment protection. Tothis end, we underscore the continued need for an enablingenvironment at the national and international levels, as well ascontinued and strengthened international cooperation, particularly inthe areas of finance, debt, trade and technology transfer, asmutually agreed, and innovation and entrepreneurship, capacitybuilding, transparency and accountability. We recognize thediversification of actors and stakeholders engaged in the pursuit ofsustainable development. In this context, we affirm the continuedneed for the full and effective participation of all countries, inparticular developing countries, in global decision making.20.We acknowledge that since 1992 there have been areas of insufficientprogress and setbacks in the integration of the three dimensions ofsustainable development, aggravated by multiple financial, economic,food and energy crises, which have threatened the ability of allcountries, in particular developing countries, to achieve sustainabledevelopment. In this regard, it is critical that we do not backtrackfrom our commitment to the outcome of the Earth Summit. We alsorecognize that one of the current major challenges for all countries,particularly for developing countries, is the impact from themultiple crises affecting the world today.21.We are deeply concerned that one in five people on this planet, orover one billion people, still live in extreme poverty, and that onein sevenor 14 percentis undernourished, while public healthchallenges including pandemics and epidemics remain omnipresentthreats. In this context, we note the ongoing discussions on humansecurity in the United Nations General Assembly. We acknowledge thatwith the worlds population projected to exceed nine billion by2050 with an estimated two thirds living in cities we need toincrease our efforts to achieve sustainable development and inparticular, the eradication of poverty and hunger and preventablediseases.22.We recognize examples of progress in sustainable development atregional, national, sub-national and local levels. We note thatefforts to achieve sustainable development have been reflected inregional, national and sub-national policies and plans, and thatgovernments have strengthened their commitment to sustainabledevelopment since the adoption of Agenda 21 through legislation andinstitutions, and the development and implementation ofinternational, regional and sub-regional agreements and commitments.23.We reaffirm the importance of supporting developing countries intheir efforts to eradicate poverty and promote empowerment of thepoor and people in vulnerable situations including removing barriersto opportunity and enhancing productive capacity, developingsustainable agriculture, and promoting full and productive employmentand decent work for all, complemented by effective social policies,including social protection floors, with a view to achieving theinternationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs.24.We express deep concern about the continuing high levels ofunemployment and underemployment, particularly among young people,and note the need for sustainable development strategies toproactively