ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the bases of a sustainable development policy. The close connection between a sustainable use of resources and social and economic welfare had already been emphasized in 1980 as an element of the “World Conservation Strategy” elaborated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: Human beings, in their quest for economic development and enjoyment of the riches of nature, must come to terms with the reality of resource limitation and the carrying capacities of ecosystems, and must take account of the needs of future generations. An initial milestone on this path is the Rome Declaration, which was adopted in 2003 at a high-level forum on the effectiveness of development cooperation. The objective is to create a stimulus as well as a basis for assessing the progress in implementing the principles. The international community is also endeavouring to make further progress in this direction following the last High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness.
