Appropriate technological improvements, which result in more effective use of natural resources, less waste, and fewer pollutant by-products, are required in all economic sectors-but particularly in industry, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure development. Truly global availability and world-wide application of the best available and appropriate technology and production processes, including best traditional practices, has yet to be ensured through the exchange and dissemination of know-how, skills, and technology and through appropriate finance mechanisms. Despite years of deliberation, countries have yet to agree on how to reach consensus on international mechanisms to serve the vital interests of both developers of technologies and those countries that need access to them, as well as on international finance mechanisms.
Global action on fresh water.

Water will be the major impediment for further development in several regions. Not only is unsafe water having a negative impact on human and ecosystem health but also the scarcity of water, together with insufficient arable land, will increasingly pose a threat to food self-sufficiency in several regions, forcing a dependance on food trade. Greater efforts are needed to resolve issues related to land-based sources of pollution, non-point source runoff from agricultural and urban areas, protection of groundwater reserves, water pricing, the impact of development projects on ecosystems, and competing demands for water among different societal sectors, among rural and urban communities, and among riparian countries. Globally, a much stronger, more integrated, and extensive programme on water is required to address the green (food) and brown (health) fresh-water issues as well as traditional blue water issues.