HOLY SEE: CONSENSUS ON WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2002 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, head of the Holy See Delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which took place from August 26 to September 4, delivered the closing statement on the summit's plan of action on September 4.

"The Holy See, in conformity with its nature and its particular mission, is pleased to join the consensus of the Plan of Action of the World Summit on Sustainable Development."

"The Holy See reaffirms its position," he continued, "that any discussion on development must center on human dignity and in this, renews its commitment to the Rio Principles, the first of which states that 'Human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development.' They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature."

"The Holy See only regrets that this first Principle did not find its way into the chapeau of each and every section of the document, helping to remind and guide the purpose of our work here and in every realm of sustainable development."

"My delegation," he concluded, "is pleased to inform that in joining in this consensus adoption, it does so without reservation. At the same time, the Holy See reaffirms all of the reservations that it has previously expressed at the conclusion of the various United Nations Conferences and Summits, as well as the Special Sessions of the General Assembly for the review of those meetings."

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