In 1972, the United Nations convened a Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, which made the environment an international issue. This Led to the Earth Summit, hosted by the United Nations which was held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, in June 1992. At the UN summit, governments adopted "Agenda 21" - a global action plan for Sustainable Development. The Rio Declaration and a Statement of Forest Principle advanced "the "Agenda 21" principles. A Framework Convention on Climate Change and a Convention on Biological Diversity were opened for signature.
The Main outcome of Rio being the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and planning for a World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg in September 2002.

As back as 1998 Africa stood on a threshold of real major economic and political openings. Opportunities were many and the then World Bank President, James D Wolfensohn, innocently proclaimed the arrival of "Africa's moment". Five years down the line, Africa faces an epidemic that is targeting most of its populace. Aids is destroying Africa's future; shortens and impoverishes life and maims educated young men and women who are contributors to Africa's economy. Life expectancy has already declined by as much as over 12 years.

African Business Leaders met in Johannesburg, South Africa to discuss among other issues ways of sustaining african businesses.