FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2003 -- Eleventh meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development, 28 April - 9 May 2003, United Nations, New York 2004 -- Twelfth meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development, 19-13 April 2004, United Nations, New York 2005 -- Thirteenth meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development, 11-22 April 2005, United Nations, New York

The SA logo for the Summit also served as the logo of the Johannesburg World Summit Company

The United Nations official logo for the Summit

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), also known as the Johannesburg Summit, was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002.

The Johannesburg World Summit Company (Jowsco), a not-for-profit entity established in 2001 in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act of 1973, was set up by the South African government to manage and co-ordinate the logistics of the Johannesburg Summit.

The Jowsco website, which was also the official Summit website of South Africa as the host country of the Summit, was a central point where all information about the Summit was contained in one place.

As such, the website contained an unsurpassable digital record of the Summit -- the build-up to it, the event itself, and its aftermath -- and, therefore, should be regarded as one of the most important legacies of the Summit and its organisers. This website has been incorporated in this section of the website of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in order to ensure that it continues to provide information about the Summit as an important moment in human history.

This section reflects on the experiences and knowledge gained during the logistics arrangements and negotiations for the Summit, which resulted in a global agenda for sustainable development.

About WSSD gives an overview of the Summit, the background to it, its history, which events it hosted, how delegates prepared for it, and who sponsored it.

There are also sections on the Summit's parallel and side events, participants who attended, logistics management and facilities that were made available for delegates.

Two sections are devoted to the highly successful special projects of Ubuntu Village and Greening the Summit.

There is also a success stories section which demonstrates how sustainable development affects the lives of individuals, countries and companies, while news is a comprehensive selection of news stories, opinion pieces, features, interviews and media releases published before, during and after the Summit.

Information about the legacy left by the Summit and the host country, South Africa, is contained in Jowsco's audited 2001-02 annual report and 2002-03 annual report. The findings of an independent economic impact study reflect on the contribution of the Summit to the South African economy.

You can also visit the photo gallery for a visual experience of the Summit, and the online resources section for links to Web-based information on the Summit.