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The final package

Human beings are at the centre of sustainable development.
States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources.
The right to development must be so fulfilled as to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Poverty eradication is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
Countries have common but differentiated responsibilities to reverse environmental degradation.
Industrialised countries are more responsible for cleaning up the global environment, but they are also more capable because of the technologies and funds they have.
Elimination of unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and the promotion of appropriate demographic policies is important.
Environmental issues are best handled with citizens' participation, especially of women. At the national level, each individual should have access to information held by public authorities.
States will enact and develop laws regarding liability and compensation for victims of environmental damage. But environmental standards do not have to conform to international norms.
Trade measures for environmental purposes should not lead to arbitrary and unjustified discrimination.
Transfer and relocation of activities and substances that cause environmental degradation should be discouraged.
Lack of scientific certainty about serious threats to the environment should not prevent nations from acting. Precautionary approaches must be adopted.

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