The original aim of this study was to serve as an input for the Regional Preparatory Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 23 and 24 October 2001. The substance of the present document, in which an overview of the sustainable development situation in the region since the Rio Summit is offered for consideration by governments, is largely drawn from national processes and subregional meetings. These meetings, unprecedented in processes of this type, have intensified the countries' participation and enabled them to identify the main stumbling blocks and the prospects for a future platform of action. One major contributor to the process has been civil society, through its participation in national sustainable development councils and in meetings held at subregional events, which have provided an opportunity for the region's main groupings to air their views.

These Proceedings present a summary of the background, objectives, focus, activities, conclusions and recommendations of the Workshop developed along nine days of intense dedication by the participants, lecturers and organizers. This III International Workshop on Regional Approaches to Reservoir Development and Management in the La Plata River Basin is meant to (i) set the arena for an open and multisectorial debate on sustainable development of reservoirs; (ii) host foundation activities of the La Plata River Basin Environmental Research and Management Network (RIGA), which is one of the most relevant activities stemming from the recommendations of the previous I and II International Workshops, and in doing so, (iii) provide continuity and follow
up to the previous regional meetings successfully held in 1991 and 1994.