Although some developing countries with rising incomes are catching up with developed countries, incomes in the latter are still much higher than those in the converging countries. The poorest 5 per cent ofthe population in a high-income developed country tends to be richer than two thirds ofthe population in a low-income developing country. In this context, gender inequalities across economic, social and environmental dimensions remain widespread and persistent. These crises of unsustainability potentially affect all and carry profound risks for future generations, as described in 1987 in the Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, 'Our common future" (A/42/427, annex).