The theme of this 22nd edition of the World Development Report is the changing development landscape in the 21st century. The Report focuses on two forces of change: the integration of the world economy and the increasing demand for self-government which will affect responses to key issues such as poverty reduction, climate change, and water scarcity. These tidal forces of globalization and localization will require nation states to sustain a dynamic equilibrium with international and subnational partners. The nature of this equilibrium will have far reaching implications for the gains from trade and capital flows, the fruitfulness of global environmental agreements, the pace of regional growth and the scope of urban development. The Report proposes new rules and structures on which to build a comprehensive approach to development policy in the 21st century. The challenges remain great, but the opportunities available in the new century hold out prospects for a better future. The World Development Report 1999/2000 provides invaluable guidance for decisionmakers in the next century. It gives an in-depth analysis of evolving development concerns and explains how current views must adapt to meet the challenges of the 21st century.