US Secretary of State Colin Powell is heckled by activists on the closing day of the World Summit.

Secretary of State Colin Powell was heckled by activists on the closing day of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in, South Africa. The Summit took place in Johannesburg from 26 August to 4 September 2002. It was convened to discuss sustainable development by the United Nations, and gathered numerous leaders from business and non-governmental organizations. While addressing a packed plenary session, Secretary Powell was repeatedly greeted with courses of boos, claps, and catcalls as he attempted to explain and justify U.S. policies, viewed by many in the audience as harmful to the environment. Yells and claps interrupted Powell's explanation that the United States is "taking action on global climate change," reflecting disapproval of Bush's rejection of the Kyoto climate protocol limiting the emission of greenhouse gases. "There were no organized plans to have a demonstration," said Greenpeace delegate Matt Gianni. "But when Colin Powell chastised countries for saying "no" to U.S. genetically modified food, the room simply erupted in boos and catcalls. And when he tried to claim that the U.S. was defending biodiversity and promoting renewables, there was this incredible roar of disbelief - nobody was silent." The Johannesburg Declaration was the main outcome of the Summit.  Critics dismissed it as lacking any meaningful plan or concrete targets.  Despite the controversy however, it was generally agreed that the summit helped foster a greater sense urgency among world governments to live up to their previous environmental commitments. Sources: Environmental News Service. "U.S. Secretary of State Booed, Jeered at Summit" website. ens-newswire.com World Summit 2002.org "What are the Outcomes of the World Summit? website.worldsummit2002.org