From 13-19 March 1997, the Rio+5 Forum brought together more than 500 committed individuals and organizations with the purpose of moving sustainable development "From Agenda to Action." The Forum focussed on identifying key strategies and management systems for "operationalizing" sustainable development at the local, national and global levels. Elements for the Earth Charter was widely discussed during workshops. An Earth Charter International Commission meeting was held and at the closing session of the Rio+5 the Earth Charter Benchmark Draft was issued followed by a speech of Mikhael Gorbachev, Maurice Strong and Mercedes Sosa.