In an assembly in New York in May 1998, the United Nations on Sustainable Development adopted an article stating that water is indispensable in fulfilling the basic needs of society, promoting the development of agriculture and industry, and maintaining natural ecosystems. The commission agreed that in many countries water shortages from a failure to meet increasing demand would become serious. According to a United Nations report, the volume of waterways per capita, based on the most recent global demographics, is about 40% less than in 1970.