George W Bush's decision to stay away from the world sustainability summit has cast a shadow over the opening ceremony.

The 10-day event, which began on Monday, will see world leaders coming together to seek solutions to issues such as the lack of water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity.

Deep tensions between the UK and the US threaten to spill out into the open as officials express growing pessimism about the US's commitment to tackling global poverty.

UN chiefs say tackling the HIV/Aids pandemic currently devastating southern Africa will be a key focus for the summit.

In a front page leader, the Independent urges global governments to seize the opportunity.

"For a planet in peril the future must start here," says the newspaper.