This document presents an overview of the regional progress made towards the targets and commitments derived from implementation plans and programmes for the main agreements of the Johannesburg Summit and Agenda 21 regarding human settlements thematic cluster in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has been submitted as part of the preparatory process for the twelfth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, held in May 2004. A previous summary of this report was validated by the XII General Assembly of Ministers and Highest Authorities of Housing and Urban Development (MINURVI); held in La Paz, Bolivia, during November 2003. The report addresses the principal social, economic and environmental issues in the region, as well as the challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in the region, highlighting advances made in the implementation of policies, reforms, programmes and projects in this area.