Representatives from governments and civil society will start a new round of
negotiations that will shape the outcome of Rio+20, a
major global conference that will have a significant impact on how the world
will address key challenges affecting economic growth, social well‐being and
environmental protection in the years ahead.
The two‐week session for Rio+20—formally the UN Conference on Sustainable
Development ‐‐ begins in New York on Monday, 23 April and will continue through
4 May. The negotiations will follow celebrations for Earth Day—officially
observed as the International Mother Earth Day at the UN ‐‐ on Sunday, 22
April.
In a statement addressed to the Conference ahead of the upcoming round of
talks, leaders from across the UN system called on Rio+20 to “provide the
roadmap to the future we want – a future with peace, dynamic economic and social
development, universal social well‐being, and a healthy and equitable
environment for present and future generations where women and men, boys and
girls equally contribute to and benefit from development.”The negotiations will
consider a range of measures to advance sustainable development that include
setting new goals and indicators, innovative financing, and actions that can
reduce present unsustainable levels of consumption and production. This round
offers governments another chance to review the latest version of the draft
outcome document for Rio+20 and further hone the text before the talks move to
Rio de Janeiro in June.
“There is a delicate balance that needs to be achieved in negotiations that
considers the needs and interests of all people,” the UN’s Rio+20
Secretary‐General Sha Zukang said. “We are getting there. I am very optimistic
that the negotiations and Rio+20 will be a success. For a better future for all
of us and our children, this is where we need to go ‐‐ and Rio+20 can lead us
there.”Some of the issues being considered and negotiated closely include
sustainable development goals; strengthening the UN Environment Programme; and
putting forward new ways to measure a country’s success that go beyond economic
growth and GDP to factor in people’s well‐being and the protection of the
environment.
“I’m looking forward to some hard‐fought outcomes that reverse our
unsustainable course and drive us forward to a future with peace, dynamic
economic and social development, universal social well‐being, and a healthy and
equitable environment for present and future generations,” Mr. Sha said.In
addition to the negotiations, there will be several key side events focusing on
global issues, challenges and solutions that will be under consideration for
Rio+20, including the lack of access to energy and clean water, depleted oceans,
food insecurity, widening inequalities and rapidly expanding cities. The next
steps for finalizing the Rio+20 outcome document will occur during a final round
of talks taking place in Rio from 13 to 15 June, ahead of the Rio+20 Conference
on 20‐22 June.
To help facilitate active civil society participation ahead of Rio+20, the UN
launched a public online platform on 16 April to inform the recommendations of
the Rio Dialogues, several high‐profile events to be organized&Immediately
prior to Rio+20 by the Government of Brazil. The Rio Dialogues will engage civil
society and leadingexperts in seeking innovative solutions on global
sustainability issues, solutions that will then be submitted directly to world
leaders at the Conference.