Press Release: May 17, 2012 issued by UNCSD

Representatives from governments who were negotiating the Rio+20 outcome
document agreed to add five additional days to their deliberations in
order to bridge differences that have hampered progress to date. The
move came on 4 May as the latest round of negotiations concluded with
some progress made, but much work left outstanding. The five added
negotiating days are set for 29 May to 2 June. The additional
negotiations will take place in New York before moving to Rio de Janeiro
on 13 June for the third and final preparatory meeting for the
Conference. The Rio+20 Conference will take place from 20 to 22 June.

Rio+20 Secretary-General Sha Zukang emphasized the need to
proceeding with a sense of genuine urgency. “The present negotiation
approach has run its course,” he stated. “Our objective should be to
arrive in Rio with at least 90% of the text ready. The most difficult
10% should then be negotiated in Rio with the highest political
support.”

Mr. Sha specified his expectations as follows:

“We can have an outcome document that renews political commitment, reaffirms Rio principles and builds upon earlier agreements;
that is action-oriented in spelling out the Future We Want;
that contains inspiring agreements for future generations on a
green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication and on the institutional framework for sustainable
development;
that contains ambitious universal goals – the Sustainable Development Goals;
that contains concrete deliverables in priority areas; and
that creates or strengthens the institutions and body we need for the post-Rio+20 period.”

Countries still need to come together on key issues, including one
of the two main themes for the Conference—the green economy in the
context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. Some
developed countries have embraced the green economy as a new roadmap for
sustainable development, while many developing countries are more
cautious, asserting that each country should choose its own path to a
sustainable future and that a green economy approach should not lead to
green protectionism or limit growth and poverty eradication. Other
countries and stakeholders have voiced concerns about implementation and
accountability, pointing out that some commitments made at previous
global meetings, such as for official development assistance, have yet
to be fully realized.

Nonetheless, countries appear willing to agree on a number of
issues, including the overall need to recognize and act to meet pressing
global and national challenges. It has been widely acknowledged that
action is needed to provide for the needs of a growing global
population that continues to consume and produce unsustainably,
resulting in rising carbon emissions, degraded natural ecosystems and
growing income inequality. The need to find a better measurement of
progress than GDP has also been widely acknowledged.

Countries have also been examining the concept of new Sustainable
Development Goals, a set of benchmarks to guide countries in achieving
targeted outcomes within a specific time period, such as on access to
sustainable energy and clean water for all. Countries have differing
views on what should or should not be included in the goals, as well as
the formal process for how and when the goals may be defined, finalized
and agreed to. Some countries would like to see the goals publish in
Rio, while others see Rio+20 as a starting point for deciding on the
goals. Some have concerns that the goals could bind them to commitments
they feel are unrealistic, such as on climate change, while others want
to ensure that countries are held accountable to achieve whatever goals
are set.

For more information on Rio+20, visit www.uncsd2012.org

To join the global conversation on Rio+20: The Future We Want, visit www.un.org/futurewewant