Ban Ki-moon: "We want to make Rio+20 a conference of decisive impact and ambition"
Following are excerpts of a press conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Rio+20 on 6 June in New York:
"Rio+20 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real progress towards the sustainable economy of the future. It can help us to build a more equitable world - a world of greater prosperity and inclusive, dynamic green growth for a healthy planet. I have been calling on Member States to show leadership. We want to make Rio+20 a conference of decisive impact and ambition. Progress was achieved on key issues during last week's negotiations... I saw willingness to find common ground. There is still much work ahead, however; the foundations are in place for agreement on the remainder of the negotiating text."
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Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum (15-18 June) and Business Day (19 June)
The UN Global Compact will organize the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum: Innovation and Collaboration for the Future We Want from 15-18 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro. Held prior to the Conference and organized in cooperation with the Rio+20 Secretariat, the UN System and the Global Compact Local Network Brazil, the Forum's objective is to bring greater scale and quality to corporate sustainability practices. As a showcase for innovation and collaboration, the Forum is designed to be a launching ground for widespread action. Over 2,000 participants are expected at the Forum, representing business as well as investors, governments, local authorities, civil society and UN entities.
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The pace of the talks still needs to be accelerated
Negotiators concluded on 2 June the last round of Rio+20 preparatory talks in New York on the Rio+20 Outcome Document, a round that had been added to give negotiators additional time to resolve differences before they arrive in Rio." I sense a real dialogue-- a real willingness to find common ground," said Rio+20 Secretary-General Sha Zukang. "This spirit is encouraging, and we must carry it to Rio." But he added that the pace of the talks still needed to be accelerated in order to complete the negotiations by the end of the next and final Preparatory Committee meeting, from 13 to15 June in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of the Conference. .
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People can vote online for the best policy solutions
A social networking initiative of the Brazilian Government (supported by the United Nations), the "Rio Dialogues" is an attempt to create a bridge between civil society and the official proceedings of Rio+20. Thousands of participants from non-governmental organizations, academia and Governments have already used this forum to come up with 100 recommendations in 10 critical areas: water, oceans, food, energy, forests, employment, cities and innovation, fighting poverty, sustainable development as a response to economic and financial crises and sustainable production and consumption. Online voting started on 5 June, World Environment Day, and will continue for 10 days, to determine which of those recommendations will be presented formally to the world leaders who will gather in Rio.
For further information, go to vote.riodialogues.org
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Samples of UN portals offering stories and facts on sustainable development
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What will happen in Rio?
13-15 June 2012
Third Meeting of the Rio+20 Preparatory Committee: Final round of negotiations on the Outcome Document before its adoption by the official Conference.
13-22 June 2012
Rio+20 side events: More than 500 side events organized by Governments, Major Groups, UN system and other international organizations are scheduled, including many that are expected to be attended by Heads of State or Government.
20-22 June 2012
Partnerships Forum: Five high-level sessions will showcase best practices, practical experiences and concrete contributions to sustainable development on: entrepreneurs/grassroots, food/health, gender, partnerships brokering and partnerships' contribution to "The Future We Want."
20-22 June 2012
The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20): World leaders, with the participation of Major Groups, multilateral institutions, etc., will secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development.
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All Stakeholders are encouraged to make and implement voluntary commitments at Rio+20 in order to reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet to get to the future we want.
