The Rio+20 Conference was a landmark event of far-reaching historic significance. Addressing a large number of inter-linked challenges through inclusive consultations and negotiations, Rio+20 achieved a balanced and action-oriented outcome, reflecting the positions and commitments of all nations.

I have been in Rio de Janeiro for a week to oversee the last phase of the preparations for the Rio+20 Conference. On Tuesday, 5 June, I attended the flag-raising ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Brasilia, together with President Rouseff and senior officials of the federal government, members of the Congress, business and civil society representatives, including representatives of indigenous communities. Simultaneously, in Rio, Secretariat representatives also participated in the flag-raising ceremony at RioCentro.

Delegations worked tirelessly throughout the day and into the night during the second round of informal informal negotiations (23 April - 4 May). Under the able leadership of the Co-Chairs, Ambassador Ashe and Ambassador Kim, delegations carried forward important but complex and difficult negotiations.

The last two months have seen intensive efforts to strengthen the zero draft of the outcome document. Member States provided amendments and comments to all five sections of the zero draft. A compilation text incorporating all those amendments and comments was circulated to Member States ahead of the informal negotiations that started in the week of 19 March.

Last week, member States had initial consultations on the zero draft of the outcome document. It is encouraging that the zero draft tabled by the two Co-Chairs was accepted as a starting point for negotiations.

2011 is drawing to a close. It has been a year of intensive preparations for Rio+20. As of December, a total of 676 submissions have been received for inclusion in the compilation document. This is thanks to a year-long preparatory process.

As the November 1 deadline for the submission of inputs to the outcome document drew near, we watched attentively the tally of submissions. The number of inputs totaled 214 on 1 November, some 80 % of them from Major Groups. Along with my colleagues, I was deeply appreciative of the rich variety of ideas and proposals originating from Major Groups.

During the preparations for Rio+20, Member States identified a critical emerging challenge: increased frequency and severity of disasters and the need for enhanced resilience.

Disasters have always been with us. If they are now considered a critical, emerging challenge, it is because they occur more often, with greater impact and more devastating consequences.

Without sustainable development, we lack the ingredients to build resilient societies to be able to withstand disasters.

A few weeks ago, at the National Press Club in Washington D.C, I spoke to an enthusiastic audience on Rio+20. In my speech I elaborated on new and emerging challenges, as well as the two main themes of Rio+20. It is the first time that I dwelled on new and emerging challenges. While the speech itself is posted online, I would like to share with you in this space a recap of the main points I made on new and emerging challenges.

As this is my first blog in 2011, I would like to begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

I also wish to be very clear: 2011 will be a critical year in the preparation of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20.

We begin the year with the first Intersessional meeting, which takes place next week, providing a much needed opportunity for Member States, UN system organizations and Major Groups to have a broad and constructive dialogue on the objectives and themes of the Conference, and to identify critical elements.

The dedicated secretariat for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) is located in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Collectively, DESA possesses perhaps the best reservoir of knowledge and experience in coordinating support for UN conferences and summits on development issues.

Staying on the subject of a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, I would like to share with you the highlights of my remarks at an Expert Meeting on the Green Economy organized by UNCTAD in close collaboration with UNEP and my Department. The meeting aims to explore ways in which the green economy, through trade-led growth, can become a pro-development, income-generating instrument which will directly contribute to sustainable development.

As in 2009, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), which I head, joined the Government of Republic of Korea in organizing this year's Green Korea Conference, on 9-10 September in Seoul. The theme of this year's Conference was: Strengthening Global Green Growth Strategy and Green Economy.

At the invitation of the Government of Brazil, the host country of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, I led a small delegation on my first official visit to Brazil in mid- August to discuss the preparations and organization of Rio+20.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the on-line community engaged with preparing for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. The 2012 Conference, also known as Rio+20, is one of the most important on the UN agenda. The Secretary-General ranks sustainable development as a top priority.  I am honored that he has designated me Conference Secretary-General for Rio + 20.