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2011: Year of Intensive Preparations - 30 Dec 2011

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.

At the intergovernmental level, the PrepCom convened its second meeting in March providing critical guidance on the preparatory process. During the year, two inter-sessional meetings were also held, one at the start of the year and the other, at the end. The convergence of understanding on emerging areas for priority attention, on the two themes and on the expectations and outcomes of Rio+20, is encouraging. Clearly, the guidance by the Co-Chairs and Bureau members has been indispensable. Working in a spirit of collegiality, the Bureau has met more than a dozen times during 2011 to discuss and to provide guidance on various aspects of the preparatory process.

Much of the progress in the preparations has been driven by regional and country-led processes. In 2011, the five Regional Commissions each organized official regional preparatory meetings in support of Rio+20, thus providing critical regional inputs to the global preparatory process.

2011 also saw a number of country-led meetings, focusing on the various priority areas, as well as the two themes of the Conference. These meetings have proven to be important platforms for frank and in-depth dialogues, contributing to mutual understanding and to the convergence of views and perspectives. As Conference Secretary-General, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the governments that have taken the initiative in organizing these dialogues.

Our major groups partners have been active participants in the preparatory process. They have spoken out candidly, and have inspired us with their enthusiasm, hope and ideas. We welcome their contributions, including their submissions to the compilation document.

One recurrent appeal to member States during 2011 relates to fundraising. While we still fall far short of the requirements necessary for effective participation of representatives from developing countries and major groups, I wish to thank those governments that contributed to the CSD Trust Fund for their support. I also invite those in a position to do so, but have not done so, to make contributions to the Trust Fund.

In coordinating the preparatory work for Rio+20, I received outstanding support from colleagues in the UN system. UNDP, as Chair of UNDG, UNEP, as Chair of EMG, as well as many Heads of UN Funds, Programmes, specialized agencies, and other entities, have all offered support for Rio+20. Many have seconded staff to the Rio+20 Secretariat or organized workshops and expert group meetings dedicated to the themes of Rio+20. Indeed, through the CEB the UN system adopted a common statement on Rio+20. Our colleagues in DPI successfully launched outreach campaigns, including the global conversation on ?The Future We Want?. Needless to say, my own team ? the two Executive Coordinators and the Rio+20 Secretariat ? have been working tirelessly in servicing the preparatory process.

2011 also has seen significant progress in the logistic aspects of the preparations for Rio+20. Our host Government, Brazil, has dedicated significant resources to the organization of the Conference. I twice visited Brazil this year and was deeply impressed with the enthusiasm, dedication and the level of resources Brazil has committed to Rio+20. Thank you, Brazil.

The UN Secretary-General has called Rio+20 one of the most important conferences in the history of the United Nations and he has called upon world leaders to engage in Rio+20. Indeed, our world is facing inter-linked crises on economic, social and environmental fronts. Sustainable development provides a coherent strategic framework for tackling these crises and for laying the foundation for a sustainable future ? a future we all want. As I said at the closing of the second inter-sessional meeting, ?If I were to try to distil the rich interventions of the past two days in a single clear message, it would be one which was stated by one of the Member States -- the outcome should be strong in will and strong in action. Only in this way will Rio+20 be an historical and ground-breaking conference.?

History has given us an opportunity to make a difference. Let us all seize that. As negotiations start in the coming months, let us all work harder in 2012 to make Rio+20 a success. Let Rio+20 be a big plus in political commitments, in action, in development cooperation and in partnerships. Let us make it happen in Rio.