Morkporkpor Anku,
GNA Special Correspondent to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), June 20,– The United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable development dubbed:
“RIO+20 Conference” has opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Wednesday.
The
three-day event is held in pursuance to the UN General Assembly resolutions
64/236 of 24 December 2009 and 66/197 of 22 December 2011 to secure renewed
political commitment for sustainable development and to assess the progress to
date.
The
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, in his opening address to delegations and
participants, said it was time for all to think globally and long-term to
achieve sustainable development.
The
event follows on from the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, during
which countries adopted Agenda 21, a blueprint to re-think economic growth,
advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.
The
year’s conference is on two themes including a green economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication and the institutional framework
for sustainable development.
It seeks
to shape new policies to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance
social equity and environmental protection.
He
said 20 years ago the Earth Summit gave the world a blueprint for sustainable
development but since then, progress has been too slow.
“We
have not gone nearly far enough down the road mapped out in 1992 and Rio+20 is
not an end, but a beginning,” he added.
The
conference will examine the remaining gaps in the implementation of the
outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development and address new and
emerging challenges.
It is
also expected to focus on improving gender equity; recognizing the importance
of voluntary commitments on sustainable development; and stressing the need to
engage civil society and incorporate science into policy; among others.
Mr.
Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the UN General Assembly called on
governments to strive for solutions that do not jeopardize the future of
generations to come.
He
said countries must adopt activities to improve on the future where equity,
equality and prosperity were the norm, not the exception.
He
noted that although much progress has been made, large parts of the developing
world still face poverty, disease and abject living conditions.
Mr
Al-Nasser said development cooperation must support poor countries to put in
place policies and institutions that could spur sustainable development.
He
said sustainable development has become truly a collective endeavor and that
collectivity increasingly encompasses many other actors, besides Governments.
He
urged Member States to realise their important commitments made in the Agenda
and these conventions to improve on sustainable development policies.
More than
100 Heads of State and government, civil society organisations, UN officials
and agencies are participating in this year’s event.
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