UNITED NATIONS
January 10,
2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS Paras
I. Preamble/Stage
setting
Vision…………………………………………………………………. 1-5
II. Renewing
Political Commitment
A.
Reaffirming Rio principles and past action plans………………… 6-9
B.
Assessing the progress to date and the remaining gaps
in the
implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on
sustainable development and addressing new and emerging
challenges (Integration, Implementation, Coherence)……………… 10-16
C. Engaging
major groups…………………………………………….. 17-21
D. Framework
for action………………………………………………. 22-24
poverty eradication
A.
Framing the context of the green economy, challenges
and
opportunities……………………………………………………. 25-31
B.
Toolkits and experience sharing………………………………… 32-36
C.
Framework for action…………………………………………… 37-43
IV. Institutional
Framework for Sustainable Development
A.
Strengthening/reforming/integrating the three pillars…………… 44
B.
GA, ECOSOC, CSD, SDC
proposal……………………………. 45-49
C.
UNEP, specialized agency on environment proposal, IFIs,
United Nations
operational activities at country level………… 50-58
D.
Regional, National, Local……………………………………… 59-62
V. Framework for
action and follow-up
A. Priority/key/thematic/cross-sectoral
issues and areas…………… 63-104
B. Accelerating and measuring progress
(SDGs, GDP and others)... 105-111
C.
Means of Implementation (finance, access to and
transfer of
technology, capacity
building)………………………………….. 112-128
I. Preamble/Stage Setting
1. We, the
heads of State and Government, having met at Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
2. We reaffirm
our determination to free humanity from hunger and want through the eradication
of all forms of poverty and strive for societies which are equitable and
inclusive, for economic stability and growth that benefits all.
3. We are committed to making every effort
to accelerate progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, thus
improving the lives of the poorest people.
4. We are also committed
to enhancing cooperation and addressing the ongoing and emerging issues in ways
which will enhance opportunities for all, be centred on human development while
preserving and protecting the life support system of our common home, our
shared planet.
5. We urge bold
and decisive action on the objective and themes for the conference. We renew
our commitment to sustainable development and express our determination to
pursue the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication. We further affirm our resolve to strengthen the institutional
framework for sustainable development. Taken together our actions should fill
the implementation gaps and achieve greater integration among the three pillars
of sustainable development – the economic, the social and the environmental.
II. Renewing Political Commitment
[A. Reaffirming Rio principles and past action plans]
6. We
reaffirm that we continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of the
Charter of the United Nations and with full respect for international law and
its principles.
7. We
reaffirm our commitment to advance progress in implementation of the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, the Programme for the
Further Implementation of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Declaration on
Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development, the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius
Strategy for Implementation. The Rio Principles shall continue to guide the
international community and serve as the basis for cooperation, coherence and
implementation of agreed commitments.
8. We also reaffirm our commitment to the Monterrey Consensus of
the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Doha Declaration
on Financing for Development: the Political Declaration on Africa ’s
development needs, and the Istanbul Programme of Action for Least Developed
Countries.
9. We
recognize the need to reinforce sustainable development globally through our
collective and national efforts, in accordance with the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities and the principle of the sovereign right of
states over their natural resources.
[B. Assessing the progress to date and the remaining gaps in
the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable
development and addressing new and emerging challenges (Integration,
Implementation, Coherence)]
10. We recognize that the twenty years since
the Earth Summit in 1992 have seen progress and change. There are deeply
inspiring examples of progress, including in poverty eradication, in pockets of
economic dynamism and in connectivity spurred by new information technologies
which have empowered people.
11. We acknowledge, however,
that there have also been setbacks because of multiple interrelated crises –
financial, economic and volatile energy and food prices. Food insecurity,
climate change and biodiversity loss have adversely affected development gains.
New scientific evidence points to the gravity of the threats we face. New and
emerging challenges include the further intensification of earlier problems
calling for more urgent responses. We are deeply concerned that around 1.4
billion people still live in extreme poverty and one sixth of the world’s
population is undernourished, pandemics and epidemics are omnipresent threats.
Unsustainable development has increased the stress on the earth's limited
natural resources and on the carrying capacity of ecosystems. Our planet
supports seven billion people expected to reach nine billion by 2050.
12. We note that national commitment to sustainable development
has deepened. Many Governments now incorporate environmental and social issues
into their economic policies, and have strengthened their commitment to
sustainable development and the implementation of Agenda 21 and related
agreements through national policies and plans, national legislation and
institutions, and the ratification and implementation of international
environmental agreements.
13. We nevertheless observe that, despite efforts by Governments
and non-State actors in all countries, sustainable development remains a
distant goal and there remain major barriers and systemic gaps in the
implementation of internationally agreed commitments.
14. We resolve to redouble our efforts to
eradicate poverty and hunger and to ensure that human activities respect the
earth’s ecosystems and life-support systems. We need to mainstream sustainable
development in all aspects of the way we live. We acknowledge the particular
responsibility in nurturing sustainable development and consumption and production
patterns.
15. We recognize the special challenges
facing least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island
developing States, middle-income countries and African countries.
16. We acknowledge the diversity of the world
and recognize that all cultures and civilizations contribute to the enrichment
of humankind and the protection of the Earth’s life support system. We
emphasize the importance of culture for sustainable development. We call for a
holistic approach to sustainable development which will guide humanity to live
in harmony with nature.
[C. Engaging major groups]
17. We underscore
that a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of sustainable development
is broad public participation in decision-making. Sustainable development
requires major groups at all levels to play a meaningful role. It is important
to enable all members of civil society to be actively engaged in sustainable
development by incorporating their specific knowledge and practical know-how
into national and local policy making. In this regard, we also acknowledge the
role of national parliaments in furthering sustainable development.
18. We recognize
that improved participation of civil society depends upon strengthening the
right to access information and building civil society capacity to exercise
this right. Technology is making it easier for Governments to share information
with the public and for the public to hold decision makers accountable. In this
regard, it is essential to work towards universal access to information and
communications technologies.
19. We
acknowledge the important role of the private sector in moving towards
sustainable development. We strongly encourage business and industry to show
leadership in advancing a green economy in the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication.
20. We
also acknowledge the essential role of local governments and the need to fully
integrate them into all levels of decision making on sustainable development.
21 We recognize the importance of the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the global, regional and
national implementation of sustainable development strategies. We also
recognize the need to reflect the views of children and youth as the issues we
are addressing will have a deep impact on the youth of today and the
generations that follow.
[D. Framework for action]
22. We commit to improving
governance and capacity at all levels - global, regional, national and local –
to promote integrated decision making, to fill the implementation gap and
promote coherence across institutions.
23. We commit ourselves to reinvigorating the
global partnership for sustainable development. We recognize that States must
work together cooperatively and join with all stakeholders to address the
common sustainable development challenges we face.
24. We
call for a global policy framework requiring all listed and large private
companies to consider sustainability issues and to integrate sustainability
information within the reporting cycle.
III. Green Economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication
A.
Framing the
context of the green economy, challenges and opportunities
25. We
are convinced that a green economy in the context of sustainable development
and poverty eradication should contribute to meeting key goals – in particular
the priorities of poverty eradication, food security, sound water management, universal
access to modern energy services, sustainable cities, management of oceans and
improving resilience and disaster preparedness, as well as public health, human
resource development and sustained, inclusive and equitable growth that
generates employment . It should be based on the Rio
principles, in particular the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities, and should be people-centred and inclusive, providing
opportunities and benefits for all citizens and all countries.
26. We
view the green economy as a means to achieve sustainable development, which
must remain our overarching goal. We
acknowledge that a green economy in the context of sustainable development and
poverty eradication should protect and enhance the natural resource base, increase resource
efficiency, promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, and move
the world toward low-carbon development.
27. We underscore that green economy is not
intended as a rigid set of rules but rather as a decision-making framework to
foster integrated consideration of the three pillars of sustainable development
in all relevant domains of public and private decision-making.
28. We recognize that each country,
respecting specific realities of economic, social and environmental development
as well as particular conditions and priorities, will make the appropriate
choices.
29. We
are convinced that green economy policies and measures can offer win-win
opportunities to improve the integration of economic development with
environmental sustainability to all countries, regardless of the structure of
their economy and their level of development.
30. We acknowledge, however, that developing
countries are facing great challenges in eradicating poverty and sustaining
growth, and a transition to a green economy will require structural adjustments
which may involve additional costs to their economies. In this, the support of
the international community is
necessary.
31. We note that the transformation to a
green economy should be an opportunity to all countries and a threat to none.
We therefore resolve that international efforts to help countries build a green
economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication must
not:
a) create
new trade barriers;
b) impose
new conditionalities on aid and finance;
c) widen
technology gaps or exacerbate technological dependence of developing countries
on developed countries;
d) restrict
the policy space for countries to pursue their own paths to sustainable
development.
B. Toolkits and experience sharing
32. We acknowledge that countries are still in the early stages of building
green economies and can learn from one another. We note the positive
experiences in developing a green economy in some countries, including
developing countries. We recognize that a mix of policies and measures tailored
to each country’s needs and preferences will be needed. Policy options include, inter alia,
regulatory, economic and fiscal instruments, investment in green
infrastructure, financial incentives, subsidy reform, sustainable public
procurement, information disclosure, and voluntary partnerships.
33. We
support the creation of an international knowledge-sharing platform to facilitate countries’ green economy policy
design and implementation, including:
a)
a menu of policy options;
b) a toolbox of good practices in
applying green economy policies at regional, national and local levels;
c)
a set
of indicators to measure progress;
d) a
directory of technical services, technology and financing that could assist
developing countries.
34. We request the UN Secretary-General, in
consultation with international organizations, relevant entities of the UN
system and others, to establish such a platform.
35. We urge member States to make national
presentations on their experiences in the appropriate institutional framework
as described in Section IV below.
36. We also urge all major groups,
particularly business and industry, to share their experiences in this regard.
C.
Framework
for action
37. We
recognize the value of having a set of differentiated strategies, tailored to
the needs of different countries and different sectors.
38. We encourage all States to develop their
own green economy strategies through a transparent process of multi-stakeholder
consultation.
39. We
encourage the United Nations, in cooperation with other relevant international
organizations, to support developing countries at their request in developing
green economy strategies.
40. We
strongly encourage business and industry – organized by industrial sectors,
cooperating across countries and in consultation with governments, workers and
trade unions and other stakeholders – to develop green economy roadmaps for
their respective sectors, with concrete goals and benchmarks of progress,
including for net creation of jobs.
41. We
acknowledge and encourage voluntary national commitments and actions by State
actors as well as stakeholders to achieve a green economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication, including through the shaping
of innovative partnerships.
42. We realize that to make significant
progress towards building green economies will require new investments, new
skills formation, technology development, transfer and access, and capacity
building in all countries. We acknowledge the particular need to provide
support to developing countries in this regard and agree:
a) To provide
new, additional and scaled up sources of financing to developing countries;
b) To launch
an international process to promote the role of innovative instruments of
finance for building green economies;
c) To
gradually eliminate subsidies that have considerable negative effects on the
environment and are incompatible with sustainable development, complemented
with measures to protect poor and vulnerable groups;
d) To
facilitate international collaborative research on green technologies involving
developing countries, ensuring the technologies so developed remain in the
public domain and are accessible to developing countries at affordable prices;
e) To
encourage creation of Centres of Excellence as nodal points for green
technology R&D;
f) To support
developing countries’ scientists and engineers and scientific and engineering
institutions to foster their efforts to develop green local technologies and
use traditional knowledge;
g) To
establish a capacity development scheme to provide country-specific advice and,
where appropriate, region and sector-specific advice to all interested
countries and to assist them in accessing available funds.
43. We recognize the importance of measuring
global progress. In this regard, we will be guided by a roadmap that contains
the following indicative goals and timeline:
a)
2012~2015: establishment of indicators and measures to
evaluate implementation; establishment of mechanisms for the transfer of
technology, sharing of know-how, and enhancement of capacities;
b)
2015~2030: implementation and periodic assessment of
progress;
c)
2030: comprehensive assessment of progress.
We request the Secretary-General, in close cooperation with the UN
system, to provide a report for the 67th GA, detailing further steps
in this regard.
A. Strengthening/reforming/integrating
the three pillars
44. We recognize that strong governance at local, national, regional and global levels
is critical for advancing sustainable development. The strengthening and reform
of the institutional framework should, among other things:
a)
Integrate the three pillars of sustainable development
and promote the implementation of Agenda 21 and related outcomes, consistent
with the principles of universality, democracy, transparency,
cost-effectiveness and accountability, keeping in mind the Rio Principles, in
particular common but differentiated responsibilities.
b)
Provide cohesive, government-driven policy guidance on
sustainable development and identify specific actions in order to fulfil the
sustainable development agenda through the promotion of integrated decision
making at all levels.
c)
Monitor progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 and
relevant outcomes and agreements, at local, national, regional and global
levels.
d) Reinforce
coherence between the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations
system, including the International Financial and Trade Institutions.
B. GA, ECOSOC, CSD, SDC proposal
[General Assembly]
45. We
reaffirm the central role of the General Assembly as the highest policy-making
body, and call for it to further integrate sustainable development as a key
element of the overarching framework for United Nations activities.
[Economic and Social Council]
46. We
reaffirm that the Economic and Social Council is a central mechanism for the
coordination of the United Nations system and its specialized agencies and
supervision of its subsidiary bodies, in particular its functional commissions.
47. We
also reaffirm that ECOSOC is a central forum for intergovernmental
deliberations on economic and social issues, and provides guidance and
coordination to the UN system’s operational activities for development in the
field.
48. We
agree to promote the role of ECOSOC in the integration of the three pillars of
sustainable development including by making better use of the coordination
segment of ECOSOC monitoring implementation of agreements on sustainable
development and, similarly, making use of the ECOSOC
operational activities and humanitarian segments to promote
mainstreaming sustainable development into programmes of UN agencies and
programmes.
[Commission on Sustainable Development]
49. We
reaffirm the role of the Commission on Sustainable Development as the high
level commission on sustainable development in the United Nations system. We
agree to consider options for improving the working methods, the agenda and
programme of work of the Commission to better facilitate, promote, and
coordinate sustainable development implementation, including measures to ensure
more focused, balanced and responsive engagement with a more limited set of
issues, and enhanced implementation of its decisions. We also agree to consider
means to enhance the review function of the Commission, including through a
voluntary review process.
OR
[Sustainable Development Council]
49 alt. We
resolve to transform the CSD into a Sustainable Development Council that will serve as the authoritative, high-level body
for consideration of matters relating to the integration of the three dimensions
of sustainable development
49 alt. bis The
work of the Council should be based on fundamental documents on sustainable
development such as Agenda 21, the Rio
principles and related outcomes. The Council should, inter alia, fully carry
out the functions and mandates of the Commission for Sustainable Development.
It would be guided by the need to promote integration of the three pillars of
sustainable development, promote effective implementation at all levels and
promote effective institutional coherence. It should help in enhancing the
involvement of all stakeholders, particularly major groups, in the follow-up of
Rio +20.
49 alt
ter. We request the
President of the General Assembly to conduct open, transparent and inclusive
negotiations, with the aim of establishing the mandate, modalities, functions,
size, composition, membership, working methods and procedures of the Council
and report on the outcome before the end of the 67th session of the
General Assembly.
C. UNEP, specialized agency on environment
proposal, IFIs, United Nations operational activities at country level
50. We
reaffirm the need to strengthen international environmental governance within
the context of the institutional framework for sustainable development, in
order to promote a balanced integration of the economic, social and
environmental pillars of sustainable development, and to this end:
51. We
agree to strengthen the capacity of UNEP to fulfil its mandate by establishing
universal membership in its Governing Council and call for significantly
increasing its financial base to deepen policy coordination and enhance means
of implementation.
OR
51 alt. We
resolve to establish a UN specialized agency for the environment with universal
membership of its Governing Council, based on UNEP, with a revised and
strengthened mandate, supported by stable, adequate and predictable financial
contributions and operating on an equal footing with other UN specialized
agencies. This agency, based in Nairobi
52. We
stress the need for a regular review of the state of the planet and the Earth’s
carrying capacity and request the Secretary-General to coordinate the
preparation of such a review in consultation with relevant international organizations
and the UN system.
53. We
call for the scientific basis for decision making to be strengthened across the
UN system and recognise that the interface between science and policy-making
should be enhanced.
54. We
recognize that sustainable development must be given due consideration by the
International Financial Institutions, especially the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund, the regional development banks, UNCTAD and the
World Trade Organization in regulating global trade. In that regard, we request
the international financial institutions to review their programmatic
strategies to ensure the provision of better support to developing countries
for the implementation of sustainable development.
55. We recognize that coordination and cooperation
among the MEAs are needed in order to, inter alia, address policy fragmentation
and avoid overlap and duplication. We welcome the work already undertaken to
enhance synergies among the three conventions in the chemicals and waste
cluster. We call for further measures to enhance coordination and cooperation
among MEAs in other clusters.
56. We
emphasise the need to strengthen operational activities for sustainable
development, especially the delivery of the UN system in the field.
57. We
agree to further consider the establishment of an Ombudsperson, or High
Commissioner for Future Generations, to promote sustainable development.
58. We
agree to take steps at various levels to give further effect to Rio Principle
10 at the global, regional and national level, as appropriate.
D. Regional, national, local
59. We
reaffirm that overarching sustainable development strategies incorporated in
national development plans are key instruments for the implementation of
sustainable development commitments at regional, national and sub-national
levels.
60. We
call for the strengthening of existing regional and sub-regional mechanisms,
including the regional commissions, in promoting sustainable development
through capacity building, exchange of information and experiences and
providing expertise.
61. We
underline the need for more coherent and integrated planning and
decision-making at the national level. We therefore call on countries to
establish and strengthen, as appropriate, national sustainable development
councils to enable them to coordinate, consolidate and ensure the mainstreaming
of cross-cutting issues in the highest decision-making bodies, with the
integration and full participation of all stakeholders.
62. We
recognise the need to integrate sustainable urban development policy as a key
component of a national sustainable development policy and, in this regard, to
empower local authorities to work more closely with national governments. We
recognize that partnerships among cities have emerged as a leading force for
action on sustainable development. We commit to support
international cooperation among local authorities, including through assistance
from international organizations.
V. Framework
for action and follow-up
A. Priority/key/thematic/cross-sectoral issues
and areas
63. We recognize that progress
in implementation requires attention to a number of sectoral and cross-sectoral
priority areas as well as to the linkage among different sectors. We also
recognize that assessing progress in these areas can benefit from defining
aspirational goals, targets and indicators, as appropriate. We therefore commit
to the following actions:
[Food security]
64. We
reaffirm the right to food and call upon all States to prioritize sustainable
intensification of food production through increased investment in local food
production, improved access to local and global agri-food markets, and reduced
waste throughout the supply chain, with special attention to women,
smallholders, youth, and indigenous farmers. We are committed to ensuring
proper nutrition for our people.
65. We call
for more transparent and open trading systems and, where appropriate, practices
that contribute to the stability of food prices and domestic markets; ensure
access to land, water and other resources; and support social protection
programmes.
66. We
further support initiatives at all levels that improve access to information,
enhance interactions among farmers and experts through education and extension services,
and increase the use of appropriate technologies for sustainable agriculture.
[Water]
67. We underline the importance of the right to safe and clean drinking water and
sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life
and all human rights. Furthermore, we highlight the critical importance of
water resources for sustainable development, including poverty and hunger
eradication, public health, food security, hydropower, agriculture and rural
development.
68. We recognize the necessity of setting goals for wastewater
management, including reducing water pollution from households, industrial and
agricultural sources and promoting water efficiency, wastewater treatment and
the use of wastewater as a resource, particularly in expanding urban areas.
69. We renew our commitment made in Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation (JPOI) regarding the development and implementation of
integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans. We reaffirm
our commitment to the 2005-2015 International Decade for Action “Water
for Life”. We
encourage cooperation initiatives for water resources management in particular
through capacity development, exchange of experiences, best practices and
lessons learned, as well as sharing appropriate environmentally sound
technologies and know-how.
[Energy]
70. We propose to build on the Sustainable Energy for All initiative
launched by the Secretary-General, with the goals of providing universal access
to a basic minimum level of modern energy services for both consumption and
production uses by 2030; improving energy efficiency at all levels with a view
to doubling the rate of improvement by 2030; and doubling the share of
renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030 through promoting the
development and use of renewable energy sources and technologies in all
countries. We call for provision of adequate financial resources, of sufficient
quality and delivered in a timely manner, to developing countries for providing
efficient and wider use of energy sources.
71. We agree that each country should work
for low-carbon development. We encourage more widespread use of energy planning
tools to provide a robust framework for donors and partners to coordinate their
development cooperation efforts.
[Cities]
72. We
commit to promote an integrated and holistic approach to planning and building
sustainable cities through support to local authorities, efficient
transportation and communication networks, greener buildings and an efficient human
settlements and service delivery system, improved air and water quality,
reduced waste, improved disaster preparedness and response and increased
climate resilience.
[Green jobs-social
inclusion]
73. We recognize that the development of
human capacity is essential to achieving broad-based economic growth, building
strong, sustainable communities, promoting social well-being, and improving the
environment. Workers must have the skills and protections necessary to
participate in and benefit from the transition to a green economy, which has
great potential to create decent jobs and eradicate poverty.
74. We also recognize that significant job
creation opportunities can be availed through investments in public works for
restoration and enhancement of natural capital, sustainable land and water
management practices, family farming, ecological farming, organic production
systems, sustainable forest management, rational use of biodiversity for
economic purposes, and new markets linked to renewable and unconventional
energy sources. We encourage business and industry to contribute to green job
creation throughout their global supply chains, including through support to
small and medium enterprises.
75. We
recognise and acknowledge that social well being and growth are also built on
robust and high quality infrastructure that creates jobs and wealth, adds long
term value and allows for broad inclusion. In this regard, we commit to
enhanced infrastructure investment which promotes sustainable development.
76. Understanding that building green economies
will depend critically on creating green jobs, we agree to take the following
measures:
a)
improve
knowledge of green jobs trends and developments, and integrate relevant data
into national economic statistics;
b)
address
potential skills shortages through skills mapping and promoting of green jobs
training programs;
c)
put
in place an enabling environment for robust creation of decent jobs by private
enterprises investing in the green economy, including by small and medium
enterprises.
77. We stress the need to provide social
protection to all members of society, including those who are not employed in
the formal economy. In this regard, we strongly encourage national and local
initiatives aimed at providing a social protection floor for all citizens.
[Oceans and SIDS]
78. We recognize that oceans are critical to
sustaining Earth’s life support systems. Careless exploitation of the oceans
and their resources puts at risk the ability of oceans to continue to provide
food, other economic benefits and environmental services to humankind. We
stress the importance of the conservation, sustainable management and equitable
sharing of marine and ocean resources. We also recognize the significant
economic, social and environmental contribution of coral reefs to island and
coastal States, and support cooperation based on the Coral Triangle Initiative
(CTI), and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).
79. We endorse the Regular Process for the
Global Marine Assessment as a credible, robust process, and support the
completion of its first global integrated assessment of the state of the marine
environment by 2014. We call for consideration of assessment findings in
formulation of national, regional and global oceans policy.
80. We note the establishment by UNCLOS of an
Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of
national jurisdiction, and we agree to initiate, as soon as possible, the
negotiation of an implementing agreement to UNCLOS that would address the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond
national jurisdiction.
81. We call on countries to advance implementation of the Global Programme
of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land -based
Activities, including further capacity-building and mobilization of resources
for investment in treatment of human wastes and waste water and to
develop a global action plan to combat marine litter and pollution.
82. We also propose to implement an
international observing network for ocean acidification and to work
collectively to prevent further ocean acidification.
83. We note that despite agreement to restore
global fish stocks to sustainable levels by 2015, many stocks continue to be
depleted at increasingly unsustainable levels. We call upon States to re-commit
to maintaining or restoring depleted fish stocks to sustainable levels and to
further commit to implementing science-based management plans to rebuild stocks
by 2015.
84. We urge countries to combat illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by adopting and implementing effective
tools, in accordance with international law. We note the agreement on port
state measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing approved by FAO in 2009 and urge States that have not yet
acceded to the agreement to do so.
85. We
reaffirm that Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) remain a special case for sustainable development in view of their
unique and particular vulnerabilities. The vulnerability of SIDS has worsened
over the last two decades, primarily because of higher exposure to external
shocks, including increasing adverse impacts of climate change and more
frequent and intense natural disasters as well as the fuel, food, and financial
crises, combined with inadequate international support.
86. We
call for increased efforts to assist SIDS in implementing the BPOA and MSI and
achieving sustainable development, including improvement and strengthening of
the relevant entities within the United Nations system that support SIDS'
sustainable development. We also call for the convening of the third international
conference for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States in
2014.
[Natural disasters]
87. We reiterate the call for disaster risk
reduction to continue to be addressed in the context of sustainable development
and placed within the post-2015 development agenda. We call for increased
coordination among national, regional and international levels for a robust
response to environmental emergencies and improved forecasting and early
warning systems, as well as closer coordination between emergency response,
early recovery and development efforts, including adoption of a post “Hyogo
Framework” and its integration into development policy.
[Climate change]
88. We reaffirm that climate change is one of
the greatest challenges of our time, and express our deep concern that
developing countries are particularly vulnerable to and are experiencing
increased negative impacts from climate change, which is severely undermining
food security and efforts to eradicate poverty, and also threatens the
territorial integrity, viability and the very existence of small island
developing states. We welcome the outcome of COP17 at Durban
89. We
encourage international initiatives and
partnerships to address the interrelationship between water, energy, food and
climate change in order to achieve synergies as well as to minimize
conflicts among policy objectives, being particularly sensitive to impacts on
vulnerable populations.
[Forests, biodiversity, land
degradation and desertification]
90. We support policy frameworks and market
instruments that effectively slow, halt and reverse deforestation and forest
degradation and promote the sustainable use and management of forests, as well
as their conservation and restoration. We call for the urgent implementation of
the “Non-Legally Binding Instrument on all Types of Forests (NLBI)”.
91. We welcome the Nagoya Protocol adopted at the tenth meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity.We support
mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystem services in policies and
decision-making processes at international, regional and national levels, and
encourage investments in natural capital through appropriate incentives and
policies, which support a sustainable and equitable use of biological diversity
and ecosystems.
92. We
recognize the economic and social significance of land, particularly its
contribution to growth, food security, and poverty eradication, and note that
the intensity of desertification of most of Africa ’s
arable land is a serious challenge to sustainable development in the region. We
call for enhanced support by the international community to the implementation
of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
93. We
agree to support partnerships and initiatives for the safeguarding of soil
resources such as the Global Soil Partnership (GSP). We also encourage scientific
studies and initiatives aimed at raising wider awareness of the economic
benefits of sustainable land management policies that achieve healthy and
productive land and soil.
[Mountains]
94. We recognize that mountains are highly
vulnerable to global changes such as climate change, and are often home to
communities including of indigenous peoples, who have developed sustainable
uses of their resources yet are often marginalized, sometimes with high poverty
rates, exposure to natural risks and food insecurity. We recognize the benefits
derived from mountains and their associated ecosystems. We also recognize the
need to explore global, regional, national, and local mechanisms to compensate
and reward mountain communities for the services they provide through ecosystem
protection.
[Chemicals and waste]
95. We call for strengthening the Strategic
Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), to step up efforts
towards a more robust, coherent, effective and efficient international regime
for chemicals throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable and adequate long-term
funding will be important to assist developing countries with sound chemical
and waste management through an integrated approach.
96. We
commend the increased coordination and cooperation among the Basel Convention,
the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and call for public-private partnerships
aiming to enhance capacity and technology for environmentally sound waste
management. We also note with concern the emerging challenges of electronic
waste and plastics in the marine environment, which should be addressed inter
alia through appropriate programmes and environmentally sound technologies for
material and energy recovery.
[Sustainable Consumption and
Production]
97.. We agree to establish a
10-Year Framework of Programmes on sustainable consumption and production (SCP)
as part of a global pact on sustainable consumption and production, based on
the text elaborated in the negotiations in the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development at its nineteenth session.
[Education]
98. We recognize that access by all people to
quality education is an essential condition for sustainable development and social
inclusion. We commit to strengthening the contribution of our education systems
to the pursuit of sustainable development, including through enhanced teacher
training and curricula development.
99. We call upon universities to become
models of best practice and transformation by setting an example of
sustainability of facilities on their campuses and teaching sustainable
development as a module across all disciplines. In this way sustainable practices
will become embedded in learning and action.
100. We encourage international education
exchange activities on education for sustainable development, including the
creation of fellowships and scholarships for international study in disciplines
and inter-disciplinary fields pertinent to the promotion of sustainable
development.
101. We agree to promote education for
sustainable development beyond the end of the United Nations Decade of
Education for Sustainable Development in 2014, to educate a new generation of
students in the values, key disciplines and holistic, cross-disciplinary
approaches essential to promoting sustainable development.
[Gender equality]
102. We recognize that sustainable development
is linked to and depends on women’s economic contributions, both formal and
informal. We note with concern that persistent social and economic inequities
continue to affect women and children, who make up the majority of those living
in poverty.
103. We call for removing barriers that have
prevented women from being full participants in the economy and unlocking their
potential as drivers of sustainable development, and agree to prioritize
measures to promote gender equality in all spheres of our societies, including
education, employment, ownership of resources, access to justice, political
representation, institutional decision-making, care giving and household and
community management.
104. We support the work of UN Women in
achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in all aspects of life
and bringing greater attention to the linkages between gender equality and the
promotion of sustainable development.
B. Accelerating and measuring progress
105. We recognize that goals, targets and
milestones are essential for measuring and accelerating progress towards
sustainable development and agree to launch an inclusive process to devise by
2015:
a) a
set of global Sustainable Development Goals that reflect an integrated and
balanced treatment of the three dimensions of sustainable development, are
consistent with the principles of Agenda 21, and are universal and applicable
to all countries but allowing for differentiated approaches among countries;
b) a
mechanism for periodic follow-up and reporting on progress made toward their
achievement.
106. We invite all stakeholders to join this process and request the
UN Secretary-General to coordinate this process.
107. We propose that the Sustainable Development Goals should include
sustainable consumption and production patterns as well as priority areas such
as oceans; food security and sustainable agriculture; sustainable energy for
all; water access and efficiency; sustainable cities; green jobs, decent work
and social inclusion; and disaster risk reduction and resilience.
108. We consider that the Sustainable Development Goals should complement
and strengthen the MDGs in the development agenda for the post-2015 period,
with a view to establishing a set of goals in 2015 which are part of the
post-2015 UN Development Agenda.
109. We also propose that progress towards these Goals should be
measured by appropriate indicators and evaluated by specific targets to be
achieved possibly by 2030, and request the Secretary-General for proposals in
this regard.
110. We resolve to strengthen the capacity of all countries to
collect and analyze data and information needed to support the monitoring of progress
towards the Sustainable Development Goals. We request the Secretary-General,
with the support of interested donors, the UN system, international
organizations and other entities, to promote a global partnership in this
regard.
111. We also recognize the limitations of GDP as
a measure of well-being. We agree to further develop
and strengthen indicators complementing GDP that integrate economic, social and
environmental dimensions in a balanced manner. We
request the Secretary-General to establish a process in consultation with the
UN system and other relevant organizations.
C.
Means of
implementation
[Finance]
112. We call for the fulfilment of all official development
assistance commitments, including the commitments by many developed countries
to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for official
development assistance to developing countries by 2015, as well as a target of
0.15 to 0.20 per cent of gross national product for official development
assistance to least developed countries. To reach their agreed timetables,
donor countries should take all necessary and appropriate measures to raise the
rate of aid disbursements to meet their existing commitments. We urge those
developed countries that have not yet done so to make additional concrete
efforts towards the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for
official development assistance to developing countries, including the specific
target of 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of gross national product for official
development assistance to least developed countries in line with the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least
Developed Countries for the decade 2011-2020 in accordance with their commitments.
113. We call for the prioritization of
sustainable development in the allocation of resources in line with the
priorities and needs of developing countries, and for substantial increases in the provision of financing to developing
countries for sustainable development.
114. We call for increased aid effectiveness,
taking into account the Paris Declaration, the Accra Action Agenda and the
Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, in ensuring that aid
is effective, accountable and responsive to the needs and priorities of
developing countries. There is a need for greater coherence at both the
international and national levels, including effective oversight of resources
to ensure that developing countries have steady and predictable access to
adequate financing, including by the private sector, to promote sustainable
development.
115. We
welcome the ongoing efforts to strengthen and support South-South cooperation
and triangular cooperation. We stress that South-South cooperation is not a
substitute for, but rather a complement to, North-South cooperation. We also
stress that triangular cooperation should be further utilized as an effective
modality for development cooperation.
116. We reaffirm
the key role of the private sector in promoting sustainable development
including through multi-stakeholder partnerships. Public policy should create a
stable investment climate and regulatory framework conducive to long-term
investment and socially and environmentally responsible behaviour by business
and industry.
117. We call for
the Global Environment Facility to be strengthened, with regularity in
funding flows and reform of governance processes towards more transparent and
democratic systems. We urge simplification of procedures and assistance to the
least developed countries and SIDS in accessing resources from the GEF.
[Science
and Technology]
118. We reaffirm the commitments related to science and technology
contained in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21 and
in the outcomes of other major United Nations Summits and Conferences.
119. We recognize the importance of strengthening the scientific,
technological and innovation capacities of countries to promote sustainable
development. In this regard, we stress the need for effective mechanisms,
enhanced means, appropriate enabling environments, and the removal of obstacles
to the scaling up of the development and transfer of technology to developing
countries.
120. We agree to strengthen international
cooperation conducive to investment and technology transfer, development
and diffusion.
[Capacity Building
121. We reaffirm
the need for providing support to existing regional and sub-regional structures
and mechanisms in developing countries and encouraging their creation, where
needed, with the aim of facilitating cooperation and the exchange of
information, including capacity building, exchange of experiences and expertise
to advance the implementation of the decisions at regional and sub regional revels.
122. We call for the immediate implementation of the Bali Strategic
Plan for Technology Support and Capacity
Building
123. We urge the participation and representation of scientists from
developing countries in processes related to global environmental and
sustainable development assessment to strengthen scientific capacities in these
countries.
[Trade]
124. We urge the members of the WTO to redouble efforts to achieve a
universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading
system and for an early balanced, ambitious and development-oriented outcome of
the Doha Development Round of multilateral trade negotiations. We call for the
full realization of the commitments made in the 2005 Hong-Kong Ministerial
Declaration of the WTO in favour of the least developed countries.
125. We reaffirm that there is an urgent need for the international
economic and financial institutions to work together to ensure that developing
countries, particularly the least developed countries, are able to benefit from
the advantages of the multilateral trade system and their integration into
global markets.
126. We support the eventual phase out of market distorting and
environmentally harmful subsidies that impede the transition to sustainable
development, including those on fossil fuels, agriculture and fisheries, with
safeguards to protect vulnerable groups.
127. We support the trade capacity building and facilitation
activities of international and regional organizations which would assist
developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, and in
identifying and seizing new export opportunities, including those created by
the transition towards a green economy.
[Registry/compendium
of commitments]
128. We welcome the
voluntary commitments made at Rio +20 and
invite the Secretary-General to compile them in a registry/compendium that will
serve as an accountability framework.
[1] Submitted by the co-Chairs on behalf of the Bureau in
accordance with the decision in Prepcom 2 to present the zero-draft of the
outcome document for consideration by Member States and other stakeholders no
later than early January 2012.
