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TWN
Update on Sustainable Development Conference 2012 (Mar12/02) First
round of negotiations on Rio+20 conference kicks off New York, 20 Mar (Meena Raman) - The first round of what is termed as "informal-informal negotiations" on the zero draft outcome document for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June this year, kicked off at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, 19 March. It is supposed to conclude on 23 March, with further negotiations to be held in late April this year. Under negotiation at the current session is a 137-page compilation text containing textual amendments and new proposals by Parties to the zero-draft document submitted by the Co-Chairs of the process, Mr. John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) and Mr. Kim Sook (Republic of Korea). Entitled "The Future We Want", the compilation document is comprised of five chapters: (1) preamble/stage setting; (2) renewing political commitment which deals with reaffirming the Rio principles and past action plans, 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, engaging major groups and framework for action; (3) green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication which deals with framing the context of the green economy, challenges and opportunities, toolkits and experience sharing and framework for action; (4) institutional framework for sustainable development which deals with strengthening/reforming/integrating the three pillars (economic, social and environment), the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and a proposal for a Sustainable Development Council, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a proposal for a specialised agency on environment, International Financial Institutions, United Nations operational activities at country level and regional, national and local; and (5) framework for action and follow-up which deals with priority/key/thematic/cross-sectoral issues and areas, accelerating and measuring progress (including Sustainable Development Goals) and means of implementation (finance, access to and transfer of technology, and capacity-building). On 25-27 January this year, Parties made general statements reacting to the initial zero draft outcome document tabled by the Co-chairs and provided textual additions on chapters 1 (preamble/stage setting) and 2 (renewing political commitment). In the present session in New York, Parties were asked to consider chapters 3 to 5 of the document. At the opening of the informal meeting to consider the zero draft of the Rio+20 outcome document, the Secretary-General of the Rio+20 conference, Mr. Sha Zukang, explained how the zero draft has evolved since January. He flagged areas where he saw a convergence of views, and where more negotiation will be needed. On the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication in chapter 3, Sha said that in some areas there is an emerging convergence. He provided the following as examples of this: (i) it is important that a green economy is inclusive and equitable and that it addresses the social agenda; (ii) it should respect country ownership, and different levels of development and priorities; and (iii) it should avoid protectionism and aid conditionalities. He said that some of the Parties have emphasized the risks and costs of moving towards a green economy while others have stressed the opportunities. Sha said that Parties must find ways to address risks while seizing the opportunities. Over the past months, Sha said he heard many suggestions on how to support countries as they implement green economy strategies and policies. A roadmap with a menu of policy options and milestones is among the proposed amendments to the framework of actions. Knowledge and technology sharing are also critical, he said. He flagged some outstanding questions that needed to be addressed: Technology sharing on what terms?; Who should bear incremental costs of moving towards a green economy?; How do we finance the major investments implied by that move? On the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD), Sha said there was greater clarity on the direction in which discussions are moving. This meant coherence in some areas. He said Parties have indicated the principles and key functions that should guide the strengthened institutional framework, namely, integration of the three pillars; enhanced review and reporting on progress with implementation; and effectively addressing continuing, new and emerging challenges. On the broader institutional framework, Sha said that several Parties have called for an enhanced role of the General Assembly and ECOSOC, in addressing the sustainable development agenda. A number of Parties have also expressed support for creating a high-level Sustainable Development Council under the General Assembly. Others are reserving their judgment for now. While there is little support for continuing the Commission on Sustainable Development in its current form, some are still asking if there is a way to strengthen it, he added. According to Sha, there is universal support for strengthening UNEP, but divergence remains on how to achieve this. Some point to universal membership, while others call for transforming it into a UN specialized agency. Many are also calling for a strengthened financial base for UNEP. Sha said there has been broad support, as part of strengthening IFSD, to forge closer links between science and policymaking. On chapter 5 regarding the framework for action and follow-up, he said it has been proposed that "framework for action" sections in earlier chapters be consolidated into a single framework. Regarding the contents of chapter 5, it is clear to him that there is convergence of views on the seven-plus priority areas. These priority areas have already been highlighted and were in the original zero draft. Also highlighted was the importance of sustainable consumption and production. Additionally, there have been extensive additions made to chapter 5, Sha added. There is now both additional text in existing sections, as well as entire new sections. Fifteen proposed new areas have been added to the draft. The Secretary-General highlighted a few other points in the amendments. First, there is a stronger emphasis on the social pillar of sustainable development. Another is recognizing the valuable contribution of ecosystems, and their services to economic and social well-being. A third is the critical importance of technological innovation, as well as private sector entrepreneurship and investment, in moving towards sustainable development. A compendium of voluntary commitments was also emphasized. He also noted that in several of the proposed amendments, there is an emerging scope of aspirational goals or targets. They cover a range of issues: food security, energy, water, land degradation, a social protection floor, decent work, disaster risk reduction, oceans and sustainable urban planning. An important element of chapter 5 is the proposal to launch sustainable development goals (SDGs). There is an emerging convergence of views that at the very least Rio+20 can launch a process leading to the SDGs and define the principles by which they will be governed, said Sha. He had three further observations. The first is that agreeing to SDGs at Rio+20 would send a strong expression of renewed commitment for sustainable development. The second is a point made in one of the proposed amendments to the text, namely, that for such commitment to have credibility and impact, we need to be clear on means of implementation. What support is the international community prepared to provide? Third, agreement on SDGs, as well as an agreement on the green economy will have important implications for the future institutional framework for sustainable development. So it is important that if agreement is reached on the first two, then institutional responsibilities for follow-up must be clearly defined, said Sha. Rio+20 must agree on an outcome that our leaders will be proud to sign off on, stressed Sha.
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