Following its predecessor ten years earlier, the
Earth Summit 2002 informally nicknamed Rio+10 held in Johannesburg,
South Africa. Was tasked with the goal of initiating international
partnership initiatives meant to help achieve the Millennium
Development Goals.
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development known as Rio +20 took place in June 2012; in Rio De
Janeiro, Brazil.
The conference was a congregation of world leaders
from the private and governmental sector as well as other individual
groups.
The aim of the conference was to address global
sustainable development; the eradication of poverty and climate
issues. The focus of the conference was based on the themes of;
achieving sustainable development by building a green economy,
including support for developing countries aiding them to secure
green paths for development; and providing the institutional
framework and coordination for sustainable development.
The purpose of the conference was to secure renewed
political commitment for sustainable development and assess the
progress to date. Addressing new emerging challenges and the
implementation of previous outcomes from previous summits on
sustainable development.
Under the leadership of Mr. Sha Zukang the United
Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, who
heads the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and is
responsible for the follow-up to the major United Nations Summits and
Conferences.
Priority areas highlighted at the conference were
creation of decent jobs, energy, promotion of sustainable cities,
food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster
readiness.
Sustainable development is a principle for global
development in economic, social and environmental sectors. It meets
the socio-economic needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The goal of Rio+20 was to secure positive political
commitments made at past Earth Summits and set forth a global
environmental agenda for the next twenty years. This is to be done by
assessing progress towards the goals set forth and addressing new and
critical global issues.
The UN wanted a "green economy road-map" to
be endorsed at Rio+20 with environmental goals, targets and
deadlines. Developing countries preferred establishing new
sustainable development goals to protect the environment better,
guarantee food, alleviate poverty and provide power to the poor.
The meeting was marred with protest as all
international gatherings addressing global issues are known for.
Numerous NGO's and individuals and groups marched and protested
highlighting social and environmental exploitation by governments and
industries globally.
Like the protesters, one can question what how the
benefit of the “green road-map” and agenda for the creation of
sustainable development will trickle down and aid the common man on
the street who has basic issues of food security. The agenda took on
new issues but still debated previous ones set forth in the
Millennium Development Programme. Ten years later, if these issues
are still being debated, one can question if the Rio +20 was just
another “green” themed party.
Yes I said it...
Yes I said it...
