RIO+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) is being organized in pursuance of General Assembly Resolution 64/236 (A/RES/64/236), and will take place in Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. The Rio+20 Conference It is envisaged as a Conference at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives. The Conference will result in a focused political document.

The Conference will focus on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development.

The preparations for Rio+20 have highlighted seven areas which need priority attention; these include decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness.

Principle 1 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in 1992 asserts that “Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a
healthy and productive life in harmony with nature”. Twenty years on, WHO recognizes the opportunity provided by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to set the world back onto a sustainable development path in which better and more equitable health outcomes play a key role.

Over the past twenty years, the world has witnessed strong economic growth and progress towards attaining a number of the Millennium Development Goals. It is of concern, however, that these positive trends have been accompanied by increasing disparities and inequalities, persistent gender inequality, social inequity, a growing deterioration of the environment, and recurrent economic, financial, energy and food crises. Renewed commitment is needed to bring about the integration of policies across the economic, environmental and social pillars, with human beings and their health and well-being at the centre.