United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

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World Leaders at Rio+20

Rio+20 statue of liberty and Dilma Rousseff

Demonstration against Ahmadinejad in Rio

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United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), also known as Rio+20, was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012. It marked the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, which was also held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The conference aimed to assess the progress in dealing with global sustainable development challenges and to shape future policies to address them.

Background

The concept of sustainable development emerged from the recognition that human well-being is intricately linked to the environment. The 1992 Earth Summit was a pivotal moment that led to the adoption of Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development. In the years that followed, the world saw significant changes, including economic globalization, advances in technology, and growing environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Rio+20 conference were to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress and gaps in implementing previous summits' outcomes, and address new and emerging challenges. The conference focused on two main themes: a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable development.

Outcomes

The primary outcome of the conference was the document "The Future We Want," which outlined the participants' commitments and a framework for action to promote sustainable development. This document emphasized the importance of an inclusive, transparent, and effective multilateral system to address global challenges. It also highlighted the need for significant steps towards shifting to a green economy and strengthening the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP).

Criticism and Challenges

Despite the high hopes, the conference faced criticism for the lack of concrete commitments and the perceived weakness of the final document. Critics argued that "The Future We Want" was too vague and lacked enforceable commitments. There was also concern about the emphasis on a green economy, with some fearing it could lead to the commodification of nature.

Legacy

The Rio+20 conference played a crucial role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were later adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs built on the foundation laid by Rio+20 and aimed to address the most pressing global challenges over the next 15 years.

See Also

• Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
• Agenda 21
• Green Economy
• 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

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