First Meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom 1) for the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
May 18, 2010
A Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty
Eradication
Statement by Brazil,
Delivered by Maria Teresa Mesquita Pessôa, Minister, Permanent Mission of Brazil to
the United Nations
Thank you Mr. Chairman,
We align ourselves with the intervention made by the distinguished representative of
Yemen on behalf of the G-77 and China.
We approach this debate from a position of constructive doubt. Doubt because there is no
universally accepted definition of “green economy”. Constructive because we believe it
can lead us to a common understanding in the context of UNCSD.
The response to the economic and financial crises has highlighted the need to reinstate
the role of the State both as regulator and driver for sustainable development. The
packages and plans put together as a response provide an opportunity for ensuring that
the economic recovery is driven towards both social and environmental sustainability,
thus bringing forth a greener, more sustainable economy where the three pillars are
dialectically integrated.
It is vital to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals be attained by 2015. But
securing those goals is only part of the answer to transform the vicious cycle of poverty
and underdevelopment into a virtuous cycle where prosperity is coupled with
sustainability at the economic, social and environmental levels. In-depth structural
changes are required to sustain that transformation.
Whereas there has been widespread perception that the integration of the economic, social
and environmental pillars of development is essential for providing adequate and
sustainable responses to the global multiple crises, the concept of “green economy” has
been used in the contexts of various differing approaches. UNCSD offers an opportunity
to consolidate a broad-reaching agreement around the evolving paradigm of “green
economy” in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and allows
for the involvement of a large spectrum of stakeholders (governments, civil society,
businesses, academia, and so forth).
Translating the concept of “green economy” into nationally appropriate measures is a
complex challenge. There are no universally applicable solutions: several alternatives of
reform, regulation, fiscal stimulus, capacity building and prioritization of sectors and
regions should be analyzed. These efforts must result from an in-depth dialogue with civil
society and the private sector.
Stimulating the world economy through policies that give priority to sustainable patterns
of consumption and production may prove to be a win-win approach, with the potential to
generate environmental, social and economic benefits. New investment opportunities - in
fields such as energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure - can be coupled with
incentives to sustainable innovation and technology transfer.
The creation of jobs, income and skill continues to be the priority for developing
countries to alleviate poverty and enhance prosperity. Ample mobilization of the
international community in order to establish a renewed engagement for sustainable
development and ensure the consistency of policies at all levels is called for.
Financing and technology transfer are two elements that require cooperation at all levels
among countries. They are crucial stepping-stones for the success of the “green
economy”. According to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, the
financial and technological support provided by developed countries to developing ones
should be enhanced. South-South cooperation should also be fostered in that context.
