European Union
Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States
By
Timo Makela, Director of International Affairs,
Directorate General for the Environment, European Commission
UNCSD 2012 - Rio+20
Second Intersessional Meeting (New York, 15 - 16 December 2011)
Session 3 and 4 – Structure and Format for the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document
-Check against Delivery-
Mr. Chairman, Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Acceding Country
Croatia aligns itself with this declaration.
As agreed under UNGA Resolution 64/236, UNCSD needs to result in a "focused political document", which
should be forward-looking and action-oriented, reflecting the Conference's objective and its two themes.
On the basis of these considerations, the EU's view is that the outcome document should be in the form of a
political declaration setting out a shared vision for change, as well as objectives and actions in one single
document.
In our view, such political declaration should have three basic sections, again reflecting what was agreed in
UNGA Resolution 64/236:
- An introductory section recalling the objective of the Conference to renew political commitment for
sustainable development; 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; In
addition, this section should also stress that that the two themes of the Conference – "a green economy in the
context of sustainable development and poverty eradication" (GESDPE) and "the institutional framework for
sustainable development" (IFSD) – offer promising ways – "tools" – to achieve the Conference's objective and
tackle these challenges.
- A section on GESDPE elaborating on what the EU and its Member States believe should be one of the
main operational outcomes of Rio+20: a green economy roadmap. The roadmap should contain specific goals,
objectives and actions at the international level, including with the aim to encourage and facilitate bottom-up
national and sub-national actions. As stated at yesterday's session on the zero draft, the EU is of the opinion
that such actions should be both of a cross-cutting and of a sectorial/thematic nature.
- A section on IFSD pointing to the need to improve governance at all levels in order to advance
sustainable development, help eradicate poverty and accelerate the transition towards a green economy. This
section should include a call for the establishment of an UN Specialized Agency for the Environment based on
UNEP.
Those sections should also contain language on Rio+20 follow-up mechanisms.
Finally, we believe that the implementation of sustainable development commitments and initiatives at all
levels is a cross-cutting issue that should be mainstreamed in the whole document, ensuring that we engage
all partners.
Thank you for your attention.
By
Timo Makela, Director of International Affairs,
Directorate General for the Environment, European Commission
UNCSD 2012 - Rio+20
Second Intersessional Meeting (New York, 15 - 16 December 2011)
Session 3 and 4 – Structure and Format for the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document
-Check against Delivery-
Mr. Chairman, Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Acceding Country
Croatia aligns itself with this declaration.
As agreed under UNGA Resolution 64/236, UNCSD needs to result in a "focused political document", which
should be forward-looking and action-oriented, reflecting the Conference's objective and its two themes.
On the basis of these considerations, the EU's view is that the outcome document should be in the form of a
political declaration setting out a shared vision for change, as well as objectives and actions in one single
document.
In our view, such political declaration should have three basic sections, again reflecting what was agreed in
UNGA Resolution 64/236:
- An introductory section recalling the objective of the Conference to renew political commitment for
sustainable development; 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; In
addition, this section should also stress that that the two themes of the Conference – "a green economy in the
context of sustainable development and poverty eradication" (GESDPE) and "the institutional framework for
sustainable development" (IFSD) – offer promising ways – "tools" – to achieve the Conference's objective and
tackle these challenges.
- A section on GESDPE elaborating on what the EU and its Member States believe should be one of the
main operational outcomes of Rio+20: a green economy roadmap. The roadmap should contain specific goals,
objectives and actions at the international level, including with the aim to encourage and facilitate bottom-up
national and sub-national actions. As stated at yesterday's session on the zero draft, the EU is of the opinion
that such actions should be both of a cross-cutting and of a sectorial/thematic nature.
- A section on IFSD pointing to the need to improve governance at all levels in order to advance
sustainable development, help eradicate poverty and accelerate the transition towards a green economy. This
section should include a call for the establishment of an UN Specialized Agency for the Environment based on
UNEP.
Those sections should also contain language on Rio+20 follow-up mechanisms.
Finally, we believe that the implementation of sustainable development commitments and initiatives at all
levels is a cross-cutting issue that should be mainstreamed in the whole document, ensuring that we engage
all partners.
Thank you for your attention.
Stakeholders