CHECK UPON DELIVERY
STATEMENT BY
H.E. DIMITRI ALEXANDRAKIS,
AMBASSADOR OF GREECE TO BRAZIL
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Rio de Janeiro, 20-22 June 2012
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Greece would like to express its deep appreciation to the
Brazilian authorities for their hospitality, warmth as well as
efficiency and to the Secretariat for organizing the “Rio+20 UN
Conference on Sustainable Development”. The world is
standing at an important crossroads trying, on the one hand, to
find solutions to the serious global financial challenges, and, on
the other hand, to draw a path towards a model of development
that will minimize pressure on natural resources and
ecosystems. The challenge of a green economy that lies ahead of
us is also an opportunity that can help us address and alleviate a
number of social problems that affect countries in all stages of
development.
Greece would like to see specific results at this Conference that
will take into account the effects of policies on present as well
as future generations. For us, the principles of intra-generational
and inter-generational equity, along with the precautionary
approach and the “polluter pays” principle should be at the core
of the outcomes of Rio+20.
Greece attaches great importance to the promotion of education
and particularly of Education for Sustainable Development.
Together with other Mediterranean countries and relevant Interand
Non-governmental Organisations we are promoting the
elaboration of the Mediterranean Strategy of Education for
Sustainable Development to be hopefully adopted within the UN
Decade of ESD (2005-2014).
Greece would like to see a strengthened institutional framework
for sustainable development at the international level. In this
context, we believe that the UN system needs to be reformed so
that environmental issues are addressed in a more coherent and
effective way. Greece has been supporting from the very
beginning the need to strengthen the role of the United Nations
Environment Programme and to upgrade it into a specialized
agency for the environment.
In addition, we believe that one of the pillars of an upgraded
UNEP needs to be the strengthening of its regional dimension.
This will further enhance its effectiveness with a view to
speedier positive results. Climate change adaptation, integrated
coastal zone management, regional seas protection, disaster
recovery and water management can be identified as top
priorities and policy areas where regional action and cooperation
must be further elaborated.
Greece, as a member state of the EU, is attempting to address its
own environmental problems through policies and initiatives
that are in line with the European Union’s strategic directions in
the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Promoting energy savings and energy production through
renewable energy sources is a key priority for us. Greece is
already strong in solar and eolic energy and we plan to expand
their use rapidly.
We see the green economy not only as vital for all three pillars
of sustainable development, but also as a very promising ground
for regional cooperation and, at the same time, local economic
and social development. In this respect, countries in the
Mediterranean region have been cooperating effectively for
years in programmes, plans and initiatives, such as UNEP’s
Mediterranean Action Plan and the EU Water Initiative’s
Mediterranean Component that Greece is leading successfully
since 2003. The EU Water Initiative celebrates this year its 10th
anniversary since its launching in Johannesburg in 2002. In this
respect, we need to further enhance dialogue and cooperation on
transboundary waters for the mutual benefit of riparians.
Furthermore, Greece attaches utmost importance to the
conservation and the sustainable use of marine biological
diversity, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and
supports the initiation, as soon as possible, of the negotiation of
an implementing agreement to UNCLOS that would address the
conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas
beyond national jurisdiction.
Mr President,
It is important that this Conference takes decisions that push
forward with all pending issues. Greece supports all steps
aiming to enhance the welfare of people across the world and
we reaffirm our commitment to the promotion of an
economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future
for our planet and for the generations to come.
Thank you very much.
