Intervention - Iceland
2ndIntersessional Meeting of UNSCD, 15-16 December 2011
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Dear Collegues,
[Discussion on the compilation document: comments and guidance for the
zero draft outcome document.]
The outcome of Rio + 20 must be a renewed political commitment and a shared
vision for advancing sustainable development to the future. Iceland puts special
emphasis on four sectoral areas in this endavour, that is the marine environment,
renewable energy, sustainable land management and gender equality. Let me
elaborate briefly on these issues.
Firstly, economic prosperity and food security is dependent on healthy oceans.
Sustainable use of living marine resources contributes substantially to human
food security, as well as dietary variety. The improved management of fish
stocks and improved handling of catches, together with an increase in the supply
of fish from aquaculture, will improve the food security of the communities in
question and create a basis for increased export revenues.
Secondly, Iceland believes that the emphasize at the conference in Rio should be
on the pivotal role that the world’s vast renewable energy resources can play in
the green economy, taking into account that only a limited share of the
renewable resources have been utilized. (Sustainable utilization of renewable
energy resources and equal access to renewable energy should be at the core of
our deliberations.) Such promotion can i.a. be in the form of cooperation and
sharing of scientific knowledge, or by means of financing investments and
research in renewable energy projects. Harnessing geothermal energy resources
is an option with wide potentials for many developing countries especially in
areas within Central and South America, East Africa and Southeast Asia.
Thirdly, land degradation and desertification rank among the world´s greatest
environmental challenges, greatly affecting climate, biodiversity, soil quality,
food and water security, human well-being and peace on Earth. Yet, this great
challenge is not receiving due attention globally, and loss of soil and decline in
ecosystem services may regarded as the silent crisis. Iceland proposes that the
Rio +20 Summit delivers a strong message for a joint action by the international
community on land management as a major aspect of advancing sustainable
development.
Last but not least, mainstreaming gender perspectives into green economy
policies and ensuring women’s equal participation in decision making at all
levels is a key to accelerating sustainable development and achieving a more
inclusive outcome. Adequate resources have to be provided in order to ensure
women´s rights and full and equal participation in decision- making,
implementation, equal benefits, financing and access to funding. Iceland would
like to emphasize this and the need to increase efforts in capacity building for
sustainable development and gender equity.
Thank you.
