Thank you Mr. Chair,
Rio+20 can be successful to the degree that we choose to serve the well-being of all
people and nature as a whole. This will require moving from existing power structures
dominated by market interests and profit-seeking behaviours, to one with new values,
ethics and norms, based on the well being of all peoples and of nature as a whole.
It is essential for the success of Rio+20 that the input of civil society is heard and that
civil society are fully involved in all aspects of the process. Any action plan from Rio+20
must be inclusive of the diversity and richness of small farmers, grassroots, local and
indigenous communities initiatives.
We all have the responsibility at Rio+20 to achieve socially and economically just,
ecological sustainable development.
We require that the outcomes of Rio result in policies and time-linked actions at all
levels which:
? Will address the inequity, unjust grabs of resources and other corruption in the global
economic system, which is increasing the gap between rich and poor.
? Develop a positive and shared vision of the contribution of sustainability to our lives
in order to bring a spirit of understanding and goodwill for implementation. This
requires deepening discussions within all social sectors and presenting concepts and
proposals in a clear and transparent manner.
? Are based on diverse forms of knowledge including independent science, recognizing
the extreme urgency of the current crises and enacting the precautionary principle.
? Ensure that autochthonous/indigenous communities, particularly those living on
resource rich lands, have access to information to fully assess the social, ecological and
economic consequences of the use and extraction of these resources.
? Further, we are concerned that untested and risky new technologies ? such as
nanotechnology, synthetic biology, geo-engineering ? are being promoted as part of the
?green economy? solution, while there is no capacity to evaluate their negative impacts.
Instead of embracing untested dangerous technologies, Rio2012 should honor the
precautionary principle and initiate the process to establish a treaty or similar
mechanism to evaluate the ecological, economic and social impacts of new
technologies, prior to their commercial release.
? Geoengineering technologies, because of their far-reaching and irreversible
implications, should be banned by governments as a decision of Rio+20.
? We need policies, investment, research and development which promotes
sustainable and humane agricultural, livestock and land use systems, which ensures
consumption with social justice and matches the capacity of naturalsystems.
? As a part of strong ecological protection regulations that are monitored and enforced,
limitations on the annual extraction and use of depletable resources, such as fossil fuels,
plant and animal species and clean air and water must be set. Fees for the extraction
and use of the amounts permitted per annum, when levied at source, would be spread
out over all subsequent buyers; and could go to benefit relevant communities and
finance a Trust Fund for Sustainable Development, administered by the UN?s
Trusteeship Council.
Mr chairman,
After twenty years, it is time that Rio+20 generates a powerful shared vision and an
effective time-bound action plan. We must all work together for that goal.
Thank you.
