Scientific and Technological Community
Statement during Opening Session of 1st Meeting of Preparatory Committee for Rio+20
New York, 19 May 2010 am
Mr. Chairman,
The Scientific and Technological Community thinks of Rio+20 as a unique opportunity:
--an opportunity to address the failure – to a large extent- of implementing the Rio and
Johannesburg outcomes;
--an opportunity to address the major changes which have occurred since 1992; and
--an opportunity to agree on a strong Rio+20 outcome which this time would initiate major
changes towards sustainable development to become genuinely a reality.
The most important changes since 1992 are:
1. In 2010, human societies are living beyond the carrying capacity of the planet. This
fact puts the continued functioning of the Earth System, as we know it, at risk.
2. The gap between developed and most developing countries has further widened
during the last 20 years. Persistent poverty of billions of people starts to threaten the
stability of the global society.
Sound policies and practice of sustainable development must be built on sound science and
environmentally friendly technologies and we must support enhancing knowledge, sound
engineering and technological innovation.
The Scientific and Technological Community is ready to work closely with governments and
other stakeholders to ensure that Rio+20 will create the window of opportunity for putting
humanity on a truly sustainable pathway. If we fail in Rio 2012, we will delve humanity into
danger – as all the science available indicates.
