UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
1
Statement by UNCTAD 1
UNCSD Rio+20 PrepCom, 7-8 March 2011
New York, 7 March 2011
PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Mr/Madam Chairperson, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
We are here today to shape our vision for the 2012 Earth Summit. Our aspirations are
ambitious. We are calling for the world – consumers, firms and governments alike –
to join efforts in making a transition to a green economy. An economy that
significantly reduces poverty, improves social, economic and human development,
while lowering mankind’s environmental footprint.
Nations embraced this same vision 20 years ago in Rio. Not only through the adoption
of the Rio Declaration of Principles, but through a detailed blueprint for action as
Agenda 21. UNCTAD therefore concurs with all of those who have stressed that we
are not only on the road to Rio+20, but equally important, we are on the road from
Rio. Along this road we have successfully raised global awareness of the urgency of
adopting more sustainable lifestyles and business models. We have introduced new
policies, measures and incentives to make our markets greener. Indeed, markets have,
and continue to respond. Demand for greener goods and services continues to rise.
Over the past two decades, environmental impacts have worsened and policy
instruments ha ve been put in place that have driven innovation to flourish. Many
green goods and services have become commercially viable and their nascent niche
markets are making their way to mainstream. Throughout the world, organic food
products now have their place on our grocery store shelves, sustainably produced
biodiversity products are increasingly sourced and demanded by cosmetics and
pharmaceutical industries, recycling canisters line our street corners, compact
fluorescent light bulbs illuminate our homes and offices, and a growing number of
electric bicycles and cars navigate through our cities. Green services markets are also
expanding. Builders are constructing better insulated homes, tour operators have
1 Delivered by (Lucas Assunção)
2
established attractive eco-tourism destinations, and utility companies have stepped up
their supply capacities for renewable electricity and water.
Chairperson,
Indeed our transition to a green economy has already begun. But, just as we have
learnt the hard way with globalization, this transition needs to be managed and steered,
keeping it explicitly rooted in the spirit, objectives, principles and operationalization
set out in UNCED in 1992. [We are well into a period of transition that will take
several decades to complete , not through economic shock s to the global economy, but
in a manner that consumers and firms have a chance to adapt. Our transition could and
probably should be a smooth process, hopefully without many abrupt dislocations .
However, to avoid undesirable disruptions and global imbalances early preventive
concerted action is urgently required so that there is ample time for institutions,
consumers and firms to progressively merge into the green economy, address related
challenges and seize its opport unities. Moreover, let us keep in mind that in the
transition to a green economy we seek to reorient our economies, not completely
restructure them. The goods and services in demand today will still be in demand
tomorrow, the only difference is that they may incorporate new technologies and/or be
produced, distributed, consumed and discarded in a more environmentally sustainable
way. Nevertheless, a smooth transition will only happen if governments give firms
clear and long-term signals about policy direction, and engage in adequate supporting
policies and measures. This is why meetings like Rio 2012 are so important.]
Through cross-border trade and investment, globalization has, and will continue to
play a catalytic role in deepening consumers’ environmental preferences, advancing
technological innovation, propagating cleaner production, and stimulating more
sustainable delivery of services. At UNCTAD, working as one aside other UN
agencies, we assist Member States to integrate environmental and social objectives
into trade and investment policies. Climate change mitigation and adaptation,
protection of biodiversity, and strengthening local economic linkages to generate jobs
and reduce poverty are central thrusts of our work. Our work also seeks to build
consensus among governments on questions of international cooperation and
governance related to trade. In this way environmental protectionism can and must be
3
discouraged and an enabling environment can be created for developing countries’
production and export of environmental goods and services.
So now as we approach Rio+20 we find ourselves in the advantageous position of
being able to assess the progress we have made since we first met in Rio 20 years ago.
Where our awareness raising efforts, policies, measures and incentives have been
successful, we do need to enhance and build upon them. [A successful and
expeditious implementation of the Climate Cancun agreements is a case in point.]
Where our efforts and policies have failed, we need to rethink and redesign them.
To extend out contribution to the Rio+20 process, UNCTAD:
– Has launched a new publication series entitled “The road to Rio+20: for a
development-led green economy” aimed at discussing many green economy
conceptual issues and raising aware ness of the opportunities and challenges it
presents. The first issue of this series has been distributed here today.
– UNCTAD has also joined efforts with DESA and UNEP in preparing the report
Member States have requested on the "Benefits, Challenges and Risks
associated with the transition to a Green Economy". This will be presented at a
side event tomorrow at 8:30 am in Conference Room 6.
– will participate in the side event on Sustainable Agriculture within a Green
Economy tomorrow at 6:15 pm at Conference Room 4.
– Will convene in June this year in Geneva a public symposium on “How to make
a fair and equitable transition to a green economy?” to engage dialogue between
international organizations, governments and civil society on ways to ensure fair
and balanced green growth.
– is currently undertaking a stocktaking exercise of trade, investment and
development policy instruments that governments have successfully used to
accelerate a green transition in their national economies. The results of, and
4
recommendations from our assessment will be presented at the Rio+20
Conference.
– UNCTAD continues to convene intergovernmental expert meetings on key
green economy topics. Our meeting in October 2010 showed that a dedicated
dialogue is required to clarify best practices in the use of technical standards and
subsidies, as these will be essential policy tools in the transition to a green
economy. Policy space should be granted to developing countries in their
transition to a GE, for example, by allowing for non-actionable subsidies for
them under the SCM Agreement. Moreover, we need to “oil the innovation
chain” to get new and publicly available technologies to the market, and to
developing economies. In November of this year UNCTAD will hold a second
expert meeting to focus on the trade and sustainable development implications
of a green economy and aim to offer substantive inputs to the trade-related
discussions, as an input to this Preparatory Committee.
Chairperson and Distinguished colleagues,
UNCTAD is pleased to be an active supporter of the Rio+20 process. Working in
close cooperation with other UN agencies, Member States and civil society we
endeavor to contribute substantively to the PrepCom process to ensure fruitful results
in Rio next year. We therefore invite Member States and stakeholders to participate in
the UNCTAD expert meeting next November. We thank you, Mr/Madam
Chairperson, for the opportunity to present our ideas and our work here today.
****
Statement by UNCTAD 1
UNCSD Rio+20 PrepCom, 7-8 March 2011
New York, 7 March 2011
PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Mr/Madam Chairperson, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
We are here today to shape our vision for the 2012 Earth Summit. Our aspirations are
ambitious. We are calling for the world – consumers, firms and governments alike –
to join efforts in making a transition to a green economy. An economy that
significantly reduces poverty, improves social, economic and human development,
while lowering mankind’s environmental footprint.
Nations embraced this same vision 20 years ago in Rio. Not only through the adoption
of the Rio Declaration of Principles, but through a detailed blueprint for action as
Agenda 21. UNCTAD therefore concurs with all of those who have stressed that we
are not only on the road to Rio+20, but equally important, we are on the road from
Rio. Along this road we have successfully raised global awareness of the urgency of
adopting more sustainable lifestyles and business models. We have introduced new
policies, measures and incentives to make our markets greener. Indeed, markets have,
and continue to respond. Demand for greener goods and services continues to rise.
Over the past two decades, environmental impacts have worsened and policy
instruments ha ve been put in place that have driven innovation to flourish. Many
green goods and services have become commercially viable and their nascent niche
markets are making their way to mainstream. Throughout the world, organic food
products now have their place on our grocery store shelves, sustainably produced
biodiversity products are increasingly sourced and demanded by cosmetics and
pharmaceutical industries, recycling canisters line our street corners, compact
fluorescent light bulbs illuminate our homes and offices, and a growing number of
electric bicycles and cars navigate through our cities. Green services markets are also
expanding. Builders are constructing better insulated homes, tour operators have
1 Delivered by (Lucas Assunção)
2
established attractive eco-tourism destinations, and utility companies have stepped up
their supply capacities for renewable electricity and water.
Chairperson,
Indeed our transition to a green economy has already begun. But, just as we have
learnt the hard way with globalization, this transition needs to be managed and steered,
keeping it explicitly rooted in the spirit, objectives, principles and operationalization
set out in UNCED in 1992. [We are well into a period of transition that will take
several decades to complete , not through economic shock s to the global economy, but
in a manner that consumers and firms have a chance to adapt. Our transition could and
probably should be a smooth process, hopefully without many abrupt dislocations .
However, to avoid undesirable disruptions and global imbalances early preventive
concerted action is urgently required so that there is ample time for institutions,
consumers and firms to progressively merge into the green economy, address related
challenges and seize its opport unities. Moreover, let us keep in mind that in the
transition to a green economy we seek to reorient our economies, not completely
restructure them. The goods and services in demand today will still be in demand
tomorrow, the only difference is that they may incorporate new technologies and/or be
produced, distributed, consumed and discarded in a more environmentally sustainable
way. Nevertheless, a smooth transition will only happen if governments give firms
clear and long-term signals about policy direction, and engage in adequate supporting
policies and measures. This is why meetings like Rio 2012 are so important.]
Through cross-border trade and investment, globalization has, and will continue to
play a catalytic role in deepening consumers’ environmental preferences, advancing
technological innovation, propagating cleaner production, and stimulating more
sustainable delivery of services. At UNCTAD, working as one aside other UN
agencies, we assist Member States to integrate environmental and social objectives
into trade and investment policies. Climate change mitigation and adaptation,
protection of biodiversity, and strengthening local economic linkages to generate jobs
and reduce poverty are central thrusts of our work. Our work also seeks to build
consensus among governments on questions of international cooperation and
governance related to trade. In this way environmental protectionism can and must be
3
discouraged and an enabling environment can be created for developing countries’
production and export of environmental goods and services.
So now as we approach Rio+20 we find ourselves in the advantageous position of
being able to assess the progress we have made since we first met in Rio 20 years ago.
Where our awareness raising efforts, policies, measures and incentives have been
successful, we do need to enhance and build upon them. [A successful and
expeditious implementation of the Climate Cancun agreements is a case in point.]
Where our efforts and policies have failed, we need to rethink and redesign them.
To extend out contribution to the Rio+20 process, UNCTAD:
– Has launched a new publication series entitled “The road to Rio+20: for a
development-led green economy” aimed at discussing many green economy
conceptual issues and raising aware ness of the opportunities and challenges it
presents. The first issue of this series has been distributed here today.
– UNCTAD has also joined efforts with DESA and UNEP in preparing the report
Member States have requested on the "Benefits, Challenges and Risks
associated with the transition to a Green Economy". This will be presented at a
side event tomorrow at 8:30 am in Conference Room 6.
– will participate in the side event on Sustainable Agriculture within a Green
Economy tomorrow at 6:15 pm at Conference Room 4.
– Will convene in June this year in Geneva a public symposium on “How to make
a fair and equitable transition to a green economy?” to engage dialogue between
international organizations, governments and civil society on ways to ensure fair
and balanced green growth.
– is currently undertaking a stocktaking exercise of trade, investment and
development policy instruments that governments have successfully used to
accelerate a green transition in their national economies. The results of, and
4
recommendations from our assessment will be presented at the Rio+20
Conference.
– UNCTAD continues to convene intergovernmental expert meetings on key
green economy topics. Our meeting in October 2010 showed that a dedicated
dialogue is required to clarify best practices in the use of technical standards and
subsidies, as these will be essential policy tools in the transition to a green
economy. Policy space should be granted to developing countries in their
transition to a GE, for example, by allowing for non-actionable subsidies for
them under the SCM Agreement. Moreover, we need to “oil the innovation
chain” to get new and publicly available technologies to the market, and to
developing economies. In November of this year UNCTAD will hold a second
expert meeting to focus on the trade and sustainable development implications
of a green economy and aim to offer substantive inputs to the trade-related
discussions, as an input to this Preparatory Committee.
Chairperson and Distinguished colleagues,
UNCTAD is pleased to be an active supporter of the Rio+20 process. Working in
close cooperation with other UN agencies, Member States and civil society we
endeavor to contribute substantively to the PrepCom process to ensure fruitful results
in Rio next year. We therefore invite Member States and stakeholders to participate in
the UNCTAD expert meeting next November. We thank you, Mr/Madam
Chairperson, for the opportunity to present our ideas and our work here today.
****