Earth Summit 101: Intro to Rio +20

01 June 2012

Twenty years ago at the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Heads of States came together to discuss the emerging idea of sustainable development. That conference created six decisive outcomes, including the 3 Conventions (Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification), the Forest Principles and the two agreements on sustainable development, the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21.

In June 2012, Heads of State will again converge in Rio in order to discuss the themes of:

  1. A green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication
  2. The institutional framework for sustainable development
     

The objectives of Rio+20 have been set as:

  • Securing renewed political commitment for sustainable development
  • Assessing the progress and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development
  • Addressing new and emerging challenges: Green jobs and social inclusion; energy access,  efficiency and sustainability; food security and sustainable agriculture; sound water management; sustainable cities; management of the oceans; and improved resilience & disaster preparedness