Maravi

Hazy commitments at Rio+20 disappoint Sata

Hazy commitments at Rio+20 disappoint Sata
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sat 23 June 2012, 13:24 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has complained that the Rio+20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, closed with hazy commitments shown on the means of implementing the resolution of the conference.

The Rio+20, the biggest summit on climate change closed yesterday after about 100 Heads of State signed a 50-page compromised document in which rich nations failed to commit to funding to help poor countries achieve sustainable economic growth through poverty reduction and investments in economic activities which did not hurt the environment.

President Sata who was addressing the UN summit for the first time after ascending to Zambia's presidency in September last year, said countries needed to build on the platform achieved in Rio de Janeiro despite the summit falling short of the aspirations of poor countries.

"While Zambia is determined to have sustainable development through a green economy and poverty reduction policies as outlined in the draft outcome document, it regrets the hazy commitments shown on the means of implementation at this conference," President Sata told delegates.

"Nevertheless, Zambia continues to implement sustainable development strategies as outlined in our national development plans. The experience and the discussions of the conference as well as the outcome document if adopted will inform the mainstreaming of green economy across the many different sectors."

He said Zambia was, however, happy that the conference resulted in a document which if adopted could lead to implementation of socially inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction for developing countries.

"I wish to emphasise that Zambia will endeavour to work with the private sector, civil society, international organisations as well as cooperating partners to mainstream sustainable development," he said.

"The variance between what we had expected and what is ultimately contained in the draft outcome document, demonstrates the spirit of multilateralism and the attributes of give, take and compromise. It is my government's hope that this Rio+20 conference will not be viewed as an end in itself, but will indeed lead to "the future we want".

"Therefore, I call upon the United Nations leadership to continue fostering the spirit of multilateralism in order to ensure the successful implementation and attainment of sustainable development by all."

President Sata said Zambia was committed to collaborate and work with UN members towards enforcing coherence, cohesion and building a better and sustained development for all.

"I must admit that Zambia like many other countries has grappled with finding a balance of economic growth, social development and environmental sustenance," said President Sata.

"Therefore, Zambia had set its expectations of 'the future we want', with highest consideration and priority, on tackling poverty through socially inclusive economic growth, sustainable employment, renewable energy for all, and ensuring food security which are all anchored on the background of protecting the environment."

President Sata also invited Rio+20 delegates to the World Tourism General Assembly to be jointly hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe in August next year.

Earlier, South African President Jacob Zuma called on world leaders to renew political efforts towards achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs).

President Zuma urged those attending the gathering to implement the goals and the outcomes of a similar summit held in Johannesburg 10 years ago.

"We regard Rio+20 to be a critical meeting that should agree on how to fast-track the implementation of the sustainable development agenda," said President Zuma, adding that although the debate on the sustainable development goals was gaining momentum, the discussion should not detract or impact in any way on the MDGs.

"Rio+20 has the potential to outline a process beyond the maturity of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015."

The conference in Rio should build on the "concrete and practical experience of approximately 20 years of the implementation of the sustainable development agenda as outlined in Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation".

The themes of the summit included: A Green Economy within the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction; Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development as well as Sustainable Development Goals.

The gathering is a platform for the UN to encourage leaders to come up with clear goals on how nations can promote sustainable development without further harming the already imperiled environment.

Labels: BRAZIL, MICHAEL SATA, SUSTAINABILITY

posted by MrK @ 2:58 PM