Government newsletter: Global conference on sustainable development - Rio+20
21 June 2012
Global conference on sustainable development - Rio+20
On 20-22 June, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nearly 50 000 representatives of governments, parliaments, cities, civil society organisations, multilateral organisations and the business sector are expected to attend the meeting.
The UN has organised conferences on sustainable development every ten years since 1972, when the first was held in Stockholm. Rio+20 will be the fifth. At the meeting, heads of state and government will discuss the economic, social and environmental challenges that the world is facing in its efforts to achieve a sustainable society. They will also launch sustainable development goals (SDG) in Rio that will make it possible to better measure sustainability. At the conclusion of the meeting, a final document will be signed that was negotiated before the meeting.
Swedish participation
The Swedish delegation includes Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for the Environment Lena Ek. In addition to the ministers' co-workers, state secretaries and Swedish negotiators, the delegation will comprise representatives of the Riksdag, civil society and business, and a number of youth representatives, in all, some 60 people.
Two perspectives guide the Government's work to contribute to equitable and sustainable global development: the perspective of poor people on development and a rights perspective. It is hoped that the conference will be able to agree on clear political commitments that will be of significance for individual people - all around the world, both rich and poor.
Priorities for the Swedish Government
The Government considers that all three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - must be addressed as integrated dimensions at the conference. The Government also considers that we are all actors in sustainable development - every sector of society must contribute to make development sustainable.
Priorities:
- Sustainable urbanisation/sustainable cities
- Access to and the sustainable use of energy and water
- Correct pricing that reflects the value of ecosystem services
- Market development that includes the role of the business sector, sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries and trade
- Support in preparing SDGs
Lena Ek, Gunilla Carlsson, Francisco Gaetan and Sha Zukang at the closing ceremony for Stockholm+40. Photo: Martina Huber/Regeringskansliet
Stockholm+40 conference report
In the lead up to Rio+20, the conference report from Stockholm+40 - Partnership Forum for Sustainable Development Stockholm, held on 23-25 April 2012, has now been presented. The conference report summarises the conference's important messages in the 'Stockholm Call for Action', and you can also read about the various sessions and a number of interviews with some of the conference participants. The report is in English.
Swedish side events at Rio+20
Members of the Swedish delegation will participate in many side events and seminars at Rio+20. The Government is arranging two side events at Rio:
Stockholm+40 side event
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Minister for the Environment Lena Ek are hosting a side event to present the primary messages from Stockholm+40. King Carl XVI Gustaf will also take part, along with a panel of participants from Stockholm+40.
SymbioCity side event
Sweden is arranging an official side event on sustainable development at Rio+20. Sustainable urbanisation is one of the Government' priority issues at the summit. At the side event - SymbioCity, the Role of Cities in Realising the Rio+20 Agenda - Swedish experiences of sustainable urban development and collaboration in this area with such partners as China and the United Arab Emirates will be presented and discussed.