As Commission on Sustainable Development Concludes Session, Secretary-General

Says ‘Implementation’, ‘Action’ Must Be Watchwords Ahead of Rio+20

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the nineteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York today, 13 May:

It is my great pleasure to join you today as you conclude two productive weeks of deliberations.

Over the course of the past two years, the Commission has focused on transport, chemicals, waste, mining and sustainable consumption and production.  We have emphasized these issues because our natural environment is under unprecedented stress, with far-reaching social and economic implications.  Our excessive resource use and consumption and production patterns are no longer sustainable.  This session of the Commission on Sustainable Development is an opportunity to agree on actions to reverse these trends.

We don’t have a moment to lose.  Of course, we cannot control the clock.  But it is in our power to pursue a development path that takes a more balanced and sustainable approach to the world’s resources.  The choice is ours.

Mr. Chairman, I am delighted that, under your leadership, the Commission has made substantial progress towards agreement on the thematic issues and on the 10-year Framework of Programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns.  I look forward to the successful conclusion of the Commission’s session.  A strong framework this year will provide crucial momentum towards success at the vital Rio+20 Conference in June next year.

Let me assure you that the United Nations system looks forward to working in partnership with all of you to implement the sustainable consumption and production programmes and to deliver tangible results over the coming decade.

Rio+20 is around the corner.  It will be one of the most important global meetings on sustainable development in our time.  It provides us with an opportunity to complete the unfinished business of Rio 1992, specifically, to accelerate our work on sustainable development.

Achieving this goal will take a fundamental transformation in consumption patterns, lifestyles and values.  Equity, not only within societies but globally, will need to become more fully integrated into our institutions and our policies.

At Rio, our vision must be clear:  a sustainable green economy that protects the health of the environment while supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through growth in income, decent work and poverty eradication.

We must also create an enhanced architecture for sustainable development governance at the national, regional and international levels.  This is critical to advancing sustainable development.  Our watchwords must be “implementation” and “action”.

Let the initiative and energy generated during this final session before Rio+20 provide both direction and momentum for the way ahead.  You have the full support of the United Nations system as you embark on the next important leg of the journey to Rio and beyond.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you for your leadership and vision.  And again, I thank the distinguished ministers who have taken part, despite [their] busy schedules, to make this world more sustainable and to make our world a better world for all.

Thank you very much for your leadership and commitment.

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For information media • not an official record