‘Poverty eradication - greatest global challenge’ - Part II:

Creating decent jobs and decreasing living standard differences

Text of the final declaration issued by the world community at the conclusion of the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Summit recently in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Our Common Vision

26. States are strongly urged to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with International Law and the Charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries.

27. We reiterate our commitment, expressed in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), in the World Summit Outcome of 2005 and the MDGs Summit of 2010, to take further effective measures and actions, in conformity with International Law, to remove the obstacles to the full realization of the right of self determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social development as well as their environment and are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person and must be combated and eliminated.

28. We also reaffirm that in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, this shall not be construed as authorizing or encouraging any action against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

29. We also resolve to take further effective measures and actions, in conformity with International Law, to remove obstacles and constraints, strengthen support and meet the special needs of people living in areas affected by complex humanitarian emergencies and in areas affected by terrorism.

30. We recognize that many people, especially the poor, depend directly on ecosystems for their livelihoods, their economic, social and physical well-being, and their cultural heritage. For this reason, it is essential to generate decent jobs and incomes that decrease disparities in standards of living to better meet people’s needs and promote sustainable livelihoods and practices and the sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystems.

31. We emphasize that sustainable development must be inclusive and people-centred, benefiting and involving all people, including youth and children. We recognize that gender equality and women’s empowerment are important for sustainable development and our common future. We reaffirm our commitments to ensure women’s equal rights, access and opportunities for participation and leadership in the economy, society and political decision making.

32. We recognize that each country faces specific challenges to achieve sustainable development and we underscore the special challenges facing the most vulnerable countries and in particular African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as well as the specific challenges facing the middle-income countries. Countries in situations of conflict also need special attention.

33. We reaffirm our commitment to take urgent and concrete action to address the vulnerability of SIDS, including through the sustained implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and Barbados Programme of Action, and underscore the urgency of finding additional solutions to the major challenges facing small island developing states in a concerted manner so as to support them in sustaining momentum realized in implementing the Barbados Programme of Action and Mauritius Strategy for Implementation and achieving sustainable development.

34. We reaffirm that the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 outlines LDCs’ priorities for sustainable development and defines a framework for renewed and strengthened global partnership to implement them. We commit to assist LDCs with the implementation of the IPOA as well as their efforts to achieve sustainable development.

35. We recognize that more attention should be given to Africa and the implementation of previously agreed commitments related to its development needs that were made at major UN Summits and Conferences. We note that aid to Africa has increased in recent years. However, it still lags behind on commitments that were previously made. We underscore the key priority for the international community of supporting Africa’s sustainable development efforts. In this regard, we recommit to fully implement the internationally agreed commitments related to Africa’s development needs, particularly those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, the Declaration on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the 2005 World Summit Outcome as well as the 2008 Political Declaration on Africa’s development needs.

36. We recognize the serious constraints to achieve sustainable development in all its three dimensions in landlocked developing countries. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to address special development needs and the challenges faced by landlocked developing countries through the full, timely and effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action as contained in the Declaration on the mid-term review.

37. We recognize the progress made by middle-income countries in improving the well-being of their people, as well as the specific development challenges they face in their efforts to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and achieve their development goals, including the MDGs, and to achieve sustainable development in a comprehensive manner integrating the economic, social and environmental dimensions. We reiterate that these efforts should be adequately supported by the international community, through various forms, taking into account the needs and the capacity to mobilize domestic resources of these countries.

38. We recognize the need for broader measures of progress to complement GDP in order to better inform policy decisions, and in this regard, we request the UN Statistical Commission in consultation with relevant UN System entities and other relevant organizations to launch a programme of work in this area building on existing initiatives.

39. We recognize that the planet Earth and its ecosystems are our home and that Mother Earth is a common expression in a number of countries and regions and we note that some countries recognize the rights of nature in the context of the promotion of sustainable development. We are convinced that in order to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environment needs of present and future generations, it is necessary to promote harmony with nature.

40. We call for holistic and integrated approaches to sustainable development which will guide humanity to live in harmony with nature and lead to efforts to restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem.

41. We acknowledge the natural and cultural diversity of the world and recognize that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to sustainable development.

C. Engaging major groups and other stakeholders

42. We reaffirm the key role of all levels of government and legislative bodies in promoting sustainable development. We further acknowledge efforts and progress made at the local and sub-national levels, and recognize the important role that such authorities and communities can play in implementing sustainable development, including by engaging citizens and stakeholders, and providing them with relevant information, as appropriate, on the three dimensions of sustainable development. We further acknowledge the importance of involving all relevant decision makers into planning and implementation of sustainable development policies.

43. We underscore that broad public participation and access to information and judicial and administrative proceedings are essential to the promotion of sustainable development. Sustainable development requires the meaningful involvement and active participation of regional, national and sub-national legislatures and judiciaries, and all Major Groups: women, children and youth, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers and trade unions, business and industry, the scientific and technological community, and farmers, as well as other stakeholders, including local communities, volunteer groups and foundations, migrants, families as well as older persons and persons with disabilities. In this regard, we agree to work more closely with Major Groups and other stakeholders and encourage their active participation, as appropriate, in processes that contribute to decision making, planning and implementation of policies and programmes for sustainable development at all levels.

44. We acknowledge the role of civil society and the importance of enabling all members of civil society to be actively engaged in sustainable development. We recognize that improved participation of civil society depends upon, inter alia, strengthening access to information, building civil society capacity as well as an enabling environment. We recognize that information and communication technology (ICT) is facilitating the flow of information between governments and the public. In this regard, it is essential to work toward improved access to ICT, especially broad-band network and services, and bridge the digital divide, recognizing the contribution of international cooperation in this regard.

45. We underscore that women have a vital role to play in achieving sustainable development. We recognize the leadership role of women and we resolve to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and to ensure their full and effective participation in sustainable development policies, programmes and decision-making at all levels.

46. We acknowledge that the implementation of sustainable development will depend on active engagement of both the public and private sectors. We recognize that the active participation of the private sector can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including through the important tool of public-private partnerships. We support national regulatory and policy frameworks that enable business and industry to advance sustainable development initiatives taking into account the importance of corporate social responsibility. We call on the private sector to engage in responsible business practices, such as those promoted by the UN Global Compact.

47. We acknowledge the importance of corporate sustainability reporting and encourage companies, where appropriate, especially publicly listed and large companies, to consider integrating sustainability information into their reporting cycle. We encourage industry, interested governments as well as relevant stakeholders with the support of the UN system, as appropriate, to develop models for best practice and facilitate action for the integration of sustainability reporting, taking into account the experiences of already existing frameworks, and paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries, including for capacity building.

48. We recognize the important contribution of the scientific and technological community to sustainable development. We are committed to working with and fostering collaboration among academic, scientific and technological community, in particular in developing countries, to close the technological gap between developing and developed countries, strengthen the science-policy interface as well as to foster international research collaboration on sustainable development.

49. We stress the importance of the participation of indigenous peoples in the achievement of sustainable development. We also recognize the importance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of global, regional, national, and sub-national implementation of sustainable development strategies.

50. We stress the importance of the active participation of young people in decision making processes as the issues we are addressing have a deep impact on present and future generations, and as the contribution of children and youth is vital to the achievement of sustainable development. We also recognize the need to promote inter-generational dialogue and solidarity by recognizing their views.

To be continued