NEGOTIATIONS on the outcome document for 'Rio+20' resumed last week, with countries advancing many new proposals that will shape the direction of how the world will move the sustainable development agenda forward.Countries have submitted additional comments since the initial round of negotiations for the Rio+20 outcome document began in January. The 'zero draft' of the outcome document, entitled: 'The Future We Want,' was based on more than 6,000 pages of submissions from United Nations Member States, civil society groups, businesses and others. This round of negotiations continues through March 27 at United Nations Headquarters, and is expected to hone the document further.The negotiations are divided into a round of 'informal informal' negotiations from March 19 to 23, and an inter-sessional meeting from 26 to 27 March. In addition to key negotiations, the time period also provides the opportunity for a wide range of side events organized by different groups to present topics related to Rio+20.More than 100 presidents and prime ministers, along with thousands of business CEOs, parliamentarians, mayors, United Nations officials, non-governmental organisation leaders, academics, renowned artists and representatives from many other groups will come together for Rio+20 ' the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ' to be held in June 20-22, 2012. Some 50,000 people are expected to participate in the Conference, with thousands more expected in Rio de Janeiro in the lead-up to and at the time of the conference.The next steps for finalising the Rio+20 outcome document will occur during a negotiating session to be held in New York next month from April 23 to May 4, with a final round taking place in Rio from June 13 to 15.Specifically, in addition to the proposals by countries, the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability has made 56 recommendations to advance sustainability, including a recommendation to move towards a 'new political economy' that would change the way the world measures economic progress to include social and environmental externalities.'The reason we are gathering here now is because at Rio+20 we must agree on solutions to major global challenges for the sake of everyone, with an eye towards tomorrow's generations,' the United Nations Rio+20 Secretary-General, Sha Zukang, said. 'Rio+20 can be the moment when we say we determined the future we want. I urge everyone to realise the opportunities afforded at Rio+20 and to seize them now.'More than 100 presidents and prime ministers, along with thousands of business CEOs, parliamentarians, mayors, United Nations officials, non-governmental organisation leaders, academics, renowned artists and representatives from many other groups will come together for Rio+20 ' the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ' to be held 20'22 June 2012.Some 50,000 people are expected to participate in the Conference, with thousands more expected in Rio de Janeiro in the lead-up to and at the time of the Conference.The negotiations for Rio+20 will lead to major decisions by government leaders and others that will set the global agenda for reducing poverty, advancing social equity and ensuring environmental protection. Rio+20 provides the opportunity to move forward on solutions to address urgent global challenges, such as lack of access to energy and water, unemployment, widening inequalities, technological gaps, rapid urbanisation, food insecurity, overfishing and polluted oceans, and to boost scientific and financial innovations, corporate responsibility and economic markets.Helping countries and communities move towards a green economy while accelerating efforts to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development will be key among Rio+20 discussions.Countries will also be considering measures to improve the effectiveness of global institutions that support sustainable development ' development that simultaneously promotes prosperity, improves the quality of life and protects the environment.
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