19 September 2011: IBON International, Reality of Aid – Asia Pacific, and the Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) have released the outcome of a strategy workshop for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), titled “Promoting a Transformative Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The workshop took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 15-17 August 2011. Participants from 18 countries – Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China and Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Timor Leste, US, and Viet Nam – represented peasants, agricultural workers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, workers, women, youth and students, refugees and stateless persons, academia, environmental and support NGOs and networks. The workshop resulted in a People’s Statement on Sustainable Development and Rio+20.

The statement highlights the role of global capitalism in unsustainable development and environmental damage, and notes that Rio+20 presents opportunities to advance “genuine people-centered sustainable development.” It offers specific messages on: the green economy, emphasizing the importance of democratic decision making over productive resources and assets; institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD), noting the need to operationalize Rio principles including the Right to Development, common but differentiated responsibility, polluter pays, and the precautionary principle; and new and emerging issues. The Statement remains open for additional signatures. [Rio+20 News] [People’s Statement]