23 November 2011
“Making it Happen” Features Sustainable Management of Oceans as UNCSD Priority Area
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This issue highlights: the anticipated priority area of sustainable management of oceans and marine resources in the UNCSD and six other priority areas; the proposed new dates for the Conference; and the recently launched "global conversation" campaign to engage Major Groups, other civil society groups and the public in the lead-up to the UNCSD, titled "Rio+20: The Future We Want."

RIO+2016 November 2011: The latest issue of the newsletter from the Secretariat of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), “Rio+20: Making It Happen,” announces the proposed new dates for the UNCSD – 20-22 June 2012 – and notes the expectation that the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee will confirm these dates in its resolution on modalities for the Conference, which is currently being negotiated.

The feature article highlights three new documents on oceans: a study from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) on oceans and the law of the sea; the “blueprint for ocean and coastal sustainability” presented by four UN agencies, which seeks to limit the degradation of the oceans and improve oceans governance; and a brief from the Secretariat on the role of oceans and marine resources in achieving sustainable development. The brief underlines major implementation gaps in international agreements and commitments, highlights challenges to the sustainable development of oceans and marine resources, and encourages delegates to use Rio+20 to speed up implementation and take action.

The newsletter notes that UNCSD preparatory meetings and side events have identified the sustainable management of the oceans and marine resources as one of the seven priority areas to be addressed at the Conference, in addition to the two official themes. The six other priority areas, according to the newsletter, are: combating poverty, including through green jobs and promoting social inclusion; advancing food security and sustainable agriculture; sound water management; energy access including from renewable sources, as well as efficiency and sustainability; sustainable human settlements; and improving resilience and disaster preparedness.

The issue also highlights the UNCSD Secretariat’s recent efforts to engage Major Groups, other civil society groups and the public in the lead-up to the UNCSD, including through a recently launched campaign by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), in collaboration with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and other UN entities. Titled “Rio+20: The Future We Want,” the new communication strategy consists of a “global conversation” on the kind of world people want in 20 years, and how to achieve that vision. [Publication: Rio+20: Making it Happen, Vol. 2, Issue 21]

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