The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) convened the Committee on Environment and Development, which focused on reviewing progress towards reaching regional sustainable development priorities, in advance of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
24 February 2012: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) convened the Committee on Environment and Development to review progress towards reaching regional sustainable development priorities, in advance of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
At the meeting, which was held from 22-24 February in Bangkok, Thailand, countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth ahead of Rio+20. Delegates reviewed the “complex, deepening and converging crises facing the region,” including, food and fuel price volatility, increasing scarcity of natural resources, uncontrolled consumption patterns, biodiversity loss and climate change. They also considered possible collective ways of addressing these challenges.
UNESCAP reports that many participants emphasized the urgency of improving resource and energy efficiency, and some called for a green growth approach to overcome resource constraints and pursue sustainable development. The Committee session also reaffirmed support to the “Seoul Outcome” adopted by the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the UNCSD held in October 2011 in South Korea. [UNESCAP Press Release] [UNCSD Press Release]