Speaking on the World Day of Social Justice, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said sustainability would require spreading the benefits of development more effectively, meeting consumer demand for greener products and services, and "laying the foundations for dignity, stability and opportunity for all.”
20 February 2012: In a message marking the 2012 World Day of Social Justice, observed on 20 February each year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) offers governments and policy makers a chance to rethink development strategies and business practices, towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
Pointing to public protests worldwide, he underscored that “sustainability depends on building markets that do a better job of spreading the benefits of development. It means meeting growing consumer demand for greener products and services. And it means laying the foundations for dignity, stability and opportunity for all.”
On the same occasion, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlighted the role of education in promoting sustainable development and social justice. [UN News Release]