28 March 2011: The Co-Chairs’ Summary of the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom II) of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), held from 7-8 March 2011, is available.

The document summarizes the comments of member States and other participants during: the Opening Session; Session 1 on the objectives of the Conference, “Securing renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assessing the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and addressing new and emerging challenges,” which included an update by the delegation of Brazil on dates for the Conference and PrepCom III, and other preparations; Session 2 on the first theme of the Conference, “Green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication;” Session 3 on the second theme of the Conference, “Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development;” and the Closing Session.

On Session 2, on a green economy, the summary divides speakers’ comments into three categories. Under “context elements for a green economy,” delegates urged that the concept of a green economy not replace that of sustainable development, but be envisioned within the overarching concept and goals of sustainable development. Under “guiding principles,” delegates stated the need for PrepCom II discussions to be consistent with the outcomes of previous global conferences, including Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPoI), the Rio Principles, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Barbados Plan of Action (BPoA) and the Mauritius Strategy (MSI), as well as the need to achieve adequate balance among the three pillars of sustainable development. Under “actions,” delegates emphasized that greening of economies encompasses green industrialization, education, economic governance, public procurement and jobs; as well as integrated planning and sustainable consumption.

On the closing session, the summary notes that: Conference Co-Chair Park In-kook said the outcome document of the Conference should be action-oriented, and there were three options for its format to be considered: a comprehensive option that would include a Declaration and Programme of Action; a practical option that would be a shorter text; and a political option that would be shaped to ensure the broadest political buy-in. The section on the closing session also summarizes discussion and action on the draft decision on the preparation of the draft Conference outcome document.

The Annex to the UNCSD Co-Chairs’ summary provides the adopted text of the decision on the preparation of the draft outcome document. [Publication: Co-Chairs’ Summary of PrepCom II][IISD RS coverage of UNCSD PrepCom II]