The January issue of DESA News draws attention to statements made by Sha Zukang, UNCSD Secretary-General, during the Second Intersessional Meeting for the Conference.
The newsletter also notes the "strong signal" given to UNFCCC COP 17 and the UNCSD via its various agreements.
January 2012: The latest issue of “DESA News,” the newsletter from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, features two recent developments related to sustainable development: the Second Intersessional Meeting of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), and the conclusion of the work of the 66th UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee.
On Intersessional II, the newsletter highlights statements made by Sha Zukang, UNCSD Secretary-General, who said, “At Rio+20 we must chart a clear course to the future we want…. At stake is no less than the effectiveness of multilateralism in addressing humanity’s common future.” Sha noted that among the common messages and priorities emerging from submissions for the Compilation Document (which forms that basis of the zero draft of the UNCSD Outcome Document), was “broad interest” in measuring progress through a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs).
On the Second Committee, which is responsible for economic and financial issues, the newsletter notes the 46 draft resolutions approved during this year’s session. It also notes that the “strong signal” given to the 17th Conference of Parties (COP 17) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as to the UNCSD, via the various agreements. Also highlighted is a new agenda item added this year, “People’s empowerment and a peace-centric development model,” which addresses interconnections between development, peace, security, and human rights. [Publication: DESA News, Vol. 16, No. 1]