19 June 2012: During a plenary meeting of the “Pre-Conference Informal Consultations,” delegates agreed to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) outcome document ad referendum.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota opened the mid-day plenary, informing waiting delegates that he believed they were in a position to approve the text to be formally presented at the conference for adoption. He observed that, while not ideal, the text represents “the equilibrium” at this point.

After numerous statements from delegates, praising Brazil for its leadership, complimenting the outcome as the best that could be achieved at this moment, and noting elements that they would have preferred to be different, Minister Patriota said the pre-consultation for Rio+20 had thus concluded and delegates had fulfilled their task in a way that prepares the arriving leaders for a successful summit. He said inclusion has been an important part of the process, and highlighted that 500 official and 3,000 non-official parallel events related to the UNCSD are taking place in Rio.

The Rio+20 outcome document was prepared through a series of negotiations over the past two years, culminating in the third meeting of the Preparatory Committee, from 13-15 June, and pre-conference consulations facilitated by the host country from 16-19 June. The Rio+20 event itself will take place from 20-22 June 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [IISD RS Earth Negotiations Bulletin Coverage]