20 December 2011: International Human Solidarity Day was observed on 20 December 2011, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, and UN Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity Virginia Dandan suggesting that the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), while an opportunity to advance many key goals of the human community, will not succeed without international solidarity.

Ban said solidarity must be the foundation for global solutions, and that the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) will be an opportunity to revitalize a global partnership with governmental, civil society and private sector leaders for inclusive and sustainable development for all.

Al-Nasser called for international solidarity – or power gained by working together – as a way to implement commitments and reach goals, and said solidarity would be key to a successful outcome for Rio+20. He specified that international solidary, in the form of partnership between developing and developed countries, must be premised on the principle of common but differentiated responsibility.

Dandan described the UNCSD as an “opportunity for reason, sense and cooperation to prevail.” She highlighted climate change and the need for implementation of the sustainable development agenda, and said international solidarity is the vehicle that will bring us toward our goal of a more inclusive and equal world community. [Statement of UN Secretary-General] [Statement of UNGA President] [Statement of Independent Expert] [UN Press Release]