Delegates expressed support for: a single, focused and action-oriented political document focusing on the Conference's objectives and two themes; a vision for the future and a declaration of renewed political commitment, accompanied by a set of agreed actions; and accountability for delivering on commitments, whether negotiated or voluntary, noting some references to a compendium or registry of voluntary commitments.
16 December 2011: Participants at the Second Intersessional Meeting of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) discussed the compilation of submissions from States, UN bodies, intergovernmental organizations and Major Groups, and provided guidance on the development, structure and format of a “zero draft” of the UNCSD Outcome Document, which is expected to be ready in mid-January 2012.
In his summary of the meeting, UNCSD Secretary-General Sha Zukang pointed to delegates’ support for: a single, focused and action-oriented political document focusing on the objectives and two themes set by UNGA Resolution 64/236; a vision for the future and a declaration of renewed political commitment, accompanied, as an annex, by a set of agreed actions specifying actors, timeframes and means of implementation; and accountability for delivering on commitments, whether negotiated or voluntary, noting some references to a compendium or registry of voluntary commitments to accompany the negotiated outcome.
On the green economy, Sha underlined broad agreement that: the concept should be a means to sustainable development; and national action should be guided by agreed principles and a menu of policy options, and supported by capacity building for developing national green economy strategies. He also emphasized broad support for the proposal to establish a process to develop sustainable development goals (SDGs), noting that the zero draft will need to reflect this proposal.
On the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD), he pointed to the proposals to “strengthen UNEP/elevate it to a specialized agency” and “growing interest” in creating a sustainable development council to replace the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). Based on deliberations during the Second Intersessional Meeting, the Co-Chairs and the Bureau are expected to prepare a zero draft for negotiations by mid-January 2012. [IISD RS Coverage of the Second UNCSD Intersessional Meeting] [Official Summary of Intersessional II]