30 December 2011: In a post to his blog, Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), offers thanks to various actors for the intensive preparations undertaken during 2011.

Sha gives credit to the Bureau’s Co-Chairs and members for their guidance and collegiality, the Regional Commissions as well as individual governments for taking the initiative to provide input and platforms for dialogue, Major Groups for their ideas and candid participation, colleagues across the UN system, including his team of Executive Coordinators and the Rio+20 Secretariat, and the Government of Brazil, for its dedication and resource commitments in organizing the Conference.

His appreciation also is expressed for governments that have contributed to the CSD Trust Fund, helping to enable developing countries and Major Groups to participate in the Conference and preparatory process. However, he notes that the Fund is still short of the requirements for effective participation for all who need it and calls for additional contributions.

UNCSD Secretary-General Sha also encourages all actors to make Rio+20 a “big plus” in terms of political commitments, action, development cooperation, and partnerships. [Blog Post: Year of Intensive Preparations]