9 April 2013: During its regular 65th session, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) addressed follow-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) and the post-2015 development agenda for Europe. The full-day discussion was part of the session’s high-level segment and took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 9 April 2013.

Two panel discussions addressed “The future of sustainability: from transition to transformation,” and “Sustainable development governance: regional implications and perspectives for the post-Rio+20 institutional set up.” In a discussion led by panelists, participants from governments, UN agencies, Major Groups and other stakeholders discussed the relevance of the Rio+20 outcomes for UNECE’s work. They suggested ways the Commission can contribute to formulating post-2015 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and new governance mechanisms such as the high-level political forum (HLPF). Country representatives also described their ongoing work and plans for advancing the outcomes of Rio+20 at the sub-regional and national levels.

Delegates expressed a general feeling that the SDGs should build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and take account of country-specific circumstances. As to possible SDG themes, most delegates singled out the green economy, sustainable energy, food security and nutrition, transport, water, role of cities, health, and sustainable consumption and production. On the HLPF, participants emphasized the need to build on lessons learned from the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), and offered concrete suggestions on the HLPF’s positioning in the UN system. Several delegates pointed out that if sustainable development policies are to be effective, focus might be shifted from global agreements and mechanisms to the regional, sub-regional and local levels where practical results can be achieved more quickly. Strong emphasis was put on civil society participation in sustainable development mechanisms at both the deliberation and implementation stages.

A set of Chair’s summaries of the panel discussions was issued at the end of the meeting, and adopted as a series of annexes to the Report of the Commission. [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [Meeting Website]