International Experts Issue Joint Statement on UNCSD (Rio+20)

“Now is the Time! WhyRio+20 must succeed“ has been issued by 13 eminent international experts on sustainable development governance from seven countries. The joint statement is an explicit call to seize the historic opportunity of UNCSD (Rio+20) and includes the following key messages:

· World leaders should rise to the occasion and agree upon an ambitious green economy strategy that gives equal emphasis to sustainable development and poverty eradication.
· The UN requires stronger authority and better instruments if it is to tap the full potential in advancing sustainable development.
· The UN needs to improve performance on sustainable development, whether by establishing an organizational “umbrella” for the UN’s environmental and sustainable development policies or by creating a UN specialized agency that builds on the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
· Governments are called to prioritize the Rio+20 conference to brace their societies for a transition to a green economy in the context of their respective country’s particular situation, and to finally enable the UN to act as a global advocate for sustainable development.