Rio+20: Themes, Priority Areas and Conclusion

Read a quick summary of the Rio+20 here

Rio+20 is a short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last 20-22 June 2012.

The date marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro and the 10th anniversary of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg.

Rio+20 discussed two themes and seven priority areas. The themes were (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development.

Seven areas given priority were decent jobs, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans, and disaster readiness.

At Rio+20 governments were expected to adopt practical measures for implementing sustainability. Nearly a month after the conference, there have been mixed views from key opinion formers on whether such expectation was met. Nevertheless, aspirations for sustainable development remain and continue to increase in urgency as countries face significant challenges.