Future We Want - Outcome document
Documents
-
A/RES/66/288 - The Future We Want
[Arabic]
[Chinese]
[English]
[French]
[Russian]
[Spanish]
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 64/236 of 24 December 2009, in which it decided to
organize the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development at the highest
possible level in 2012, as well as its resolution 66/197 of 22 December 2011,
1. Expresses its profound gratitude to the Government and the people of
Brazil for hosting the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in
Rio de Janeiro from 20 to 22 June 2012, and for providing all the necessary support;
2. Endorses the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, entitled "The future we want", annexed to the present
resolution.
The future we want
I. Our common vision
1. We, the Heads of State and Government and high-level representatives, having
met at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012, with the full participation of
civil society, renew our commitment to sustainable development and to ensuring the
promotion of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for
our planet and for present and future generations.
2. Eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and
an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. In this regard we are
committed to freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency.
3. We therefore acknowledge the need to further mainstream sustainable
development at all levels, integrating economic, social and environmental aspects
and recognizing their interlinkages, so as to achieve sustainable development in all
its dimensions.
4. We recognize that poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting
sustainable patterns of consumption and production and protecting and managing
the natural resource base of economic and social development are the overarching
objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development. We also
reaffirm the need to achieve sustainable development by promoting sustained,
inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all,
reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social
development and inclusion, and promoting integrated and sustainable management
of natural resources and ecosystems that supports, inter alia, economic, social and
human development while facilitating ecosystem conservation, regeneration and
restoration and resilience in the face of new and emerging challenges.
5. We reaffirm our commitment to make every effort to accelerate the
achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the
Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
6. We recognize that people are at the centre of sustainable development and in
this regard we strive for a world that is just, equitable and inclusive, and we commit
to work together to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, social
development and environmental protection and thereby to benefit all.
7. We reaffirm that we continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of
the Charter of the United Nations, with full respect for international law and its
principles.
8. We also reaffirm the importance of freedom, peace and security, respect for all
human rights, including the right to development and the right to an adequate
standard of living, including the right to food, the rule of law, gender equality,
women's empowerment and the overall commitment to just and democratic societies
for development.
9. We reaffirm the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as
well as other international instruments relating to human rights and international
law. We emphasize the responsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter
of the United Nations, to respect, protect and promote human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth, disability or other status.
10. We acknowledge that democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the
national and international levels, as well as an enabling environment, are essential
for sustainable development, including sustained and inclusive economic growth,
social development, environmental protection and the eradication of poverty and
hunger. We reaffirm that to achieve our sustainable development goals we need
institutions at all levels that are effective, transparent, accountable and democratic.
11. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthen international cooperation to address
the persistent challenges related to sustainable development for all, in particular in
developing countries. In this regard, we reaffirm the need to achieve economic
stability, sustained economic growth, promotion of social equity and protection of
the environment, while enhancing gender equality, women's empowerment and
equal opportunities for all, and the protection, survival and development of children
to their full potential, including through education.
12. We resolve to take urgent action to achieve sustainable development. We
therefore renew our commitment to sustainable development, assessing the progress
to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major
summits on sustainable development and addressing new and emerging challenges.
We express our determination to address the themes of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, namely, a green economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the institutional framework
for sustainable development.
13. We recognize that opportunities for people to influence their lives and future,
participate in decision-making and voice their concerns are fundamental for
sustainable development. We underscore that sustainable development requires
concrete and urgent action. It can only be achieved with a broad alliance of people,
governments, civil society and the private sector, all working together to secure the
future we want for present and future generations.
II. Renewing political commitment
A. Reaffirming the Rio Principles and past action plans
14. We recall the Stockholm Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the
Human Environment adopted at Stockholm on 16 June 1972.
15. We reaffirm all the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development, including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities, as set out in principle 7 of the Rio Declaration.
16. We reaffirm our commitment to fully implement the Rio Declaration on
Environment and Development, Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further
Implementation of Agenda 21, the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Plan of Implementation) and the
Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development of the World Summit on
Sustainable Development, the Programme of Action for the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States (Barbados Programme of Action)
and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. We also
reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the Programme of Action for
the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 (Istanbul Programme of
Action), the Almaty Programme of Action: Addressing the Needs of Landlocked
Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport
Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries, the political
declaration on Africa's development needs, and the New Partnership for Africa's
Development. We recall as well our commitments in the outcomes of all the major
United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and environmental
fields, including the United Nations Millennium Declaration, the 2005 World
Summit Outcome, the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on
Financing for Development, the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development,
the outcome document of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly
on the Millennium Development Goals, the Programme of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development, the key actions for the
further implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference
on Population and Development and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action.
17. We recognize the importance of the three Rio conventions for advancing
sustainable development and in this regard we urge all parties to fully implement
their commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention
to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, Particularly in Africa, in accordance with their respective principles
and provisions, as well as to take effective and concrete actions and measures at all
levels and to enhance international cooperation.
18. We are determined to reinvigorate political will and to raise the level of
commitment by the international community to move the sustainable development
agenda forward, through the achievement of the internationally agreed development
goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. We further reaffirm our
respective commitments to other relevant internationally agreed goals in the
economic, social and environmental fields since 1992. We therefore resolve to take
concrete measures that accelerate implementation of sustainable development
commitments.
B. Advancing integration, implementation and coherence: assessing
the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation
of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development
and addressing new and emerging challenges
19. We recognize that the 20 years since the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in 1992 have seen uneven progress, including in
sustainable development and poverty eradication. We emphasize the need to make
progress in implementing previous commitments. We also recognize the need to
accelerate progress in closing development gaps between developed and developing
countries, and to seize and create opportunities to achieve sustainable development
through economic growth and diversification, social development and
environmental protection. To this end, we underscore the continued need for an
enabling environment at the national and international levels, as well as continued
and strengthened international cooperation, particularly in the areas of finance, debt,
trade and technology transfer, as mutually agreed, and innovation, entrepreneurship,
capacity-building, transparency and accountability. We recognize the diversification
of actors and stakeholders engaged in the pursuit of sustainable development. In this
context, we affirm the continued need for the full and effective participation of all
countries, in particular developing countries, in global decision-making.
20. We acknowledge that since 1992 there have been areas of insufficient progress
and setbacks in the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development,
aggravated by multiple financial, economic, food and energy crises, which have
threatened the ability of all countries, in particular developing countries, to achieve
sustainable development. In this regard, it is critical that we do not backtrack from
our commitment to the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development. We also recognize that one of the current major challenges for all
countries, particularly for developing countries, is the impact from the multiple
crises affecting the world today.
21. We are deeply concerned that one in five people on this planet, or over 1 billion
people, still live in extreme poverty, and that one in seven or 14 per cent is
undernourished, while public health challenges, including pandemics and epidemics,
remain omnipresent threats. In this context, we note the ongoing discussions on
human security in the General Assembly. We acknowledge that with the world's
population projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050 with an estimated two thirds living in
cities, we need to increase our efforts to achieve sustainable development and, in
particular, the eradication of poverty, hunger and preventable diseases.
22. We recognize examples of progress in sustainable development at the regional,
national, subnational and local levels. We note that efforts to achieve sustainable
development have been reflected in regional, national and subnational policies and
plans, and that Governments have strengthened their commitment to sustainable
development since the adoption of Agenda 21 through legislation and institutions,
and the development and implementation of international, regional and subregional
agreements and commitments.
23. We reaffirm the importance of supporting developing countries in their efforts
to eradicate poverty and promote empowerment of the poor and people in vulnerable
situations, including removing barriers to opportunity, enhancing productive
capacity, developing sustainable agriculture and promoting full and productive
employment and decent work for all, complemented by effective social policies,
including social protection floors, with a view to achieving the internationally
agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.
24. We express deep concern about the continuing high levels of unemployment
and underemployment, particularly among young people, and note the need for
sustainable development strategies to proactively address youth employment at all
levels. In this regard, we recognize the need for a global strategy on youth and
employment building on the work of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
25. We acknowledge that climate change is a cross-cutting and persistent crisis
and express our concern that the scale and gravity of the negative impacts of climate
change affect all countries and undermine the ability of all countries, in particular,
developing countries, to achieve sustainable development and the Millennium
Development Goals and threaten the viability and survival of nations. Therefore we
underscore that combating climate change requires urgent and ambitious action, in
accordance with the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change.
26. States are strongly urged to refrain from promulgating and applying any
unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international
law and the Charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of
economic and social development, particularly in developing countries.
27. We reiterate our commitment, expressed in the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, the 2005 World Summit Outcome and the outcome document of the
High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Millennium
Development Goals of 2010, to take further effective measures and actions, in
conformity with international law, to remove the obstacles to the full realization of
the right of self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign
occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social
development as well as their environment, are incompatible with the dignity and
worth of the human person and must be combated and eliminated.
28. We reaffirm that, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, this
shall not be construed as authorizing or encouraging any action against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any State.
29. We resolve to take further effective measures and actions, in conformity with
international law, to remove obstacles and constraints, strengthen support and meet
the special needs of people living in areas affected by complex humanitarian
emergencies and in areas affected by terrorism.
30. We recognize that many people, especially the poor, depend directly on
ecosystems for their livelihoods, their economic, social and physical well-being, and
their cultural heritage. For this reason, it is essential to generate decent jobs and
incomes that decrease disparities in standards of living in order to better meet
people's needs and promote sustainable livelihoods and practices and the sustainable
use of natural resources and ecosystems.
31. We emphasize that sustainable development must be inclusive and peoplecentred,
benefiting and involving all people, including youth and children. We
recognize that gender equality and women's empowerment are important for
sustainable development and our common future. We reaffirm our commitments to
ensure women's equal rights, access and opportunities for participation and
leadership in the economy, society and political decision-making.
32. We recognize that each country faces specific challenges to achieve
sustainable development and we underscore the special challenges facing the most
vulnerable countries and in particular African countries, least developed countries,
landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as the
specific challenges facing the middle-income countries. Countries in situations of
conflict also need special attention.
33. We reaffirm our commitment to take urgent and concrete action to address the
vulnerability of small island developing States, including through the sustained
implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy,
and underscore the urgency of finding additional solutions to the major challenges
facing small island developing States in a concerted manner so as to support them in
sustaining momentum realized in implementing the Barbados Programme of Action
and the Mauritius Strategy and achieving sustainable development.
34. We reaffirm that the Istanbul Programme of Action outlines the priorities of
least developed countries for sustainable development and defines a framework for
renewed and strengthened global partnership to implement them. We commit to
assist the least developed countries with the implementation of the Istanbul
Programme of Action as well as in their efforts to achieve sustainable development.
35. We recognize that more attention should be given to Africa and the
implementation of previously agreed commitments related to its development needs
that were made at major United Nations summits and conferences. We note that aid
to Africa has increased in recent years. However, it still lags behind commitments
that were previously made. We underscore the key priority for the international
community of supporting Africa's sustainable development efforts. In this regard,
we recommit to fully implement the internationally agreed commitments related to
Africa's development needs, particularly those contained in the United Nations
Millennium Declaration, the United Nations Declaration on the New Partnership for
Africa's Development, the Monterrey Consensus, the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation and the 2005 World Summit Outcome, as well as the 2008 political
declaration on Africa's development needs.
36. We recognize the serious constraints to achieving sustainable development in
all its three dimensions in landlocked developing countries. In this regard, we
reaffirm our commitment to address the special development needs and the
challenges faced by landlocked developing countries through the full, timely and
effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action as contained in the
declaration on the midterm review of the Almaty Programme of Action.
37. We recognize the progress made by middle-income countries in improving the
well-being of their people, as well as the specific development challenges they face
in their efforts to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and achieve their
development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and to achieve
sustainable development in a comprehensive manner integrating the economic,
social and environmental dimensions. We reiterate that these efforts should be
adequately supported by the international community, in various forms, taking into
account the needs and the capacity to mobilize domestic resources of these
countries.
38. We recognize the need for broader measures of progress to complement gross
domestic product in order to better inform policy decisions, and in this regard we
request the United Nations Statistical Commission, in consultation with relevant
United Nations system entities and other relevant organizations, to launch a
programme of work in this area building on existing initiatives.
39. We recognize that planet Earth and its ecosystems are our home and that
"Mother Earth" is a common expression in a number of countries and regions, and
we note that some countries recognize the rights of nature in the context of the
promotion of sustainable development. We are convinced that in order to achieve a
just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and
future generations, it is necessary to promote harmony with nature.
40. We call for holistic and integrated approaches to sustainable development that
will guide humanity to live in harmony with nature and lead to efforts to restore the
health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem.
41. We acknowledge the natural and cultural diversity of the world and recognize
that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to sustainable development.
C. Engaging major groups and other stakeholders
42. We reaffirm the key role of all levels of government and legislative bodies in
promoting sustainable development. We further acknowledge efforts and progress
made at the local and subnational levels, and recognize the important role that such
authorities and communities can play in implementing sustainable development,
including by engaging citizens and stakeholders and providing them with relevant
information, as appropriate, on the three dimensions of sustainable development. We
further acknowledge the importance of involving all relevant decision makers in the
planning and implementation of sustainable development policies.
43. We underscore that broad public participation and access to information and
judicial and administrative proceedings are essential to the promotion of sustainable
development. Sustainable development requires the meaningful involvement and
active participation of regional, national and subnational legislatures and judiciaries,
and all major groups: women, children and youth, indigenous peoples,
non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers and trade unions,
business and industry, the scientific and technological community, and farmers, as
well as other stakeholders, including local communities, volunteer groups and
foundations, migrants and families as well as older persons and persons with
disabilities. In this regard, we agree to work more closely with the major groups and
other stakeholders and encourage their active participation, as appropriate, in
processes that contribute to decision-making, planning and implementation of
policies and programmes for sustainable development at all levels.
44. We acknowledge the role of civil society and the importance of enabling all
members of civil society to be actively engaged in sustainable development. We
recognize that improved participation of civil society depends upon, inter alia,
strengthening access to information and building civil society capacity and an
enabling environment. We recognize that information and communications
technology is facilitating the flow of information between governments and the
public. In this regard, it is essential to work towards improved access to information
and communications technology, especially broadband networks and services, and
bridge the digital divide, recognizing the contribution of international cooperation in
this regard.
45. We underscore that women have a vital role to play in achieving sustainable
development. We recognize the leadership role of women and we resolve to promote
gender equality and women's empowerment and to ensure their full and effective
participation in sustainable development policies, programmes and decision-making
at all levels.
46. We acknowledge that the implementation of sustainable development will
depend on the active engagement of both the public and the private sectors. We
recognize that the active participation of the private sector can contribute to the
achievement of sustainable development, including through the important tool of
public-private partnerships. We support national regulatory and policy frameworks
that enable business and industry to advance sustainable development initiatives,
taking into account the importance of corporate social responsibility. We call on the
private sector to engage in responsible business practices, such as those promoted
by the United Nations Global Compact.
47. We acknowledge the importance of corporate sustainability reporting and
encourage companies, where appropriate, especially publicly listed and large
companies, to consider integrating sustainability information into their reporting
cycle. We encourage industry, interested governments and relevant stakeholders
with the support of the United Nations system, as appropriate, to develop models for
best practice and facilitate action for the integration of sustainability reporting,
taking into account experiences from already existing frameworks and paying
particular attention to the needs of developing countries, including for capacitybuilding.
48. We recognize the important contribution of the scientific and technological
community to sustainable development. We are committed to working with and
fostering collaboration among the academic, scientific and technological
community, in particular in developing countries, to close the technological gap
between developing and developed countries and strengthen the science-policy
interface as well as to foster international research collaboration on sustainable
development.
49. We stress the importance of the participation of indigenous peoples in the
achievement of sustainable development. We also recognize the importance of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of
global, regional, national and subnational implementation of sustainable
development strategies.
50. We stress the importance of the active participation of young people in
decision-making processes, as the issues we are addressing have a deep impact on
present and future generations, and as the contribution of children and youth is vital
to the achievement of sustainable development. We also recognize the need to
promote intergenerational dialogue and solidarity by recognizing their views.
51. We stress the importance of the participation of workers and trade unions in
the promotion of sustainable development. As the representatives of working
people, trade unions are important partners in facilitating the achievement of
sustainable development, in particular the social dimension. Information, education
and training on sustainability at all levels, including in the workplace, are key to
strengthening the capacity of workers and trade unions to support sustainable
development.
52. We recognize that farmers, including small-scale farmers and fisherfolk,
pastoralists and foresters, can make important contributions to sustainable
development through production activities that are environmentally sound, enhance
food security and the livelihood of the poor, and invigorate production and sustained
economic growth.
53. We note the valuable contributions that non-governmental organizations could
and do make in promoting sustainable development through their well-established
and diverse experience, expertise and capacity, especially in the area of analysis,
sharing of information and knowledge, promotion of dialogue and support of
implementation of sustainable development.
54. We recognize the central role of the United Nations in advancing the
sustainable development agenda. We acknowledge as well, in this regard, the
contributions of other relevant international organizations, including international
financial institutions and multilateral development banks, and stress the importance
of cooperation among them and with the United Nations, within their respective
mandates, recognizing their role in mobilizing resources for sustainable
development.
55. We commit ourselves to reinvigorating the global partnership for sustainable
development that we launched in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. We recognize the need to
impart new momentum to our cooperative pursuit of sustainable development, and
commit to work together with major groups and other stakeholders in addressing
implementation gaps.
III. Green economy in the context of sustainable development
and poverty eradication
56. We affirm that there are different approaches, visions, models and tools
available to each country, in accordance with its national circumstances and
priorities, to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions which is our
overarching goal. In this regard, we consider green economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication as one of the important tools
available for achieving sustainable development and that it could provide options
for policymaking but should not be a rigid set of rules. We emphasize that it should
contribute to eradicating poverty as well as sustained economic growth, enhancing
social inclusion, improving human welfare and creating opportunities for
employment and decent work for all, while maintaining the healthy functioning of
the Earth's ecosystems.
57. We affirm that policies for green economy in the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication should be guided by and in accordance with all
the Rio Principles, Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and
contribute towards achieving relevant internationally agreed development goals,
including the Millennium Development Goals.
58. We affirm that green economy policies in the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication should:
(a) Be consistent with international law;
(b) Respect each country's national sovereignty over their natural resources
taking into account its national circumstances, objectives, responsibilities, priorities
and policy space with regard to the three dimensions of sustainable development;
(c) Be supported by an enabling environment and well-functioning
institutions at all levels with a leading role for governments and with the
participation of all relevant stakeholders, including civil society;
(d) Promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and
provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect of all human
rights;
(e) Take into account the needs of developing countries, particularly those in
special situations;
(f) Strengthen international cooperation, including the provision of financial
resources, capacity-building and technology transfer to developing countries;
(g) Effectively avoid unwarranted conditionalities on official development
assistance (ODA) and finance;
(h) Not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a
disguised restriction on international trade, avoid unilateral actions to deal with
environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country, and
ensure that environmental measures addressing transboundary or global
environmental problems, as far as possible, are based on an international consensus;
(i) Contribute to closing technology gaps between developed and developing
countries and reduce the technological dependence of developing countries using all
appropriate measures;
(j) Enhance the welfare of indigenous peoples and their communities, other
local and traditional communities and ethnic minorities, recognizing and supporting
their identity, culture and interests, and avoid endangering their cultural heritage,
practices and traditional knowledge, preserving and respecting non-market
approaches that contribute to the eradication of poverty;
(k) Enhance the welfare of women, children, youth, persons with disabilities,
smallholder and subsistence farmers, fisherfolk and those working in small and
medium-sized enterprises, and improve the livelihoods and empowerment of the
poor and vulnerable groups in particular in developing countries;
(l) Mobilize the full potential and ensure the equal contribution of both
women and men;
(m) Promote productive activities in developing countries that contribute to
the eradication of poverty;
(n) Address the concern about inequalities and promote social inclusion,
including social protection floors;
(o) Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns;
(p) Continue efforts to strive for inclusive, equitable development
approaches to overcome poverty and inequality.
59. We view the implementation of green economy policies