Rio+20 Reports US$500B Committed: Daily

By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – UN press sources announced that Rio+20 concluded with more than US$500 billion mobilized with over 700 “commitments” made. World leaders finalized the outcome document agreement on Friday, which is intended to advance action on sustainable development.

Rio+20 concludes with more than US$500 billion mobilized with over 700 commitments made, photo by Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/ABr.

Although many critics questioned the clarity of the results, the UN reports that the combination of agreements, actions, commitments, challenges, initiatives and announcements made at Rio+20 addresses a range of global issues that includes access to clean energy, food security, water and sustainable transportation.

“Rio+20 has given us a solid platform to build on,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. “Rio+20 has affirmed fundamental principles, renewed essential commitments, and given us new direction.”

World leaders approved the 53-page outcome document for Rio+20, entitled “The Future We Want,” Friday evening.

In the months leading up to Rio+20, negotiations on the outcome document included several week-long sessions and many long nights, but under the leadership of the Brazilian Government, a compromise was reached and agreement made by the 193 Member States of the United Nations.

“The outcome document provides a firm foundation for social, economic and environmental well-being,” Mr. Ban said. “It is now our responsibility to build on it. Now the work begins.”

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, concluding the Conference, told participants that the outcome document is a great step forward. “I am convinced that this Conference will have the effect of bringing about sweeping change.

But beyond the negotiated document, the voluntary commitments play a key role in measuring the success of Rio+20, with an estimated US$513 billion mobilized from the thirteen largest commitments alone. The over 700 voluntary commitments were made by civil society groups, businesses, governments, universities as listed on the official Rio+20 website.

Read more (in Portuguese).

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