Deputy Permanent Representative called upon the international community to adopt an ambitious agenda at Rio+20 that addresses support for Small Island Developing States, sustainable energy security and the empowerment of women
In her official statement the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, expressed that Maldives considers Rio+20 to be a “once in a decade opportunity to change our trajectory to one that is sustainable for generations to come.” She added that the outcome from Rio+20 must be “galvanize a change in how we think, approach and chart our path forward on sustainable development.”
Ms. Hussain highlighted six key areas which require greater ambition in the outcome document: climate change, oceans and fisheries, sustainable energy security, international support for SIDS, the post 2015 international development agenda and gender equality and the empowerment of women.
She further explained that for the Maldives the issues of climate change, survival and sustainable development are inextricably linked. She recognized that many other delegations had addressed ocean and fishery issues and added that these issues are of paramount importance as they are the basis of both food security and livelihoods for many Maldivians.
She also expressed her support for the inclusion of sustainable energy security in the Zero Draft. She added that Maldives has already committed to being carbon neutral by 2020 and expressed hope that Rio+20 can “serve as a platform to chart a global plan for ensuring sustainable energy for all.”
Lastly, she addressed the importance of gender equality and empowerment of women as not just a thematic issue that must be addressed at Rio+20, but also as a cross cutting issues that should be highlighted throughout the outcome document. She added that “we cannot achieve sustainable development without the meaningful and active participation of women.”
The Deputy Permanent Representative concluded her remarks by stating that Maldives will actively engage in the preparatory process for Rio+20, in the hopes of achieving an ambitious agenda for sustainable development.
The United Nations Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development will be taking place in Brazil in June 2012, as a part of the negotiation process leading to the conference, the Initial Discussions on the Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome document are being held at the United Nations Headquarters on 25-27 January 2012. The three-day meeting is focused on exchanging initial views on the Zero Draft of the Outcome document and beginning negotiations on the first two sections of the document.
