MEXICO: The UN Conference on Sustainable Development ended on Saturday with global leaders renewing their commitment to sustainable development and taking a pledge to ensure the promotion of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for the planet.
The agreement saw the leaders committing to freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency and reiterated the principles adopted at the first earth summit held in his Brazilian city two decades ago.
Representatives of more than 190 countries were present at the three day conference which saw major leaders such as US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were absent affirmed by 193 member countries said 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 overreaching objectives and essential requirements for sustainable development.
Earlier addressing the summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- Moon urged global leaders in working for a future without hunger. Bringing into focus poverty eradication , Ban ki moon said in a world of plenty, no-one, not a single person, should go hungry.
The leaders made a pledge to make every effort to accelerate the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Acknowledging that people are at the centre of sustainable development, the document said member countries would strive for a world that is just, equitable and inclusive,and commited to work together to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection to benefit all.
It also dealt with the subjects of food security, water, energy, sustainable cosumption and green jobs, as well as social issues such as gender and generational equality and parity among developed and developing countries.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a ‘Zero Hunger Challenge’ which invites all countries to work for a future where every individual has adequate nutrition and where all food systems are resilient.
“In a world of plenty, no one not a single person should go hungry, Mr Ban said during the launch of the initiative at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) here on Saturday.
“I invite all of you to join me in working for a future without hunger” he said adding “Zero hunger would boost economic growth, reduce poverty and safeguard the environment. It would foster peace and stability,” Mr Ban added.
He called on farmers, business people, scientists, civil society and consumers to join the challenge by honouring past promises and work together to put an end to hunger.
The ‘Zero Hunger Challenge’ has five main objectives: to achieve 100 per cent access to adequate food all year round; to end malnutrition in pregnancy and early childhood; to make all food systems sustainable; to increase growth in the productivity and income of smallholders, particularly women; and to achieve a zero rate of food waste.
Inspirations came from work being carried out by many countries and organisations to end hunger, including Brazil.
The ‘Zero Hunger Challenge’ is supported by UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank and Bioversity International.
“Big problems call for bold goals. The Zero Hunger Challenge can help us mobilise political commitment, the first step to eradicate hunger,” said FAO’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva,at a high-level meeting.
This is a personal challenge from the Secretary-General, but one that all of us should answer, as individuals and collectively.
FAO embraces this challenge of a Zero Hunger World. More than 40,000 people including heads of State and government, parliamentarians, mayors, UN officials, business and civil society leaders attended Rio+20.
It seeks to shape new policies to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection. (UNI)