Brussels, 03/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Moving to a green economy to ensure sustainable development, preserving natural resources protecting natural resources and making best use of them for sustainable growth, and managing natural resources sustainably to tackle poverty: these are the three premises that must not be lost sight of if the UN Rio+20 conference, in June 2012, is to be able to produce a roadmap for a green economy, stated Environment Commissioner Janez Potoènik at the inaugural session of the Ministerial Dialogue on the green economy and inclusive growth in New Delhi on Monday 3 October. Setting out the conditions for the success of this conference, he noted that the EU is putting its own house in order, with its own roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe and its roadmap for transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050.
“We are convinced that Rio+20 needs to agree on a shared vision for change, able to deliver results within agreed timeframes. As to the tools to deliver that, we have been saying for some time already that one of the operational outcomes at Rio+20 should be a green economy roadmap that sets out specific goals, objectives and actions at international level, coupled with national activities based on national priorities and preferences. We also find the idea of Sustainable Development Goals, proposed by some countries, interesting and we are ready to actively engage to explore its full potential” Potoènik said. He called on the Rio+20 conference to “promote a new vision for agriculture - that highlights its potential as the driver of food security, sustainability and growth”. (AN/transl.rt)