Curtains comes down on the Rio + 20 Summit this evening with the global leaders renewing their commitment to sustainable development and taking a pledge to ensuring the promotion of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for the planet and for the present and future generations.
The out come document of the summit says, the leaders committed to freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency. The document 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 overarching 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.
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who addressed the sumit earlier, strongly pleaded for finding new pathways for sustainable living. He urged the industrialized countries to make additional finance and technology available to developing countries to reduce carbon emissions which has not been the case so far.
Describing economic development, social inclusion and environmental sustainability as critical components of the sustainable development, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the task before the world community is to give practical shape and content to achieve inculsive growth .
The Prime Minister said each country should be free to have its devolpment agenda according to its national priorities and circumstances. He observed that the present economic crisis has made the situation worse. The Prime Minister made it clear that for the developing countries inclusive growth and a rapid increase in per capita income levels are development imperatives.
He added New Delhi has taken pro-active measures for sustainable development and is implementing an ambitious solar mission as a critical option for its energy security.
Expressing happiness over the summit, reaffirming differentiated responsibilities and equity, the Prime Minister said, this does not, however, mean that developing countries should not take proactive steps to promote sustainable development.
AIR correspondent covering the summit reports leaders 125 countries participated in the summit which addresses India's stand that approach to the problem should be guided by equitable burden sharing.
On the sidelines of the summit Dr. Singh held talks with the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksha and urged him to take immediate steps to ensure that Tamils lead a normal life with dignity in the island nation. He also met the Nepalese counterpart, Baburam Bhattarai and reiterated India's keenness for success of democracy in the Himalayan state.
