The Rio+20 UN Earth Summit came to a close with leaders approving a 53-page declaration that outline measures to how to tackle the world’s environmental and development problems. With poverty eradication as one of central themes, the declaration committed to freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency.

Affirmed by 193 member countries the outcome document said poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting sustainable patterns of consumption & production and protecting & managing the natural resource, base of economic and social development are the overearching objectives.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a ‘Zero Hunger Challenge’ inviting all countries to work for a future where every individual has adequate nutrition and where all food systems are resilient.

On green economy, the declaration affirmed that green policies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication should consist with international law and respect each country’s national sovereignty over their natural resources.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who participated in the RIO Summit , arrived in Pretoria on his way to Delhi.