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 The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development for Heads of States and Governments has begun in Rio-de Janeiro, Brazil.
Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe is among over a hundred world leaders who are attending the historic conference.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the conference, United Nations Secretary General, Mr Ban ki Moon called on world leaders attending the summit to think globally on environmental issues and matters of sustainable development as the agreements reached at the 1992 Earth Summit need to be translated into action.
“Environmental challenges faced by humanity require political will, hence the leaders attending this summit need to renew their commitment in the advancement of the sustainable development agenda,” said Mr Ban.
17 year old New Zealand winner of the global youth speech contest ‘Date with History’, Britanny Trilford said promises by world leaders to solve environmental challenges should be honoured.
She told the world leaders that they have 72 hours to decide the fate of humanity.
She encouraged delegates to put humanity interests before other interests.
Meanwhile, the pre-summit meetings of ministers and taskforces that precede the Rio+20 meeting have agreed in principle on various issues that were under discussion.
The outcome document released early this Wednesday indicate that the meeting agreed to renew commitment to sustainable development and to ensure the promotion of economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for the planet.
The meeting also reaffirmed the Rio principles as agreed at the Earth Summit of 1992 and past action plans.
The meetings also reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the RIO Declaration on Environment and Development and the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility.
The agreed principles now await endorsement by the ongoing Rio+20 high level meeting.
Meanwhile, President Mugabe is expected to address plenary this Wednesday.
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