Segunda Ronda de reuniones informales de negociaciones sobre el borrador inicial del documento final de la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible (CDS o Río +20

El lunes, los delegados reanudaron las negociaciones informales sobre el proyecto de documento final 0. Grupo de Trabajo 1 se centró en la Sección III (economía verde). Grupo de Trabajo 2 secciones consideradas I (Preámbulo / puesta en escena), II (renovación de los compromisos políticos), y IV (IFSD).

Por la mañana la sociedad civil,  tuvo  la oportunidad  a traves de los  representantes de grupos principales , dar su declaracion entre los que se encuentran particpando: pueblos indígenas, mujeres, infancia y juvenrtud, trabajadores y sus sindicatos, campesinos, comercio y la industria, comunidad cientifica y tecnologica, autoridades locales y organizaciones no gubernamentales.

Declaraciones:

Bureau Meeting  with Major Groups 8am-10am Mon 30^th April 2012

Statement by Indigenous Peoples 

Read by Ms Imogen Ingram, Island Sustainability Alliance CIS Inc., COOK ISLANDS

Co-chairs, members of the Bureau, distinguished delegates, fellow major group representatives

On behalf of indigenous peoples,  

First, 

We acknowledge Paragraph 17 on the meaningful involvement and active participation of all Major Groups. Furthermore, we welcome  the agreement on  Paragraph 21 about  the importance of  indigenous peoples’ participation in achieving sustainable development , and recognizing  the importance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  We see this paragraph as a positive step towards more fully integrating human rights and sustainable development in the Rio Outcomes.    

Second,

Indigenous peoples’ abiding survival is supported by our cultures, providing us with social, material, and spiritual strength. We are able to sustain sound management of ecosystems and sustainable use of biodiversity  when  traditional knowledge and governance systems are enhanced and restored.  Similarly, we believe  that all societies must foster cultures of sustainability, and that  Rio +20 should highlight the cultural, moral and ethical dimensions, as fundamental,  in the transition to sustainable development.

The ethos to respect nature  and to take only what is necessary for subsistence and good living ,  finds expression in  indigenous conceptions of sustainable development  - such as “sumak kawsay” , and “buen vivir”.

 The Rio political declaration must strongly support diverse local economies as cornerstones of  plural “green” economies. To focus on a single green economy, reinforces the tendency to impose top-down, “one size fits all” development, rather than to foster economic diversity which enhances local livelihoods and occupations, alleviates poverty, and operates using participatory decision-making and governance systems. 

To address the current problems, we call for a multi-disciplinary knowledge platform, not limited to science but valuing diverse knowledge systems.

CST 97 sext describes  mining as a way for  sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation. But we need to recognize that mining has resulted in contamination of water, soil and air and has led to adverse health impacts, and the dislocation of whole communities.   For many indigenous peoples, clean-up of contamination from past mining activities is needed to restore their lands, territories and waters.

In countries with a mining sector, we call for implementation  of comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks and policies which would significantly reduce the social and environmental impacts of large-scale commercial mining and unconventional gas activities and the establishment of  mining moratoria  or “no-go zones” to protect critical biodiversity and food production areas, including in small islands, watersheds and indigenous lands.

CST pre70 on energy including large  dams is of concern to indigenous peoples, in many parts of the world.

Any promotion of renewable energy (such as hydropower projects) and mining-related initiatives within lands, territories and waters of indigenous peoples should consistently uphold the right of free prior and informed consent, among others.

In summary, we reiterate the need for consistent application of Para 17 and Para 21, especially where new activities are proposed with regard to mining, energy, water, forestry and biodiversity.   The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples serves as the minimum international framework  to be implemented  in relation to the lands, territories and waters of Indigenous Peoples,  together with  other relevant international agreements  and commitments, 

Thank you.

5TS New York, 30 April 2012

JOINT STATEMENT BY WOMEN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND WORKERS AND TRADE UNIONS MAJOR GROUPS

On the occasion of the meeting of the Rio+20 Bureau with Major Groups

Read by Grace Balawag, from Tebtebba (indigenous Peoples’ International Centre on Policy Research and Education) and Organizing Partner for  the Indigenous Peoples Major Group

Ambitious and Just Transitions to the Futures We Want

 Co-chairs, members of the Bureau, distinguished delegates, fellow major group representatives

 On behalf of indigenous peoples, women and trade unions, I would like to share with you some ideas which found strong consensus among us.

 Our world is wealthy on natural and human diversity, and our three groups are an example of the latest. This has not been a barrier for agreeing on key elements of the way forward.

 We ask you to go beyond the differences apparent in the negotiations, and think what your people and future generations need the most, and what can Rio+20 do for them: a reinvigorated commitment to their rights, with a coherent, ambitious and rights-based framework for action.

 We have two key messages:

 First, Rio+20 must be based and framed on rights that represent the heritage of years of negotiations at the international level, as well as national and local struggles. We are talking about human rights, rights of workers, women’s rights, indigenous peoples' rights, we are talking about peoples' empowerment and participation which are the wellspring of sustainable development. These rights guarantee the capacity of each one of our communities to live in freedom and prosperity, while guaranteeing respect for diverse ways of living, diverse jobs,  and diverse economies.  Rio+20 is part of a long history of global governance, and as such, must build on those milestone principles in sustainable development:  precaution, polluter pays, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities.  These principles and rights belong to the Rio heritage which must be retained, strengthened, and restated with renewed political will.

 Second, we also expect Rio+20 to deliver on those rights and principles by articulating new elements in the sustainable development agenda. And we have some ideas and concrete proposals.

 Rio+20 must integrate the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability, and expand to incorporate the cultural and ethical values of equity and justice.  Decisions must satisfy progress across all dimensions of sustainability: if it implies trade offs, we ask you to re-think again and find holistic solutions.

 Rio+20 could move forward on new ideas such as non privatisation of the commons, like water, the no-go zones for mining and extractive industries, the idea of no-regression on previous commitments, the creation of a participatory multilateral mechanism to evaluate other new technologies for their environmental, health and socio-economic impacts.

 Rio+20 must also be the place where initiatives are taken to make diverse local economies, transformed workplaces and communities, the heart of the sustainable development agenda.

 This requires the adoption of a right-based framework for sustainable development also for the post 2015 development agenda.

Each of the three MG representatives will give concrete proposals how these rights should be implemented, and how Rio+20 should agree on these implementation proposals.

Thanks for your attention