Launching negotiations in Bali to fight climate change and its impacts, acting decisively to achieve the 2010 biodiversity target, and integrating environmental sustainability into development were among the main issues the World Conservation Union (IUCN) called for at the United Nations General Assembly on 31 October 2007.
Speaking about sustainable development at the UN General Assembly, IUCN urged governments to agree on a mandate to negotiate a post 2012 comprehensive framework under the climate change convention at its coming meetings in Bali.
IUCN also reminded states of their commitment to ‘achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss’ as a key contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
IUCN stressed that the energy mix of today was contributing to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. IUCN called for new energy technologies that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially equitable, and for standards for bio-fuels. IUCN also called for a systemic approach to combating desertification in the context of the Millennium Development Goals.
IUCN emphasized the importance of engaging major groups in the efforts of the United Nations to achieve sustainable development and called for increased integration of women’s contribution to natural resource management as a key factor to achieve sustainable development.
IUCN stressed that 20 years after the publication of the Brundtland report, the need to achieve sustainable development by linking the environmental, economic and social pillars, is more needed than ever before.
For more information:
Please contact Martha Chouchena-Rojas, Head of IUCN’s Global Policy Unit, Tel: +41 22 999 0254; Email: mtr
iucn.org.
