During its 2012 substantive session, from 2-27 July 2012, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) re-iterated its crucial role to follow-up results of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that was held in June. The global watchdog organisation Social Watch called upon governments to pursue sustainable development in accordance with human rights principles.

Following the UN Summit for Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that saw the adoption of an outcome document, on 22 June 2012, the future of the agreed sustainable development agenda has been put at the centre of discussions. Whilst the document spells out some implementation principles, the overall roadmap for turning the agreed Rio principles into practice remains vague and controversial, experts have warned.

Following the UN Summit for Sustainable Development (Rio+20), civil society organisations (CSOs) have expressed their disappointment over the outcome document. The document is said to express a ‘business as usual’ approach, with market-based approaches to development dominating the agreement.

At the end of the UN Conference for Sustainable Development (Rio+20) Heads of State and government adopted an outcome document that has been subject to much criticism. The document has been labelled as a failed opportunity to come up with a substantial global sustainability framework for the coming decades. Whilst developing countries were able to push through some of their demands, many ‘old paradigms’ prevail, Eurostep concludes in its analysis of the document.

Civil society activists in the run-up to the UN Conference for Development (Rio+20), held from 20-22 June 2012, made a number of recommendations to world leaders, calling for a paradigm shift in global development agendas. Activists emphasised the need for a more people-centred policy agenda with strong civil society activism, in pursuing a global sustainable development agenda.