"Warnings Resound as World Leaders Gather at Rio+20"

"RIO de JANEIRO -- More than 100 heads of state and government [Wednesday] gathered in Rio de Janeiro for the start of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20. The summit seeks to shape new policies to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection in the face of warnings that the ecological basis of life is coming undone."

"'We are now in sight of a historic agreement,' said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his address to Rio+20's opening session this morning. 'Let us not waste this opportunity. The world is watching to see if words will translate into action, as we know they must.'

After intensive and protracted informal negotiations on how to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development, 191 countries reached agreement Tuesday on the conference's outcome document. The text will now be put forward for adoption by the world leaders at the conclusion of Rio+20 on Friday.

'I am pleased that negotiations have reached a successful conclusion and I commend the Presidency of Brazil for facilitating this resolution,' Ban said."

Environment News Service had the story June 20, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Rio+20 Earth Summit Talks Turn Into Rubber-Stamp Job" (Guardian)