UCLG presents the main outcomes of the Rio+20 Summit and the important successes achieved. With the negotiations heading towards an environmentally driven agenda in 2011, UCLG and its members started campaigning for a more human-centred discussion where governance, cohesion among territories, inclusion, service provision and the fourth cultural pillar would be put on the agenda that would recognize the new urban reality.The UCLG position paper adopted by the Florence World Council and the 8 recommendations of the Joint Local and Regional Governments Messages presented to the UN Secretary General in New York in April 2012 were all geared in this direction.
The results
Despite the discouraging overall results of the Rio+20 Summit in terms of lacking multilateral agreements and commitments, there is a bright side to the Outcome Document.
The document acknowledges the role that local and regional governments play and need to play in the sustainable development agenda.
Seldom before has there been an international policy document which is as far-reaching in both the recognition of the role of local and sub-national governance and as comprehensive in the thematic areas described of influence for these spheres of governments. The explicit recognition of the Habitat Agenda is also an important achievement.
On the shortcomings, it is worth mentioning the very few references to culture as crucial pillar for development and the lack of clear inclusive governance mechanisms for future policy development.
You will find in the document attached a Summary of the key issues addressed by the outcome document and the follow up mechanisms where local and sub-national authorities should ensure inclusion.