20 years after the term “sustainable development” came into popular vocabulary, we are still talking more about it than doing. That’s what teens do also but now time to grow up and for sustainable development to earn its place as a process that deserves serious commitment and not mere flattery and rhetoric. The globe has experienced a broad economic surge, but it has largely been on basis of old economic models. Non-renewable fuels are more than ever the globe’s energy provider. Pollution may be under management, but it is still not under control. Toxic waste to radiation still invade our waters and tranquil farm lands, and our food is more expensive and potentially more poisoned. There are more rich but also more poor Over a billion people go to sleep hungry every night according to a recent UN Report. (“Billion to Sleep Hungry” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/billion-to-sleep-hungry/24674 ) Warning of the consequences of unsustainable consumption and production on the world’s ecosystems, Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, opened the 19th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. Mr. Sha urged Member States to agree on a plan to promote a more efficient and safer use of the Earth’s resources. “We need to change our consumption and production patterns so that our economies proceed on sustainable paths, and so that we are able to address key global challenges like climate change, water and other resource scarcities, and environmental degradation,” (From UN News Centre) At its annual session at UN Headquarters in New York, the Commission will consider policies to promote sustainable consumption and production, improve the safety of chemical usage, and enhance waste management, transport and mining practices. “Globally, unsustainable consumption and production threatens to exceed the carrying capacity of life support systems,” Mr. Sha told the 53-member body. “Imbalance is Obvious” – An Ambitious Framework Needed After 20 Years “This imbalance is obvious – whether measured by greenhouse gas concentrations, by the number of endangered species, by rates of deforestation, or by decreases in fish stocks.” The Commission is looked upon to launch an ambitious framework this year to support countries and other actors move towards sustainable consumption and production, Mr. Sha said, adding that such an initiative would send the right message and generate positive momentum towards a successful outcome at next year’s UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A New 10 Year Plan? Under Secretary General Sha noted that a 10-year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP on SCP) would promote development that is within the carrying capacity of ecosystems and contribute to progress on the three pillars of sustainable development – social, economic and environmental: “We must respond to calls for an ambitious, feasible and actionable 10YFP on SCP. The 10-year framework must support countries and all stakeholders in scaling up successful initiatives, addressing new and emerging challenges, sharing knowledge widely, accessing technical expertise, forging partnerships and mobilizing financial resources.” Preparing for “Rio-20 (Years Later)” Mr. Sha, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the conference set to take place in Rio de Janeiro next June, added that sustainable consumption and production need to be mainstreamed into the thinking of all stakeholders and into the decision-making of governments and other organizations, including the UN system. “Much more can and must be done across the globe to pursue inclusive and environmentally sound economic growth. We must accelerate our efforts to advance sustainable development and to meet our commitments to future generations,” Close to 1,000 representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other parts of civil society are attending the Commission’s two-week meeting, which will be the last session before “Rio+20.” This conference in New York at UN HQ marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Agenda 21, the blueprint for sustainable development that was agreed to at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. In the spring of 1992 I had just been mandated with representing Bosnia & Herzegovina at the United Nations. Going to Rio for what appeared more diplomatic conversation about the environment and development seemed like an interesting opportunity even if it was not entirely clear to most what exactly sustainable development meant, in word or deed. (Even the label has changed - in 1992 the it was officially known as the "United Nations Conference on Environment and Development" although it adopted the more catchy title of the "Rio Earth Summit 1992" - see above photos). Unfortunately the killing, ethnic cleansing and war directed at Bosnia & Herzegovina left me no option but to remain in New York and do whatever I could for the citizens and country that I represented. Rio though seemed like at least a quaint notion to many, and I really wanted to know what was the earth’s future as well as that of each of our countries. Bosnia & Herzegovina had more pressing problems by comparison, and I never traveled to Rio. But, the question then remains now: what is “sustainable development” and is it part of the answer to the future? This time around, 20 years later, all of us have a vested interest in being in Rio in 2012 (“Rio-20”), at least in our heart and our thinking if not in body. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Face Book at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – DiplomaticallyX ---“Green Finance World Bank” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/green-finance-world-bank/23887 ---“Women’s Rights-More Food” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/womens-rightsmore-food/25377 ---“Food Prices Crisis” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/food-prices-crisisworld-bank/26289