1). Introduction
The “Rio +20” United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), held in Rio
de Janeiro, 20-22 June 2012, focused on two key themes the further development and
refinement of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development and the
advancement of the “Green Economy” concept. The meeting, in its outcome document,
reaffirmed poverty eradication as its key challenge:
“Eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and an
indispensable requirement for sustainable development. In this regard we are committed to
freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency.”
(Para 2. The future we want. UNCSD 2012).
The Green Economy concept is structured to reflect this, being explicitly based and
presented in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication:
“We consider green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication as one of the important tools available for achieving sustainable development…
We emphasize that it should contribute to eradicating poverty as well as sustained economic
growth, enhancing social inclusion, improving human welfare and creating opportunities for
employment and decent work for all, while maintaining the healthy functioning of
the Earth’s ecosystems.”
(Para 56. The future we want. UNCSD 2012).
Throughout the preparatory process for Rio +20, many coastal countries questioned the
focus of the Green Economy and its applicability to them. Strong positions were presented
to the Rio +20 preparatory process for a “Blue Economy” approach to be more prominently
addressed. This approach has broad relevance as the Oceans, including humankind’s
common heritage of the High Seas, represent in many respects the final frontier for
humanity and its quest for sustainable development. Institutional efforts were made to
expand the Blue aspect of the Green Economy as embodied in the “Green Economy in a
Blue World” report1
but international momentum has moved beyond this. Throughout and
subsequent to the Rio +20 process there has been a growing appreciation that the world’s
Oceans and Seas require more in depth attention and coordinated action. This has been
reflected in various initiatives inter alia the UNDESA expert group meeting on Oceans, Seas
and Sustainable Development, the work of the Global Ocean Commission, the Global
Partnership for Oceans and the prominence given to oceans and seas in the UN five-year
Action Agenda 2012-2016.
Coastal and Island developing countries have remained at the forefront of this Blue
Economy advocacy, recognising that the oceans have a major role to play in humanity’s
future and that the Blue Economy offers an approach to sustainable development better
suited to their circumstances, constraints and challenges.