Agri Min to leave for Rio de Janeiro today

Will participate in Earth Summit from June 20-22

Raipur, June 15, 2012

To participate in Earth Summit to be held by United Nations (UN) on sustainable development from June 20-22, Agriculture Minister Chandrashekhar Sahu will leave for Rio de Janeiro Brazil on Saturday. The objective of the summit is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and emerging challenges

The conference will focus on two themes - a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and the institutional framework for sustainable development. About 120 countries are likely to participate in this summit.

The short name of the summit is Rio+20 and is said to be a historic opportunity to define pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all.

Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, where countries adopted Agenda 21, a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection, the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions and major groups to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources.

In parallel with and between the official events, there will be numerous side events, exhibitions, presentations, fairs and announcements by a wide range of partners.

Sahu will also attend symposiums on subjects like environment protection, green economy, poverty eradication, etc to be held from June 17-19 in Rio de Janeiro.