RIO EARTH SUMMIT 1992
In 1992, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, conduct the Rio Earth Summit -
also known as the World Conference on Environment and Development - in Rio, Brazil that brought together
the largest gathering of government leaders and civil society representatives in one international conference.
The Rio Earth Summit wasn't content with simply discussing problems; it aimed to develop a comprehensive
framework or plan about the climate change.
The summit has five valuable documents and agreements.
1. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development was made up of 27 principles that served as guides in
the pursuit of sustainable development.
Purpose: The Rio Declaration serves as an important document for sustainable development, outlining
27 principles that guide countries in their environmental and developmental policies.
Aim/Goal: Its primary aim is to establish a new global partnership for sustainable development,
emphasizing international cooperation, shared responsibility, and the need for a healthy environment
for all people.
2. Agenda 21 complements the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development with a detailed action plan
on how sustainable development can be achieved in the social, economic, and environmental areas of the
concept.
Purpose: Agenda 21 is a comprehensive action plan for achieving sustainable development globally,
nationally, and locally. It outlines a wide range of actions, interventions, solutions to be taken by
governments and other stakeholders.
Aim/Goal: It aims to achieve global sustainable development by addressing the environmental and
socio-economic issues globally.
3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
It establishes a platform for countries to negotiate and implement agreements to address climate change,
leading to agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
Purpose: The UNFCCC is an international treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and stabilize/balance greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to prevent further
disruptions to the climate
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Purpose: The CBD is an international treaty that aims to protect biodiversity/nature, promote its
sustainable/long term use, and share the benefits arising from the utilization of biological resources
fairly and equitably. Biological resources are components that have potential use or value to human
beings.
5. Statement of Forest Principles
Purpose: The Statement of Forest Principles is a non-binding agreement. Non-binding is like a
suggestions or draft that outlines a set of principles for the sustainable management, conservation, and
development of all types of forests. Also, address common forest challenges, such as deforestation,
degradation, and illegal logging.
It served as environmental instruments in the implementation of sustainable development in different parts of
the world.
RIO +5 CONFERENCE
The Rio+5 Conference, held on June 23, 1997, was a critical moment in the global effort to achieve
sustainable development. The United Nations conducts this special session to assess progress made on the
commitments outlined five years ago at the Rio Earth Summit in Brazil.
This special session was asked by Kofi Annan, then Secretary General of the United Nations, to evaluate
the implementation of the commitments that were made in the previous World Conference on Environment and
Development. Over 50 heads of state and representatives from other countries attended the special session
and spoke about their achievements in the implementation of sustainable development.
The Philippines was a participant in both the Rio Earth Summit 1992 and the Rio+5 Conference 1997.
Showcasing our country’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
While many countries attended and shared their achievements, the overall consensus was that the
implementation of sustainable development had fallen short. The global environment continued to deteriorate,
indicating a lack of concerted action and a need for greater commitment.
Paolo Galizzi (2005), his assessment highlights the challenges faced. Also, he emphasizes that the global
partnership established at the Rio Earth Summit five years ago remains the most effective way for pursuing
sustainable development. The Rio+5 Conference served as a platform to reaffirm this commitment and
encourage greater participation of the leaders and governments from the international community.
The primary goal was not to renegotiate the agreements but to re-energize the global effort. Despite the
setbacks, the Rio+5 Conference emphasizes the importance of continued international cooperation and
collaboration in addressing the environmental and developmental challenges and promoting the concept of
sustainable development.
RIO EARTH SUMMIT 1992
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, conduct the Rio
Earth Summit - also known as the World Conference on Environment and
Development - in Rio, Brazil that brought together the largest gathering of
government leaders and civil society representatives in one international conference.
The Rio Earth Summit wasn't content with simply discussing problems; it aimed to
develop a comprehensive framework or plan about the climate change.
The summit has five valuable documents and agreements.
1. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
The Rio Declaration serves as an important document for sustainable
development, outlining 27 principles that guides nation states or
countries in their environmental and developmental policies.
Its primary aim is to establish a new global partnership for sustainable
development, emphasizing shared responsibility, and the need for a
healthy environment for all people.
2. Agenda 21 - It is a detailed and comprehensive action plan for
achieving sustainable development globally, specifically in the social
economic and environmental areas. It aims to address the
environmental and socio-economic issues globally, such as climate
change, pollution, poverty, inequality, and etc.
By implementing actions, interventions, solutions to be taken by
governments and other stakeholders, we can work towards a more
sustainable future for all.
3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
It establishes a platform for nations to negotiate and implement agreements
to address climate change, leading to agreements like the Kyoto Protocol.
The UNFCCC is an international treaty that aims to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions (release into the atmosphere; deforestation, manufacturing) and
stabilize/balance greenhouse gas concentrations (present in the
atmosphere; carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere to prevent further
disruptions to our climate or environment.
4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
A legally binding agreement is a contract, a formal arrangement
between two or more nations that outlines specific terms and
conditions.
That aims to protect our biodiversity/nature, promote its
sustainable/long-term use, and share the benefits of environmental
resources fairly and equally with the people. Also, preserves the
different kinds of environmental forests and prevents their extinction.
5. Statement of Forest Principles
It contrasts from the previous one. So this is a non-binding
agreement. Non-binding is like a suggestions or draft that outlines a
set of principles for the sustainable management, conservation, and
development of all types of forests. Also, addresses common forest
problems, such as deforestation, illegal logging, flood, mining.
It served as environmental instruments in the implementation of
sustainable development in different parts of the world.
RIO +5 CONFERENCE
It was held on June 23, 1997. The United Nations conducts this special session to
assess progress made on the commitments outlined five years ago.
Over 50 heads of state and representatives from other countries attended the
special session and spoke about their achievements. And Philippines was one of
the participants both in Rio Summit and Rio 5 Conference.
While many countries attended and shared their achievements, the overall
consensus was that the implementation of sustainable development had fallen
short.
The global environment continued to deteriorate, indicating a lack of action
and a need for greater commitment of government leaders.
Paolo Galizzi (2005), emphasizes that the global partnership established at
the Rio Earth Summit five years ago remains the most effective way for
pursuing sustainable development.
This conference clearly emphasizes the importance of continued
international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges and
promoting sustainable development.
