In June 2012 Rio+20 - the third Earth summit - heads of states and government delegates from 193 countries convened to renew their political commitment to approve the outcome document, setting the stage for a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Food security and sustainable agriculture were identified as critical issues which need due attention in the Rio+20 negotiations. This paper analysis the possible implications of the outcome policy document of the Rio+20.
This article mainly focuses on one of the 7 priorities of Rio+20 negotiations, that is, food security and sustainable agriculture. It first briefly narrates about the earth summit background from its origin to the present. In the second part it describes the commitments and action plans that are embraced in the Rio+20 outcome documents related to food security and sustainable agriculture. Thirdly it reflects mixed views of different actors towards the Rio+20 outcome documents in general. In the fourth part the article tries to assess Rio+20 expected outcome in terms of food security and sustainable agriculture by referring to the actual results of the predecessors’ global commitments that focus on similar issues. Though it is too early to make value judgment about Rio+20 at this time – less than a year since its convened – the article also tries to draw some relevant insights and conclusions by reviewing past global commitments that govern the conference.
Note: The full version of the paper can be downloaded here.