9. We reaffirm the importance of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international instruments
relating to human rights and international law. We emphasize the responsibilities of all States, in
conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect, protect and
promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any
kind to race, colour, sex, language or religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth, disability or other status.
43. We underscore that broad public participation and
access to information and judicial and administrative proceedings are essential
to the promotion of sustainable development. Sustainable development requires the meaningful
involvement and active participation of regional, national and sub-national
legislatures and judiciaries, and all Major Groups: women, children and youth,
indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers
and trade unions, business and industry, the scientific and technological
community, and farmers, as well as other stakeholders, including local
communities, volunteer
groups and foundations, migrants, families as well as older persons and persons
with disabilities. In this regard, we agree to work more closely with
Major Groups and other stakeholders and encourage their active participation,
as appropriate, in processes that contribute to decision making, planning and
implementation of policies and programmes for sustainable development at all
levels.
58. We affirm that green economy policies in the
context of sustainable development and poverty eradication should:
a.
be consistent
with international law;
b.
respect each
country’s national sovereignty over their natural resources taking into account
its national circumstances, objectives, responsibilities, priorities and policy
space with regard to the three dimensions of sustainable development;
c.
be supported by
an enabling environment and well-functioning institutions at all levels with a
leading role for governments and with the participation of all relevant stakeholders,
including civil society;
d.
promote
sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities,
benefits and empowerment for all and respect of all human rights;
e.
take into
account the needs of developing countries, particularly those in special situations;
f.
strengthen
international cooperation, including the provision of financial resources, capacity
building and technology transfer to developing countries;
g.
effectively
avoid unwarranted conditionalities on ODA and finance;
h.
not constitute
a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination
or a disguised restriction on international trade, avoid unilateral actions to
deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing
country, and ensure that environmental measures addressing trans-boundary or
global environmental problems, as far as possible, are based on an international
consensus;
i.
contribute to
closing technology gaps between developed and developing countries and reduce
the technological dependence of developing countries using all appropriate measures;
j.
enhance the
welfare of indigenous peoples and their communities, other local and traditional
communities, and ethnic minorities, recognizing and supporting their identity,
culture and interests and avoid endangering their cultural heritage, practices and
traditional knowledge, preserving and respecting non-market approaches that contribute
to the eradication of poverty;
k.
enhance the welfare of women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, smallholder and
subsistence farmers, fishers and those working in small and medium enterprises,
and improve the livelihoods and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable groups
in particular in developing countries;
135. We commit to promote an integrated approach to
planning and building sustainable cities and urban settlements, including through supporting local
authorities, increasing public awareness and enhancing participation of urban
residents, including the poor, in decision making. We also commit to promote sustainable development
policies that support inclusive housing and social services; a safe and healthy
living environment for all, particularly children, youth, women, elderly
and disabled;
affordable and sustainable transport and energy; promotion, protection and
restoration of safe and green urban spaces; safe and clean drinking water and
sanitation; healthy air quality; generation of decent jobs; and improved urban
planning and slum upgrading. We further support sustainable management of waste
through the application of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle). We underline
the importance of considering disaster risk reduction, resilience and climate
risks in urban planning. We recognize the efforts of cities to balance
development with rural regions.
229. We reaffirm our commitments to the right to
education and in this regard, we commit to strengthen international cooperation
to achieve universal access to primary
education, particularly for developing countries. We further reaffirm that full
access to quality education at all levels is an essential condition for
achieving sustainable development, poverty eradication, gender equality and
women’s empowerment as well as human development, for the attainment of the
internationally agreed development goals including the Millennium Development
Goals, as well as for the full participation of both women and men, in
particular young people. In
this regard, we stress the need for ensuring equal access to education for persons
with disabilities, indigenous peoples, local communities, ethnic
minorities and people living in rural areas.
