Rajen Awotar, activist

I am Rajen Awotar. I represent MAUDESCO, a NGO working for the promotion of sustainable development in Mauritius. I am disappointed by the main theme of the Rio +2 Summit which is based on the green economy. I must say, this concept has yet to be defined. Logically, this summit should review Agenda 21 with regards to its implementation, its successes and failures.

Which countries can be defined as being successful and which not, and what are the reasons for the failures? Because so many promises were made by industrialized countries in 1992, not many have been honored. One example: these countries had promised to contribute 0.7% percent of their GDP towards the implementation of Agenda 21. But to date, very few have done so.

I feel Rio + 20 should put more emphasis on the priorities of developing countries rather than the green economy. The green economy is not a priority for developing countries. They reside elsewhere – clean water and sanitation, education, health, housing, the eradication of poverty, eradication, infrastructure and sustainable agriculture are the issues of the day. I don't understand how the concept of the green economy can satisfy the basic needs of these populations.

This is an agenda dictated by industrialised countries and by multi-national conglomerates. For me, the concept of a green economy is an attempt by industrialised countries to promote green business. These countries have done so much damage to the environment that they are now inventing stories such as the green economy. The green economy is not the solution to the problems and needs of developing countries. They need other things to survive in this world.

Author: Nasseem Ackbarally / hw

Editor: Anke Rasper