New PCCA briefing following the 3rd round of Rio+20 informal negotiations

6 June 2012

Source: PSN / Population and Climate Change Alliance

In advance of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development taking place this month the PCCA has issued a new briefing for SRHR advocates, sharing the latest updates following the third round of informal Rio+20 negotiations which came to a close at the UN in New York last week.

Negotiations see some progress

Unlike previous preparatory meetings, in many ways, this was the first round of actual negotiations in the Rio + 20 process. Instead of mere reading and incorporation of proposed to the draft resolution, the co-chairs decided to form so-called contact groups, which were thematic working groups on different topics. These groups were formed to help speed up the negotiation process by creating a more informal setting that allowed for genuine discussions that could lead to consensus on controversial issues. While the creation of too many contact groups made it difficult for smaller missions and delegations to participate in all of them, as a strategy to move the negotiations forward it seemed to be at least partially effective.

Reproductive health and rights and population dynamics

Representing the Population and Climate Change Alliance (PCCA) at the informal negotiations were staff members from Sex & Samfund and IPPF. To inform the negotiations, PCCA had circulated to delegates and key stakeholder groups our document setting out recommended text and suggested amendments on reproductive health and rights, population dynamics and related issues. This text is being circulated widely by PCCA members and other SRHR advocates.

Progress was made in the two contact groups on "Gender" and "Population and Health", where reproductive health and rights issues are most prominent. However, the text in neither of these sections was closed so there is still much work to be done to ensure that a focus on these issues is retained, and strengthened.

Further information and PCCA egroup

If you would like a copy of this latest  briefing from the PCCA sharing more detailed analysis on population and SRHR issues following the third round of informal negotiations, please contact Sarah Fisher, PSN Research and Communications Officer.

To stay up to date and share infomation about the latest Rio+20 developments relating to population and SRHR  issues you could join the PCCA Rio+20 egroup. Contact Sarah Fisher if you are interested in joining.

Available to download below is the PCCA's leaflet Why talk about population dynamics and reproductive rights at Rio+20?

UPDATE 7 June 2012

Since issuing this briefing another draft of the Rio+20 outcome document has been released, in advance of the the final round of negotiations that will take place in Rio next week, prior to the summit.