Question 9 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Environment

Question

What is the Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

Strategy: Spot the association: 'Rio+20' immediately links to the historic process that began with the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, making it a United Nations Conference. Other options—WTO meetings, IPCC conferences, and CBD COPs—are named differently, so prompt elimination occurs. Recognition of the Rio+20 as the 20th anniversary of the UN Earth Summit solidifies the correct choice.

Key Info: The Rio+20 Conference, officially called the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012. It marked the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit), also in Rio. Rio+20 addressed progress on sustainable development and focused on themes like the green economy and institutional frameworks for sustainable action. The conference produced the outcome document titled 'The Future We Want,' which outlined pathways for sustainable growth, poverty eradication, and a renewed commitment to sustainable development goals. The IPCC organizes scientific assessment reports rather than diplomatic conferences, the CBD hosts its own Conference of Parties (COP), and the World Trade Organization (WTO) holds separate Ministerial Conferences, none of which bear the term 'Rio+20.'

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Option B: It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization

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Option C: It is a Conference of the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change

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Option D: It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity