Extract from the Thought piece towards a Concept Note for the STOCKHOLM+50 International Meeting, June 2-3, 2022

The 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm marked a watershed moment. Recognizing the centrality of the environment for human well-being, it spawned environment ministries and agencies worldwide, created a host of new global agreements to protect the environment, and recognized the need for an anchoring institution in the United Nations – the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Five decades after the Stockholm Conference made the link between environment and poverty; thirty years after Rio chartered sustainable development; and seven years after the world adopted the 2030 Agenda, Stockholm again welcomes the world in 2022. Anchored in the Decade of Action, the theme of the international meeting is “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity.” It will be an occasion to raise awareness on the importance of protecting our planet and drive action towards achieving sustainable development for the well-being of current and future generations, further recognize the interconnections between humans and nature, and centerstage the value of a healthy planet for all.

While Stockholm+50 is a commemoration, and time for bold action and action-oriented engagement, it is also a time for reflection of this interconnectedness and, critically, a time for urgent actions to anchor and harness emerging opportunities for a better future on a healthy planet as part of our responsibility to present and future generations. It is time to make bold choices, by listening to and in support of the most vulnerable, the weakest and those at risk; improving human lives and human flourishing requires a development nested in a healthy planet, a development that shifts from its current material and carbon intensity, which privileges the few, reduces opportunities for the many, but especially the disadvantaged, and places longer term development at risk. Less developed and emerging economies have to deal with triple stresses – COVID-19, the climate emergency, and the debt crises. This is a time to focus on innovative means of implementation and policies to enable countries to increase fiscal space, invest in sustainable infrastructure, rebuild key sectors and value chains, and unleash finance and investment in recovery and long-term sustainable development to ensure a safer, healthier, resilient, and more equitable world.

Our common future and agenda need collective actions, partnerships, social protection systems, a new social contract and compacts with nature. While “we the peoples” face common challenges, the ability to respond and change course varies across nations based on resources and capacity. The UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda calls for reinvigorating inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to address the “breakdown and unending crisis” and a “breakthrough to a greener and safer future.” A future of renewed opportunities, and of solidarity. As the Secretary-General reflected on the state of the broken planet in December 2020, ‘Solidarity is humanity. Solidarity is survival’.

This note speaks to the organizing principles of engagement – Implementation, Interconnection and Intergenerational; and 5 Rs - pathways to a healthy planet which will help frame the Leadership Dialogues and consultations serve as guidance for commitments and actions. Based on the UN General Assembly Resolution 75/326, the leadership dialogues will address the following themes:

  • Leadership Dialogue 1: Reflecting on the urgent need for actions to achieve a healthy planet and prosperity of all.

  • Leadership dialogue 2: Achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Leadership Dialogue 3: Accelerating the implementation of the environmental dimension of Sustainable Development in the context of the Decade of Action.