Seoul Outcome of the Asia and the Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for UNCSD (Rio+20)
1. The participants at the Asian and Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the UN Conferenceon Sustainable Development met in Seoul, Republic of Korea on October 19-20, 2011,
2. Recognizing that the Asia Pacific region is one of the most diverse regional groupings
characterized by high economic growth rates while being home to the largest number of theworld’s poor ,3. Further recognizing that the diverse range of states in the region including, but not limited to,small islands developing states, high mountain states and land-lock states, continue to face
many special and particular vulnerabilities,
4. Reaffirming the principles contained in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development,
Agenda 21, as well as the instruments further adopted for the implementation of Agenda 21, inparticular the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation,
5. Also reaffirming that the main objective of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development(Rio+20) is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assessing
progress to date and the remaining gaps in implementation of the outcomes of the majorsummits on sustainable development, and addressing new and emerging challenges.
6. The participants considered that the outcome of the Rio+20 conference should be:o Based on Rio Principles, including the principle of common but differentiatedresponsibilities
o Action-oriented
o Forward-looking
o Consensus-based ando Inclusiveo Supportive of global partnership for sustainable development
7. Participants agreed that Green Economy has to be seen in the context of the overriding
objectives of sustainable development and poverty eradication. The Green Economy approachshould take into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in particular,
along with Rio Principles. In that regard:o It should: Promote sustained economic growth for poverty eradication
 Be one of means to achieve and promote sustainable development
 Facilitate trade opportunities to all countries, in particular, developing countries Address the three pillars of sustainable development in a comprehensive,
coordinated, synergetic and balanced manner

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oAllow sufficient policy space and flexibility for governments to pursue
sustainable development strategies based on national circumstances andrespective stages of development
Promote the inclusion of vulnerable sections of the society, women and youth
Involve all stakeholders
Facilitate technological innovation and transfer and promote access to green
technologies at affordable costs
Address the challenges of delivering a green economy in small islands
developing states in particular, along with high mountain and land-lock states
Increase the resilience to natural disasters

It should not:
 Be used as a pretext for green protectionism

8. There is a need to reform and improve the IFSD. These reforms should: Strengthen coherence and coordination
 Enhance implementation at all levels
 Strengthen the governance in all three pillars
 Promote the spirit of multilateralism
 Improve balance and integration among the three pillars
 Promote institutional capacity building at all levels
 Be aimed at enhancing the role of the United Nations at all levels including
regional and sub-regional levels
9. The participants expressed their gratitude to the Government of Republic of Korea, ESCAP,
UNEP and ADB for the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality.
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