Science recognition in Rio+20 talks 'uphill struggle

A senior UNESCO official has complained that science is being left out of key parts of the negotiations on the draft conclusions of UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to be held later this month (20–22 June) in Brazil. Hans d'Orville, assistant director-general for strategic planning at UNESCO has complained that despite rising acknowledgement of the importance of science in tackling global problems, it was failing to make an impact on negotiations over what will be agreed at Rio+20. He said that "Science has become much more important for judging the state of the planet, and at the same time showing which direction to take. "Why the politicians are not picking up on that is a cause for concernthat it was a "constant uphill struggle to get science recognised". The Science and Technology Major Group, one of nine official communities inputting into the Rio+20 negotiations, also expressed frustration that a real commitment in the draft conclusions to science and innovation in sustainable development was fading away. The group wants decisions made that would allow a "global innovation system" to emerge after Rio+20 that harnesses the forces of science, technology and engineering for sustainable development.