Rio+20 outcome document drafted

Member states announced they agreed on an outcome document for the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development during talks in Brazil, an official said. Parties to the negotiations reached an agreement on 37 percent of the final text by last week, though Sha Zukang, secretary-general for the conference, said delegates agreed on a consolidated text presented by Brazil. "We think the text contains a lot of action and if this action is implemented and if follow-up measures are taken, it will indeed make a tremendous difference in generating positive global change," he said in a statement. He added, however, that the text was a compromise agreement that was adopted with much "give and take." The agreement advocates a stronger role for women, non-governmental organizations and indigenous groups in developing sustainability goals. It also calls for more financing and sustainable corporate business practices. "This is the only way forward if we want to harness the necessary action for advancing together on a path of sustainable development," Sha said. The sustainability conference runs through Friday.