Vladimir Platonow       Reporter Agência Brasil

Rio de Janeiro – The United Nations secretary general for the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Conference, Sha Zukang, says that the absence of some important world leaders, especially the president of the United States, Barack Obama, the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the prime minister of England, David Cameron, will not weaken the event.

“The US, Germany and England will be represented at the conference by very high-level officials and they will sign the final Rio+20 document,” declared Zukang. He added that the absences were understandable. Obama has an election and Merkel and Cameron an economic crisis.

Zukang reported that 134 heads of government or state were expected for Rio+20, compared to 108 for Rio92, and 104 in South Africa for the Rio+10 conference in 2002. Each leader is allowed to make a short speech.

As for whether or not Rio+20 will be a success, Zukang was very optimistic. “There is no doubt that under the leadership of the president of Brazil we will reach a very good result,” he declared.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English

Link - Ausências de Obama, Merkel e Cameron não vão enfraquecer a Rio+20, diz secretário da ONU