The Secretary of State for the Environment, Federico Ramos, has defended models that make economic growth and the protection of natural resources compatible because both concepts “are not necessarily in contradiction, but on the contrary, they must work in harmony for the benefit of our societies”.

Federico Ramos has raised this objective before the plenary of the XII Special Meeting of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Forum of Ministers of the Environment, after Spain has officially assumed its Presidency today.

This forum, which is being held until next Wednesday in Nairobi (Kenya), is attended by more than a hundred countries, and the two main issues of the meeting of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that will take place in June are analyzed: the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development.

The Secretary of State, after recalling that natural resources are finite and that there are challenges that require solutions, stressed that the environment must be seen as an opportunity for growth “today more than ever, in the context of the financial crisis we are suffering”.

“We need 2012 to be a key year in which we jointly define how the governments of the world can face the challenge of sustainability for future generations,” said Federico Ramos.

In his speech to representatives of more than a hundred countries, Ramos called for the joint work of the public and private sectors, civil society and international organizations to face the current challenges and was convinced that “we can provide the inhabitants of this planet with the means for a dignified way of life without compromising the health of the environment”.

In this regard, he insisted that “it is necessary to work hand in hand with civil society if we are to succeed in driving the changes with which to achieve a sustainable future in all corners of the world”.

During his speech, Federico Ramos urged us to take advantage of the “historic moment to join our efforts, being aware of the current situation and thus recognising the role and responsibility we have to build the sustainability of our planet and forge a hopeful future for all”.

He has guaranteed the commitment of the Government of Spain to all initiatives that aim to associate countries and entrepreneurs in the search for sustainable development and, with regard to environmental governance, he has advocated for regulatory development that provides transparency and legal certainty.

The Secretary of State also recalled that this UNEP meeting, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary in 2012, will serve to make its contributions to the Rio+20 summit to be held next June. In his opinion, “this forum will mark the debate on the environment and sustainable development in the coming decades”.

According to Ramos, Rio+20 has the daunting task of formulating a viable framework to stimulate sustainable models of production and consumption that can reverse the negative trends that affect the natural environment and, in turn, facilitate and propose new solutions that promote economic activity and promote respect for the natural environment.