Rio+20 summit faces challenge of achieving consensus: Brazilian FM
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tovar Nunes also said Brazil must promote consensus and act as a bridge between different points of view, the government news agency Agencia Brasil quoted him as saying, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
"As the host, Brazil must serve as a bridge between different poles, seeking the consolidation of a positive agenda," the spokesman said.
The upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, is scheduled to be held here on June 20-22, marking the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit in the city in 1992.
The conference is expected to provide the world with an opportunity to change its development model and set a new standard on sustainable development and the green economy.
So far, the heads of state or government of 116 countries have already confirmed their participation in the conference, including France's president-elect Francois Hollande and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But there will be some notable absentees, including U.S. President Barack Obama, who will concentrate on his re-election campaign.
The European Parliament has canceled the plan to send representatives to the conference, citing Rio's spiralling hotel costs.
The representatives of BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have confirmed their attendance.
Rio+20, the fourth major summit on sustainable development since 1972, will gather more than 50,000 participants from around the world.
