Rio+20: Brazilian Foreign Minister to brief the press tonight on the conclusion of talks

RIO DE JANEIRO (18 June 2012) – Negotiations on the draft outcome for the Rio+20 sustainable development talks should come to a conclusion later this evening, Ambassador Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, Under Secretary at the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, said today at a press briefing.

With the final round of Brazil-led consultations coming to a close, Ambassador Figueiredo announced that Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota will brief the press on the conclusion of negotiations as soon as a final agreement on the text is reached.

“There’s a very positive spirit in the sense that we’re reaching the final formulas that will enable the outcome we all want,” said Ambassador Figueiredo. “This is going to be a long day.”

In a statement, Rio+20 Secretary-General Sha Zukang said that "Brazilian-led consultations have brought an accelerated and constructive dynamic to the negotiating process" and that text on the table "has been well received".  Ambassador Sha emphasized his “reasonable optimism” on the conclusion of negotiations and asked delegations to “show flexibility and a spirit of compromise” during the talks’ final stage.

Briefing also available via UN webcasting: http://webtv.un.org/

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To request interviews with the Brazilian delegation at Rio+20, please contact:

•      João Paulo Gomes at +55-61-8117-7322 or joao.gomes@cdn.com.br

•      Maysa Provedello at +55-61-8170-0708  or maysa.provedello@cdn.com.br

•      Érica Ferraz at +55-61-8170-0706 or erica.ferraz@cdn.com.br

•      Isabel Tarrisse at +55-61-8170-0807 or isabel.tarrisse@cdn.com.br

•      Thiago Vitale at +55-61-8170-0777 or thiago.vitale@cdn.com.br

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