A/RES/66/204 Noting the first Peoples’ World Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, hosted by the Plurinational State of Bolivia in Cochabamba from 20 to 22 April 2010, 7 Acknowledging the importance of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012, Expressing concern about documented environmental degradation and the negative impact on nature resulting from human activity, and recognizing the need to strengthen scientific knowledge on the effects of human activities on ecosystems, Recognizing that gross domestic product was not designed as an indicator for measuring environmental degradation resulting from human activity and the need to overcome this limitation with regard to sustainable development and the work carried out in this regard, Recognizing also the uneven availability of statistical basic data under the three pillars of sustainable development and the need to improve their quality and quantity, Reaffirming that fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development and that all countries should promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, with the developed countries taking the lead and with all countries benefiting from the process, taking into account the Rio principles, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, as set out in principle 7 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Recognizing that many ancient civilizations and indigenous cultures have a rich history of understanding the symbiotic connection between human beings and nature that fosters a mutually beneficial relationship, Recognizing also the work undertaken by civil society, academia and scientists in regard to signalling the precariousness of life on Earth, as well as their efforts to devise more sustainable models for production and consumption, Considering that sustainable development is a holistic concept that requires the strengthening of interdisciplinary linkages in the different branches of knowledge, Takes note of the second report of the Secretary-General on Harmony 1. with Nature; 8 2. Requests the President of the General Assembly to convene, at the sixtysixth session of the Assembly, an interactive dialogue, to be held at the plenary meetings to be convened during the commemoration of International Mother Earth Day on 23 April 2012, with the participation of Member States, United Nations organizations, independent experts and other stakeholders, to discuss the scientific findings on how human activities are affecting the Earth’s ecosystem; Requests the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund for the 3. participation of independent experts in the interactive dialogue to be held at the plenary meetings to be convened during the commemoration of International Mother _______________ 7 8 2 See A/64/777, annexes I and II. A/66/302.