Summit begins today with 190 countries, minus the rich ones

06/20/2012 - 10h43

Today president Dilma Rousseff officially takes charge of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The summit includes representatives from190 countries, although the heads of state from the more wealthy part of the planet will not be in attendance.

Folha looked at which of the 30 richest countries sent their main representatives in 1992, compared to those that will be present today. The number is similar: 19 heads of state came to Eco-92. For Rio+20, as of now there are 17 confirmed.

But when one considers of the relative GDP of these countries, the comparison is very disproportionate. In 1992, among the 30 richest countries, the combined GDPs of those who sent their heads of state to the conference added up to 70 percent of this group. Today, the percentage has fallen to 44 percent.

Unlike 1992, this time the heads of state of the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada among others will not be there.

A more precise headcount will be available on Friday, the last day of Rio+20. There are always last minute confirmations and cancelations. In 1992, the prime minister of Japan decided the night before not to come to Brazil.

The summit will last three days. A representative from each of the 190 countries will take the podium at Rio+20. President Dilma will use the event to give a speech emphasizing Brazil's interest in advancing environmental policies --compensating a little bit for the moderate content of the final declaration of the conference.

Dilma was planning to arrive in Rio early this morning. She will travel straight from Mexico, where she participated in the summit of the G20, the group that includes the main advanced and emerging economies of the world.

Translated by ANNA EDGERTON