Commission on Population and Development

Fifty-fifth session

25 – 29 April 2022

Population and sustainable development, in particular sustained and inclusive economic growth

Statement submitted by FUNDACION RIBA, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council

The Secretary-General has received the following statement, which is being circulated in accordance with paragraphs 36 and 37 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

Statement

THE NEED TO OFFICIALLY DECLARE “2022 YEAR FOR CHANGE AND SAFE OUR PLANET” HUMAN EVOLUTION: STATE FROM (OFF) TO (ON)

The challenge here is our general state of mind (locked in for the last 200 years). We were told from young ages that natural resources were practically endless, so we used fuel, water and generally abused our planet into a dramatic extreme of weather and pollution with a very real possibility for it to get worse.

Our next years will be filled to the brim with both dramatic climate and social changes. For the last ten years, we have fallen into a comfortable rut, wearing away at the soil. Now the decision to stay in that rut has come to our doorstep to collect it’s due, and unless we re-evaluate our decisions, those dues will cost us dearly.

Fortunately, those necessary changes are already occurring. One doesn’t have to be an intellectual to see it. Technology advances more and more, day by day, making it easier to identify and correct what needs to be.

Unfortunately, there is resistance to these changes, from those who are stuck deep in the rut. Yet there are those who find no issue leaving it: the next generation. And it makes sense; they adapt far better to all the changes that this age brings, not digging a rut but rather constantly finding a path.

We older people could stand to learn from them. Maybe then could we start on the true road to recovery.

Commission on Population and Development Fifty-third session

30 March -3 April 2020

Item 3 of the provisional agenda1

General Debate 3 (a): Actions for the further implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development at the global, regional

and national levels

3 (b)

: Population, food security, nutrition and sustainable development

1 2

E/CN.9/2020/1.

The present statement is issued without formal editing.

Statement submitted by RIBA Foundation, a non-governmental organization in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council2

The Secretary-General has received the following statement, which is being circulated in accordance with paragraphs 36 and 37 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

E/CN.9/2020/NGO/xx

By Alvaro Riba Founder, President

Statement: Area: Population Commission; food security, nutrition, and sustainable development.

The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

According to UNOPS and the United Nations Environmental Programme, globally, there are large gaps in infrastructure service delivery and accessibility —around 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, 4.2 billion lack access to sanitation, 1,940 million lack electricity, and 1 billion lack access to all-weather roads. Economically disadvantaged people are, to varying degrees, underserved by infrastructure. When infrastructure services do exist, prevailing socio-economic inequalities and poor design can inhibit these vulnerable groups from accessing them.

LA PACIFICA PROGRAM

A UNITED INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO CREATE A NEW MULTICULTURAL FUTURISTIC CITY WITH THE CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE ANY VULNERABLE OR DISADVANTAGED PERSON A SAFE ENVIRONMENT (sponsored migrant sanctuary)

UNITED STATES

We are creating the first safe and modern destination for migrants, or any person in a disadvantaged situation and provide them with the necessary tools to live and train so that they may find a future home in a nation who wants them.

We believe that through the common interest of the countries affected by one situation or the other, and under the flag of the United Nations, we can create a solution. We believe this solution to be our program, La Pacifica. With the assistance of the peaceful people, we will be able to initiate the first recreatable model for a Futuristic City that can house migrants to live and work safely. A place to provide them with the knowledge they need to survive wherever they may be needed.

4/8

E/CN.9/2020/NGO/xx

We want people to understand and adapt to this concept, so that future children have a new and more productive way of living.

Our biggest concern is the massive migrations that surprise nations globally. These massive migrations disrupt both the peace of the citizens and the function of government, bringing uncertainty to not only the local populace,  but to those who risked life and limb to escape impossible situations.

These migrations can be an opportunity, however. Many countries are in need of a trained workforce to repopulate small villages, and farms. 

These governments are constantly searching for people who know their culture, language, and laws, but those who meet the criteria are in short supply.

La Pacifica Program is defined as infrastructure that accounts for the needs of everyone, ensures equal

access to quality services, and enhance access to development opportunities for the broadest segments of society, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Our work

Our Costa Rica-based NGO has worked for the last 30 years in improving the methods to help the conservation of nature, the lives of the citizens surrounding these areas, the repopulation of native wildlife species, and ensuring sufficient survival prey.

Through the years, we found that in order to sustain the natural environment, people needed to understand it, and adapt their daily habits to minimize their impact. To this end, we decided to embark on creating the first Futurist City in America, that will make nature and its importance a key factor of its design and culture; a part of all daily activities.

As we advance in our journey, we found that due to its focus on sustainable living, this city could prove to be a host to many humanitarian efforts, such as the housing of disadvantaged migrants, and provide them the needed training to thrive in a new environment.

3/5

E/CN.9/2020/NGO/xx

Our challenges ahead

To raise the necessary funds to initiate this first project in a 2600 Hectare property in Costa Rica Developing the right tools to identify and track the necessities of resident migrants.

Providing a safe living and work environment for migrants in all aspects of daily life.

Improve citizen’s lives and reduce urban poverty.

Ensuring environmentally viable operation.

Our expectations for the next 5 years.

10,000 VERTICAL HOMES: Affordable, sustainable, and efficient living for citizens. We will offer small but technologically advanced housing, emphasizing common spaces that will include all types of recreational, cultural, and sporting developments for both the young and the old.

NATURE AS PART OF DAILY LIFE: "La Pacifica City" will be surrounded by nature, with running water converted into beautiful art cascades, wide walk pads, and bike roads so everyone can go anywhere.

MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE: A specialized School and University that is to be an international training facility and function as an exchange of services for teachers, students, doctors, paramedics, and technical engineers, among others, that will help to create a variety of skilled jobs in the focus areas of the project. It will also have the potential to meet the goals of the 2016-2030 agenda of the United Nations if used to implement a campaign to educate the population on emergency procedures during catastrophic events

ART, THEATER, AND SPORTS as part of  daily life

4/8

E/CN.9/2020/NGO/xx

WORK FOR EVERYONE AND INVOLVEMENT AS PART OF THE CITY.

MODERN LIVING AND FREE ELECTRICAL TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY (FREE OF COMBUSTION VEHICLES AND SMOKE)

POWER SELF SUFFICIENT The property that we choose has access to main water canals that irrigate the entire area of the north of Pacific Coast. We want to take advantage of it and produce our power with hydroelectric technologies.

SMART CITY WITH ELECTRONIC CURRENCY

THE INCORPORATION OF SAR-506 AS A REGIONAL SEARCH & RESCUE BASE To provide the help needed to rescue migrants in imminent danger.

All the above is the matter that puts our NGO today before the 53rd session of the Commission on Population and Development