Rio+20: Rescheduled?

According to reports from the UNCSD Bureau, the President of Brazil has proposed new dates for UNCSD (Rio+20). They have already been discussed with the UN/S-G and he has expressed his support. Discussion on the new dates for the PrepCom (13-15 June) and for the Conference (20-22 June) now shifts to the UN/GA's 2nd Committee where Member States are already negotiating the precise 'modalities' of the Conference. It is presumed that the proposal will be accepted, as it comes at the request of the Host Country.

Rationale given for the change of dates is to "ensure opportunity for participation at the highest possible level" coinciding with the next G20 Summit in Mexico from 18-19 June, 2012 and to avoid overlap with commitments of Commonwealth Members to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

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G20 Cannes Summit

The G20 Leader's Summit concluded with the adoption of a declaration titled "Building our common future: renewed collective action for the benefit of all,” which includes a section on "Fostering Clean energy, Green Growth and Sustainable Development." with commitments to:- promote low-carbon development strategies for green growth and to ensure sustainable development;
- welcome the UN Secretary-General’s “Sustainable Energy for All” (SE4ALL) initiative; and
- support the development and deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency (C3E) technologies.

They further commit to the success of UNCSD (Rio+20), noting it will provide an opportunity "to mobilize the political will needed to reinsert sustainable development at the heart of the international agenda." Leaders also underline the opportunities created by green growth in new industries and in "areas such as environmental services, renewable energy and new ways to provide basic services to the poor."

G20 Summit: Green Growth?

Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the Heads of five international agencies (OECD, WTO, ILO, IMF, and the World Bank) met in Berlin (Germany) on 6 October to call for coordinated policy action to restore confidence and improve sustainable and balanced growth and employment prospects ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in Cannes (France) on 3-4 November. According to a statement, "climate change and the protection of natural resources remain major challenges that could also become an opportunity for growth. Leaders stressed the need to: realize the potential for low-carbon development and green growth by targeted action in developed and developing countries; continue with the commitment of all international organizations to promote and work together on green growth; and ensure a successful Durban Climate Change Conference in late 2011 with a view to further promoting low-carbon development strategies."
Press Release with Joint Communique

G20 Agriculture Ministers: 1st Meeting

G20 Agriculture Ministers concluded their first meeting with the adoption of an Agriculture Ministerial Declaration and Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture