14 May 2012: A group of UN independent experts has called on the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations (G8) and EU countries to support a proposal for a global financial transaction tax (FTT). Such a tax would be applied to mitigate the costs of the economic, financial, fuel, climate and food crises, and to protect basic human rights.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly (UNGA) President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser are jointly convening a High-Level Thematic Debate on “The State of the World Economy and Finance in 2012”. The debate aims to explore ways to improve the overall global economic and financial situation and to discuss its impact on development efforts and social processes. It is part of the ongoing consultations mandated by the UNGA on the topic. Particular focus will be given to sustainable development, thereby addressing specifically the needs of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. The debate also aims to contribute to other UN processes and events, most notably the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), and the Group of 20 (G20) annual Leaders’ Summit. Four round-table discussions will focus on: combating unemployment, creating jobs, addressing poverty and social protection; debt sustainability and managing inflation/deflation; creating an environment for increasing production, trade and investment; and increasing stability, predictability and transparency in the global financial system. The debate will result in a summary document.
12 May 2012: The UN Pavilion has opened at the International Exposition 2012 (Expo 2012) in Yeosu, Republic of Korea, under the theme "Oceans and Coasts: Connecting Our Lives, Ensuring Our Future—The Choice is Yours." The Expo is the first international exposition focusing on ocean, coasts and islands in international recognition of their role, and is organized around the overall theme "The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities."
13 May 2012: The First Stakeholder Forum of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) took place from 9-10 May 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa, with the aim of progressing on the AEEP 2020 targets to radically improve African deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy access, and energy security.
11 May 2012: The 38th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) endorsed the new Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security. The new guidelines outline principles and practice for governments to refer to when making laws and policies on land, fisheries and forest rights. They aim to promote food security and sustainable development by improving access to resources and protecting stakeholders' rights.
8 May 2012: The UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has released the May 2012 issue of its newsletter, which includes articles on the UNEP FI Position Paper on the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), and a sustainable shipping partnership.
10 May 2012: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has released its regional human development report for Asia Pacific, titled "One Planet to Share – Sustaining Human Progress in a Changing Climate." The report emphasizes that, to achieve a shift to a greener economy, countries in the region will need to change their production patterns, including in the energy, industrial and agricultural sectors.
5 May 2012: The 45th meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was organized around the theme “Inclusive Growth through Better Governance and Partnerships” and addressed how to bring the benefits of Asia's growth to all, especially the poor.
May 2012: The World Bank has released a report presenting its findings on the necessary components for a comprehensive green growth strategy worldwide. The report, titled “Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development,” provides evidence supporting the urgent need for inclusive green growth, a type of green growth that requires overcoming economic, market, policy and institutional constraints.
8 May 2012: An Informal Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change brought together representatives from 30 countries, including from least developed countries (LDCs) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), to build on the achievements of the Durban Climate Change Conference. The meeting, which was hosted by the EU, also provided an opportunity for Ministers to discuss the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
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Sustainable Energy |
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Climate Change |
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Sustainable Development (UNCSD) |
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Biodiversity |
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Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
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African Regional Coverage (ARC) |
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Latin America & Caribbean Regional Coverage (LARC) |
| Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) |
| Your Meeting Bulletin (YMB) |
