14 May 2012: The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Israel have entered into an agreement to increase cooperation on food security, water management, women's empowerment, and industrial development in Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
This event is organized by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science and Research. In recognition of the major transformations in the world, characterized by increased globalization, fundamental shifts in economic and political power, escalating environmental challenges, and deep social conflict, this Conference will examine the sustainability and development challenges posed by these transformations, together with options for resolving them. It will also explore new “future worlds,” worlds that accommodate human needs and aspirations, while living within, and respecting, planetary boundaries. The Conference will highlight the relevance and application of advanced systems analysis and integrated approaches in providing science-based solutions to these problems.
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.
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).
8 May 2012: The EC launched €34.8 million in funding to support Eco-Innovation, an initiative designed to bring to market eco-innovative products, services and processes that prevent environmental impacts or improve resource use. The call for applications focuses on five priority areas: materials recycling; water; sustainable building products; green business; and the food sector.
2 May 2012: A conference titled “Think Green! The Opportunities of Sustainable Development and of the Green Economy,” organized by the Various Interests’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), brought stakeholders together to discuss how civil society and citizens are promoting resource efficiency and long-term sustainable development, in the run-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
30 April 2012: In a keynote speech to the “Investing Sustainably: Rio+20” event organized by the ethical investment research group EIRIS, European Environment Agency (EEA) President Jacqueline McGlade said sustainable development is "more relevant now than ever” and called for overcoming the immediate financial challenge in creating a green economy through investment in clean technology.
The European Union Foreign Affairs Council sets the course for the EU's external action and ensures coherence of the EU’s different efforts in the area. The Council deals with issues concerning the common foreign and security policy, the security and defence cooperation, trade and development policy. This year’s meeting will address preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).
30 April 2012: The 18th session of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Environmental Policy focused on, inter alia: environmental performance reviews and environmental monitoring and assessment; the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20); and the UNECE multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
24 April 2012: The Swedish Minister for Environment, Lena Ek, has released a declaration of intent, titled “Towards the 2020 Goal of Sound Chemicals Management,” in response to the outcomes of the Global Stakeholder Dialogue 8 years - 8 actions, an event dedicated towards achieving the 2020 goal. The declaration was launched in tandem with the Stockholm+40 Partnership Forum, in Stockholm, Sweden, on 24 April.
 |
Sustainable Energy |
 |
Climate Change |
 |
Sustainable Development (UNCSD) |
 |
Biodiversity |
 |
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) |
 |
African Regional Coverage (ARC) |
 |
Latin America & Caribbean Regional Coverage (LARC) |
| Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) |
| Your Meeting Bulletin (YMB) |
