The United Nations conference on sustainable development in 2012: can it deliver on resource efficiency?

Thursday 26 May – 16.30 – 18.00

Resource Efficiency illustration by UNEP (a small micro vehicle parked between two saloon cars)In 2012, the UN will host a major conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. The conference, known as Rio+20 as it coincides with the twentieth anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, is intended to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development. It will assess progress to date, identify gaps in the implementation of commitments and address emerging challenges, with a focus on two major themes: "a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication" and "the institutional framework for sustainable development". The EU has a strong interest in both themes, as its 2020 objectives aim for sustainable, resource-efficient and low-carbon economy, and the Summit offers an opportunity to pursue this objective at global level. UNCSD also offers a platform to move forward the EU’s long-standing agenda to improve global governance.

Speakers:

  • Mr Achim Steiner, Executive Director UNEP
  • Dr Mohamed Ait Kadi, Chair Technical Committee, Global Water Partnership
  • Joost Oorthuizen, Director, Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative
  • Moderator: Timo Makela, Director International Affairs, LIFE & Eco-Innovation, DG Environment, European Commission