Purpose / Background

The Rio+20 Summit aims to: secure renewed political commitments to sustainable development; assess progress towards internationally agreed goals on sustainable development; and address new and emerging challenges.

The Conference will focus on two themes: a green economy in the context of sustainable development poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development.

ADB-Sponsored Side Events

Sustainable Transport's Contribution to Rio+20
16 June 2012, 13:30 - 15:00, Riocentro Pavilion 3

Organized with the Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT)

This side event organized on behalf of the SLoCaT will present the contribution of the sustainable transport community to the Rio + 20 Conference and its implementation.  The event will include the delivery of a joint MDB statement on sustainable transport.

World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability
17-20 June 2012

Organized with UNEP and other development partners

This event seeks to develop a global agenda in justice, governance and law for environmental sustainability as input into the Rio+ 20 documents, as well as to establish a forward plan.

Assessing Sustainable Transport in the Context of Green Economy
18 June 2012, 15:00 - 18:00, Riocentro Convention Center

Organized by SLoCaT

This Sustainable Development Learning Course will focus on how progress towards sustainable transport can be measured, monitored, and accelerated, through the use of indicators.

Investing in Natural Capital Session 1
Securing Food, Water and Energy in the World’s Most Valued Ecoregions
18 June 2012, 11:30-13:00hrs

Organizing Partners: African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Global Environment Facility, WWF

This event will focus on some of the most innovative sustainable development partnerships investing in natural capital today. Governments from Africa, Asia, and Latin America will profile cutting edge integrated and collaborative approaches that enhance freshwater, forest, agricultural, and marine resources – the vital building blocks of a sustainable future.

Investing in Natural Capital Session 2
Investing in Natural Capital In Africa, Asia and Latin America: Partnerships, Policies and Investments
19 June 2012, 15:15-17:15hrs Rio Conventions Pavilion

Organizing Partners: African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Global Environment Facility, WWF

Speakers from the governments of Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, Kenya, and Tanzania with panelists from Regional Development Banks and other development partner institutions, will profile new policies and partnerships and explore trends and opportunities in financing the transition to Green Economies that ensure the long-term viability of ecosystem services to the people of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Urban Games: A Competition to Promote Green Cities
20 June 2012, 11:00 – 12:30, Riocentro Convention Center

This event will feature a discussion on urban environmental issues.  Participating mayors and governors will share their in-depth knowledge on how they are promoting environmentally-sustainable urban development in their cities.  The discussion will showcase how local decision makers in the developing world can harness existing knowledge, financial resources and technologies to develop “green cities.”

Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security
Sustaining the Coral Triangle’s Extraordinary Marine Biodiversity and Its People
Invitation:
High-Level Rio+20 Side Event for CTI-CFF,
21 June 2012 19:00-20:30,
Riocentro P3-B

High-Level Side Event hosted by the Government of Indonesia

This High-Level Panel Discussion is set in the context of the continual decline of marine ecosystems despite the recognition by the international community that there are important links between the health of our oceans and food security, sustainable livelihoods and economic prosperity, as outlined in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, agreed on in 2002. Addressing this challenge requires a transformation in approaches to oceans management, reaching a “Blue Economy” through deriving economic and social benefits from oceans in an efficient, equitable and sustainable way.

Related publications

• Environment Program: Greening Growth in Asia and the Pacific
• Green Cities: Livable and Sustainable Cities in Asia
• Green Growth, Resources and Resilience: Environmental Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific
• Promoting Clean Energy in Asia and the Pacific: Energy Security, Access and Low Carbon Development
• Sustainable Transport Initiative Operational Plan
• The Coral Triangle
• The Economics of Climate Change
• Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the Pacific