Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- June 12, 2012

WEDO staff members, as well as representatives from organizations, major groups and governments from across the globe, are headed to Rio de Janerio, Brazil this week  for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), or Rio+20, taking place on 20-22 June, 2012, with the Third PrepComm commencing on June 13th. More than 500 registered side-events will take place from 13-22 June, 2012.

Rio+20 will  mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg.

The Women’s Major Group, and international women’s organizations associated with the Major Group, are hosting a diverse series of discussions, lectures and demonstrations advocating strong commitments to action related to gender equality and sustainable development at Rio+20; in addition to Rio+20 side-events, the People’s Summit, will also be coordinating events and assemblies as the Conference proceeds.

Stay informed with Rio+20 and WEDO with daily blog posts, photos and video footage. Follow @WEDO_Worldwide and @Women_Rio20 for the latest updates! 

Below, you will find the Women’s Major Group Calendar of Related Events and the Global Gender and Climate Alliance (GGCA) Members Calendar of events at Rio+20.

Women's Major Group Calendar of Related Events

Global Gender and Climate Alliance Members Calendar

ABOUT RIO+20

Objective of Rio+20
The objective of the Conference is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and emerging challenge.

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

Agenda 21: Chapter 24
GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT 24.1. The international community has endorsed several plans of action and conventions for the full, equal and beneficial integration of women in all development activities, in particular the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 1/ which emphasize women’s participation in national and international ecosystem management and control of environment degradation. Several conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex) and conventions of ILO and UNESCO have also been adopted to end gender-based discrimination and ensure women access to land and other resources, education and safe and equal employment. Also relevant are the 1990 World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and the Plan of Action for implementing the Declaration (A/45/625, annex). Effective implementation of these programmes will depend on the active involvement of women in economic and political decision-making and will be critical to the successful implementation of Agenda 21.