Rio+20 Bureau and UN Member States convene a dialogue with Major Groups

In a meeting co-chaired by ICLEI's Susanne Salz, the Rio+20 Bureau and UN Member States met with the nine Major groups to exchange views just 52 days ahead of Rio+20.

During the two hours of the meeting, Major Groups delivered a joint message urging for support with accommodation in Rio as well as calling for more active participation and speaking rights as laid out in the UN General Assembly resolution which laid the ground for Rio+20.

The dialogue was divided into three thematic clusters convened by three Major Groups each: 

(A) Innovation in the context of Rio+20 by the Scientific and Technological Community, Business and Industry, and Local Authorities Major Groups,

(B) Ambitious and just Transitions to the Future we Want By the Women, Indigenous Peoples, and Workers and Trade Unions Major Groups, and

(C) Human Rights and Governance in the context of Rio+20 by the Farmers, Children and Youth, and Non-Governmental Organizations Major Groups. Members of the Rio+20 Bureau and UN Member states answered questions and commented on many issues raised by the Major Group delegates.

The EU and Brazil were particularly active among the national delegations, while the Italian member of the Bureau was particularly supportive of the important role of Local Authorities.

The meeting concluded by the Co-Chairs, Susanne Salz of ICLEI for the Major Groups, and Ambassador Kim, Co-Chair of the Bureau, looking forward to continued dialogue and cooperation until and at Rio+20, as well as for the implementation of Rio+20 outcomes.

The meeting was held during the final New York preparatory meeting for the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development to be held on 20-22 June in Rio de Janeiro.

Download the Local Authority Major Group intervention document.

Find out more about the ongoing negotiations at www.iisd.ca/uncsd and visit www.iclei.org/local2012 for further information on ICLEI's role, advocacy and events around Rio+20.