The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will take place from 20 to 22 June 2012 in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. A final preparatory conference will take place the previous week. The name “Rio+20” refers to the UN Conference that was held twenty years ago in Rio de Janeiro.
During the conference in 1992, the international community agreed on a plan of action for sustainable development for the 21st century entitled Agenda 21. The Agenda 21 programme includes detailed mandates for action that aim to ensure sustainable ecological, economic and social development in the 21st century.
The Rio+20 Conference of 2012 will once again be held at the highest political level. Heads of state and government and other important representatives from around the world are expected to attend. Switzerland will also participate actively in this summit through its Delegation.
The main goal of the Rio+20 Conference is to renew the political commitment to sustainable development. To this end, the focus will be on two topics: the development the development of a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty reduction, and the institutional conditions necessary for sustainable development, i.e. governance.
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