A little over seven months before the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), United Nations representatives and Brazilian government officials met on Wednesday (11/23) to discuss the progress and challenges of the Conference. With the announcement of the official website of the Rio+20 in Portuguese (www.rio20.info), it was reiterated that the so-called "major groups" - businesses, NGOs, civil society, among others - actively participate in the Conference, and its preparatory process.

"We have much work ahead," said the Director of the Information Center of the United Nations to Brazil (UNIC Rio), Giancarlo Summa, referring to the logistical and practical challenges to be faced during the conference preparation. He thanked Institute Humanitare, represented at the event by its President, Sheila Pimentel, for their support in launching the website - the first instrument of information for Brazil Rio+20. Summa also announced the launching  of the campaign "The Future We Want" next  Monday (11/28), at the Itamaraty Palace, Rio de Janeiro.

The Director of the Division for Sustainable Development of the UN, Nikhil Seth, said the new site is "a window to the conference" and that the new information technologies are essential to the success of the event. Seth commented on the differences between Rio+20 and Rio 92 held twenty years ago, highlighting the growing role of the "major groups" responsible for "80% of the conference", he said.

Read the full version on the official website of the UN in Brazil. (site oficial da ONU no Brasil) (Only in Portuguese)

Photo: UN Press Release