On track to Rio+20
In preparation for the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Rio+20, a 2nd Intersessional Meeting was held on December 15-16, 2012 at the UN Headquarters. The two-day meeting was organized to discuss the ‘Compilation Document’ submitted by Member States, Major Groups and Non Governmental Organization in preparation for the ‘Zero Draft’, an outcome document for Rio+20. The Rio+20 Conference will focus on two themes: (a) green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development.
In their statements, the G77 group highlighted the implementation gap of past agreements notably the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and pushed for fulfilling the financial commitments by developed countries. Member countries from Africa voiced their concern for the more development support to Africa while the Least Developed Countries asked for inclusion of inter-generational equity, inclusion of gender, financial and technological security and protection of the most vulnerable countries. Similarly, the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) asked for the inclusion of the ‘blue economy’ in protecting the oceans by reducing overfishing and protecting marine ecosystem. All countries voiced their support for an ‘action oriented strong political agreement’ with emphasis on poverty reduction, biodiversity protection, agriculture and sustainable development, while the US was quick to voice their concern against any binding agreement and a single negotiation text at Rio+20. Russia and India stated that developing countries must be permitted to grow and should not be restricted by the ‘excessive green protectionism’ by the international communities.
In addition, Member countries also discussed the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development. The key perspective raised were strengthening the three pillars of sustainable development i.e. social, economic and development, strengthening UNEP for environmental governance, creating an energy agency and either reforming of UNCSD or creating a Sustainable Development Council. Member States also stated that institutions of economic and financial governance must be included along with the UN entities themselves for improving governance for sustainable development.
February 22-23 at the Westin in New York City
The Jefferies Global Clean Technology Conference will highlight keynote speakers, panel discussions and presentations from over 100 leading public and private companies across the clean technology spectrum including industrial biotechnology / green chemicals, energy storage, smart grid, clean transportation, lighting & efficiency, solar, wind, water, geothermal and waste-to-energy.
We will bring together industry leaders to help investors identify near- and long-term investment opportunities and to discuss clean technology trends globally.
Keynotes to include:
Michael Brune, Executive Director, Sierra Club
David Crane, Chief Executive Officer, NRG Energy, Inc.
Junfeng Li, Director General, National Centre of Climate Change Strategy Research (NCCS)
Robert Orr, Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Planning & Policy Coordination
Vincent Schachter, VP, Research & Development, Total SA
Details and Invitation to the Jefferies 2012 Global Clean Technology Conference
Board Meeting
January 19, 2012
6 pm
New York, NY
Residence of H.E. Mr. Palitha Kohona, Special Advisor
NGO Sustainability, Inc is honored to be accepted as an official participant of the UN Global Compact. The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative aligning businesses with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. These principles and participating businesses will help ensure that future developments benefit economies and societies everywhere.
The Ten Universally Accepted Principles (from the UN Global Compact site)
The UN Global Compact’s ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption enjoy universal consensus and are derived from:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
- The United Nations Convention Against Corruption
The UN Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption:
Human Rights
- Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
- Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
- Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
- Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
- Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
- Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
- Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
- Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
- Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Why we do what we do- a video celebrating successes and innovations- from the MDG Countdown 2011
On September 21st, 2011, Roma Stibravy, President attended three major events in New York City.
The day began with The Fourth Annual Trygve Lie Symposium on Fundamental Freedoms on September 21, 2011. The Symposium was chaired by H.E. Mr. Jonas Gahr Store, Foreign Minister of Norway and brought together high-level representatives from government and civil society to discuss the opportunities and challenges related to social media. There are enormous opportunities offered by social media in advancing democracy, freedom of speech and human rights, as well as the considerable challenges that come with these rapid technological developments.
Ms. Stibravy also attended MDG Countdown 2011: Celebrating Success and Innovations (click for video) hosted by Andrew Mitchell, UK Secretary of State for International Development and Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the US Agency for International Development. The event featured innovators from across the development community who shared their experiences of transformative programs and policies, which are helping to reach the 8 Millenium Development Goals.
Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action (left) with Roma Stribravy
In the evening, Ms. Stibravy attended The American Business Forum on Europe. The event featured discussions with Connie Hedegaard, the European Union Commissioner for Climate Action on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promoting International Carbon Trading: The Stakes for Business.
Connect with us!