International Programs
Rio+20 Conference
From June 13-22, 2012, nearly fifty thousand people from all levels of government and almost every sector gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to prepare for and participate in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 
(often referred to as Rio+20) and related events. Through this Conference – the largest in United Nations history – the global community elevated the conversation on sustainable development and reached a landmark agreement on its two main themes: the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD).
EPA played an active role in the United States government preparations for and presence at Rio+20, in partnership with a range of U.S. agencies, led by the State Department, and the stakeholder community. Besides playing an important role in negotiations and advancing multi-stakeholder participation, the Agency hosted a range of side events and promoted several key programs. These included the Youth Sustainability Challenge, the U.S.-Brazil Joint Initiative on Urban Sustainability, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and events on sustainable public procurement and other key initiatives at the Corporate Sustainability Forum as positive, practical examples of how to achieve environmental and socially inclusive economic growth.
These links provide more information about Rio+20, including United States participation, conference results, and ongoing EPA work on sustainable development themes.
Conference Details:
- Official details: Visit the Department of State's Rio+20 site including information on the U.S. Delegation, Press Room, Signature Initiatives, and more.
- Rio+20 Fact Sheet from the Department of State (PDF) (2 pp, 955 K, About PDF Files)
- U.S. Center Schedule at Rio+20 (PDF) (30 pp, 213 K, About PDF Files)
- UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Official site of Rio +20)
- United States country submission to the United Nations, "Sustainable Development for the Next Twenty Years: US Views on Rio+20" (November 2011)
- EPA Administrator Jackson participation in Rio+20 Conference: Full schedule of events
Conference Results:
- Registry of voluntary commitments
- 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development
- The Future We Want
- Civil Society Dialogue Days
- 10-Year Framework for Sustainable Consumption and Production
- Official Youth Sustainability Challenge website
- Official JIUS website
Ongoing EPA Work:
Back to:International Organizations
Contacts
For additional information on EPA's work with the Rio+20 Conference, contact:
Hodayah Finman
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: finman.hodayah@epa.gov
(202) 564-6600