Linkages Update - Issue #188
Editor's Note
   
Building Coalitions of the Willing
Although the term “coalition of the willing” was coined in reference to military operations, a number of the meetings and projects reported in this issue of Linkages Update have similarly sought to achieve international sustainable development objectives through the collective efforts of like-minded countries. More.
Lynn Wagner, Ph.D., Manager, Knowledge Management Projects, IISD Reporting Services
Recent Guest Articles
   
Proposal for a High Commissioner/Ombudsperson for Future Generations: Reflections on the Negotiation Process
Why do we need an Ombudsperson for Future Generations? Because we are a very special generation: special in a sense that the state of our environment is on the brink of changing from bad to catastrophic. Special in a sense that we require a new approach to streamline policy to protect our environment, whilst closing the gaping holes in wealth and development equity. More.
Alice Vincent, Policy Officer, World Future Council
New Reports and Resources
   
Promoting Synergies within the Cluster of Biodiversity-related Multilateral Environment Agreements
Helping to Better Manage the World's Oceans
Taking Stock of Durban: Review of Key Outcomes and the Road Ahead
Renewable Energies for Remote Areas and Islands
Tracking Clean Energy Progress
Promoting Safety and Health in a Green Economy
UNCTAD Commodities and Development Report 2012
Freshwater Under Threat - Pacific Islands
Global Monitoring Report 2012: Food Prices, Nutrition, and the Millennium Development Goals
Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN
UNEP FI Position Paper on the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20): A Financial Sector Perspective
IISD RS' Policy & Practice Knowledgebases
   
Post-2015 Development Agenda
Asia-Pacific Regional Coverage
Land
Chemicals and Wastes
Forests
Water and Sanitation
Sustainable Energy
Climate Change
Sustainable Development (UNCSD)
Biodiversity
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
African Regional Coverage
Latin America & Caribbean Regional Coverage
Latest News - 3 May 2012
   
Second Session of Plenary Establishes IPBES, Selects Bonn as Location

24 April 2012: The second session of a plenary meeting on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) ended with the adoption of a resolution establishing the IPBES, following seven years of discussion. It also selected Bonn, Germany, as the physical location of the Platform's Secretariat. Other modalities and institutional arrangements also were considered. More.

Photo: L-R: Robert Watson, IPBES Chair, and Neville Ash, Chief of Biodiversity, UNEP
Fourth Africa Carbon Forum Highlights Potential for Green Economic Development in Africa

20 April 2012: The fourth Africa Carbon Forum underscored the potential of the African continent in advancing efforts to combat climate change and ensure green economic development in the future. More.

Photo: L-R: Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, Director-General, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ethiopia, congratulates Henry Derwent, President and CEO, IETA, at the closing of the Forum.
Other News
Sustainable Development
   
Brazil Briefs Member States on Rio+20 Sustainable Development Dialogues
Stockholm+40 Highlights Sustainable Solutions in Technology, Production and Living
Member States, UN System and Major Groups Invited to Register Partnerships
Summit Watch Launched to Track Government Action Ahead of Rio+20
Intergovernmental Organizations
   
Working Group on LDC Graduation Hears Experience of Maldives
IFAD Supports "Reframing Rio" Project to Address Rural Poverty
IRENA Launches Online Renewable Energy Learning Partnership
Broadband Commission Calls for SDG on “Broadband Inclusion for All”
ECN Announces Research Agreement on Wind Energy with NREL
UN Chief Executives Board Releases Statement on Rio+20
FAO Stresses Need to Tackle Hunger to Achieve Sustainable Development
Chemicals Management
   
Sweden Releases Declaration Towards 2020 Sound Management of Chemicals Goal
Climate and Atmosphere
   
New CDM Procedures Come into Effect
UNECE Workshop Focuses on Climate Change Impacts on Transboundary Basins
New Clean Energy Initiatives and Commitments Announced at CEM3
Climate and Clean Air Coalition Welcomes New Partners
UNFCCC Shortlists Proposals for Hosting the Climate Technology Centre
Sixth Community-Based Adaptation Conference Focuses on Communication
North American Leaders Commit to Cooperation on Energy, Chemicals and Climate
Water, Oceans and Wetlands
   
France Designates Caribbean Nature Reserve as 41st Ramsar Site
IMO Briefing Highlights New Limits of Liability
Trade, Finance & Investment
   
IDB to Manage Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas
IFC Promotes Green Building Certification System
AfDB Finalizes Climate Safeguard Systems Design
World Bank - IMF Spring Meetings Hold Informal Breakfast on Rio+20
Biodiversity and Wildlife
   
WHO and CBD Hold Workshop on Interlinkages between Human Health and Biodiversity
SPREP Hosts Invasive Species Meeting in Kiribati
Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Project Launched
International Polar Year 2012 Conference Discusses Moving from Knowledge to Action
Experts Call for Raising Awareness of Impacts of Overfishing
WIPO IGC Continues Negotiations on Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge
Human Development
   
Commission on Population and Development Adopts Resolution on Youth and Adolescents
African Trade Ministers Urge Increased Intra-African Trade, Industrialization
UNCTAD XIII Adopts Doha Mandate on Development-centered Globalization, Message to Rio+20
Forests, Desertification and Land Issues
   
UNCCD Invites Applications for African Journalists Workshop
FAO Funds Radio Series to Promote Community Forest Management
UNCCD Invites Nominations for Working Group on Scientific Advice
Key meetings in the next two weeks
   
Small Island Developing States Consultation on Sustainable Energy for All: 7-9 May 2012. Bridgetown, Barbados
Fourth Meeting of the CBD Working Group on Review of Implementation: 7-11 May 2012. Montreal, Canada
Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to Study Issues Relating to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction: 7-11 May 2012. New York, United States of America
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: 11th Session : 7-18 May 2012. New York, United States of America
First Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) Forum: 9-10 May 2012. Cape Town, South Africa
CBD Inter-regional Workshop on Capacity-building for Liability and Redress : 9-11 May 2012. Riga, Latvia
CBD Workshop on Financing Mechanisms for Biodiversity: Examining Opportunities and Challenges: 12 May 2012. Montreal, Canada
International Conference on De-growth in the Americas: 13-19 May 2012. Montreal, Canada
Third High-level Symposium for the UN Development Cooperation Forum: 14-15 May 2012. Brisbane, Australia
AEWA MOP 5: 14-18 May 2012. La Rochelle, France
UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies May 2012: 14-25 May 2012. Bonn, Germany

IISD Reporting Services will be reporting in May from the:

High-Level Conference of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) “Achieving Sustainable Energy for All” (SE4ALL) and SIDS Rio+20 Meeting

First stakeholder forum of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP)

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