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international environment and sustainable development negotiations


Upcoming Meetings

All Meetings


May 2013

Environmental Sustainability E-discussion: Translating Global Commons and Universal Agenda to Local Action and Context

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) are holding a second round of e-discussions on areas where further dialogue and thinking is needed, as identified during the Leadership Meeting of the Global Consultation on Environmental Sustainability in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, held in San José, Costa Rica, on 18-19 March 2013. This third e-discussion in Phase II, on "Translating global commons and universal agenda to local action and context" takes place in two discussion tracks, on: "Common or Differentiated Responsibilities?" exploring ways to develop a CBDR approach for the post-2015 agenda, including typologies; and "Local Action, Innovation and Empowerment," addressing: how local action and empowerment can drive a transformative agenda for environmental sustainability; how a new set of goals can incorporate incentives that will capitalize on local ecosystem-based initiatives and allow them to flourish; and how to efficiently, effectively and strategically "upscale". The discussion will also consider how to measure the participation and empowerment of local organizations in the sustainable development agenda and how to develop appropriate indicators.  

dates: 13-26 May 2013   location: virtual   contact: Holly Mergler, UNDP   phone: +1-646-781-4044   e-mail: holly.mergler@undp.org   www: http://www.worldwewant2015.org/sustainability?utm_source=iCo...  

21st African Union Summit

The 21st Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit will convene under the theme “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”. The Summit will comprise: the 26th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) from 19-20 May 2013; the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU from 22-23 May 2013; and the 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU from 26-27 May 2013.  

dates: 19-27 May 2013   location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   contact: Esther Azaa Tankou   phone: +251 911 3611 85   e-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org   www: http://www.au.int  

Twelfth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

The 12th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will take place from 20-31 May 2012. The provisional agenda is now online.  

dates: 20-31 May 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx  

81st General Session of the World Organization on Animal Health

The 81st Session of the World Organization on Animal Health (OIE) will consider recommendations forwarded by the OIE Regional Commissions, and discuss technical issues including modern approaches and the use of new technologies for the control and eradication of aquatic and terrestrial animal diseases that fully consider animal welfare and minimize the impact on food security.  

dates: 26-31 May 2013   venue: Maison de la Chimie, 28 Rue Saint-Dominique 75007 Paris, France   location: Paris, France   contact: OIE Secretariat   phone: +33 (0) 1 44 15 18 88   e-mail: oie@oie.int   www: http://www.oie.int  

Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Solution for Climate, Food Security and Ecosystem Services

This conference aims to highlight the growing importance of conserving and restoring soil organic carbon for multiple win-win benefits within various land type and land use settings. The conference will review the state of science and further knowledge needs involved and discuss, inter alia; land use and land restoration practices; how to verify carbon sequestration and linkages with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other global goals, agreements and negotiations; and how to increase the flow of climate-linked funding for land and soil restoration. Organizers include the European Commission, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and United Nations University (UNU). Following the Soil Carbon Sequestration conference, the FP7 Environment funded SoilTrEC project will organize a training event for Early Stage Researchers that wish to expand their knowledge into farming approaches and their impacts on farming sustainability.  

dates: 26-29 May 2013   location: Reykjavik, Iceland   contact: Organizing Committee   e-mail: arna@land.is   www: http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/events/detail/en/c/...  

Semantics for Biodiversity – International Workshop

This workshop, co-organized by Bioversity International, Institut de Recherche pour le Development (IRD), Centre de Recherche Agronomique pour le development (CIRAD), Institut de Biologie Computationelle (IBC) and Universite de Montpellier II, will define key challenges identified by the bioinformatics community, discuss solutions and identify opportunities emerging from interactions across plant science and informatics disciplines. A key focus of the workshop will be the use of semantic technologies to design and develop systems that support research on agricultural and wild biodiversity conservation and management for food security, including strategies for resilience to climate change pressure, ecosystem monitoring and territory mapping. The invitation to send pre-submissions for papers and abstracts is open until 24 February.  

dates: 26-27 May 2013   location: Montpellier, France   www: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/announcements/semanti...  

Expert Group Meeting on Innovative Ways of Measuring Sustainable Development Progress

This meeting is one of a series of expert group meetings to support the preparation of the Global Sustainable Development Report 2013. The meetings are being organized to review and complete draft chapters of the report, which is expected to be finalized by September 2013. This meeting will discuss the ‘making and measuring progress' chapter, which aims to outline necessary inputs needed to achieve sustainable development, including means of implementation such as education, investment, science, technology and trade, and potential ways of measuring and monitoring progress. The chapter will include sections on input needs and market potentials; follow up on implementation of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20); and measuring and monitoring progress, including measurements beyond gross domestic product (GDP).  

dates: 26-27 May 2013   location: Lund, Sweden   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&typ...  

The Asian and Pacific Energy Forum (APEF 2013)

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is convening the Asian and Pacific Energy Forum (APEF 2013) to promote regional cooperation for enhanced energy security and the sustainable use of energy. APEF 2013 is the first ministerial conference of its kind to bring together 62 member states and associate members from the Asia-Pacific region on energy. It is expected that a Ministerial Declaration and Regional Plan of Action will be agreed, addressing energy issues from access, efficiency and renewables to connectivity and trade, within the overall context of sustainable development and in connection with the UN SG's global initiative, Sustainable Energy for All. To prepare, an extensive preparatory process has taken place since mid-2012, building up to the main event in May. The Russian Federation is supporting the preparatory process and will host APEF 2013.  

dates: 27-30 May 2013   location: Vladivostok (Primor'Ye), Russian Federation   contact: APEF 2013   e-mail: apef@un.org   www: http://www.unescap.org/apef  

International Conference for International Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Land and Sea Managers Network

This conference will explore land and sea management themes such as the blue economy, sustainable livelihoods, women engaged in sustainable development and traditional ecological knowledge.  

dates: 27-31 May 2013   location: Darwin, Australia   contact: Australian Government Land and Coasts   phone: +1-800-552-008   fax: +61-02-6272-4526   e-mail: communications@nrm.gov.au   www: http://www.nrm.gov.au/about/key-investments/indigenous-netwo...  

73rd Meeting of the CDM Executive Board

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board (EB) will convene its 73rd meeting (EB73) to consider matters relating to the operation of the CDM.  

dates: 27-31 May 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://cdm.unfccc.int/calendar/index.html  

AMCOW Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting

The African Ministers' Council on Water's (AMCOW) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), meeting prior to the AMCOW Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting, will be held from 27-28 May 2013. The TAC provides technical support to the ExCo and the Governing Council for: formulating policies and strategies for the ExCo's consideration; coordinating with other institutions and partners; and following-up on issues and decisions of AMCOW.  

dates: 27-28 May 2013   location: Egypt   additional: Sharm El Sheikh   contact: Oseloka Zikora   phone: +234-9870-3749   e-mail: ozikora@amcow-online.org   www: http://www.amcow-online.org  

Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity: Ecology and Economy for a Sustainable Society

The 2013 Trondheim Conference will explore how to cut development pathways towards a sustainable society by aligning policy, business, economy and ecology borders, scales and systems. Participation in the conference is by invitation only. Each country has been invited to send two experts, one from each field of biodiversity and economy/planning. The Trondheim Conferences are a result of collaboration between the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Norwegian Government and are held every 3-4 years.  

dates: 27-31 May 2013   location: Trondheim, Norway   contact: Conference Secretariat   phone: +47 73 58 05 00   fax: +47 73 80 50 01   e-mail: trondheim.conference@dirnat.no   www: http://www.dirnat.no/tk13/  

E-Learning Course on Green Economy

The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the inter-agency Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), which includes the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), are offering an e-learning course, “Introduction to a Green Economy: Concepts and Applications,” from 27 May to 19 July 2013, for people working in the public, private or non-profit sectors. Prospective students can register up to 17 May 2013. A number of fellowships for students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and non-profit organizations will be awarded.  

dates: 27 May - 19 July 2013   location: virtual   contact: UNITAR Environmental Governance Programme   e-mail: atenvgov@unitar.org   www: http://www.unitar.org/launching-e-learning-course-green-econ...  

Vienna Energy Forum 2013

The third Vienna Energy Forum (VEF 2013) will focus on the energy dimension of the Rio+20 outcome document. This high level meeting will provider leaders, policy makers and energy practitioners an opportunity to engage in interactive dialogue on key sustainable energy issues, including policies, markets, finance and technologies. The Forum is also aimed at enhancing understanding of how sustainable energy fits into the broader post-2015 development framework. The event, organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), will bring together over 1000 participants, including heads of State, ministers, energy experts, representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector.  

dates: 28-30 May 2013   venue: Hofburg Imperial Palace   location: Vienna, Austria   contact: UNIDO   e-mail: vef2013@unido.org   www: http://www.unido.org/media-centre/upcoming-events/vienna-ene...  

OECD Forum 2013

The OECD Forum 2013 will bring together representatives from governments, business, labour, civil society and academia. Under this year's heading of "Jobs, Equality and Trust," the Forum will discuss three main themes: promoting inclusive growth and addressing inequalities; rebuilding trust in the system; and fostering sustainability. The Forum is organized alongside the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, which will be held on 29-30 May.  

dates: 28-29 May 2013   venue: OECD Conference Centre, 2 rue André Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16   location: Paris, France   contact: Anthony Gooch   phone: + 33 1 44 30 63 46   e-mail: oecd.forum@oecd.org   www: http://www.oecd.org/forum/  

Fifth Scaling up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) Pilot Country Meeting

The fifth meeting of pilot countries participating in the Program for Scaling-up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries (SREP) will provide a platform for pilot and reserve countries to share updates on the status of their projects, last assessed in October 2012. Sessions will focus on the areas of monitoring and reporting on energy access results, project delivery, and private sector engagement. A full day will be devoted to renewable energy progress in SREP countries and participants will take part in a field visit to Villingili Island. The countries participating in SREP are: Ethiopia, Honduras, Kenya, Maldives, Mali, Liberia, Nepal and Tanzania.  

dates: 28-30 May 2013   location: Maldives   additional: Bandos Island   phone: +1 202 458-1801   e-mail: cifadminunit@worldbank.org   www: https://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/cif/content/srep-pilo...  

First Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance

The first Forum of the Standing Committee on Finance will take place on 28 May 2013, in Barcelona, Spain. The meeting is expected to address, among other issues: strategic perspectives on climate finance; financing and investment drivers for mitigation activities; and the provision of recommendations and conclusions. Four groups will further discuss: innovative approaches to climate finance; innovative approaches in providing finance for adaptation; the role of local investors in mobilizing climate finance; and tracking climate finance. The meeting is organized upon a request by the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCCC for the communication and continued exchange of information among bodies and entities dealing with climate change finance in order to promote linkages and coherence.  

date: 28 May 2013   location: Barcelona, Spain   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49 228 815 1000   fax: +49 228 815 1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://unfccc.int/files/cooperation_and_support/financial_me...  

High-level Meeting of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments for Post-2015 Development Agenda towards Habitat III

The High-level meeting of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments for Post-2015 Development Agenda towards the Third United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat III) is co-organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). It will convene on Tuesday, 28 May 2013, from 15:00 to 18:00, at UN Headquarters in Conference Room 6 (NLB).  

date: 28 May 2013   location: New York, United States of America   contact: UN-Habitat New York Office   e-mail: HabitatNY@un.org  

5th Delft Symposium on Water Capacity Development

This symposium is being organized by, inter alia, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-Institute for Water Education (IHE), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Cap-Net UN development programme (UNDP). Participants will examine the theme “Developing Capacity from Rio to Reality – Who's Taking the Lead?” through discussions on three sub-topics: challenges for water sector capacity development; landscape of experiences with capacity development; and innovation in water sector capacity development.  

dates: 29-31 May 2013   venue: UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7   location: Delft, Netherlands   e-mail: CDsymposium@unesco-ihe.org   www: http://www.unesco-ihe.org/CD-Symposium  

Carbon Expo: Global Carbon Market Fair and Conference

This meeting is sponsored by Fira Barcelona, the International Emissions Trading Association and the World Bank. Some of the issues to be addressed at the Expo include: Future of Global Carbon Trading; Funding a Low Carbon and Energy Secure Future; Reforming the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme; Latest Developments in Emerging Emissions Trading Programmes in China, Republic of Korea, California, Australia, and Quebec; EU Carbon and Energy Prices; Voluntary CO2 Offset Prices; Financing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs); Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Investments; The Voluntary Carbon Market and REDD; CDM Issues and PoAs; The Future of Kyoto "Filling the Gaps;" Aviation and Shipping; and The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage in the New Energy Future.  

dates: 29-31 May 2013   location: Barcelona, Spain   contact: Lisa Spafford, IETA   phone: +41-22-737-0502   e-mail: spafford@ieta.org   www: http://www.carbonexpo.com/  

ESCWA Regional Implementation Meeting

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) will hold the Arab Regional Implementation Meeting (RIM) for the 20th Session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD 20). The Arab RIM aims to provide a platform for, inter alia, deliberating on the main outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) and their implications for sustainable development agenda in the Arab region, and preparing an outcome document to serve as the region's collective input into CSD 20 and the high-level political forum (HLPF). The outcomes, findings and recommendations from this RIM will be reflected in a final meeting report to be submitted to CSD 20 in view of ensuring an Arab regional contribution to Rio+20 follow-up.  

dates: 29-30 May 2013   location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates   contact: Secretariat   www: http://www.escwa.un.org/information/meetingdetails.asp?refer...  

LatinoSan 2013

The third LatinoSan is organized by the Panamanian Government with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, the Swiss Cooperation and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). It will examine the current state and future prospects for sanitation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), focusing on emerging challenges and opportunities, and consider the creation of a mechanism to follow-up the commitments made at LatinoSan 2007 and 2010 conferences. On this last point, conference organizers hope to win endorsement in a Declaration of Panama for the idea of creating a Pro-tempore Regional Secretariat for Sanitation.  

dates: 29-31 May 2013   venue: Hotel El Panamá Convention Center   location: Panama City, Panama   contact: Lourdes Lopez   phone: +507-527-4883   e-mail: latinosanpanama@gmail.com   www: http://latinosanpanama2013.com/  

Expert Group Meeting on Climate-Land-Energy-Water-Development Case Studies

This meeting is one of a series of expert group meetings to support the preparation of the Global Sustainable Development Report 2013. The meetings are being organized to review and complete draft chapters of the report, which is expected to be finalized by September 2013. This meeting will discuss the themed chapter on the climate-land-energy-water-development (CLEW) nexus. The chapter will include sections on: rationale and nexus examples; national case studies highlighting the utility of the nexus perspective in implementing sustainable development; regional case studies, including identified policy solutions and alternatives ones; a global case study, including policy recommendations from sectoral and thematic assessments; and towards coherent policy menus, which will identify criteria for policy menus across the nexus.  

dates: 29-30 May 2013   location: Stockholm, Sweden   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&typ...  

AMCOW Executive Committee Meeting

The African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) Executive Committee will meet on 30 May 2013. It will, amongst others: deliberate on decisions and recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and forward these to the Governing Council for consideration; ensure implementation of AMCOW decisions; endorse programmes and budgets for approval by AMCOW; decide on arrangements for AMCOW sessions; and decide on strategic direction of the constituent organs of AMCOW.  

date: 30 May 2013   location: Egypt   additional: Sharm el Sheikh   contact: Oseloka Zikora   phone: +234-9870-3749   e-mail: ozikora@amcow-online.org   www: http://www.amcow-online.org  

Development, Transfer and Dissemination of Clean and Environmentally Sound Technologies

Following the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) and the UN Secretary-General's report on Options for a facilitation mechanism that promotes the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies (A/67/348), the UN General Assembly (UNGA) decided to hold four one-day workshops on the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies and the connection between clean and environmentally sound technologies and sustainable development. Discussions and recommendations from the workshops will feed into the UN Secretary-General's report to be submitted for consideration by the UNGA at its 68th session. The third and fourth workshops will be held back-to-back on 30 and 31 May 2013. The third workshop will focus on Enhancing countries' capacity to access and utilize environmentally sound technologies through international structures, institutions and initiatives. The fourth one will address strengthening the international architecture for environmentally sound technology development, transfer and dissemination.  

dates: 30-31 May 2013   venue: United Nations Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: UN Division for Sustainable Development   phone: +1-212-963-8102   fax: +1-212-963-4260   e-mail: dsd@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/67/letters/pdf/Workshops%2...  

Briefing on Final Report of High-level Panel

The final report of the High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (HLP) will be submitted to the UN Secretary-General on 30 May, following which the Secretary-General and the Indonesian Co-chair (President Yudhyono) will hold a briefing for UN Member States. The report will be publicly available through the HLP website on 31 May 2013, and a briefing for stakeholders will also convene on 31 May, in the ECOSOC Chamber.  

date: 30 May 2013   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.post2015hlp.org/outreach/  

Second Meeting of the ADAPT Asia-Pacific Programme and Pacific Climate Change Financing Workshop

The Second Meeting of the ADAPT Asia-Pacific, a programme funded by USAID aimed at sharing information and best practices to facilitate governments to build capacity to access international climate change adaptation funds, will be held from 3-4 June 2013, in Nadi, Fiji. It will be preceded by the Pacific Climate Change Financing Workshop, which will be held from 30 May-1 June. The workshop aims to provide an opportunity for stakeholders involved in climate change financing to collaborate in engaging with Pacific Island countries' Governments and strengthen efforts on climate change and its effective resourcing in the region. The events are organized in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).  

dates: 31 May - 4 June 2013   location: Fiji   additional: Nadi   www: http://www.adaptasiapacific.org/forum/2013-annual-meeting  

June 2013

TICAD V

The Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD V) is being convened under the theme "Hand in Hand for a More Dynamic Africa". Discussions are expected to be focused around four main topics: economic growth; achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); consolidation of peace/ good governance; and climate change. TICAD V is organized by Government of Japan, the UN Office of the Special Advisor to Africa, the World Bank, and the African Union (AU).  

dates: 1-3 June 2013   location: Yokohama, Japan   contact: Shigeki Komatsubara   phone: +1 212 906 5926   e-mail: shigeki.komatsubara@undp.org   www: http://www.ticad.net/ticadv/index.html  

IPBES First Full MEP and Bureau Meeting

The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) will hold the first 'Full Members of the Platform (MEP) and Bureau meeting' to implement Decision IPBES/1/2 on next steps for the development of the initial IPBES work programme, as requested by the IPBES Plenary at its first session. The meeting will be hosted by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management.  

dates: 1-6 June 2013   location: Bergen, Norway   contact: Makiko Yashiro   e-mail: makiko.yashiro@unep.org   www: http://www.ipbes.net/news-centre11/340-1st-full-mep-and-bure...  

UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies June 2013

The UNFCCC subsidiary bodies will meet from 3-14 June 2013. SBI 38 and SBSTA 38 will convene.  

dates: 3-14 June 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://unfccc.int/meetings/upcoming_sessions/items/6239.php  

CBD Expert Meeting on Capacity Building for Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol

This expert meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will develop a draft strategic framework for capacity building and development in support of the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (Nagoya Protocol).  

dates: 3-5 June 2013   location: Montreal, Canada   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2013/ntf-2013-004-abs-e...  

54th Session of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries (ACSFI)

This yearly meeting of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries (ACSFI) provides guidance on the activities and work program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Forestry Department on issues relevant to the paper and forest products industry. ACSFI is a statutory body of the FAO, composed of senior executives from the private industry sector worldwide. The Associação Brasileira de Celulose e Papel (BRACELPA), International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) and FAO are organizing the event.  

dates: 4-5 June 2013   venue: Hotel Intercontinental Al. Santos   location: Sao Paulo, Brazil   contact: Jukka Tissari   e-mail: jukka.tissari@fao.org   www: http://www.fao.org/forestry/industries/9530/en/  

World Environment Day 2013

World Environment Day 2013 will be celebrated under the theme "Think, Eat Save," focused on anti-food waste and food loss, encouraging people to reduce their "foodprint". Mongolia will serve as the global host for this year's celebrations.  

date: 5 June 2013   location: worldwide   additional: Worldwide   e-mail: worldenvironmentday@unep.org   www: http://www.unep.org/wed/  

102nd Session of the International Labour Conference

The International Labour Organization (ILO) organizes the International Labour Conference (ILC) annually. Among other agenda items, general discussion at the 102nd session will take place on "Sustainable development, decent work and green jobs". This topic was last addressed at the ILC in 1990, with the presentation of a report on “Environment and the World of Work”. Discussion in 2013 is expected to focus on opportunities for net employment creation, upgrading of existing jobs and social inclusion, and the challenges of job losses from economic restructuring, adaptation to climate change and regressive income effects.  

dates: 5-20 June 2013   venue: ILO Headquarters   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: Official Relations Brach   phone: + 41 22 799 77 32   fax: + 41 22 799 89 44   e-mail: RELOFF@ilo.org   www: http://www.ilo.org/ilc/ILCSessions/102/WCMS_204345/lang--en/...  

Expert Consultation on SIDS Perspectives for Global Sustainable Development Report 2013

This meeting is one of a series of expert group meetings to support the preparation of the Global Sustainable Development Report 2013. The meetings are being organized to review and complete draft chapters of the report, which is expected to be finalized by September 2013.  

dates: 6-7 June 2013   location: Trinidad and Tobago   additional: Port of Spain   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&typ...  

High-Level Symposium on “A Renewed Global Partnership for Development for a Post-2015 Era"

This High-Level Symposium is the first major preparatory event for the 2014 Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The multi-stakeholder dialogue will include traditional donors, Southern development cooperation providers and representatives of private philanthropic organizations, local governments, parliaments and civil society, to explore the purposes of a renewed global partnership, its guiding principles, and key features of a post-2015 monitoring and accountability framework. The Symposium is expected to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda.  

dates: 6-7 June 2013   venue: Economic Commission for Africa, Menelik II Ave, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   contact: Doris Schmitz-Meiners, Thomas Boehler   phone: +1-212-963-4946 or +1-917-367-9452   fax: +251-11-551 4416   e-mail: dcfethiopia@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/newfunct/dcfethiopia.shtml  

UNFCCC Workshop on the Review of the CDM Modalities and Procedures

The UNFCCC workshop on the review of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) modalities and procedures is scheduled to take place on 8-9 June in Bonn, Germany. The workshop aims to facilitate parties' review of the CDM modalities and procedures at the forthcoming session of the Subsidiary Bodies and was organized upon a request by the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 8) held in Doha, Qatar.  

dates: 8-9 June 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49 228 815 1000   fax: +49 228 815 1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://unfccc.int/meetings/bonn_jun_2013/meeting/7431/php/vi...  

International Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on the Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES

The International Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on the Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES: Building Synergies with Science will be convened by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Multidisciplinary Expert Panel and hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Japan. It is being co-organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN University (UNU). The objectives of the workshop are to examine and identify procedures and approaches for working with indigenous and local knowledge systems in the framework of IPBES; and to review and assess possible conceptual frameworks for the work of IPBES that are based on or accommodate indigenous and local knowledge systems and worldviews. The workshop is part of the on-going intersessional process leading up to the second session of the Platform's Plenary (IPBES-2), where the outcomes of this workshop will be presented for further consideration.  

dates: 9-11 June 2013   location: Tokyo, Japan   contact: Makiko Yashiro   e-mail: makiko.yashiro@unep.org   www: http://www.ipbes.net/news-centre11/341-expert-workshop-on-in...  

INC-Forests 4

The fourth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe (INC-Forests 4) is slated to complete negotiations for a legally binding agreement (LBA) on forests.  

dates: 10-14 June 2013   location: Warsaw, Poland   e-mail: INC-Forests@foresteurope.org    www: http://www.forestnegotiations.org  

International Interdisciplinary Conference on Land Use and Water Quality (LuWQ 2013)

This conference will address the integration of science, management and policy to reduce the effects of agriculture and land use change on groundwater and surface water quality. Conference themes include: increasing system knowledge; impact of climate change and weather variability; assessment of national policy; field research and data interpretation; management of protected areas; and decision-making and implementation.  

dates: 10-13 June 2013   venue: Bel-Air Hotel   location: The Hague, Netherlands   contact: Dico Fraters   phone: +31 (0)43-36 27 008   www: http://www.luwq2013.nl/  

Global Green Growth Summit 2013

The 3rd annual Global Green Growth Summit will be held on 10-11 June 2013, in the Republic of Korea. The Global Green Growth Summit is an annual event centered on green growth and provides an opportunity to review progress and think together about initiatives that can accelerate the transition to a new paradigm of sustainable growth. The two previous Summits were held in 2011 and 2012, and had the themes "Building a Planet-Responsible Civilization" and "Global Governance for Green Growth and the Green Economy," respectively.  

dates: 10-11 June 2013   venue: Songdo Convensia   location: Incheon, Republic of Korea   contact: Global Green Growth Institute   phone: +82-2-2096-9991   fax: +82-2-2096-9990   www: http://gggi.org/ai1ec_event/global-green-growth-summit-2013/...  

FT/IFC Investing in Climate Business Forum

Organized by the Financial Times and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this event focuses on the role of the private sector in addressing climate change through opportunities in green energy, clean technology and water in the emerging Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa (MENA).  

dates: 10-11 June 2013   venue: Swissotel   location: Istanbul, Turkey   contact: Patrick Avato   phone: +90(212)385-2575   fax: +90(212)385-3001   e-mail: pavato@ifc.org   www: https://www.etouches.com/ehome/57486/event-home/  

First Plenary Assembly of the GSP

On 11-12 June 2013, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in Rome, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) will convene its first Plenary Assembly, bringing all its partners together to discuss crucial issues of the GSP implementation.  

dates: 11-12 June 2013   venue: FAO Headquarters   location: Rome, Italy   www: http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/highlights/detail/e...  

High-level Conference of Middle-Income Countries

Aiming to create "networks for prosperity," this conference will concentrate on the role and position of middle-income countries in regional and global development issues, and provide inputs to the ongoing debate on the post-2015 development framework regarding: inclusive growth and prosperity; sustainability and green industry; and financing for sustainable economic development. Preparatory meetings and consultations are taking place in Vienna, New York, Washington DC and Geneva. In addition, UNIDO and respective member states are organizing regional preparatory meetings to elaborate on key challenges in a regional context and to identify key priorities to be considered for the High-Level Conference. The regional meetings are scheduled as follows: Latin American and Caribbean Region, 13 May 2013, Mexico City, Mexico; CIS, Eastern and Southern Europe, 16-17 May 2013, Minsk, Belarus; and Arab Region, 23 May 2013, Amman, Jordan. In collaboration with Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), a conference on Network Governance, Knowledge Networking, and the Global Development Potential of Middle-Income Countries will be held on 16 May in Washington DC.  

dates: 12-14 June 2013   location: San Jose, Costa Rica   contact: Kazuki Kitaoka, UNIDO Programme Management Officer   phone: +431 260 26 3542   fax: +431 263 6809   e-mail: MIC-Conference@unido.org   www: http://micconference.org/  

Third IUFRO Latin American Congress (IUFROLAT 2013)

Organized jointly by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the Agriculture Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Ibero-American Model Forest Network, this event seeks to address advances and challenges of forest sector development, providing a platform for stakeholders to share and exchange information and experiences on critical issues affecting tree resources and forest landscapes in Latin America. Central to these discussions will be the impact of forest science on livelihoods, environment and sustainable development in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The three central themes of IUFROLAT are Forests and Ecosystem Services, Forest Sector Competitiveness and Governance and Management of Landscapes.  

dates: 12-15 June 2013   location: San Jose, Costa Rica   contact: Kaley Lachapelle   phone: +506-2558-2000   e-mail: iufrolat@catie.ac.cr   www: http://web.catie.ac.cr/iufrolat/IufroLat_ing.htm  

Third International Conference Waters in Sensitive and Protected Areas

This Conference organized by the Croatian Water Pollution Control Society (CWPCS) and the European Water Association (EWA) will address themes including: implementation of legal obligations related to water and environmental protection in sensitive areas; new concepts and technical solutions applicable in sensitive and protected areas (PAs); protection of surface and groundwater resources and of strategic drinking water reserves; and water in sensitive transboundary areas. The conference will also include a round table on tourism in sensitive and PAs.  

dates: 13-15 June 2013   venue: Hotel Westin, Izidora Kršnjavoga 2, 10000   location: Zagreb, Croatia   contact: WSPA Conference Organizer   phone: +385 (0)1 6307-405   fax: +385 (0)1 6151-793   e-mail: hdzv@voda.hr   www: www.WSPAconference.com  

Expert Consultation on Water-related Sustainable Development Goals

The UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) is organizing an Expert Consultation on Water-related SDGs to discuss and finalize a methodological framework for a study to define the scope of water-related SDGs, together with an assessment of means of implementation required to achieve the SDGs. The study is being undertaken by the UNOSD in collaboration with the UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). The study will inform work already initiated by the UN Task Team on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (UNTT) and the Open Working Group (OWG) on SDGs, and support UN-Water, which is developing specific targets for water-related SDGs.  

dates: 13-14 June 2013   location: Incheon, Republic of Korea   contact: Shelley Choi, Team Assistant   phone: +82-32-822-9088   e-mail: choi9@un.org   www: http://www.unosd.org/index.php?page=view&type=12&nr=354&menu...  

Land for Business–Business for Land

The workshop on 'Land for Business – Business for Land: The Economics of Land Degradation' will serve as catalyst for private sector involvement in the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative. Corporate strategists, leaders in sustainability and other representatives of the business community will be asked to outline their needs within the context of further development of the ELD private sector work programme. The objectives of the workshop are to: Understand companies‘ needs; Profile the economic valuation of land and ecosystems services within business strategy development; Identify business sectors most affected by land degradation and explore how to document the impact of unmitigated risk on business strategy and value chains; Raise awareness of options for managing land degradation risk; Explore examples of sustainable land use in specific sectors and showcase enterprises implementing scalable, win-win solutions; Identify barriers to scaling up good practices and explore options to enable the private sector to invest in sustainable land management; and Identify a programme of work and sector leaders to be integrated into subsequent stages of the ELD Initiative. The workshop will take place in the context of the BONN PERSPECTIVES, an initiative of the City of Bonn and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia.  

dates: 13-14 June 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: ELD Initiative   e-mail: eld-business-bonn-perspectives@giz.de   www: http://www.bonn-perspectives.de/en/dialogue-events/land_for_...  

European and Others Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [tentative]

Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Western European and Others Group and Central and Eastern Europe.  

date: 13 June 2013   location: virtual   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037  

32nd Meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee

The Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee will convene its 32nd meeting (JISC 32) to consider matters relating to the operation of Joint Implementation (JI). JISC 32 will convene in conjunction with the meeting of the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies in June 2013.  

dates: 17-18 June 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://ji.unfccc.int/index.html  

14th Session of the Informal Consultative Process (ICP 14)

The 14th meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP) is to carry out an in-depth review of the oceans-related outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), and how those outcomes would impact and benefit international coordination and cooperation. The consideration of issues relating to sea-level rises and their impact on security and survival, particularly on low-lying coastal areas and island nations, against the background of sustainable development was also suggested by many delegations at ICP 13. They also proposed another theme for consideration, on aspects of marine scientific research related to sustainable development.  

dates: 17-20 June 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: UN DOALOS   phone: +1-212-963-5915   fax: +1-212-963-5847   e-mail: doalos@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/consultative_process/consultativ...  

World Day to Combat Desertification 2013

The 2013 annual World Day to Combat Desertification will focus on the slogan “Don't let our future dry up.” The day is celebrated on 17 June, to mark the conclusion of negotiations on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This year's theme of drought and water scarcity takes into account that 2013 is also the International Year of Water Cooperation. World Day to Combat Desertification 2013 will seek to create awareness about the risks of drought and water scarcity in the drylands and beyond, and to call attention to the importance of sustaining healthy soils as part of the post-Rio+20 agenda and post-2015 development agenda.  

date: 17 June 2013   location: worldwide   contact: UNCCD Secretariat, Awareness Raising, Education and Communication Unit   phone: +49-228 815-2800   fax: +49-228 815-2898   e-mail: arce@unccd.int   www: http://www.unccd.int/en/programmes/Event-and-campaigns/WDCD/...  

Special Session of the UNECE Timber Committee

The UN Economic Commision for Europe (UNECE) Timber Committee, along with the European Forestry Commission (EFC), are convening a special session in order to consider: the draft Action Plan for the Forest Sector in a Green Economy; the draft Joint Programme of Work 2014-17 for the Timber Committee and the European Forestry Commission; the results of the UNECE review and its implications on the work programme of the ECE-Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Forestry and Timber Section; and the outcome of the 35th Session of the Joint Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management to be held the 23-25 April 2013.  

dates: 17-18 June 2013   venue: Palais des Nations   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: Paola Deda   e-mail: Paola.deda@unece.org   www: http://www.unece.org/forests/extraordinarytc-efcmeeting.html  

Fourth Meeting of the Open Working Group on SDGs

The fourth session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Open Working Group (OWG 4) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is scheduled to take place from 17-19 June 2013. The session is expected to discuss issues of health and population dynamics for 1.5 days, and employment and decent work for all, social protection, youth, and education for the other 1.5 days.  

dates: 17-19 June 2013   location: New York, United States of America   additional: UN Headquarters   e-mail: dsd@un.org   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1549  

Asia-Pacific Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [tentative]

Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Asia-Pacific Region.  

date: 17 June 2013   location: virtual   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037  

GEF 44th Council Meeting

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Council meets twice per year to approve new projects with global environmental benefits in the GEF's focal areas, and provide guidance to the GEF Secretariat and Agencies. Among other matters, the 44th session of the Council is expected to discuss the GEF's role vis-à-vis the global mercury agreement. A consulation with CSOs will take place on 17 June.  

dates: 18-20 June 2013   location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America   contact: GEF Secretariat   phone: +1-202-473-0508   fax: +1-202-522-3240   e-mail: secretariat@thegef.org   www: http://www.thegef.org/gef/events/gef-44th-council-meeting  

Global Symposium on REDD+ in a Green Economy

The symposium, convened by the UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD), will examine lessons learned from pilot activities linking REDD+ to sustainable development and the green economy. The objective of the symposium is to build a stronger business case for REDD+.  

dates: 19-21 June 2013   location: Jakarta, Indonesia   contact: John Prydz   e-mail: John.Prydz@unep.org   www: http://www.un-redd.org/REDD_in_Green_Economy_Global_Symposiu...  

Berlin High-level Dialogue on Implementing Rio+20 Decisions on Sustainable Cities and Urban Transport

This dialogue, which coincides with the first anniversary of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), aims to: (a) highlight proven sustainable urban planning and transport policies and measures, (b) identify good and best practices in this regard, and (c) facilitate capacity building through national and international exchanges of information and experiences among relevant practitioners, experts and policy makers, in particular from developing countries. It is also intended to contribute to the UN Secretary-General's plan to “convene aviation, marine, ferry, rail, road and urban public transport providers, along with Governments and investors, to develop and take action on recommendations for more sustainable transport systems that can address rising congestion and pollution worldwide, particularly in urban areas.”  

dates: 19-21 June 2013   location: Berlin, Germany   contact: Frank Wolter, Senior Project Manager, Coordination BeMobility   phone: +49 (0)30 - 23 88 84-0   e-mail: Frank.Wolter@innoz.de   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&typ...  

African Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [tentative]

Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the African Region.  

date: 20 June 2013   location: virtual   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037  

International Conference on Policies for Water and Food Security in the Dry Areas

This conference's sponsors include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the International Food Policy Research Institute, the International Water Management Institute, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, and the Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. Sound policies for food security and agricultural water management are critical for national economies – and particularly for dryland areas, where water resources are already scarce, and declining rapidly. The development of such policies requires an assessment of the current state of knowledge; the lessons learned from research and development programs in different countries; and a better understanding of the inter-relationships between water policies, food security, employment and the environment. This meeting will be organized around the following themes: incentives for sustainable and efficient water allocation and management; interactions between water management, food production and employment opportunities; and policies for enhancing food security. Various countries will present lessons learned on these three themes. The conference will examine the effectiveness of current and alternative water and food policy options, and identify strategies to enhance land and water productivity, food security, employment generation on and livelihoods. Paper abstracts should be submitted by 20 April 2013.  

dates: 24-26 June 2013   location: Cairo, Egypt   e-mail: CWFDA@cgiar.org   www: http://www.icarda.org/water-and-food-security-conference  

ICPD Regional Population Conference: UNESCWA-LAS

The ICPD regional meeting for the UNESCWA-LAS region is expected to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 24-26 June 2013. The conference will identify priorities for the future to prepare for the ICPD beyond 2014 agenda, focusing on ageing, demographic and democratic transitions, migration, family formations, and youth transitions.  

dates: 24-26 June 2013   location: Cairo, Egypt   contact: ICPD Secretariat, UNFPA Headquarters   e-mail: info@icpdbeyond2014.org   www: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events/view/15-icpd-beyond-201...  

33rd Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

This meeting will consider issues related to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in preparation for the 25th Meeting of the Parties (MOP25) scheduled to convene in November 2013.  

dates: 24-28 June 2013   location: Bangkok, Thailand   contact: Ozone Secretariat   phone: +254-20-762-3851   fax: +254-20-762-0335   e-mail: ozoneinfo@unep.org   www: http://ozone.unep.org/new_site/en/historical_meetings.php?in...  

Near East Land and Water Days

Recognizing that land and water are crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security, the Near East Land and Water Days will seek to highlight achievements and impacts of FAO, IFAD, WFP and GIZ land and water programmes and projects implemented by Member Countries in the region, and to draw conclusions and recommendations for follow-up actions to improve the impact and effectiveness of land and water projects , initiatives and programmes in the region.  

dates: 24-28 June 2013   location: Cairo, Egypt   contact: Yasser Elwan   phone: +202-22563791   fax: +202-22563790   e-mail: y.elwan@afdb.org   www: http://neareast.fao.org/Pages/Events.aspx?id=988&lang=EN&I=0...  

UNCTAD 2013 Public Symposium

Held under the theme "New Economic Approaches for a Coherent Post-2015 Agenda," the 2013 Public Symposium of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will provide an opportunity for government officials, civil society representatives, academics, the private sector and other interested observers to discuss key trade and development issues. The sessions will focus on two themes: macroeconomic and financial governance in the road to 2015; and trade and investment rules for inclusive and sustainable development.  

dates: 24-25 June 2013   venue: Palais des Nations, 8-14, Av. de la Paix 1211 Geneva 10   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: UNCTAD Secretariat   fax: +41 22 917 0051   e-mail: publicsymposium@unctad.org   www: http://unctad.org/en/conferences/publicsymposium/2013/pages/...  

Expert Group Meeting on Global Progress and Future Pathways toward Sustainable Development

This meeting is one of a series of expert group meetings to support the preparation of the Global Sustainable Development Report 2013. The meetings are being organized to review and complete draft chapters of the report, which is expected to be finalized by September 2013. This meeting will discuss the chapters on ‘review of progress' and ‘future pathways'. The review of progress chapter aims to provide a brief but comprehensive summary of progress on sustainable development from 1950 to 2013, with a focus on the past decade. It will include sections on: sustainable development trends versus goals suggested by science, with a focus on the global level; trends in commitment implementation, institutions and policy, drawing on work conducted in preparation for UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20); making sense of the debate on sustainable development progress, with the goal of showing where there is agreement and where there is divergence in perspectives; and geography of sustainable development progress. The future pathways chapter will tell future pathway stories, including: a dynamics as usual scenario; a sustainable development scenario from 2010 to 2050, including synergies and tradeoffs; global scenarios at the science-policy interface; and policy solutions and lessons learned.  

date: 24 June 2013   location: Vienna, Austria   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&typ...  

Panel Discussion on International Migration and Development

In preparation for the UN General Assembly's (UNGA) 2013 High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on International Migration and Development, the Office of the President of the General Assembly is organizing a panel discussion to: consider progress in the global migration debate since the 2006 High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development; identify concrete recommendations for the 2013 event; and provide fresh perspectives on the future of migration and its relation to development. The event will include panels on emerging migration trends and the relationship between migration and development, and measures to promote safe, orderly and legal migration. It will also address follow-up to the 2013 HLD including by integrating migration into the post-2015 development agenda.  

date: 25 June 2013   venue: UN Headquarters, 1st Avenue, between 42nd and 48th St   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Joao Alberto Dourado Quintaes   phone: +1 (212) 963-4767   fax: +1 (212) 963-3301   e-mail: douradoquintaes@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/67/letters/pdf/Migration%2...  

African Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs (French) [tentative]

Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the African Region.  

date: 25 June 2013   location: virtual   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037  

27th Session of the IOC Assembly

This session of the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will take place at UNESCO headquarters.  

dates: 26 June - 9 July 2013   venue: UNESCO headquarters   location: Paris, France   contact: UNESCO IOC   phone: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00   www: http://ioc-unesco.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewEvent...  

Latin American Forum on Climate Change Adaptation

The Latin American Forum on Climate Change Adaptation is organized by the Center for Sustainability Studies (GVces) of the Business Administration School of Getúlio Vargas Foundation in Brazil. Organized in cooperation with the UNFCCC Secretariat, the meeting will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, on 26 June 2013 and will focus on the engagement of the private sector in adapting to climate change.  

date: 26 June 2013   location: Sao Paulo, Brazil   contact: Mariana Nicolletti, Center for Sustainability Studies (GVces), Getúlio Vargas Foundation   e-mail: mariana.nicolletti@fgv.br   www: http://gvces.com.br/index.php?r=site/CapaSecao&id=24  

Latin American and Caribbean Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs (Spanish) [tentative]

Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Latin American and Caribbean Region.  

date: 27 June 2013   location: virtual   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037  

July 2013

25th Session of the ECOSOC Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

The UN Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) will discuss draft amendments to the GHS, GHS implementation, guidance on the application of GHS criteria and the issuance of the 5th revised edition of the GHS.  

dates: 1-3 July 2013   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: Rosa Garcia Couto   phone: +41-22-917-2435   fax: +41-22-917-0039   www: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc4/activities.html  

ICPD-2014 - UNECE Regional Conference

This conference is being organized within the framework of the global International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) beyond 2014 review on implementation of the Programme of Action agreed upon at the IPCD in Cairo in 1994 (ICPD PoA). The conference will bring together 200-250 representatives of governmental authorities, including high-level officials, academia and civil society organizations, as well as members of national parliaments and other national and international stakeholders to review the progress that has been made towards achieving the goals and objectives of the ICPD PoA in the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region, identify neglected areas, and pinpoint what must be done to accelerate the implementation of the PoA and address emerging issues. The Conference is also expected to make recommendations on future policy actions, synergies with the post-2015 UN Development agenda and on how to effectively place the rights, gender equality and empowerment of women, as well as of adolescents and youth, at the core of sustainable development. The Regional report on the implementation of the ICPD PoA, based on the results of the global survey conducted in 2012 in UNECE Member States, will be the basis for conference debate, which will conclude with a chairperson's summary. The Conference is organised jointly by UNECE and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).  

dates: 1-2 July 2013   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: UNECE Population Unit   e-mail: pau@unece.org   www: http://www.unece.org/icpd-2014/unece-regional-conference.htm...  

2013 Annual Ministerial Review of ECOSOC

The 2013 AMR section of the annual Substantive Session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will consider the theme "Science, technology and innovation (STI) and culture for sustainable development and the MDGs". This event will seek to highlight the role of science, technology and innovation, and the potential of culture – and related national and international policies – in promoting sustainable development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Regional preparatory meetings are being organized to prepare for the session.  

dates: 1-4 July 2013   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: ECOSOC Secretariat   e-mail: ecosocinfo@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/newfunct/amr2013.shtml  

2013 Substantive Session of ECOSOC

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) holds short sessions, ad hoc meetings, round tables and panel discussions throughout the year, to prepare for its annual four week substantive session in July. The 2013 meeting will convene from 1-25 July, in Geneva, Switzerland, and will consist of the following segments: High-level Segment, including the Annual Ministerial Review (1-4 July); Coordination Segment (5-9 July); Operational Activities Segment (10-12 July); Humanitarian Affairs Segment (15-17 July); and General Segment (18-25 July).  

dates: 1-25 July 2013   location: Geneva, Switzerland   contact: ECOSOC Secretariat   e-mail: ecosocinfo@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/about/substantive.shtml  

International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, Food Security and Climate Change, and Third High-level Roundtable on the ITPGR

The Third High-level Roundtable on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) is organized under the patronship of the Government of Indonesia in the context of the International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, Food Security and Climate Change. The High-level Roundtable will focus on the policy contribution of the Treaty to cope with global challenges related to biodiversity, climate change and food security.  

dates: 1-4 July 2013   location: Bandung, Indonesia   contact: Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development   phone: (62 - 21) 7806202   fax: (62 - 21) 7800644   e-mail: HLRT3-Treaty@fao.org; bioccfs@litbang.deptan.go.id   www: http://www.planttreaty.org/sites/default/files/files/Provisi...  

Third International SIDS Conference - Caribbean Region Preparatory Meeting

In 2013, national and regional preparatory meetings will convene to develop inputs for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to be held in 2014. These preparatory meetings will be held in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIMS) region, Caribbean region and Pacific region, as well as inter-regionally. The decision on the preparatory process for the Conference was taken in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 21 December 2012, following consultations in the Second Committee, which approved Resolution A/C.2/67/L.40.  

dates: 2-4 July 2013   location: Jamaica   www: http://www.sids2014.org/index.php?menu=1494  

Protected Area Management Course

This course is taught in Spanish and is designed for participants from Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations in Latin America, Africa and Europe that are directly involved in planning and management of protected areas, buffer zones and conservation corridors. The course is coordinated by CSU in collaboration with the Office of International Programs of the United States Forest Service and with cooperation of other US federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation, as well as non-governmental organizations and state and municipal governments. The course will take place from 3 July-3 August 2013, with applications due on 31 January 2013.  

date: 3 July 2013   location: Fort Collins, United States of America   e-mail: jim.barborak@colostate.edu   www: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/cpamt-protected-areas-course  

Fifth Africa Carbon Forum

The Africa Carbon Forum is a trade fair and knowledge sharing platform for carbon investments in Africa, and will consider ways to promote access to low-carbon development in Africa. Participants will discuss the latest development in the carbon market and how the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other mitigation mechanisms can be successful in Africa. The Forum aims to connect project developers and buyers of carbon credits through facilitation sessions. The Forum is co-organized by the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The event is also supported by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Government of Côte d'Ivoire.  

dates: 3-5 July 2013   venue: The Golf Hotel   location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire   contact: Emilie Wieben   e-mail: acf@risoe.dtu.dk   www: http://africacarbonforum.com/2013/english/  

Pacific Climate Change Roundtable 2013

The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR) was established to coordinate climate change dialogue and networking in the region. PCCR also facilitates linking global and regional stakeholders with the national and community levels. It is expected to host over 100 participants from across the region and internationally and to focus on building resilience to climate change through collaboration. PCCR is coordinated by SPREP in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) with funding provided by Switzerland, the European Union Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA /SPC- PSIS) project, AusAID, the British Government and Germany's International Cooperation agency (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ). The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable will be held alongside the Pacific Meteorological Council (1-5 July) and before the Joint Meeting of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management and the Pacific Climate Change Round Table (8-11 July 2013).  

dates: 3-5 July 2013   location: Fiji   additional: Nadi   contact: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)   phone: +685 21929   fax: +685 20231   e-mail: sprep@sprep.org   www: http://www.sprep.org/climate-change/sprep-gears-up-for-2013-...  

ICPD Review International Conference on Human Rights

Co-hosted by the Government of the Netherlands, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), from 7-10 July, this review will provide an opportunity to assess the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA) through an examination of the nexus between human rights, equality, equity and population and development, including in the key areas of gender, empowerment, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Using a multi-stakeholder approach, governments, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, human rights experts and UN agencies will discuss human rights developments in the context of the ICPD PoA implementation over the past two decades. The conference will identify successful stories and lessons learned as well as identifying remaining gaps, challenges, emerging issues and priorities for the future to ensure that the ICPD beyond 2014 agenda, as well as the broader development agenda beyond 2015, advance the realization of human rights without discrimination.  

dates: 7-10 July 2013   location: The Hague, Netherlands   www: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events  

Caux Dialogue on Land and Security

Over three days, the Caux Dialogue will gather senior figures from public, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as young professionals and grass-roots actors in a series of adapted formats. The meeting aims to deepen understanding of the links between land degradation and security; share lessons learned on sustainable land restoration; examine the potential for investment in land restoration and peace-building; present training resources; and build trust needed for land-peace policies, effective collaboration and partnerships. The meeting is supported, in part, by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).  

dates: 7-11 July 2013   venue: Caux Forum   location: Switzerland   additional: Caux   e-mail: land@iofc.org   www: http://www.unccd.int/Lists/SiteDocumentLibrary/EventsAndCamp...  

Forum on Wetlands for Livelihoods

This Forum is co-organized by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)- Institute for Water Education (IHE) and Rwanda's Environmental Management Authority to discuss current challenges and solutions to wetland management, and pave a way forward, both regionally and beyond.  

dates: 8-12 July 2013   location: Kigali, Rwanda   contact: Ken Irvine, UNESCO-IHE, Aquatic Ecosystems Group   e-mail: k.irvine@unesco-ihe.org   www: http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/FORUM_Wetlands_for_Livelihoods_201...  

UNGA Thematic Debate on Inequality

An interactive thematic debate on inequality will address include income and social inequalities, with the aim of contributing to the ongoing debate on the post-2015 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

date: 8 July 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/67/letters/pdf/Thematic%20...  

Third International SIDS Conference - Pacific Region Preparatory Meeting

In 2013, national and regional preparatory meetings will convene to develop inputs for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to be held in 2014. These preparatory meetings will be held in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIMS) region, Caribbean region and Pacific region, as well as inter-regionally. The Pacific sub-regional meeting is to be hosted by Fiji. The decision on the preparatory process for the Conference was taken in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 21 December 2012, following consultations in the Second Committee, which approved Resolution A/C.2/67/L.40.  

dates: 10-12 July 2013   location: Fiji   www: http://www.sids2014.org/index.php?menu=1494  

Informal Interactive Hearing: International Migration and Development

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) will hold an informal, interactive hearing of NGOs and private sector representatives in preparation for the October 2013 High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.  

date: 15 July 2013   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/esa/population/meetings/HLD2013/hld2013.ht...  

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities COP 6

The sixth session of the Conference of States Parties (COP 6) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will convene from 17-19 July 2013, and will be organized on the theme 'Ensuring adequate standard of living: empowerment and participation of persons with disabilities within the framework of the CRPD'. Three sub-themes will be addressed: economic empowerment through inclusive social protection and poverty reduction strategies; disability-inclusive development in national, regional and international processes; and community-based rehabilitation. A Civil Society Forum will take place on 16 July 2013.  

dates: 16-19 July 2013   venue: UN Headquarters, 1st Avenue, between 42nd and 48th St   location: New York, United States of America   fax: +1-917-367-5102   e-mail: enable@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1606  

Third International SIDS Conference - AIMS Region Preparatory Meeting

In 2013, national and regional preparatory meetings will convene to develop inputs for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to be held in 2014. These preparatory meetings will be held in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIMS) region, Caribbean region and Pacific region, as well as inter-regionally. The decision on the preparatory process for the Conference was taken in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 21 December 2012, following consultations in the Second Committee, which approved Resolution A/C.2/67/L.40.  

dates: 17-19 July 2013   location: Seychelles   www: http://www.sids2014.org/index.php?menu=1494  

Joint Assembly of IAHS, IAPSO and IASPEI

This scientific conference will include symposia on, inter alia: ocean mixing; regional seas; ocean observations and climate change; climate and land surface changes in hydrology; cold and mountain region hydrological systems under climate change; characterizing water quantity and quality; understanding freshwater quality problems in a changing world; interactions between sediment and aquatic ecology; adaptive water resources management; and hydrology education and capacity building in developing countries. It is co-organized by: the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS); the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO); and the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (IASPEI). These international associations are constituent associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).  

dates: 22-26 July 2013   venue: Göteborg Convention Centre, Mässansgata 20, SE-402 26   location: Gothenburg, Sweden   contact: Congress Secretariat   phone: +46 31 708 60 00   fax: +46 31 708 60 25   e-mail: iahs.iapso.iaspei2013@congrex.com   www: http://www.iahs-iapso-iaspei2013.com/index.asp  

74th Meeting of the CDM Executive Board

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board (EB) will convene its 74th (EB74) meeting to consider matters relating to the operation of the CDM.  

dates: 22-26 July 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://cdm.unfccc.int/calendar/index.html  

Living Soil Forum

The "Summer of Soil" will include a "Living Soil Forum" from 22-26 July 2013, hosted by a collection of global partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The Living Soil Forum will be a five day event to engage key players, from producers to consumers in the agriculture system, with the goal of promoting cross-sectoral collaboration to secure and restore healthy soils globally.  

dates: 22-26 July 2013   location: Sweden   additional: Järna   www: http://www.summerofsoil.se/  

Eleventh International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant

The theme of ICMGP 2013 is "Science informing global policy". The conference will celebrate the agreement on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and consider how to put the treaty into practice. The meeting aims to exchange information on the science of mercury behavior and release, and its effect on ecosystems.  

dates: 28 July - 2 August 2013   location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom   contact: Marcus Pattison   phone: +44-1727-858840   fax: +44-1727-840310   e-mail: info@mercury2013.com   www: http://www.mercury2013.com/  

August 2013

ICPD Regional Population Conference - UNECLAC

The ICPD regional meeting for the UNECLAC region is expected to take place in Montevideo, Uruguay, from 12-14 August 2013. The conference will identify priorities for the future to prepare for the ICPD beyond 2014 agenda, focusing on ageing and international migration.  

dates: 12-14 August 2013   location: Montevideo, Uruguay   contact: ICPD Secretariat, UNFPA Headquarters   e-mail: info@icpdbeyond2014.org   www: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events/view/15-icpd-beyond-201...  

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

The 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 (Informal Working Group on Marine Biodiversity) will meet in August 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. It will be preceded by two intersessional workshops that will be convened in New York from 2-3 May and 6-7 May 2013.  

dates: 19-23 August 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea   phone: +1 212-963-3962   fax: +1 212-963-5847   e-mail: doalos@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/biodiversityworkinggroup/biodive...  

High-Level International Conference on Water Cooperation

The High-Level International Conference on Water Cooperation (HLIC) aims to contribute to improving water cooperation, especially at the transboundary level and encourage cooperation to achieve internationally agreed goals on water. The meeting will include high-level plenary sessions, parallel side events and thematic sessions on: water cooperation is key to poverty reduction, social equity and gender equality; water cooperation creates economic benefits; water cooperation helps preserve water resources and protect the environment; and water cooperation builds peace. The conference will also contribute to discussions on water in the post-2015 development agenda. The Conference will be organized by the Government of Tajikistan jointly with UN institutions.  

dates: 20-21 August 2013   location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan   contact: HLIC Secretariat   phone: (+992 37) 236-06-79   fax: (+992 37) 236-06-79   e-mail: secretariat@hlicwc.org   www: http://www.hlicwc.org/  

30th Meeting of the Joint Implementation Accreditation Panel

The Joint Implementation (JI) Accreditation Panel will meet to consider matters relating to the accreditation of independent entities.  

dates: 22-23 August 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://ji.unfccc.int/index.html  

Sixth International Ecosystem Services Partnership Conference

The sixth meeting of the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) will focus on case studies and the practical application of the ecosystem services concept to planning, management and decision-making. The ESP is organizing the conference, in cooperation with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry. Other partners include the UN Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Global Mechanism (GM), and the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), among others. Professional Training Sessions on Practical Tools for Ecosystem Services Assessment will take place after the event.  

dates: 26-30 August 2013   venue: Pan Pacific Nirwana   location: Bali, Indonesia   contact: Beria Leimona   e-mail: l.beria@cgiar.org   www: http://www.espconference.org/ESP_Conference  

IV Mesoamerican Congress of Protected Areas

Launched by the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) in 2003, the triennial Mesoamerican Congress of Protected Areas brings together experts from Mexico and the eight Central American Integration System (SICA) countries (Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) and interested regional and international actors to dialogue, share experiences and propose initiatives involving protected areas, including marine protected areas, and their role in sustainable development. The IV Congress, organized by Costa Rica's National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) with CCAD support, is expected to discuss, inter alia: governance; research within protected areas and access to biodiversity; protected areas and climate change; protected areas as social and economic instruments; and regional cooperation.  

dates: 27-30 August 2013   venue: Centro de Conferencias Ramada Plaza Herradura   location: San Jose, Costa Rica   contact: Ricardo Meneses-Orellana, SINAC   phone: +506-2291-1215   fax: +506-2231-8491   e-mail: ricardo.meneses@sinac.go.cr  

Latin American Carbon Forum 2013

The Seventh Latin American and Caribbean Carbon Forum (LACF) will discuss prospects for carbon projects in Latin America. The Forum is co-organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), the World Bank, the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Risø Centre and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  

dates: 28-30 August 2013   venue: Centro de Convencões Sul America   location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   contact: Miriam Hinostroza, UNEP Risø Centre   phone: +45-4677-5180   e-mail: mihl@dtu.dk   www: http://www.latincarbon.com  

September 2013

12th International Symposium on River Sedimentation

The theme of this symposium is “Integrated Sediment Management for River Basin Sustainability – Challenges and Prospects towards Mid-21st Century”. Topics addressing this theme include: reservoir sedimentation and management; environmental and ecological aspects of sediment management; sediment issues in estuarine and coastal areas; sediment related disasters; and social, economic and political problems related to sediment management.  

dates: 2-5 September 2013   venue: Kyoto TERRSA, Shinmachi Kujo Minami-ku   location: Kyoto, Japan   contact: Ujigawa Open Laboratory, Kyoto University   phone: +81-75-611-4397   fax: +81-75-611-4397   e-mail: isrs2013@uh31.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp   www: http://www.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~ISRS2013/default.html  

European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference 2013

The tenth European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC) will bring together policy makers and technical and scientific experts to discuss wave and marine current energy conversion technologies, research and development, and demonstration projects.  

dates: 2-5 September 2013   venue: Aalborg Congress and Culture Centre, Europa Plads 4   location: Aalborg, Denmark   contact: Vivi Søndergaard   phone: +45 9940 7230   e-mail: ewtec2013@ewtec.org   www: http://www.ewtec.org/ewtec2013  

Expert Meeting on POPS in Articles in Use and “POPS-Free” Initiative [rescheduled]

Experts at this meeting will provide input for a publication on POPs in articles in use and the Stockholm Convention's POPs-free initiative. This meeting has been postponed until the second half of 2013.  

dates: 2-4 September 2013 [tentative]   location: Geneva, Switzerland [tentative]   contact: Stockholm Convention Secretariat   phone: +41-22-917-8729   fax: +41-22-917-8098   e-mail: ssc@pops.int   www: http://www.pops.int  

20th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development [rescheduled]

The 20th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 20) was tentatively scheduled to take place from 6-10 May 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York. UN Member States decided in March 2013 to postpone the meeting and to organize it back-to-back with the first meeting of the High Level Political Forum (HLPF). The HLPF is expected to convene in September.  

date: 2 September 2013 [tentative]   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: UN Division for Sustainable Development   phone: +1-212-963-8102   fax: +1-212-963-4260   e-mail: dsd@un.org   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1211  

ICPD Regional Population Conference - UNECA/AU

The ICPD regional meeting for the UNECA/AU region is expected to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2-6 September 2013. The conference will identify priorities for the future to prepare for the ICPD beyond 2014 agenda, and will be a preparatory conference for regional youth and civil society.  

dates: 2-6 September 2013   location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   contact: ICPD Secretariat, UNFPA Headquarters   e-mail: info@icpdbeyond2014.org   www: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events/view/15-icpd-beyond-201...  

44th Pacific Islands Forum

This is the annual meeting of Pacific Islands Forum Countries. Dates will be confirmed in early 2013.

dates: 16-20 September 2013 [tentative]   location: Majuro, Marshall Islands   phone: +679-3312-600   www: http://www.forumsec.org/index.cfm  

Expert Group Meeting on the Evolution of Assessments for Sustainable Development

This meeting is one of a series of expert group meetings designed to support the preparation of the Global Sustainable Development Report 2013. The chapter on assessments seeks to map the universe of assessments related to sustainable development. The chapter will map: sustainable development assessments, including their institutional set up, scientific findings and policy recommendations; science digests on cross-sectoral and cross-thematic issues, such as quantification of tipping points; and emerging issues identified by science.  

dates: 3-4 September 2013   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&typ...  

International Conference on Flood Resilience (ICFR)

Organized by the University of Exeter, UK, this conference convenes on the theme “Experiences in Asia and Europe”. Sessions will address issues including: urban development and flood risk – coupling of climate change with economic growth and urban growth scenarios; weather radar technology in flood forecasting and analysis – real-time urban flood information systems and flash floods; data collection and model calibration – advances in urban flood modeling; flood hazard mapping – strategies to enhance community preparedness and communication of uncertainties in flood risk management; flood impacts on human health and assessment of tangible and intangible losses in integrated risk analysis; resilient cities – evaluation of resilience measures and adaptive flood risk management plans; flood risk perception – minimizing social impacts of urban floods; and shared lessons from Asia and Europe – problems of coastal cities and mega-cities.  

dates: 5-7 September 2013   venue: University of Exeter, North Park Rd, Exeter, EX4 4QF   location: Exeter, United Kingdom   contact: ICFR 2013 Conference Secretariat   phone: (+44) 1392 724075   e-mail: icfr@exeter.ac.uk   www: http://icfr2013.ex.ac.uk/  

2013 G20 Leaders Summit

The Russian Federation has set as the objective of its 2013 Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20): developing a set of measures aimed at boosting sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth and jobs creation around the world. The G20 will look at eight areas in particular in 2013: framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth; jobs and employment; international financial architecture reform; strengthening financial regulation; energy sustainability; development for all; enhancing multilateral trade; and fighting corruption. The G20 brings together finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the US - plus the EU. The G20 Leaders Summit in September 2013 is preceded by a series of outreach events organized in five streams: think tanks; business; labour; civil society and youth.  

dates: 5-6 September 2013   venue: Constantine Palace, Strelna, St Petersburg   location: Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation   e-mail: info@g20russia.ru   www: http://www.g20.org/docs/summit/summit_2013.html  

35th IAHR World Congress

This Congress is co-hosted by the Ministry of Water Resources of P. R. China (MWR) and the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR). Themes to be addressed include: water engineering and civilization; hydro-environment; fluvial hydraulics and river management; maritime hydraulics and coastal engineering; water resources and hydroinformatics; and climate change and hazard mitigation. Issues addressed in sub-themes, include: irrigation, navigation and urbanization; industrial hydraulics and renewable energy; urban water environment engineering; water storage; natural hazards and extreme events; and floods and flood management.  

dates: 8-13 September 2013   venue: InterContinental Century City Chengdu, 88 Century City Boulevard   location: Chengdu, China   contact: Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research   phone: +86-10-6878-1672   fax: +86-10-6841-2316   e-mail: iahr2013@vip.163.com   www: http://www.iahr2013.org/index.htm  

13th Regional Sustainable Buildings Conference (SB13)

SB13's aim is to promote greater sustainability through cost effective solutions in design, construction and operation of buildings, including a focus on energy efficiency. The theme of the conference is "Realizing tropical sustainability in a holistic approach." The event will consist of plenary sessions and paper and poster presentations. The conference is organized by Singapore's Building and Construction Authority Center for Sustainable Buildings (BCA CSB) at the same time as the International Green Building Conference (IGBC), as part of the annual Green Building Week in Singapore. The conference is part of the Sustainable Buildings (SB) conference series, which is co-organized by the International Council for Building (CIB), the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE), the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), and the UN Environment Programme's Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI), and is linked to the global SB conference in Barcelona in October 2014.  

dates: 9-10 September 2013   venue: BCA Academy   location: Singapore, Singapore   phone: +65-6248-9999   fax: +65-6258-0558   e-mail: csb_enquiry@csb.sg   www: http://www.csb.sg/staging/events/upcoming/  

Global Ocean Action Summit

The Global Ocean Action Summit, organized by the Government of the Netherlands and the World Bank, is meant to "seal major deals for worldwide action" addressing the threats to the health and productivity of oceans. The meeting aims to mobilize financial and technical support for attaining established goals under the Global Partnership for Oceans (GPO). It will also host the first official assembly of GPO partners, and will mark the implementation phase of the GPO. In addition, a report indicating priority areas and regions for action will be launched by the GPO Blue Ribbon Panel, an independent group of ocean experts. Attendance is by invitation only.  

dates: 9-13 September 2013   location: The Hague, Netherlands   contact: Elisabeth Mealey   phone: +1 202 458 4475   e-mail: emealey@worldbank.org   www: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/03/27/gl...  

First CIGR Inter-Regional Conference on Land and Water Challenges

The International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR) and the CIHEAM Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari are organizing the first CIGR Inter-Regional Conference on Land and Water Challenges, which will take place under the theme “Water, environment and agriculture: challenges for sustainable development”. The conference will present and discuss sustainable use of natural resources at different scales with the aim of promoting better development of agriculture. Preliminary themes include: conservation agriculture; water use performance and water productivity; irrigation technologies; climate change adaptation and mitigation; drought risk management; decision support systems and modeling tools; information and communication technologies (ICT); and policies and governance.  

dates: 10-14 September 2013   location: Bari, Italy   contact: Conference Secretariat   e-mail: igr@iamb.it   www: http://www.landandwater2013.iamb.it/  

ICPD Regional Population Conference - UNESCAP

The ICPD regional meeting for UNESCAP region is expected to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 16-20 September 2013. The conference will identify priorities for the future to prepare for the ICPD beyond 2014 agenda, focusing on sexual reproductive health, population dynamics and sustainable development, and demographic change.  

dates: 16-20 September 2013   location: Bangkok, Thailand   contact: ICPD Secretariat, UNFPA Headquarters   e-mail: info@icpdbeyond2014.org   www: http://icpdbeyond2014.org/key-events/view/15-icpd-beyond-201...  

UNCCD COP 11

At the opening of the eleventh meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 11), Deputy Minister for Environment and Tourism of Namibia, Pohamba Shifeta, announced that the Republic of Namibia has offered to host the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The meeting is expected to take place from 16-27 September 2013.

dates: 16-27 September 2013   location: Windhoek, Namibia   contact: UNCCD Secretariat   phone: +49 228 815 2800   fax: +49 228 815 2898/99   e-mail: secretariat@unccd.int   www: http://www.unccd.int/  

68th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 68)

The 68th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 68) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 17 September 2013. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 24 September 2013.  

dates: 17-30 September 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1  

Fourth Mountain Partnership Global Meeting

The global meeting will be key to endorsing the new four-year strategy and governance of the Mountain Partnership and to initiate work on its implementation. It will also provide a unique opportunity for members from across the world to meet, network, present interesting initiatives and promote collaborative action in sustainable mountain development. The Mountain Partnership is a UN voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the lives of mountain people and protecting mountain environments around the world. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the (FAO) acts as the central hub of the Secretariat of the Partnership.  

dates: 17-20 September 2013   location: Turkey   www: http://www.mountainpartnership.org/news/news-detail/en/c/173...  

Ninth Meeting of the AEWA Standing Committee

The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago. The ninth meeting of the Standing Committee for AEWA will take place from 18-20 September in Trondheim, Norway, and will be hosted by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management. AEWA was developed under the framework of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which is administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).  

dates: 18-19 September 2013   location: Trondheim, Norway   contact: AEWA Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-2413   fax: +49-228-815-2450   e-mail: aewa@unep.de   www: http://www.unep-aewa.org/meetings/en/stc_meetings/stc9docs/s...  

UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013

The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit will meet from 19-20 September 2013, at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, US, to coincide with the opening of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Held every three years, this invitation-only event brings together chief executives, and representatives of civil society, governments and the UN. Chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, this year's Leaders Summit – held on the theme "Architects of a Better World" – aims to link the UN's universal values with a new global architecture for corporate sustainability. As the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015 deadline approaches, the Summit will set the stage for business to shape and advance the post-2015 development agenda, and forward an architecture for business to contribute to global priorities.  

dates: 19-20 September 2013   venue: Grand Hyatt, 9 East 42nd Street at Grand Central Terminal   location: New York, United States of America   e-mail: LeadersSummit@eventready.com   www: http://www.leaderssummit2013.org  

IEA SHC Conference on Buildings and Industry

The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC), in collaboration with the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), are organizing an international conference on solar heating and cooling for buildings and industry. This event aims to add a strong industry focus to the SHC, which notes that the 2013 conference will build on the success of the 2012 conference held in San Francisco around the common themes of: technological advancements in thermal storage; cost competitive large-scale projects; and public-private partnerships to develop regional solar thermal markets. A call for papers for the 2013 conference will be available on the conference website by 1 December 2012.  

dates: 23-25 September 2013   venue: Konzerthaus Freiburg / Congress Center Concert Hall Freiburg, Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 1, 79098 Freiburg   location: Germany   additional: Freiburg   contact: Uwe Trenkner   phone: +32 499 265 865   e-mail: communications@iea-shc.org   www: http://www.shc2013.org/cms/welcome.html  

12th Session of WG I and IPCC 36

The 12th session of WG I for endorsement of AR5 will be held in September 2013. Subsequently, the 36th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 36) will convene to consider the WGI contribution to AR5.  

dates: 23-26 September 2013   location: Stockholm, Sweden   contact: IPCC Secretariat   phone: +41-22-730-8208   fax: +41-22-730-8025   e-mail: IPCC-Sec@wmo.int   www: http://www.ipcc.ch/  

75th Meeting of the CDM Executive Board

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board (EB) will convene its 75th (EB75) meeting to consider matters relating to the operation of the CDM.

dates: 23-27 September 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://cdm.unfccc.int/calendar/index.html  

High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) agreed in resolution A/RES/67/140, of December 2012, to hold a High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development (HLMDD) with the overarching theme, “The way forward: a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond,” on 23 September 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. The High Level Meeting on the Realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities, to be organized at Heads of State or Government level, is expected to produce an action-oriented outcome document on disability inclusion. The one-day event will comprise a plenary meeting and two consecutive informal round tables, with participation by Member States, observers, UN entities, civil society and the private sector, including persons with disabilities.  

date: 23 September 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Akiko Ito   fax: +1-917-367-5102   e-mail: enable@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1590  

CGIAR Science Forum: Nutrition and Health Outcomes: Targets for Agricultural Research

In September 2013, the biennial Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Science Forum will bring together scientists, practitioners, experts and leading thinkers to examine emerging challenges and recent scientific advances in the areas of nutrition, health and agriculture. The Forum seeks to identify key research areas where there is potential to deliver impacts and, critically, it aims to facilitate the formation of new partnerships to address them. The event will reach out to scientists and scientific communities who may not be part of CGIAR, but who have potentially important contributions to make to the CGIAR research portfolio, and therefore to the global agriculture research agenda for a food secure future.  

dates: 23-25 September 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   e-mail: SF-2013@fao.org   www: http://www.cgiar.org/consortium-news/science-forum-2013-the-...  

First Session of the High-Level Political Forum [tentative]

The first session of the high-level political forum (HLPF) on sustainable development is expected to take place on 24-26 September 2013. This will be the first formal meeting of the HLPF since a decision was taken to establish the forum at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20) in June 2012. The HLPF aims to follow up on the implementation of sustainable development, and to build on the strengths, experiences, resources and inclusive participation modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), and to replace the Commission.  

dates: 24-26 September 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Division for Sustainable Development   fax: +1 212 963 4260   e-mail: dsd@un.org   www: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1556  

UNGA Special Event to Follow up Efforts Made Towards Achieving the MDGs

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) will hold a one-day Special Event to Follow up Efforts Made Towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), during the 68th session of the UNGA in September. This will represent the occasion for leaders to identify actions to complete the MDG process and to provide guidance on priorities to focus on. The date of the meeting has been agreed through consultations and was announced on 14 March 2013 by the UNGA President, during the first meeting on the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.  

date: 25 September 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/en/ga/info/meetings/67schedule.shtml  

International Symposium on Sustainable Cities: Empowering Local Governments through Capacity Building

The UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) will host this international symposium to strengthen dissemination and sharing of good practices and lessons learned on fostering sustainable cities, in recognition of the role of cities in protecting the environment, improving disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience and reducing poverty. The symposium aims to identify strategies to strengthen local government institutional and technical capacity to address poverty reduction and slum upgrading, urban development, urban economic growth, urban transport and water and sanitation. The symposium also aims to identify areas for further capacity building and knowledge sharing and to identify innovative financing models to support urban infrastructure. The event will bring together representatives of governments, including and local government and planning officials, UN agencies, multilateral and regional development banks, the private sector and civil society in plenary sessions, working group sessions and panel discussions. The symposium is planned to overlap with the ‘Incheon Sister and Friendly Cities Conference,' which will be held in Incheon on 28 September 2013, and include mayors from cities around the world. The two events will have a joint closing session that will discuss advancing and implementing the sustainable urbanization agenda.  

dates: 26-28 September 2013   venue: Convention Center, SongdoDong   location: Incheon, Republic of Korea   www: http://www.unosd.org/index.php?page=view&type=13&nr=17&menu=...  

First World Irrigation Forum

This event, organized by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), will address the following themes: irrigation management under drought conditions; environmental impacts of irrigation and drainage projects; modernization and infrastructure services; and conflicting water use in different sectors.  

dates: 29 September - 5 October 2013   location: Turkey   additional: Mardin   contact: Serpil Koylu, Turkish National Committee, ICID , E-mail : tucid@dsi.gov.tr   phone: + 90 312 425 4614   fax: + 90 312 425 4614   e-mail: tucid@dsi.gov.tr   www: http://www.icid.org/conf.html#6  

First International Conference on Global Food Security

The First International Conference on Global Food Security aims to explore the economic, social, biophysical, technological and institutional drivers of current and future global food security. The topics list includes, inter alia: enabling trade and market policies for local and global food security; sustainable intensification of food production systems; novel ways of feeding 9 billion; land sparing, land sharing and trade-offs; agricultural production as feedstock for renewables; lost harvest and wasted food; nutritional security; and labelling, certifying and striving for quality and sustainability of food production.  

dates: 29 September - 2 October 2013   location: Noordwijk, Netherlands   www: http://www.globalfoodsecurityconference.com/index.html  

October 2013

4th World Congress of United Cities and Local Governments

The 4th World Congress of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is organized on the theme: “Imagine Society, Build Democracy”. It is expected to bring together local and regional leaders, international organizations, the public and private sectors, financial institutions and civil society from over 100 countries. The 2013 World Summit will focus on: local and regional authorities' contribution to the wellbeing of communities and their role in the post-2015 development agenda; and new challenges and useful models to answer the demands of an increasingly urban population, in preparation for Habitat III in 2016. The World Congress will take place concurrently with the 2nd Local and Regional Leaders World Summit, in which leaders will address challenges facing cities and territories, including quality of life, diversity, human investment in men and women, solidarity between territories and the urban future.  

dates: 1-4 October 2013   location: Rabat, Morocco   contact: World Secretariat of UCLG   phone: Tel + 34 933 428 750   fax: Fax + 34 933 428 760   e-mail: info@uclg.org   www: http://issuu.com/uclgcglu/docs/eng_announcementrabat2013?mod...  

33rd Meeting of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee

The Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee will convene its 33rd meeting (JISC 33) to consider matters relating to the operation of Joint Implementation.  

dates: 3-4 October 2013   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://unfccc.int/meetings/unfccc_calendar/items/2655.php  

High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) will hold this High-Level Dialogue (A/67/219) to identify concrete measures to strengthen coherence and cooperation at all levels, with a view to enhancing the benefits of international migration both for migrants and countries, and its important link to development, while reducing negative implications. The two-day Dialogue will address: the effects of international migration on sustainable development, and relevant priorities for the post-2015 development framework; human rights, trafficking, and safe migration; partnerships and cooperation; and labor mobility and development.  

dates: 3-4 October 2013   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Joao Dourado Quintaes   phone: +1 (212) 963-4767   fax: 1 (212) 963-3301   e-mail: douradoquintaes@un.org   www: http://www.un.org/esa/population/migration/hlmimd2013/highle...  

Second World Heritage Marine Site Managers Conference

The second World Heritage marine site managers conference will be co-hosted by the World Heritage Centre (WHC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the French Marine Protected Area Agency (AAMP).  

dates: 5-7 October 2013 [tentative]   location: Marseille (Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur), France   contact: UNESCO   phone: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00   www: http://www.marineworldheritage-unesco.org/calendar/  

Eighth Meeting of the CBD Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions

The Working Group on Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to continue consideration of tasks 7 (equitable benefit-sharing), 10 (development of standards and guidelines for the reporting and prevention of unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge), 12 (exchange and dissemination of information) and 15 (repatriation of traditional knowledge) of the work programme on Article 8(j); and consider a draft plan of action on customary sustainable use, as well as the matter of terminology related to "indigenous peoples and local communities." An in-depth dialogue will be held on "connecting traditional knowledge systems and science, such as under the IPBES, including gender dimensions".  

dates: 7-11 October 2013   location: Montreal, Canada   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1-514-288-2220   fax: +1-514-288-6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=WG8J-08  

Diplomatic Plenipotentiary Conference on Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury

The Conference will adopt the Minamata Convention on Mercury and a final act that addresses: how to promote and prepare for the early implementation of the Convention; arrangements for the interim period between the signing of the instrument and its entry into force, including arrangements for financial and technical assistance during that period; and secretariat arrangements. A preparatory session will be held on 7-8 October, opening ceremonies on 9 October, and the full Conference on 10-11 October 2013.  

dates: 7-11 October 2013   location: Kumamoto, Japan   contact: Jacob Duer, UNEP   phone: +254-2076-24011   fax: +254-2076-24300   e-mail: Jacob.Duer@unep.org   www: http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Negotiations...  

CIFOR Annual Meeting

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) will hold its annual meeting to consider its annual report, among other agenda items. CIFOR is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).  

dates: 7-11 October 2013   location: Bogor, Indonesia   contact: CIFOR Secretariat   phone: 62-251-8622-622   fax: 62-251-8622-100   e-mail: cifor@cgiar.org   www: http://www.cifor.org/crp6/events/upcoming-events/event-view....  

2013 Budapest Water Summit

The Budapest Water Summit will take place sometime in October 2013 the context of the International Year of Water Cooperation, and will seek to contribute to the elaboration of water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to discuss solutions to water-related challenges. It will convene under the theme "The Role of Water and Sanitation in the Global Sustainable Development Agenda". The Summit is organised by the Government of Hungary in cooperation with the United Nations systems and the World Water Council.  

dates: 8-11 October 2013 [tentative]   location: Budapest, Hungary   contact: Budapest Water Summit Secretariat   e-mail: BudapestWaterSummit@mfa.gov.hu   www: http://budapestwatersummit.hu/  

Conference on the Cloud of Commitments

This high-level conference, hosted by the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), will address follow-up to voluntary commitments made at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).  

dates: 11-12 October 2013   venue: Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies   location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America   www: http://www.nrdc.org/international/rio-2012/accountability.as...  

XII Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean is a subsidiary body of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) which is convened on a regular basis, at least every three years, to identify women's needs at the regional and subregional levels, present recommendations, undertake periodic assessments of the activities carried out in fulfillment of regional and international plans and agreements on the subject, and serve as a forum for debates on relevant issues. The theme of the twelfth conference will be "women's empowerment, gender equality and information and communications technologies".  

dates: 14-18 October 2013   location: Dominican Republic   contact: Gender Affairs Division, ECLAC   phone: +562-210-2565   fax: +562-210-2129   www: http://www.eclac.cl/cgi-bin/getprod.asp?xml=/mujer/noticias/...  

POPRC 9

The ninth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC 9) will review chlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorobutadiene, hexabromocyclododecane, and pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters, as well as discuss other technical work such as the impact of climate change on the POPRC's work and common issues in applying Annex E criteria. A joint meeting with the Rotterdam Convention's Chemical Review Committee (CRC) may be held on 19 October 2013, if approved by the joint Basel/Rotterdam/Stockholm COPs.  

dates: 14-18 October 2013   location: Rome, Italy   contact: Stockholm Convention Secretariat   phone: +41-22-917-8729   fax: +41-22-917-8098   e-mail: ssc@pops.int   www: http://www.pops.int  

CBD SBSTTA 17

At its seventeenth meeting, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among others, issues related to marine and coastal biodiversity, biodiversity and climate change, and collaboration with IPBES.  

dates: 14-18 October 2013   location: Montreal, Canada   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=SBSTTA-17  

IPCC 37

The 37th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 37) will consider for approval two methodology reports: the "2013 Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands”; and the good practice guidance on estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) under the Kyoto Protocol.

dates: 14-18 October 2013   location: Georgia [tentative]   contact: IPCC Secretariat   phone: +41-22-730-8208   fax: +41-22-730-8025   e-mail: IPCC-Sec@wmo.int   www: http://www.ipcc.ch/scripts/_calendar_template.php?wg=8  

28th General Meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) will hold its 28th General Meeting (GM28) in Belize. Launched at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 1) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994, ICRI brings together governments, the CBD and the Ramsar Convention Secretariats, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), development banks such as the World Bank, regional organizations such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and international organizations such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). ICRI members use annual General Meetings to interact, discuss past and upcoming ICRI-related activities and adopt resolutions or recommendations that bring international attention to specific issues affecting coral reefs.  

dates: 14-17 October 2013   venue: Radisson Fort Hotel and Marina   location: Belize City, Belize   contact: ICRI Secretariat   e-mail: icri@gbrmpa.gov.au   www: http://www.icriforum.org/ICRIGM28  

World Food Day: Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition

“Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” will be the focus of World Food Day in 2013. The official World Food Day theme – announced at the start of every year by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – gives focus to World Food Day observances and helps increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger.  

date: 16 October 2013   location: worldwide   www: http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/  

International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action

During the campaign week, the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP) aims to: raise awareness about lead poisoning; highlight countries and partners' efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning; and urge further action to eliminate lead paint. GAELP is a partnership under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). GAELP partners include: the International Pediatrics Association; the UN Environment Programme (UNEP); US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention US Environmental Protection Agency; and the World Health Organization.  

dates: 20-26 October 2013   location: worldwide   contact: GAELP Secretariat   e-mail: noleadinpaint@who.int   www: http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/pb_campaign...  

Ninth Meeting of the Rotterdam Convention Chemical Review Committee

The Chemical Reivew Committee (CRC) is a subsidiary body of the Rotterdam Convention that reviews chemicals and pesticide formulations according to the criteria set out by the Convention in Annexes II and IV, respectively, and makes recommendations to the COP for listing these chemicals in Annex III. A joint meeting with the POPRC may be held on 19 October 2013, if approved by the joint Basel/Rotterdam/Stockholm COPs. This meeting was originally scheduled to convene in March 2013, but is now scheduled to meet back to back with the Stockholm Convention's POPRC.  

dates: 21-25 October 2013   location: Rome, Italy   contact: Rotterdam Convention Secretariat   phone: +41-22-917-8296   fax: +41-22-917-8082   e-mail: pic@pic.int   www: http://www.pic.int/  

Third International Marine Protected Area Congress

The third International Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Congress aims to define actions to promote cooperation through different initiatives, and to inspire a new way of thinking to face global challenges, such as climate change, poverty reduction, and resource sharing.  

dates: 21-25 October 2013   location: Marseille (Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur), France   contact: IUCN   www: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/impac3_pageflyer_dl1.pdf  

25th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

MOP 25 is scheduled to consider a number of issues, including nominations for critical- and essential-use exemptions. On 3 May 2013, the Ozone Secretariat announced the change in venue from Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine to Bangkok, Thailand. The dates are unchanged.  

dates: 21-25 October 2013   location: Bangkok, Thailand   contact: Ozone Secretariat   phone: +254-20-762-3851   fax: +254-20-762-4691   e-mail: ozoneinfo@unep.org   www: http://ozone.unep.org/new_site/en/historical_meetings.php  

Third Global Green Growth Forum

The third Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) aims to be a platform for developing new or enhancing existing public-private partnerships for promoting green growth and will be hosted by the Danish Government in partnership with the Governments of China, Kenya, Korea, Mexico and Qatar. With an overall focus on improving resource efficiencies in the value chain, the event will also focus on the following thematic areas: energy, water, food and greening the value chain. It will also provide an opportunity for green growth leaders to discuss ways to finance green growth, create demand for green growth and enhance economic incentives for the transition to a green economy.  

dates: 21-22 October 2013   location: Copenhagen, Denmark   contact: 3GF Secretariat   phone: +45 3392 00 00   e-mail: 3gf@um.dk   www: http://3gf.dk/en/events/3gf-2013/  

Joining Forces to Develop Smart, Cost-Effective Urban Water Utilities

This international conference on water will consider the theme “Joining Forces to Develop Smart, Cost-Effective Urban Water Utilities: Policy, Economics, Environment, Regulation and Technologies”. It is co-organized by the Government of Israel and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Participants will discuss lessons learned from Israel's water industry and its water-related technologies, as well as their applicability to other countries. The conference also aims to contribute to discussions on the OECD's “Water policies for future cities” project. Following the one-day conference, participants will be offered to take part in a tour to visit water sites.  

date: 23 October 2013   location: Tel Aviv, Israel   contact: OECD and the Government of Israel   www: http://www.oecd.org/env/resources/savethedateinternationalco...  

Second Global Soil Week 2013

This event, which will convene under the theme 'Losing Ground?' is organized by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam, Germany. It will bring together practitioners, policy makers, scientists and representatives from civil society organizations to share knowledge and experience on soil and land related issues and to make plans to advance the global agenda for sustainable development. A call for proposals will be posted soon.  

dates: 27-31 October 2013   location: Berlin, Germany   contact: IASS Potsdam   e-mail: info@iass-potsdam.de   www: http://www.iass-potsdam.de/research-clusters/global-contract...  

Ad Hoc Technical EGM on Socio-Economic Considerations of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will examine: existing institutional frameworks, legislation and policies with provisions on socioeconomic considerations; capacity-building activities related to biosafety and socioeconomic considerations; existing expertise and experience; and other policy initiatives concerning social and economic impact assessments.  

dates: 28 October - 1 November 2013 [tentative]   location: Bolivia, Plurinational State of   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/  

First Annual Sustainable Development Implementation Forum

The UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) will host the first annual Sustainable Development Implementation Forum (SDIF) from 28-31 October 2013, in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The SDIF aims to serve as a global platform for sharing best practices in formulating and implementing sustainable development programmes, reviewing evidence of impact, and charting out new and improved pathways for sustainable development implementation. The programme of the annual SDIF also will include topics related to: scaling up implementation; finding effective solutions to address implementation constraints and challenges; examining emerging issues in the context of planning and implementation; promoting the science-policy-practice interface to ensure the transition towards sustainability; and promoting and facilitating partnerships, as well as building communities of practice. The SDIF will include high-level policy dialogues, training sessions, seminars, side events, and expert panel discussions covering key cross-cutting sustainable development and green economy issues and good practices in strategy-making and policy implementation.  

dates: 28-31 October 2013   location: Incheon, Republic of Korea   contact: SDIF Secretariat, UNOSD, Yonsei University International Campus   phone: 82-32-822-9088   fax: 82-32-822-9089   e-mail: unosd@un.org   www: www.unosd.org  

Eighth International Conference on Waste Management and Technology (ICWMT8)

Organized by the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Asia and the Pacific, and sponsored by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Capacity-Building and the Transfer of Technology in Asia and the Pacific, China's Ministry of Environmental Protection and others, ICWMT aims to promote exchange and cooperation on management policy, technology and experiences on solid and hazardous waste. Under the theme of "Towards Ecological Civilization," ICWMT8 will discuss: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management policy and technology; hazardous waste management and safe disposal; industrial solid waste utilization and disposal; contaminated sites regulation and governance; circular economy and urban mining exploitation and utilization; persistent organic pollutants (POPs) waste management and disposal; scrapped vehicle recycling management and processing; biomass comprehensive utilization; and waste plastic utilization.  

dates: 30 October - 1 November 2013   location: Beijing, China   contact: BCRC Beijing   phone: +86-10-62794351   fax: +86-10-62772048   e-mail: icwmt@tsinghua.edu.cn   www: http://conf.bcrc.cn/english/  

November 2013

Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee for 3rd International Conference on SIDS [tentative]

Towards the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014, an intergovernmental preparatory committee will convene to prepare for the 2014 Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The decision on the preparatory process for the Conference was taken in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 21 December 2012, following consultations in the Second Committee, which approved Resolution A/C.2/67/L.40. The PrepCom process likely will culminate with a final meeting ahead of the Conference itself, in Apia, Samoa, in 2014.  

date: 1 November 2013 [tentative]   location: New York, United States of America [tentative]   www: http://www.un.org/en/ga/second/67/proposalstatus.shtml  

76th Meeting of the CDM Executive Board

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board (EB) will convene its 76th (EB76) meeting to consider matters relating to the operation of the CDM. EB76 will be held in conjunction with the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 19) to the UNFCCC.  

dates: 4-8 November 2013   location: Warsaw, Poland   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228-815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://cdm.unfccc.int/calendar/index.html  

19th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC

UNFCCC COP 19 and CMP 9 and the subsidiary bodies will convene in Warsaw, Poland.  

dates: 11-22 November 2013   location: Warsaw, Poland   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: 49-228-815-1000   fax: 49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

UNEP Finance Initiative 2013 Global Roundtable

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Finance Initiative (FI) 2013 Global Roundtable will convene under the theme "Financing the Future We Want: China, Emerging Markets and the World Economy," and will be attended by high-level representatives from financial institutions, governments, regulators, civil society, academia and the scientific community to galvanize action on sustainable finance.  

dates: 12-13 November 2013   location: Beijing, China   contact: Mengqi Cai   e-mail: grt@unepfi.org   www: http://unepfi.org/grt/2013/  

Caring for Climate Business Forum: Innovation. Ambition. Collaboration

The inaugural Caring for Climate Business Forum – Innovation, Ambition, Collaboration – will meet from 19-20 November 2013, in Warsaw, Poland, on the sidelines of the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 19) to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). For the first time, the Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNFCCC Secretariat are organizing this invitation-only event, which will showcase the contributions that business and investors can make towards climate action, while providing a high-level platform for exchange and collaboration with policymakers. More specifically, the Forum aims to: bring greater scale to business innovation on climate change; further encourage business and governments to raise ambition on climate policies; and encourage collaboration among business, the UN, governments and other stakeholders. New activities, resources, commitments and public-private partnerships are expected to be announced during the Forum. In addition to plenary sessions and thematic action workshops, a high-level meeting on 20 November will convene to: discuss a compendium of climate practices, innovations, collaborations and commitments to action across key climate change themes; and put forward recommendations for government actions that would help bring greater scale and quality to corporate climate leadership globally. It is expected the Forum will become an annual event.  

dates: 19-20 November 2013   location: Warsaw, Poland   contact: Jayoung Park   e-mail: park10@un.org   www: http://caringforclimate.org/forum/about/2013-business-forum/  

ITTC-49

The 49th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) and the Associated Sessions of the four Committees (Finance and Administration, Economic Information and Market Intelligence, Forest Industry, and Reforestation and Forest Management) are scheduled to take place in Libreville, Gabon.  

dates: 25-30 November 2013   location: Libreville, Gabon   contact: ITTO Secretariat   phone: +81-45-223-1110   fax: +81-45-223-1111   e-mail: itto@itto.or.jp   www: http://www.itto.int  

International Conference on Climate Change, Water and Disaster in Mountainous Areas

This conference is organized by the Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists, SOHAM-Nepal. It will focus on climate change, water and disaster in mountainous areas, and address the following topics: climate change and implications on society, hydrological regimes and water in mountainous countries; hydrometeorological response to mountainous ecosystems; water and renewable energy; disaster risk reduction (DRR); traditional and modern knowledge for water resources management; transboundary issues on water resources; and adaptation strategies.  

dates: 27-29 November 2013   location: Kathmandu, Nepal   contact: SOHAM Nepal   e-mail: info@soham.org.np   www: http://www.soham.org.np/news/international-sem-2013.pdf  

41st meeting of the CMS Standing Committee

The 41st meeting of the CMS Standing Committee is scheduled to convene in November 2013. The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was established by Resolution 1.1 of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Its functions are to provide policy and administrative guidance between regular meetings of the COP. It consists of representatives of every global region, of the Depositary and, where applicable, of the country that plans to host the next meeting of the COP.  

dates: 27-28 November 2013   venue: UNEP/CMS Secretariat offices, Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: Barbara Schoenberg   e-mail: bschoenberg@cms.int   www: http://www.cms.int/notifications/2013/008_stc41_dates_e.pdf  

December 2013

9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

The Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation, a network of nongovernmental organizations, donors and regional organizations working in nature conservation in the Pacific, organizes this conference every five years to set activities and strategies for the next five year period. This ninth conference's theme is "Natural Solutions: Building Resilience for a Changing Pacific."  

dates: 2-6 December 2013   venue: University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus   location: Suva, Fiji   e-mail: pacificconference2013@sprep.org   www: http://www.sprep.org/pacificnatureconference  

International Workshop on Soil Spectroscopy: Present and Future of Soil Monitoring

This workshop, to convene at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy, will address: soil spectroscopy, including new techniques, calibration-validation and analysis of large-scale spectral libraries; soil spectroscopy to monitor the state of soil resources now and in the future; and harmonization of the protocol for the collection of laboratory spectra. The workshop will bring together soil spectroscopy experts to promote knowledge and the use of this discipline in environmental science, and it will generate a white paper to be published as an FAO-Global Soil Partnership (GSP) report that will serve as reference for the soil spectroscopy community.  

dates: 4-6 December 2013   venue: FAO Headquarters   location: Rome, Italy   www: http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/events/detail/en/c/...  

European Forest Week

The week will be celebrated under the theme "Forests, their products and services," and will focus on the contribution of forests to the green economy. The main celebrations will be centred on Metsä 2013, the joint meeting of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Timber Committee and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) European Forestry Commission. Additional events will be held throughout Europe.  

dates: 9-13 December 2013   location: Rovaniemi, Finland   contact: Eve Charles   phone: 41 (0)22 917 3922   e-mail: eve.charles@unece.org   www: http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=31600  

IPBES-2

The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is exepected to take place in late 2013.  

dates: 9-13 December 2013   location: TBA   contact: UNEP Secretariat   e-mail: ipbes.unep@unep.org   www: http://www.ipbes.net  

January 2014

65th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission

The 64th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the associated meetings of its Scientific Committee and other sub-groups will take place in 2014.  

date: 1 January 2014 [tentative]   location: TBA   contact: IWC Secretariat   phone: +44 (0) 1223 233 971   fax: +44 (0) 1223 232 876   e-mail: secretariat@iwcoffice.org   www: http://iwcoffice.org/  

February 2014

ICNP 3

The third meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among others, issues related to compliance, a global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, the ABS clearing-house, and monitoring and reporting, and will exchange views on the state of implementation of the Protocol, and on sectoral and cross-sectoral model contractual clauses, codes of conduct and guidelines.  

dates: 3-7 February 2014 [tentative]   location: Montreal, Canada [tentative]   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/  

5th Biennial C40 Mayors Summit

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is hosting this three-day summit to convene mayors from the world's largest cities with hundreds of urban and climate change leaders for a series of roundtable discussions and working sessions focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) measurements and climate adaptation. New York City Mayor and C40 Chair Michael Bloomberg and Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Parks Tau are leading the event. Started in 2005, C40 is a network of cities around the world looking to take concrete actions local actions for climate change adaptation and mitigation.  

dates: 4-6 February 2014   location: Johannesburg, South Africa   www: http://www.c40.org/c40events/johannesburg-to-host-2014-mayor...  

World Congress on Agroforestry

Organized under the theme "Trees for Life – Accelerating the Impacts of Agroforestry," this Congress is intended to raise awareness and share knowledge and information on agroforestry and associated research. The Congress is also intended to increase support for agroforestry on all fronts, including through collaboration with the private sector. The event will be organized by the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Indian Society of Agroforestry and Global Initiatives.  

dates: 10-14 February 2014   location: Delhi, India   contact: Global Initiatives
   phone: 65 6411 6610
   e-mail: info@wca2014.org   www: http://www.wca2014.org/index.html  

7th Global FRIEND-Water Conference

The Flow Regime from International Experimental and Network Data (FRIEND)-Water Conference 2014 will focus on the theme “Hydrology in a Changing World: Environmental and Human Dimensions.” FRIEND-Water aims to facilitate understanding about how climate, human and river basin factors influence the spatial and temporal distribution of water. The 2014 conference will share knowledge on changes in hydrological processes and their impacts, including ecological flows, erosion and sedimentation, and will discuss how to develop adaptable water management and water policies to account for these impacts. The conference will focus on six topics: hydrological databases; trends in hydrological regimes and extremes; changes in ecological flows and coastal ecohydrology; erosion and sediment transport processes and trends; regional observational-hydrological modeling frameworks; and water resources and prospective scenarios. The conference is co-organized by, inter alia: the International Hydrological Programme of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-IHP); the German IHP Hydrological Committee; the UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; and the UNESCO Office Hanoi.  

dates: 24-28 February 2014   location: Hanoi, Viet Nam   contact: UNESCO Secretariat   e-mail: b.lwanga@unesco.org   www: http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/SC/pdf/FRI...  

June 2014

UNFCCC 38th Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies

The 38th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in June 2014.  

dates: 4-15 June 2014   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228 815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

20th World Congress of Soil Science

The Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer will host the 20th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS). The meeting will take advantage of the fact that the field of soil science is expanding because of the growing interest in food security and safety as well as environmental quality. In addition, many state-of-the-art emerging technologies being developed in other fields are available to adapt to soil science, creating an explosion of information and knowledge in the many fields of soil science. The 20th WCSS will provide an opportunity to examine the changes in soil science and to envision new perspectives for basic and applied soil research. The local Organizing Committee is planning to set up the various programs to encourage the participation of soil scientists from across the world.  

dates: 8-14 June 2014   location: Jeju, Republic of Korea   www: http://www.20wcss.org/  

31st Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 31)

This session will be held in June 2014. Based on its terms of reference, COFI: reviews the work programmes of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the field of fisheries, and their implementation; conducts periodic general reviews of international fishery problems and examine possible solutions through national, FAO and intergovernmental programmes; reviews specific matters relating to fisheries referred to the Committee by the Council or the Director-General, or placed by the Committee on its Agenda at the request of Member Nations in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Committee, and to make recommendations as may be appropriate; considers the desirability of preparing and submitting to Member Nations an international convention under Article XIV of the Constitution to ensure effective international cooperation and consultation in fisheries on a world scale; and reports to the Council or tender advice to the Director-General, as appropriate, on matters considered by the Committee.  

dates: 9-13 June 2014   venue: FAO headquarters   location: Rome, Italy   contact: FAO Fisheries   e-mail: FAO-COFI@fao.org   www: http://www.fao.org/unfao/govbodies/gsbhome/committee-fi/en/  

CBD SBSTTA 18

At its eighteenth meeting, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among others, issues related to marine and coastal biodiversity, biodiversity and climate change, and the relationship with IPBES.  

dates: 16-20 June 2014 [tentative]   location: Montreal, Canada [tentative]   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/  

CBD WGRI 5

At its fifth meeting, the Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among other issues, implementation of the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, the efficiency of structures and processes under the Convention and its protocols, and biodiversity and development.  

dates: 23-27 June 2014 [tentative]   location: Montreal, Canada [tentative]   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/  

22nd Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry

The Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has approved the dates of the next Committee on Forestry (COFO), set for 23–27 June 2014. The biennial session will be held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and will bring together heads of forest services and other senior government officials to identify emerging policy and technical issues, to seek solutions and to advise FAO and others on appropriate action. Participants will also include representatives from other international organizations and non-governmental groups. Participation in COFO is open to all FAO member countries.  

dates: 23-27 June 2014   venue: FAO Headquarters   location: Rome, Italy   contact: Peter Csoka   e-mail: peter.csoka @fao.org   www: http://www.fao.org/forestry/57758/en/  

August 2014

Third International Conference for Small Island Developing States

The Third International Conference for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is scheduled to convene from 1-4 September 2014, in Samoa. This conference will include a high-level segment to build upon the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation (MSI), and will identify new challenges for the sustainable development of SIDS. According to UN General Assembly resolution A/67/L.66, "The General Assembly, recalling its resolution 67/207 of 21 December 2012, in which it welcomed the offer of the Government of the Independent State of Samoa to host the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in 2014, decides that the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States shall be held from 1 to 4 September 2014 in Apia, to be preceded by activities related to the Conference from 28 to 30 August 2014, also in Apia".  

dates: 28 August - 4 September 2014   location: Samoa   additional: Apia   www: http://www.sids2014.org/  

September 2014

69th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69)

The 69th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 16 September 2014. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 23 September 2014.  

dates: 16-29 September 2014   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1  

2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

The UN General Assembly approved a resolution to organize a high-level plenary meeting in 2014 (the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014) to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of indigenous peoples' rights, including to pursue the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples 2014 will be organized as a high-level plenary meeting of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly and supported by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples and to pursue the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  

dates: 22-23 September 2014   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Nilla Bernardi   phone: +1 212-963-8379   e-mail: bernardi@un.org   www: http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx  

Special Session to Follow Up Programme of Action from ICPD

An 8-hour Special Session to Follow Up on the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) is being organized to coincide with the high-level segment of the general debate at the UN General Assembly. The General Assembly has urged all Member and observer States and observers to be represented at the highest political level, including Heads of State or Government. Member States will have opportunity to recommit themselves to the ICPD Programme of Action. Civil society is expected to be involved in this meeting, based on equitable geographic representation.  

date: 22 September 2014   venue: UN Headquarters, 1st Avenue between 45th & 46th St, New York   location: New York, United States of America   contact: Mandy Kibel   phone: +1-212-297-5293   e-mail: kibel@unfpa.org   www: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/ga11342.doc.htm  

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety COP-MOP 7

The seventh meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties serving as Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is scheduled for 29 September-3 October 2014. Among other issues, the meeting is expected to address: handling, transport, packaging and identification (HTPI) of living modified organisms (LMOs); risk assessment and risk management; and socio-economic considerations.  

dates: 29 September - 3 October 2014   location: Republic of Korea   additional: PyeongChang   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2036  

October 2014

CBD COP 12

The twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will engage in a mid-term review of the implementation of the Strategic Plan and the Aichi targets. The theme of the meeting will be 'Biodiversity for Sustainable Development.' The Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP MOP 7) will take place immediately before COP 12.  

dates: 6-17 October 2014   location: Republic of Korea   additional: PyeongChang   contact: CBD Secretariat   phone: +1 514 288 2220   fax: +1 514 288 6588   e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int   www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2036  

November 2014

IUCN World Parks Congress 2014

The sixth International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress will serve as a vital link to achieving IUCN's overall vision of a “just world that values and conserves nature” and deliver the IUCN Programme 2013-2106.  

dates: 12-19 November 2014   location: Sydney, Australia   contact: Trevor Sandwith   e-mail: trevor.sandwith@iucn.org   www: http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/?11730/I...  

December 2014

UNFCCC COP 20

The 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC is expected to take place in December 2014 at a venue to be determined.  

dates: 3-14 December 2014   location: TBA   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228 815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

January 2015

Ramsar COP 12

The 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP 12) will take place in the first half of 2015, in Punta del Este, Uruguay.  

date: 1 January 2015 [tentative]   venue: Conrad Resort and Casino   location: Uruguay   additional: Punta del Este   contact: Ramsar Secretariat   phone: +41-22-999-0170   fax: +41-22-999-0169   e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org   www: http://www.sprep.org/biodiversity-ecosystems-management/urug...  

World Conference on Disaster Reduction 2015 [tentative]

The World Conference on Disaster Reduction will be hosted by the Government of Japan and organized by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), and is expected to agree a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR).  

date: 1 January 2015 [tentative]   location: Japan   contact: UNISDR   phone: +41-2291-78907   fax: +41-2291-78964   e-mail: isdr@un.org   www: http://www.unisdr.org/we/coordinate/hfa  

May 2015

Expo 2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life

From 1 May-31 October 2015, Expo 2015 will be held on the theme, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. It is organized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is the body responsible for overseeing and regulating issues relating to the organization of World and International Expos. Recognizing the role of food and nutrition in achieving sustainable development, the event will focus on a variety of related themes, including improving food quality and security, ensuring healthy and high-quality nutrition for humans, and promoting innovation in research, technology, and business practices.  

date: 1 May 2015   venue: Expo - Milano 2015   location: Milan, Italy   contact: Expo 2015 Planning Office   phone: +39 02 89459400/499   www: http://en.expo2015.org/  

June 2015

40th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies

The 40th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in June 2015.  

dates: 3-14 June 2015   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228 815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

September 2015

Fourteenth World Forestry Congress

The 14th World Forestry Congress, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), is intended to raise awareness and provide a forum for discussions on forestry-related technical, scientific and policy issues.  

date: 1 September 2015 [tentative]   location: Durban, South Africa   contact: South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries   www: http://www.affcomnet.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...  

70th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70)

The 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 15 September 2015. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 22 September 2016.  

dates: 15-28 September 2015   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1  

October 2015

Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund

The 2015 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund will take place in Lima, Peru, in October 2015. The Annual Meetings bring together ministers of finance and central bank governors from the institutions' 188 member countries, and provide a forum for civil society, the private sector, academics and others to engage in discussions on economic issues.  

date: 1 October 2015   location: Lima, Peru   contact: David Theis, World Bank   phone: +1 202-458-8626   e-mail: dtheis@worldbank.org   www: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/09/14/world-bank-group...  

December 2015

UNFCCC COP 21

The 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC is expected to take place in December 2015 at a venue to be determined.  

dates: 2-13 December 2015   location: TBA   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228 815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

May 2016

42nd Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies

The 42nd sessions of the subsidiary bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in May 2016.  

dates: 18-29 May 2016   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

September 2016

71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71)

The 71st Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 13 September 2016. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 20 September 2016.  

dates: 13-26 September 2016   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1  

November 2016

UNFCCC COP 22

The 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC is expected to take place in November-December 2016, at a venue to be determined.  

dates: 30 November - 11 December 2016   location: TBA   contact: UNFCCC Secretariat   phone: +49-228 815-1000   fax: +49-228-815-1999   e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int   www: http://www.unfccc.int  

September 2017

72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72)

The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 12 September 2017. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 19 September 2017.  

dates: 12-25 September 2017   venue: UN Headquarters   location: New York, United States of America   www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1