25 June 2012
Brazil Launches World Centre for Sustainable Development
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Brazil announced the creation of Rio+Centre, the World Centre for Sustainable Development, to promote knowledge exchange and international debate about sustainable development among government agencies, UN agencies, local governments, civil society, business and academia.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) will contribute its "networks of experience and expertise" to the Centre.

Brazilian flag22 June 2012: The Government of Brazil announced the creation of Rio+Centre, the World Centre for Sustainable Development, to promote knowledge exchange and international debate about sustainable development. The Centre was announced at a ceremony at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), on 22 June 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, highlighting the involvement of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and 24 other institutions.

The Rio+Centre will facilitate research and exchange of experience and expertise among government agencies, UN agencies, local governments, civil society, business and academia. The mission of the Centre is serve as “a main reference centre” to promote integration between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. It will aim to continue the types of discussion launched at the Rio Dialogues for Sustainable Development by creating a space to discuss innovative ideas and actions to build a sustainable world.

Izabella Teixeira, Brazil’s Minister for the Environment, noted the importance of having “a legacy” after Rio+20, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. She added that “everyone here wants to work hard for this legacy.” UNDP Administrator Helen Clark indicated UNDP’s willingness to “contribute with its extensive networks of experience and expertise to this new Centre.”

Nearly 25 Brazilian and international institutions have pledged support for the Centre, and US$5 million in seed money for initial operations has been committed. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro’s Institute of Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE/UFRJ), at the Ilha do Fundão Campus, will initially host the Centre. Rio Municipality said it will provide a space for its future headquarters. [UNDP Press Release]

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