19 March 2012: On the margins of the the first round of “informal-informal” consultations on the zero draft of the outcome document for Rio+20, the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) organized a side-event highlighting the importance of the Rio Conventions Pavilion (Rio Pavilion) as a mechanism for emphasizing the synergies among the Rio Conventions.

Delegates heard that the Rio Pavilion, which is due to be held for the fifth time during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) in June 2012, has been successful as a collaborative outreach activity that demonstrates the cross-cutting benefits of implementing the three Rio Conventions – the CBD, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Participants noted the opportunity presented by the Pavilion to enhance cooperation and collaboration among biodiversity, land management and climate change actors. Additionally, delegates called for national level implementation to “break down the silos.” The Global Environment Facility (GEF) also underscored its continued support for the Rio Pavilion.

Issues addressed at previous Rio Pavilions include sustainable land management, sustainable forest management (SFM), gender and water security. Other benefits of hosting the Rio Pavilion include awareness raising, realizing the co-benefits of implementing the Conventions and exchange of information. [IISD RS Sources]