23 November 2011: The president of the 66th UN General Assembly (UNGA), Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, emphasized the importance of small States’ participation in the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) in a statement to the Forum of Small States (FOSS).

The FOSS, established in 1992, is a platform to allow small States to discuss and foster common positions on issues of mutual concern to give them a larger voice at the UN. The Forum met at the Mission of Singapore, New York, US, on 23 November 2011.

Al-Nasser emphasized the contribution of small countries to proposals on climate change and sustainable development, noting that sustainable development is especially vital for small States. He said that, on 17-18 December 2011, he will convene a retreat to encourage broader agreement on the outcome of the UNCSD, including how operationalization of the Green Climate Fund can link up with new adaptation and technology institutions. [Rio+20 News] [Statement of UNGA President]