10 January 2011: The first of three Intersessional Meetings for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) has opened at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

The two-day meeting was called for at the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom I) of the UNCSD. Participants at the first intersessional meeting will discuss the role of UNCSD in securing renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess progress to date and remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and emerging challenges. The meeting will also address the role of UNCSD with regard to the following themes: green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication (GESDPE); and institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD). [IISD RS Coverage] [First Intersessional Meeting Website]