October 2012: The latest issue of “DESA News,” the newsletter of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), outlines plans for the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee, which addresses economic and financial matters. In addition to its general debate, proposed special events in the Committee during the 67th Session would address: challenges of countries under special situations; science, technology and innovation; and follow-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the Second Committee Chair, George Wilfred Talbot, Guyana, the Committee will aim to conclude its work by 30 November.

This issue of DESA News also highlights: the launch of the new website, by DESA’s Division for Sustainable Development (DSD), on the follow-up to Rio+20, as well as the 20-year work of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD); capacity building efforts by DESA’s Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD) on Millennium Development Goal (MDG) achievement; the 24 September Special Ministerial Meeting of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on sustainable development and Rio+20 follow up, titled “Building the Future We Want,” and the preceding online discussion; and an interview with Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. [Publication: DESA News, Vol. 16, No.10]