April 2011: The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands has released a newsletter on its preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands was created by an informal World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) coordinating group in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002. Comprised of individuals from governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Global Forum serves as a platform for cross-sectoral information sharing and dialogue on issues affecting oceans, coasts and islands, with the goal of achieving sustainable development in these areas.

The newsletter outlines the importance of Rio+20 and the issues it will address. It recalls that the Conference will focus on two themes, namely the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable development. It further: highlights ocean issues to be addressed at Rio+20; provides an assessment of the Global Oceans Forum; and defines the role of oceans in a new, low-carbon, green economy.

The newsletter concludes with a description of Global Forum consultations on the Rio+20 process. [Publication: Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands at Rio+20, April 2011]