5 August 2011: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU) organized a Science and Technology Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean, to give scientists and engineers from the region the opportunity to prepare joint positions and inputs for the regional preparatory processes for the UN Conference for Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) and to discuss views with policy makers and other key actors.

The workshop, which took place from 3-5 August 2011, in Mexico City, Mexico, was one of four regional workshops (in addition to Asia Pacific, Africa, and Europe) organised by ICSU and UNESCO in cooperation with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), the International Social Science Council (ISSC) and other regional stakeholders.

Key issues addressed at the Latin America and Caribbean workshop included: the priority issues for Rio+20; the link between science, education and policy and how to strengthen this link in order to ensure early detection of emerging crises and quick response actions; the needs of science and technology in the region, in order to contribute best to sustainable development in the region and to international endeavours of sustainability science; and how science and engineering can contribute to a green economy.

The outcome of the workshop will be presented at the Latin America and the Caribbean Intergovernmental Regional Preparatory Meeting for the UNCSD, which will take place from 7-9 September 2011, in Santiago, Chile. [UNCSD Meeting Webpage] [ICSU Meeting Webpage]