13 June 2012: The third meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom III) of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) opened on 13 June 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On its first day, PrepCom III convened in seven “splinter” groups on the draft outcome document to be considered for adoption by Rio+20.

These groups addressed: means of implementation and sustainable development goals (SDGs); sustainable consumption and production (SCP), water and climate change; oceans; gender, education, health, cities, transport and mining; chemicals and desertification; green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD).

The meeting will conclude on 15 June. [IISD RS Meeting Coverage]