22 April 2012: At its 25th meeting, the Bureau of the Preparatory Process for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) discussed matters relating to the preparations for Rio+20, in particular the second round of informal informal negotiations. Among other issues, the Bureau agreed on the need to split into two working groups, to double the negotiating time.

At the meeting, which was held on 22 April 2012, in New York, US, the Bureau also agreed that side events at Rio+20 could take place during official working hours in designated locations, ensuring they would not “interfere with negotiations.” No side events may take place in the main Pavilion where negotiations are being held, during official meeting hours. On arrangements for the Third Meeting of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom III), the Bureau decided on a later start time for the official meetings on the recommendation of the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro.

Finally, a Bureau member noted that Major Groups had written an open letter to Conference Secretary-General Sha Zukang requesting that they be more fully incorporated in the Confernce preparation process. The next UNCSD Bureau meeting was scheduled for 1 May 2012. [Minutes from UNCSD Bureau Meeting]