8 March 2011: Delegates at the second session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom II) for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio 2012), which took place from 7-8 March 2011, at UN Headquarters in New York, discussed issues related to the green economy and the institutional framework for sustainable development, as well as gaps in implementation of sustainable development goals, new and emerging challenges, and approaches to strengthening political commitment.

PrepCom II also addressed practical and procedural aspects of the preparatory process for the UNCSD. The Government of Brazil announced that the UNCSD will take place from 4-6 June 2012, and PrepCom III will take place from 28-30 May 2012. Brazil also will hold a meeting on 22 August 2011, for informal consultations on “issues relating to the UNCSD.”

At the end of PrepCom II, delegates adopted a decision outlining the process for preparing the draft outcome document for the UNCSD. The decision indicates that member States, relevant UN system organizations, and all relevant stakeholders should submit their inputs to the draft outcome document by 1 November 2011, to be included in the “zero draft” of the outcome document. The decision also indicates that the draft will be negotiated during a three-day meeting in January 2012 and one full week in February, March and April 2012. During the rest of 2011, regional meetings and country-led initiatives will convene to continue discussions on the UNCSD themes. [IISD RS Coverage of UNCSD PrepCom II] [Co-Chairs’ Summary of PrepCom II]