20 June 2011: The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) Rio+20 Subregional Preparatory Meeting for the Caribbean, which convened at Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, discussed creating a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, the need for a blue economy addressing oceans and related issues, the institutional framework for sustainable development (IFSD), and emerging issues and partnerships.

Participants noted that more work needs to be done and very little time remains before Rio+20. They heard presentations on and discussed a small island developing States (SIDS)-focused paper on the “Green Economy in SIDS,” a proposed framework for a paper on IFSD, and a paper on existing coordinating mechanisms in the Caribbean.

On green economy, participants discussed the opportunities, risks and challenges for SIDS in transitioning to a green economy and successful models that can be used for SIDS and the incentives that states can put into place for industry, business and communities. On the blue economy, participants debated the aspects of the blue economy that Caribbean SIDS wish to highlight in the context of the UNCSD, and the measures that should be taken to ensure that practices that support sustainable management of coastal and marine resources are adopted and sustained.

On IFSD, participants looked at how institutional frameworks to support and promote sustainable development at the regional level can be strengthened to assist Caribbean SIDS as well as changes and adjustments that are needed to strengthen the global institutional architecture on sustainable development.

In closing, suggestions were made to use the format of regional task force mechanisms to analyze documents and guide national preparations for Rio+20. One participant noted the importance of gathering tools for achieving sustainability and increasing resilience, with others stressing the need for greater engagement in more strategic discussions and greater coordination.

The meeting was convened by CARICOM and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), with technical support from the UN Economic and Social Commission’s (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean. [IISD RS Coverage of the Meeting]