MAJOR GROUP PARTICIPATION

Overview

The themes for UNCSD must consider a wide range of perspectives and Resolution 64/236 of the UN General Assembly invites the participation of the nine major groups of stakeholders into the formal structure of UNCSD. The resolution refers to major groups and civil society in 8 of its 29 paragraphs calling for the UNCSD in Rio in 2012, including participation at all levels of the process – nationally, regionally and globally.

                 Guidelines for Major Group participation

Major Group (MG) participation was encouraged during the RPM. A number of MG meetings were organized leading up to the event, and statements from these were presented during the meeting. Specific events are summarized below.

Major Group Consultation Events

• ICSU-UNESCO RIO+20 Regional Workshop
  6-18 April 2011 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  
  

  The Workshop facilitated discussion among prestigious scientists and engineers of the region on the main themes of Rio+20 as well as high-level dialogue with local scientific and technological authorities.

• The third International Forum for Sustainable Asia and Pacific (ISAP-3 )
  26-27 July 2011 (Yokohama, Japan)
  
  

  Sessions were dedicated for discussions on governance of sustainable development and green economy, and the Forum developed key messages from regional stakeholders to be delivered at the Regional Preparatory Meeting in October.

• Major Group & Stakeholders Asia-Pacific Meeting "The Road to Rio 2012: Charting Our Path "
  17-18 October 2011 (Seoul, Republic of Korea)
  
  

  The Meeting fed into the Rio+20 preparatory processes and was an opportunity for major groups and stakeholders to contribute to the development of the final outcomes at Rio+20.  Outcomes of the meeting were the form of messages, statements and contributions from major groups to the themes of Rio+20.

• Promoting a Transformative Agenda for Sustainable Development: A regional conference on development models and CSO strategizing session on Rio +20
  15-17 August 2011 (Bangkok, Thailand)
  
  

  The meeting was organized to 1) increase the awareness and understanding of CSOs and People's movement of the South of policy agenda in Rio+20, and 2) bring different CSOs and People's movement of the South into a common discussion to exchange ideas and experiences and develop a common advocacy agenda for Rio+20 and beyond.

• Asian Women's Forum on Gender justice and the Green Economy: Special focus on water, energy and food security
  12-16 September 2011 (Bangkok, Thailand)
  
  

  The Forum developed key recommendations for gender equity and integration of gender perspectives into decision making process of planning and the implementation of programmes in water, energy and food security.