Invitation: Information Session at the European Parliament on Oceans at Rio+20: issues, Challenges and Solutions

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Invitation to Information Session at the European Parliament on Oceans at Rio+20: issues, Challenges and Solutions:
Blueprint for the Ocean and Coasts at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20, June 2012)

Tuesday 6 March from 9.45 to 12.00
The event will be followed by a cold lunch

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, provides a unique opportunity to assess progress and, above all, to catalyse and focus the international community to work for renewed and concrete ocean commitments at Rio+20.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is keen to play an advocating role for the ocean through the Rio+20 preparatory process, and to encourage Member States to integrate, as far as possible, the importance of the ocean in sustainable development strategies and plans. Engaging key Rio+20 stakeholders such as the European Union, through their institutions, is therefore critical.

The European Parliament, MEP Kriton ARSENIS and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO are pleased to invite you to debate on Oceans at Rio+20. The event entitled : Blueprint for the Ocean and Coasts at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20, June 2012) - Issues, Challenges and Solutions will provide an opportunity for:

• Reviewing the progress of Rio+20 Conference by addressing progresses and difficulties in the negotiations process and the next steps.
• Informing MEP about ocean’s issues, their challenges and possible solutions
• Highlighting that the UN and other international organizations are taking to highlight the role of oceans in sustainable development

Maria DAMANAKI, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Director-General UNESCO and Executive Secretary of IOC and Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Coordinator for Rio+ 20, will participate at this event. Please find the draft agenda in the attachment.

The event will be held in Brussels at the European Parliament (Room A3H1)

To register, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by 29 February, with the following information:

-Full name
-Date of birth
-ID number (passport or ID)
-Profession and Organization

Download the draft programme

Please note that seats for the event are limited.