In the context of the follow-up to Rio+20 conference and as part of its mandate to lead regional implementation meetings, ESCWA, in partnership with the LAS and UNEP/ROWA, and in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water and the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment in the United Arab Emirates, is organizing the Arab RIM to be held from 29 to 30 May 2013 in Dubai, UAE.

The Arab RIM aims to provide a platform for:
•     deliberating on the main outcomes of Rio+20 and their implications for sustainable development agenda in the Arab region;
•     identifying and discussing priorities for implementation as per the priorities and needs of sustainable development in the Arab region; and
•     preparing an outcome document to serve as the region’s collective input into CSD-20 and the HLPF.
The outcomes, findings and recommendations from the RIM will be reflected in a final meeting report to be submitted to CSD-20 in view of ensuring an Arab regional contribution to Rio+20 follow-up.

All participants are requested to register online through the following link http://participant.escwa.org.lb/MeetingsReg.aspx?_M=+y0CYscfHjI=&_N=N&_O=N, no later than 26 April 2013, or alternatively by filling the attached registration form.

PRESENTATIONS:

Opening Session

ESCWA Opening Statement
LAS Opening Statement
UNEP Opening Statement

Session 1: Overview on the main outcomes from Rio+20 and implications for the Arab region

Overview of agenda and context for meeting (Ms Roula Majdalani)
Implications of main outcomes from Rio+20 for the Arab region (Dr Anhar Hegazi)

Session 2: Sustainable Development Goals and Post-2015

Key issues for consideration for SDGs and post-2015 agenda (Dr Michelle Obeid)
Priority issues for consideration: water-energy-food nexus (Dr Waleed Zubari)

Session 3: A green economy roadmap for the Arab region

Follow-up to Rio+20 - transitioning towards green economy in the Arab region (Ms Reem Nejdawi)
A green economy investment vision for the Arab region (Prof Abdrabo)

Session 4: Institutional framework for sustainable development: global, regional and national inter-linkages

Institutional Framework for SD - global, regional, national inter-linkages (UNDESA)
Changes to institutional arrangements for environmental governance (UNEP)
Enhancing Arab regional institutions for sustainable development (Mr Riccardo Mesiano)

Session 5: Arab regional and national initiatives for sustainable development

Update of the Sustainable Development Initiative in the Arab Region (Prof Abdel Gelil)
Tunisia’s national roadmap for the follow-up to Rio+20 (Ms Monia Braham)
Lebanon towards a national sustainable development strategy (Ms Capricia Chabarekh)
The UAE's national strategy for green growth (Ms Fatma Sahib Al Habashi)