International Events

The 2009 G8 Summit
8 to 10 July, L’Aquila, Italy


The G8 summit is attended by eight of the world’s most powerful heads of government. 2009 saw representation from 90% of the world’s economy at the Summit from both emerging countries,
Africa and the main International Organizations. The main issues for discussion were:

  • a response to the global economic and financial crisis
  • restoration of grassroots confi dence and a boost to growth on a more solid and balanced basis, also through the defi nition of new, shared ground rules for economic activities
  • a focus on the social aspect of employment, to help the weaker sectors of society both in the industrially advanced countries and in the poorer countries
  • the struggle against protectionism and the deregulation of world trade for everyone’s benefit
  • the resolution of regional crises
  • food security and safety; and
  • the struggle against climate changes.
For more information visit:
http://www.g8italia2009.it/G8

4th South Asia Renewable Energy Conference
29th July 2009, New Delhi

The Conference aimed to promote renewable energy enterprise development by removing barriers that impede Renewable Energy use. Participants will be able to raise issues, exchange
information, share experiences and best practices. Participation is expected from experts, investors and other stakeholders for promoting renewable energy in our region at a large scale.
Organized by ASSOCHAM with support from the Government of India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, ACME, TERI, CEE and GTZ and other partners.

For more information visit:
http://www.assocham.org/4asia/

‘Cities and Climate Change: Responding to the Urgent Agenda’
Urban Research Symposium, 28th June - 1st July 2009, France

‘Cities and Climate Change: Responding to the Urgent Agenda’ was the theme for the 5th Urban Research Symposium that took place in Marseille, France. The symposium was co-organized
by the World Bank, the French Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning, and the French Agency for Development. The even brought together
over 600 participants from 82 countries and aimed at advancing the research agenda on climate change from a city’s perspective. The meeting focused on:
1. understanding and measuring how cities impact, and are impacted by,
2. climate change; planning effi ciently and effectively to increase the resilience of cities
3. improving management, coordination, and planning of cities to meet climate change challenges
4. understanding how and why cities respond to climate change
5. understanding and reducing vulnerability of urban populations to climate change

As a follow-up to the symposium, a handbook with practical applications of dealing with challenges of CC and cities targeting the decision makers and a collection of research papers are expected to be produced. The collection of research papers target academics and researchers. Both the publications emphasize policy implications, including mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as new options for fi nancing policies and technologies.

For more information visit:
http://www.urs2009.net:80/

Seal the Deal Campaign
The UN-led Seal the Deal Campaign aims to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate change agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009. “Seal the Deal” campaign encourages users to sign an online, global petition to seal a fair, balanced and effective agreement on climate change.

This is planned to be presented by civil society to the governments of the world. UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura and about 128 staff members have signed the “Seal the Deal” petition on 12th June, UNESCO Staff Day.

On December 7, when governments gather in Copenhagen, Denmark to respond to one of the greatest challenges facing humanity – climate change —the main question will be how protect the planet and create a green economy that will lead to long-term prosperity. Reaching a deal by
the time the meeting ends on December 18 will depend not only on complex political negotiations, but also on public pressure from around the globe.


For more information visit:
http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/


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