17 January 2013: The Government of the Cook Islands has submitted a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) seeking support for implementation to pursue the objective of achieving electricity 100% based on renewable sources by 2020. The proposal includes an implementation plan to generate 50% of its energy production from renewables by 2015, phasing out its current diesel generator-dominated system.
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The 14th meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP) is to carry out an in-depth review of the oceans-related outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), and how those outcomes would impact and benefit international coordination and cooperation. The consideration of issues relating to sea-level rises and their impact on security and survival, particularly on low-lying coastal areas and island nations, against the background of sustainable development was also suggested by many delegations at ICP 13. They also proposed another theme for consideration, on aspects of marine scientific research related to sustainable development.
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25 January 2013: The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Tuiloma Neroni Slade, has released the Pacific Plan 2012 Annual Progress Report and its associated Reporting Annex. The documents highlight challenges faced by the region, and outline progress made towards greater regional integration and cooperation in various areas, including climate change, fisheries, gender equality and disability-inclusive development.
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10 January 2012: The International Annual UN-Water Zaragoza Conference 2012/2013 reiterated that the challenges of climate change, poverty eradication, sustainable development and population growth require cooperation.
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17 January 2013: In a lecture delivered at Stanford University, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the current state of the world and "the future we must shape together." He outlined three ways to navigate our way through this "Great Transition," namely by advancing sustainable development, helping people meet their aspirations for democracy and dignity, and empowering women and young people.
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17 January 2013: The International Water Summit (IWS) has had its inaugural meeting on promoting water sustainability in arid regions.
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16 January 2013: Energy ministers and senior government officials from South American and Arab countries (ASPA) have adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration on enhanced cooperation at the bi-regional mechanism's inaugural meeting on energy.
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17 January 2013: The Abu Dhabi International Renewable Energy Conference (ADIREC) convened government, business, and civil society representatives from more than 150 countries to discuss the future of innovation and finance for renewable energy. The conference was hosted by the Sixth World Future Energy Summit (WFES) from 15-17 January, 2013, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
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December 2012: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published an analysis of Greater Copenhagen, Denmark, on measuring the potential of local green growth. The analysis makes ten recommendations aimed at stimulating green innovation and competitiveness, and financing innovation and developing “knowledge intensive green activities.”
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14 January 2013: UN Human Settlements Programme's (UN-HABITAT) Executive Director Joan Clos has announced the launch of a Global Consultation on Wastewater Management and Water Quality for the Post-2015 Agenda. The Consultation aims to build consensus around key water challenges related to the post-2015 development agenda.
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