Israel is well known in the world for its expertise and vast
knowledge in the field of sustainability, in topics such as water,
agriculture, food production, forestation, desertification and others.
These are some of the topics that will be discussed at the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de
Janeiro on 20-22 June 2012. About 130 world leaders and about 50,000
people are expected to attend from around the globe.
Israel's Minister of Environmental Protection, Gilad Erdan, will lead
a large professional Israeli delegation to the UN conference, also
known as Rio+20. The delegation will be composed of delegates from
government ministries, the Knesset, local authorities, the business
community, academia and civil society. Minister Erdan is scheduled to
speak at the conference plenum. The Ministry of Environmental Protection
is responsible for the subject of sustainability in Israel.
The main topic of the conference will be building a "green economy"
for the eradication of poverty in developing countries, with an emphasis
on energy, water, food, cities, green employment, the oceans and
disasters. The conference will also address how to prepare for the era
after 2015, the target year for the UN's millennium goals, and how to
make the subject of sustainable development an integral part of the
international system.
The Israeli pavilion will showcase Israel's achievements in green
technology, promotion of sustainability in Israel and Israeli foreign
aid. This week, for instance, Israeli Prof. Daniel Hillel won the 2012
World Food prize for his work in developing the micro-irrigation system,
thus contributing to food security. Israel shares its expertise with
the world in the framework of foreign aid (through MASHAV, Israel's
Agency for International Development Cooperation), its economic and
professional relations with other states and its activities in the
international arena.
For example, the UN General Assembly adopted an Israeli proposal
for a resolution in the field of "agricultural development technologies"
to provide a solution to global challenges arising from poverty and the
food crisis. Furthrtmore, last year Israel hosted an international
preparatory meeting ahead of the conference that addressed green
agriculture and sustainable development to eradicate poverty and hunger
in the world. Delegates from 28 countries attended.
UN Under secretary Sha Zukang, who visited Israel during this
meeting, noted in his speech and at meetings with Israeli leaders
Israel's contribution to the world in these areas and asked that Israel
participate in the Rio conference and share its experience and
expertise.
Two Israeli side events will take place in Rio: one on the subject of
environmental agriculture and the eradication of poverty; and the other
on solutions for municipal water systems. Israel's Jewish National Fund
(JNF-KKL) will manage a study center on forestation and water, and
Israeli experts will participate in international panels.
An
interministerial professional steering committee was set up by the
Ministry of Environmental Protection to coordinate Israel's preparations
for the conference.
Further information about sustainable development in Israel, Israel's
involvement in the Rio conference, and Israel's contributions to the
world in the realm of sustainability can be found in the following
sites:
• MASHAV website
• MASHAV Facebook page