U.S. Preparatory Conference for Rio+20

Rio+2.0 - Bridging Connection Technologies and Sustainable Development

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 1, 2012

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The Department of State, in close collaboration with the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, will hold a three day conference, Rio+2.0: Bridging Connection Technologies and Sustainable Development, at Stanford, February 2-4, 2012. This unique gathering of more than 400 global policymakers, development practitioners and technology innovators will be the principal U.S. Government event to prepare for the June United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20.

Rio+2.0 will explore ways we can apply existing and cutting edge connection technologies, including the web, SMS and mobile phones, to advance sustainable development in the fields of health, the environment, agriculture and sustainable economic growth. Panel sessions will examine the innovation culture, and the role of governments and civil society, in fostering innovation. As the source of many of the technologies and new ideas that have powered Silicon Valley for decades, Stanford is an ideal environment in which to explore innovations that will drive sustainable development.

Department of State speakers at Rio+2.0 include Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert D. Hormats, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Kerri-Ann Jones, and Senior Advisor for Innovation Alec Ross. Other U.S. Government speakers include Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Department of Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics Ann Bartuska, USAID Counselor for Innovation Maura O'Neill, and Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley. The conference also features Google’s Chief Technology Advocate Michael Jones and numerous other leaders in policy, academia, development and technology.

Rio+2.0 is designed to help draft innovative and results-oriented solutions to development challenges using connection technologies. The United States intends to present the outcomes of this conference at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June.

Live streaming of many sessions will allow interested individuals worldwide to view conference proceedings.

Conference Page, Agenda, and Live Video Stream: http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/rio20-conference.
Conference Twitter Hashtag: #USRio20
U.S. programs and policies for the June Rio+20 UN conference: www.state.gov/rio20

Points of Contact:

Barbara Buell
Communications Director
Stanford Graduate School of Business
650-723-1771
bbuell@stanford.edu

Press Office
U.S. Department of State
202-647-2492
MediaRequests@state.gov

ENDS

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