Rio+20: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
20-22 June, 2012
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
CGIAR at Rio+20
CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future, believes that a profound change is needed in the global food and agriculture system if there is to beany hope offeeding the world’s growing population and raising the most disadvantaged out of poverty.
Agriculture and Rural Development Day at Rio+20
18 June 2012
Sul America Convention Center
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
More information at www.agricultureday.org
About the Rio+20 Summit
Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, where countries adopted Agenda 21 – a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection – the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions and major groups to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources.
Photo credit: RUAF
The official discussions will focus on two main themes: How to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty,including support for developing countries that will allow them to find a green path for development; and how to improve international coordination for sustainable development.
Water for sustainable development
Water is a vital ingredient for the transition to a green economy, for poverty reduction and for sustainable development in all countries. Increased investment in water infrastructure and governance is crucial if the goals of Rio+20 are to be achieved.
Join the Rio+20 Dialogue on Water
The Sustainable Development Dialogues, held between 16-19 June in Riocentro, convene experts and stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, NGOs and the scientific community to define recommendations that will be taken directly to the heads of state and government during the high-level segment of Rio+20. This online platform is an instrument to ensure broad, democratic and diverse participation.
Rio+20 Dialogues: the future of water management?
The Results are in.
Over 60,000 people voted for policy recommendations as part of the Rio+20 Dialogues.
Download the report
Water and food security: A fresh perspective
Download the Rio+20 official issue brief on water
Global Water Partnership
Planet Under Pressure
World Water Forum 6
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the