From 11 June onwards at www.rio20.ch: messages from well known Swiss on Rio+20

Ten years on, another UN conference on sustainable development is taking place from 20 to 22 June in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), this time with the motto «The Future We Want». The conference's short title is Rio+20, because a similar UN conference was held in Rio 20 years ago. Switzerland will be represented at top level by President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard.

Sustainable development, that is to say, a way of life that leaves a legacy of good social, economic and environmental conditions for future generations, is not only a matter for governments. A sustainable lifestyle requires commitment from all fields of life. From 11 June the Swiss internet platform www.rio20.ch will therefore be showing video messages not only from politicians but also from celebrities from the arts, sport, private sector and show business.

A video message will be broadcast daily from 11 to 19 June.  Bertrand Piccard (Solarimpulse), Nadine Strittmatter (model), Yves Blanc (presenter Couleur 3, RSR), Hansjörg Walther (president of the National Council), Lara Gut (downhill skier), Nadja Lang (managing director of Max Havelaar Switzerland), Corine Mauch (Mayor of Zurich), Karin Bertschi (recycling entrepreneur) and President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf will all be giving their views.

Swiss internet platform provides news

Instead of having an on-site national pavilion, Switzerland has opted to communicate Swiss activities on the internet platform www.rio20.ch. In addition to the video messages, from 11 to 23 June there will be daily updates on the negotiations and on the activities organised by civil society. In addition, the site provides an overview of media coverage and of the press releases by the Swiss organisations taking part in Rio+20.

Further information:

www.rio20.ch - Swiss Platform for Rio+20

Address for enquiries:

Media Section
Telephone: +41 58 462 90 00
E-mail: mediendienst@bafu.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Finance