promoted dialogue to establish an Asian-European position on International Environmental Governance (IEG) reform for the International Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD) and presented the discussions at the Earth Summit 2012 (known popularly as Rio+20).

A series of three informal consultation workshops were held among stakeholders of the ASEM process over a period of 12 months leading up to Rio+20. A scenario-planning approach was employed to visualise alternative IEG futures — at international, regional, national and local levels — that may emerge, depending on what IFSD is agreed upon at Rio+20.

The three workshops benefitted from the input of over 80 international experts representing various sectors, including governments, regional and international organisations, civil society organisations, think tanks, the media, the private sector and youth organisations. Specifically, recommendations have been made in the following areas: guiding principles for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the creation of a Sustainable Development Council (SDC), IEG reform, and enabling conditions to bring about IFSD and IEG reforms. The outcomes of the project together with the study are included in the publication ‘Global Architectures for Sustainable Development Delivery’, which was launched during two official side events at the Earth Summit in Rio in June 2012.

The programme concluded with a seminar, ‘Sustainable Development Assessment: Towards Measureable Goals’, which took place on 21-22 November 2012 at ASEF. This was followed by the 14th Meeting of the Asia-Europe Environment Forum Steering Committee Meeting. The major outcome of the seminar and steering committee meeting was the launch of a three-year programme that supports the dialogue on SDGs creation. The programme will conclude in 2015 along with the Millennium Development Goals process, building on ASEF’s two-year work towards Rio and research results on architectures for sustainable development.

42 students and young professionals from 33 ASEM countries gathered at the 18th ASEF University (AU18) to discuss environmentally sustainable consumption practices in a multi-cultural setting.

The programme commenced with one-week of interactive workshops and presentations by academics and experts. In the second week, the participants engaged residents and visitors of  Tartu,   Estonia,   in   a

      

creative dialogue on the sustainable use of plastics, water and energy, as well as environmental friendly ways to eat, commute, and manage wastes. Following up on the issues highlighted during AU18, ASEF will organise the project ‘Asia-Europe Bag Exchange’ in 2013 in various ASEM member countries to raise awareness on the harmful effects of plastic on the environment.