The Brazilian government is preparing its first National Conference on the Environment, Nov. 28-30 in Brasilia, where a “new environmental policy” will be designed, with input from all sectors of society. This month, commissions were set up to carry out preparatory conferences in the country's 27 states. National, state and local authorities, representatives from the legislative and judicial branches, and delegates from business, universities and civil society groups are to participate.

Environment Minister Marina Silva says it is “a process of articulation and mobilization” that will gather the experiences of sustainable development in Brazil over the past 20 years.