ICLEI USA and U.S. Green Building Council Launch National Press Club Leadership Speaker Series, June 28. Ambassador Sha Zukang, Secretary- General of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to Deliver Inaugural Keynote Address

Washington, D.C. – ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today announced the launch of the National Press Club Leadership Speaker Series to be held on June 28. The event’s inaugural keynote speaker will be the Honorable Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), whose keynote address, The Road to Rio+20, will explain the role of key global and national stakeholders, and the impact and vision of this historic conference.

As Secretary-General of Rio+20, Ambassador Sha Zukang will convene high-ranking leaders from government, the private sector and civil society to chart a pathway to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development decisions and the green economy through the creation of an institutional framework and inclusive participation. 

“We are honored to have Secretary-General Sha Zukang share his views on the future of sustainable development with some of Washington D.C.’s most influential decision makers and national leaders,” said Martin J. Chávez, Executive Director, ICLEI USA and former three-term mayor of Albuquerque, NM.”  “We strongly believe that Rio+20 will have profound implications for global climate, energy, and environmental priorities over the next 20 years.”

Rio+20 to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012, is expected to guide the international development agenda for the next decade and beyond. It will impact the work of government, national institutions, civil society organizations and corporations at the national, regional and local levels, as well as fuel the growth of critical sustainable programs around the world. 

This invitation-only event will assemble an audience of national leaders, including senior officials from the White House, the State Department, Cabinet Agencies, corporate leaders, renowned experts, Ambassadors, members of the national and international media, as well as key decision makers from civil society and the United Nations.              

Members of the media seeking more event details or interview opportunities should contact Guillermo Meneses/ICLEI USA at (202) 445-1570 - guillermo.meneses@iclei.org or Marisa Long/USGBC at (202) 552-1200 – mlong@usgbc.org

About ICLEI USA

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA is the leading nonprofit organization devoted to local governments engaged in sustainability, climate protection, and clean energy initiatives.  The local governments we serve—including 600 active U.S. members—recognize the importance of creating livable, prosperous communities, addressing climate change, and saving energy and money in the process. ICLEI USA provides the expertise, technical support, training, and tools to help its members advance their goals.  See www.icleiusa.org for more information.

About U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprised of 79 local affiliates, 16,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013.  USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.  See www.usgbc.org for more information.