On 2 May 2012, Group III will organise a conference at the EESC in Brussels entitled 'The Opportunities of Sustainable Development and the Green Economy'. Within the general context of the forthcoming Rio + 20 UN conference on sustainable development in June 2012, the objective of the Group III event is twofold. Firstly, to provide a historical overview of the debate on sustainable development, to analyse current challenges, future opportunities and possible solutions. Secondly, to exchange views on best practices among existing civil society projects promoting the green economy. The conference will clearly also provide the opportunity to raise the visibility of the EESC opinions and work of the Committee at large, on the topic of sustainable development. The conference will bring together approximately 140 participants, including Group III members and wider civil society representatives.