The 2012 International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability was held in Tongji University from June 5 to 8. At the opening ceremony, nearly 400 young students from 42 countries gathered together to discuss the latest topics, innovative technologies and creative ideas on environment and sustainable development, including Water and Ecosystems, Green Economy and Youth Employment Opportunity, Green Economy and Design Driven Innovation, Future Cities Green Multi-Model Mobility, and Urban and Rural Integrated Development.

Prof. Wang Guangtao, Chairman of Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of National People’s Conference of China and Chairman of UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), Prof. Zhou Zuyi, Chairman of Tongji University Council and Ms. Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Director of UNEP and DEPI, delivered their welcome speeches; Prof. Meng Wei, Director General of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), and Tongji President Pei Gang made their keynote speeches. Dr. Achim Steiner, Under-Secretary-General of UN, Executive Director of UNEP and World Environment Day, and Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Coordinator of the Rio+20—UN Conference on Sustainable Development, sent video messages, extending their greetings and communicating with the participants. More than 50 university presidents and delegates of ‘Global University Partnership on Environment and Sustainability’ (GUPES) attended the opening ceremony.

The Chinese Version of UNEP Green Economy Report was released. UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD) undertook the translation.

Ten outstanding students were awarded 2012 Klaus Toepfer Environmental Scholarship. Two students from Tongji University will attend the Rio+20 conference as observers later in June 2012.