The Rio Conventions – the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC ) – address the need for adaptation to climate change through their activities. The secretariats of the Rio Conventions seek to enhance coordination and synergy, including on adaptation, through the Joint Liaison Group (JLG).This publication on the occasion of the Rio+20 Conference highlights the roles of the Rio Conventions’ processes involved in biodiversity, combating desertification/land degradation and climate change as important contributors to the global sustainable development agenda, drawing attention to successes and future opportunities.