Established in 2003, the Permanent Forum for Strategic Development of the State of Rio de Janeiro aims to promote collaborative work amongst civil society, trade unions, universities and government as means to foster initiatives to advance Rio de Janeiro both economic and social development. It was created by the president of Rio de Janeiro State Assembly (Alerj, in the original Portuguese acronym), the state representative Jorge Picciani. The Forum reunites Rio de Janeiro State Assembly and other 28 organizations and universities committed to monitoring legislative service and debate state-based public policies. Our main goals include gathering Rio de Janeiro legislator's support - from both the State Assembly and the federal House of Representatives –, taking actions to promote the economic development, and broadening the reach of the State Assembly activities throughout all the 92 cities of Brazil's second wealthiest state. We also play a significant role in providing legislators with up-to-dated information on the most pressing state issues, as well as in shaping, developing and implementing public policies. Along with organizing conferences on themes related to Rio de Janeiro development agenda, the Forum meets in regular sessions intensively all through the year. Monthly reunions are held by our nine thematic comities, organized as follow: Agribusiness; Retail Trade; International Trade; Sustainable Development; Industrial Development; Culture, Tourism and Sports; Infrastructure and Energy; Public Services; and Technology. During the latest months, pressing and relevant matters discussed within the Forum include professional education, petroleum and economic development, fiscal policy and tax benefits-based development policies, air transport and logistics, environmental sustainability, and innovation. For further information, please contact as: forumdesenvolvimentorj@alerj.rj.gov.br.