Leadership Dialogue 1: Super-highway or still in slow-motion: Are science, data and digitalization really speeding our transition to a sustainable future?

 

Thursday, 29 February, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Languages: AR, ZH, EN, FR, RU, ES

Modality: in-person, webcast

Leadership Dialogue 1 concept note: PDF

Moderator: Mrs. Salina Abraham

Summary

1. The Leadership Dialogue focused on the role of science data and digitalization in accelerating our shift towards a sustainable future. It explored how scientific assessments and digital tools could address environmental crises (Biodiversity loss, Pollution, Climate Change) and enhance early warning systems. It emphasized building on the UN Secretary General’s Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative to enhance early warning systems.

2. H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Arab Republic of Egypt, shared experiences from Egypt, underscoring the urgent need to close the gap between sustainability and socioeconomic development. She shared on key policy shifts that can be actualized by leveraging science, data, and digitalization to this end, including projecting investment opportunities that can be tapped from sustainability, prioritizing to address the interconnectedness and cascading nature of the triple planetary crises, where priority is given to solutions that create synergy and amplify impact across different commitments; building on the success of flagships, where tools and technologies applied in the EW4All, are leveraged to monitor nature/biodiversity loss, pollution, and the cascading risk of the triple crises, and also monitor solutions and their investment enablers to enhance uptake; and enhancing the role of indigenous communities through targeted incentives. She emphasized the role of digitalization in bridging the gap between science, policy, and investments. Dr. Jim Skea, Chair of the IPCC, shared insights on the need for policy-level support for science, data, and digitalization, communication strategies, and the importance of actionable scientific data.

3. Contributions from the floor, including from member states, UN entities, NGOs, CSOs and the private sector, stressed the significance of digital technologies and science data in supporting sustainable transitions. They highlighted the importance of socio-economic data, responsible AI use, and engaging local communities. The emphasis was also on finance for sustainability, leveraging technology for climate action, and enhancing global coordination based on scientific evidence. Speakers also highlighted the necessity for a cohesive approach that aligns science, policy, and investment towards mitigating the impacts of climate change, halting biodiversity loss, and reducing pollution.

4. The dialogue concluded with strong recommendations for leveraging science, data and digital solutions in policy-making. Calls to action emphasized the need to put into action the key messages from the keynote speakers and those who intervened from the floor. Emphasis was on investing in data platforms for nature-based solutions, ensuring responsible AI use, engaging in science-policy processes, addressing interlinked environmental crises, making digital tools accessible, and empowering communities for sustainable practices. The importance of bridging the data-action gap to translate scientific insights into effective policies was underscored. A strong call to action was made for enhancing early warning systems to include risks related to biodiversity loss and pollution, alongside climate change, under the Early Warning for the Environment (EWE) approach. Emphasizing community engagement and leveraging citizen science and digital technologies were identified as vital for translating early warnings into effective, actionable solutions to protect, restore, and conserve environmental resources, in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework and complementing the EW4All initiative.

Contributions

Italy

Speakers

H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad

H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad

Minister of Environment, Arab Republic of Egypt

H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad was appointed Minister of Environment  on 18 June 2018. She was previously Assistant Minister of Environment since 2014. Dr. Fouad holds MSc in Environmental Science and PhD in Political Science - Euro Mediterranean Studies. She has more than 20 years’ experience in Environment and International cooperation, working in Government, UN organizations, NGOs, and Universities.
As Minister of Environment, she leads a transformational change in environment sector in Egypt by
creating more business oriented enabling environment, through 1) leading the processes of developing
the Waste Management Law (202/2020), 2) leading the development and implementation of National
Solid Waste Strategy; 3)developing waste to energy as new economic instrument; 4) participating in
progressing the first governmental green bonds in Egypt and Middle East; 5) co-leading mainstreaming
environmental sustainability aspects into national investment plans, as well as 6) improving Greater Cairo
air quality and supporting construction of waste management infrastructure.

 

Jim Skea

Dr. Jim Skea

Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Mr. Skea was elected IPCC Chair for the Seventh Assessment cycle in July 2023. From 2015 to 2023, Jim was Co-chair of Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, focusing on climate change mitigation. He was part of the scientific leadership for the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C.

He was a Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London from 2009 to 2023, Chair of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission from 2018 to 2023 and founding member of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change. Between 2012 and 2017 he was Research Councils UK’s Energy Strategy Fellow and President of the Energy Institute between 2015 and 2017, among his most recent assignments. He was awarded an OBE in 2004 and CBE in 2013 for his work on sustainable transport and sustainable energy respectively. 

Salina Abraham

Ms. Salina Abraham

Moderator

Salina Abraham is a recent Harvard graduate hailing from Eritrea and the USA, and has engaged in the global environment and development space as (youth) speaker and moderator.

She has previously moderated ministerial-level events at UNEA 5.2 and her critical questioning and deep preparation received praise from speakers as well as on-site and global audiences. Currently, she works as Special Assistant to the CEO at CIFOR-ICRAF.

Salina’s academic work explores the impact of corporate social responsibility programs on Eritrea’s rural development, as well as the role of female leadership in economics and finance sectors across Africa. She is the former President of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) and coordinator of the Youth in Landscapes Initiative.

Mr. Baba Brikman

Mr. Baba Brikman

Rapper

Baba Brinkman is a rap artist and science communicator, best known for his “Rap Guide” series of science-themed plays and albums. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, and based in New York since 2011, Baba has toured the world and enjoyed successful runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and off-Broadway, where he was the 2019 Artist in Residence at Manhattan’s historic Soho Playhouse Theater.

Called “Astonishing and brilliant” by the New York Times, Baba is a Scotsman Fringe First Award winner for Exceptional New Play Writing, and a two-time Drama Desk Award Nominee, for “Outstanding Solo Performance” and “Unique Theatrical Experience”. He performed live on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” and shared stages with science luminaries including Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Baba is also a winner of the National Center for Science Education’s “Friend of Darwin Award” for his efforts to popularize evolutionary biology.

Baba founded Event Rap in late 2020 after performing dozens of virtual custom rap gigs during the pandemic, recruiting a team of skilled rappers to deliver the company’s unique set of services

Mr. Dex McBean

Mr. Dex McBean

Rapper

Dex McBean, the dynamic hip hop and spoken word artist hailing from Brooklyn, New York, is a beacon of creative prowess and social impact. With a unique fusion of rhythm and message, McBean's artistry transcends mere entertainment, delving deep into the realms of financial literacy and environmental sustainability.

McBean's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, as his magnetic performances have garnered attention from diverse platforms, ranging from financial education powerhouse Investopedia to the renowned hip hop station Shade 45, all the way to the global stage of the United Nations.

At the core of McBean's mission lies a commitment to empower and educate through his art. His latest endeavor, the groundbreaking debut financial literacy album *WeA.L.T.H/WeAllLiveToHustle*, stands as a testament to his dedication to catalyzing positive change. Through insightful lyrics and infectious beats, McBean invites listeners on a transformative journey toward financial empowerment.

As Dex McBean continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his unparalleled talent and unwavering passion, he remains a driving force for social change, inspiring countless individuals to embrace knowledge, seize opportunity, and strive for a brighter future.
 

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