Leadership Dialogue 3: Alive and kicking: Environmental multilateralism is a beacon of hope but is it delivering fast enough?

 

Friday 1 March, from 11:30am to 1p.m.

Languages: AR, ZH, EN, FR, RU, ES

Format: in-person, webcast

Leadership Dialogue 3 concept note PDF

Moderator: Mrs. Salina Abraham

Summary

1. Leadership Dialogue three explored key innovations, initiatives, and ideas, to advance the effectiveness, inclusivity and sustainability of environmental multilateralism. Keynote speaker Inger Andersen highlighted the importance of multilateral environmental agreements and the UN Environment Assembly as the ‘big tent and tapestry’ that can advance and weave together an environmental multilateralism that delivers. She reflected on the opportunity of reimagining business as usual, and drawing inspiration from other intergovernmental instruments outside of the environmental space. Keynote speaker Grace Catapang, Youth representative from The Philippines, challenged us with a powerful, authentic, and emotional message.  To remind us we are talking about actual lives, now and into the future. To urge us to be more inclusive, to avoid tokenism, and to be more empathetic to those not here.

2. We heard from Member States and UN entities. Calls and recommendations were made on the need for strengthening and accelerating environmental multilateralism, emphasizing the urgency of the triple planetary crises. Recommendations were given for further environmental action to be ‘future-fit’, people-centered, and innovative. For example, could we redefine what constitutes ‘consensus’? Could we put a stop on new instruments and focus on strengthening what we have?  Could we radically rethink the spaces and fora for exchanging information across different actors and in decision making, especially with those impacted and/or disproportionately affected by our decisions. Finally, calls were made for the reimagination of environmental multilateralism to be action-oriented, based on scientific-evidence and focused on people.

Speakers

Mrs. Inger Andersen

Mrs. Inger Andersen

Executive Director, UNEP - Setting the scene

Inger Andersen is the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP.

Between 2015 and 2019, Ms. Andersen was the Director-General of IUCN.

Ms. Andersen has more than 30 years of experience in international development economics, environmental sustainability, strategy and operations. She has led work on a range of issues including agriculture, environmental management, biodiversity conservation, climate change, infrastructure, energy, transport, and water resources management and hydro-diplomacy.

Prior to her 15 years at the World Bank, Ms. Andersen worked 12 years at the United Nations, first on drought and desertification, beginning with the UN Sudano-Sahelian Office. In 1992, she was appointed UNDP’s Water and Environment Coordinator for the Arab Region.

Ms. Grace Catapang

Mrs. Grace Catapang

Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) Frontline Youth Ambassador

Grace works as the Communications and Science Coordinator in the GFCR-supported program of Blue Alliance in the Philippines. With her communications role, she has covered and been involved in diverse projects of Blue Alliance extending beyond science, from community engagement, enforcement and compliance to the establishment of reef-positive businesses to create self-sustaining Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Growing up in a coastal community on Mindoro Island, Grace developed a strong connection with the ocean and the life it supports.

She majored in Biology with Specialization in Ecology and Systematics and a Minor in Data Science and Analytics at Ateneo de Manila University. She is currently leading a research project on marine turtles in Mindoro and previously worked on a research project with the Coral Lab of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC.

Ms. Salina Abraham

Mrs. 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 Brinkman

Mr. Baba Brinkman

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.

WHEN:
26 Feb 2024 - 1 Mar 2024
WHERE:
Nairobi, Kenya

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