When: 7 November 2022, 14:00-15:30
Where: Sharm El-Sheikh Convention Centre, Blue Zone, Africa Pavilion | Livestream
Hosted by H.E. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana
High-level Roundtable
Against a backdrop of pandemics, war, and global economic slow-down, the African continent is hosting COP27 in Sharm El sheikh, with renewed focus on the priorities set by African states and the COP 27 presidency, especially on issues related to building resilience, adaptation and finance. Despite rising global challenges, the African Continent is making headway in designing ambitious and innovative initiatives to overcome the worst impact of climate change.
The Egypt-led ‘Decent Life for a Climate Resilient Africa’ and ‘Greening National Investment Plans in Africa’ are examples of such excellent initiatives. Other notable initiatives include the ‘Africa Adaptation Initiative’ and Botswana’s own ‘Innovation and Technology Hub’.
To succeed, these initiatives will require robust leadership and a new brand of intercontinental alignment and cooperation. It will also require a new brand of international cooperation that delivers on national and regional priorities in terms of policy, trade, technology empowerment, investment and financing in a manner that recognizes the specific needs and paths championed by African States.
Held strategically on the day of the opening of the UN Conference of the Parties for the Climate Convention (COP27), the event aims to:
- Reshape the conversation about climate diplomacy and empowerment in relation to Africa and the developing world.
- Reaffirm a renewed commitment towards Africa’s vision and leadership vis a vis adaptation and building resilience through technology empowerment, innovative financing and climate diplomacy.
- Promote Africa as a hub for innovation, sustainable technologies and innovative financing by inviting top technology giants and investment institutions to share their vision and showcase the solutions capable of realizing Africa’s vision.
Speakers:
I. Roundtable Host
- H.E. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana
II. Contributing Heads of State and Government
- H.E. Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique
- H.E. Hage Geingob, President of Namibia
- H.E. Alar Karis, President of Estonia
- H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe
III. Special Guest Speakers
- Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank
- Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP
- Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD
- Eric Usher, Head UNEP Finance Initiative
- Marcel Ondele, Vice President, Development Bank of the Central African States
- Anthony Lea, President, International Copper Association
- Sebastien Riez, Cluster President Northeast Africa & Levant, Schneider Electric
- Mohamed Saad, Regional Leader, Signify NE-Africa
- Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google
- Sheri Hinish, Global Head of Consulting, Sustainability Services, IBM
- Niklas Gustafsson, Senior Vice President & Head of Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Volvo Group
- Miroslav Polzer, CEO of International Association for the Advancement of Innovative
- Approaches to Global Challenges (IAAI)
