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Interactive Dialogue with the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability

16 March 2011, ECOSOC Chamber, NLB


Background

On 9 August 2010, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability to “reflect on and formulate a new vision for sustainable growth and prosperity, along with mechanisms for achieving it”, in light of the growing strain placed on our planet by climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity and other interlinked challenges.  Co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, and H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, the Global Sustainability Panel (GSP) consists of 22 authoritative world figures who work together to produce a comprehensive blue print for a low-carbon, sustainable future.  Their final report will be issued later this year to help inform relevant intergovernmental discussions.

Webcast

Statements


Programme

The Interactive Dialogue with the Global Sustainability Panel offers an opportunity for Member States to hear from some of the Panel members on the work of the Panel as well as to share their views and suggestions.

Time

Programme

10 – 10:15am

Opening Remarks

  • H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly
  • H.E. Mrs. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General

10:15am – 12:50pm

Moderated by H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly

  • H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland and Co-Chair of the Global Sustainability Panel
  • H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa and Co-Chair of the Global Sustainability Panel (by video)
  • H.E. Ms. Hajiya Amina Az-Zubair, Senior Special Assistant/Advisor to the President of Nigeria on MDGs
  • H.E. Mrs. Cristina Narbona Ruiz, Spanish Ambassador to the OECD and former Minister of Environment of Spain
  • Mr. James Laurence Balsillie, Co-CEO, Research in Motion, and Chair of the Board, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Canada  

After all the Panel members have spoken, Member States are invited to engage actively in the discussions with the Panel members.

12:50 – 1pm

Closing Remarks

  • H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland and Co-Chair of the Global Sustainability Panel
  • H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly

* The following nongovernmental and private sector representatives will be invited to speak.

  1. World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Director General- Mr. James Leape
  2. Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), Executive Director- Ms. Cate Owren
* A side-event for the NGOs will be organized by the Global Sustainability Panel Secretariat and the UN Non-governmental Liaison Service (NGLS)
- Select NGO representatives will have an opportunity to interact directly with the GSP members on Tuesday, 15 March, from 2:30 to 3:30pm in Conference Room 8, NLB.

For more information, please contact Mr. Zachary Bleicher at bleicher@un.org.

Contact Information