Summit of the Future Action Days off-site side event:
Mapping Capacity and Knowledge Gaps to Accelerate the Implementation of Global Environmental Commitments
Date: September 21, 2024
Time: 8:15-10 AM (EST)
Location: The Permanent Mission of
Rwanda to the United Nations
124 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016
International environmental conferences have been instrumental in establishing global commitments to tackle climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, as demonstrated by significant agreements like the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Despite these advancements, a significant gap persists between policy development and practical implementation, hindered by challenges such as inadequate stakeholder participation, insufficient resource allocation, and fragmented governance systems.
To address these challenges and enhance implementation, there is a necessity to reform environmental multilateralism through the adoption of innovative approaches that include a broader range of stakeholders, such as youth, academia, and the private sector. This collaborative effort aims to transition from conventional dialogues to actionable solutions, leveraging insights from the 2024 Global Foresight Report by the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Science Council. The proposed strategy advocates for adaptive and inclusive governance, promoting equity across generations and utilizing advanced data and technologies.
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Objectives
This side event aims to accelerate the implementation of global environmental commitments by shifting from discussions to tangible actions. By convening a diverse group of stakeholders—policymakers, academics, youth, intergovernmental organizations, and the private sector—the event seeks to identify bottlenecks in translating conference outcomes into actionable strategies and explore solutions that are based on intergenerational,multi-stakeholder collaboration and digital innovation.
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Specifically, the side event will:
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Identify implementation challenges: Analyze the existing capacity and knowledge gaps that hinder the effective implementation of global environmental commitments and develop targeted strategies to address these challenges
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Harness digital innovation: Explore how digital technologies can support effective decision-making and enhance the implementation of global environmental commitments
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Foster intergenerational and multi-stakeholder exchange: Create an open and dynamic platform for member states and stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices to co-creating tangible actions for overcoming implementation challenges
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Inform the delivery of the Pact for the Future: Develop actionable recommendations and build a network of engaged participants who can connect after the event to collaboratively work on the implementation of the Pact for the Future
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Agenda and Format
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8:15 - 8:30 am: Check-in and Light Refreshments
8:30 - 8:45 am: Introduction and Scene-Setting
8:45 - 9:15 am: Panel Discussion
9:15 - 10:00 am: Guided Dialogue with Participants
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The side event will be a 90-minute in-person dynamic session open to government officials, academics, international organizations, civil society representatives, and the general public hosted at the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN, in New York. The event will start with a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of stakeholders who will provide insights into the challenges and opportunities for implementing global environmental commitments. Following the panel, attendees will engage in an interactive component to share their best practices and innovative approaches and develop actionable solutions. The session will conclude with a collaborative exercise aimed at identifying concrete steps for implementing the Pact for the Future.​​​​
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Meet the Speakers
Maria Ivanova
Maria Ivanova is the Director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University, focusing on international environmental institutions, environmental sustainability, and the science-policy interface. As Director, Professor Ivanova is committed to addressing global challenges, particularly in climate action and plastic pollution. Her leadership emphasizes international collaboration, community engagement, and actionable policy, supporting a vision for a resilient and sustainable world. In June 2022, Professor Ivanova was named one of 66 inaugural Foundation Fellows of the International Science Council, the highest honor awarded by the Council in recognition of remarkable contributions to the role of science in promoting the global public good.
Clare Everett
Clare Everett is the Senior Global Policy Manager – Climate at CDP: the environmental disclosure platform for companies, cities, states and regions. Clare oversees the strategy and coordination of CDP's global climate policy work with colleagues and coalitions across regions and sectors. Clare also maintains relationships with key stakeholders in the UNFCCC, focusing on topics of transparency, finance, and the climate-nature nexus, towards supporting governments and the real economy to take urgent and ambitious environmental action for people and planet. Clare has previously worked in positions within the field of environmental policy, including for the European Commission and Transparency International.
Jean-Paul Adam
Jean-Paul Adam is the Director for Policy, Monitoring and Advocacy in the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, and previously served as the Director for Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa from 2020 to 2023. Prior to taking on these roles, he served in the Government of the Republic of Seychelles in several Cabinet positions. He was Minister of Health from 2016 to 2019. He served as Minister of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy from 2015 to 2016 where he negotiated a debt for climate change adaptation swap and launched the process for Seychelles to become the first issuer of a Blue Bond.
Alphonce Muia
Alphonce Muia is an environmental scientist and policy expert with experience in sustainability research and environmental diplomacy and is well versed with youth engagement in multilateral processes. He serves as the UNEP Headquarters and host country facilitator of the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (the official youth engagement mechanism to UNEP). As part of the Global Steering Committee, he engaged in the Stockholm+50 and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration processes. He helped to coordinate both the inaugural Global Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) on the Sidelines of UNEA 5.2 and the just concluded YEA for UNEA6. Working with the African Union Commission, he crafted the youth engagement framework to the Africa Climate summit and served as a coordinator of the Africa Youth Climate Assembly.
Karmjit Sangha
Karmjit Sangha is an International Climate Fellow at the Guarini Center, where his work focuses on multilateral diplomacy, small island developing states, climate change, and sustainable development issues. From 2012 to 2018, he worked as a Senior Legal Advisor to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Prior to that, he worked as a sustainable development advisor to the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the UN, where he was the lead technical expert on the Rio+20 negotiations. He holds an LLM in International Law and Justice from Fordham University and a joint JD/MBA degree and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree from York University.
Meet Our Partners
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The Northeastern School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs is committed to preparing future leaders capable of addressing society's most pressing challenges. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the school equips students with the expertise needed to tackle issues such as housing, energy, social equity, and sustainability. Through a blend of theory and real-world application, graduates are positioned to drive impactful change across sectors, benefiting stakeholders in government, business, and the nonprofit world at local, national, and international levels.
The Global Environmental Governance (GEG) Project, housed at Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, is a collaborative initiative uniting policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to rethink global environmental governance for a sustainable future. Founded in 1997 by Professor Maria Ivanova and Professor Daniel Esty, the project addresses real-world policy challenges across governance, development, and organizational sustainability. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and regular engagement with global scholars and policymakers, GEG Project fosters critical discussions on environmental policy, advocacy, and justice.
The Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations in New York City plays a vital role in advancing Rwanda’s foreign policy and fostering international cooperation. Focused on promoting peace, security, conflict prevention, and sustainable development, the mission works closely with member states to address global challenges. Represented by a dedicated team of diplomats and staff, the mission actively contributes to the UN's efforts in building a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The Present and Future Institute (PFI) was established to address the global challenges posed by the planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which threaten human well-being and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. PFI aims to amplify the voices of countries that are often marginalized in international decision-making processes, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed. By fostering multilateral collaboration and engaging diverse stakeholders, PFI promotes holistic, results-oriented solutions that protect the Earth’s system and advance sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations.
CDP is a global non-profit organization that runs the leading environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions. It provides the most comprehensive dataset on corporate and city actions to address climate change, deforestation, and water security. By promoting transparency and accountability, CDP enables investors and stakeholders to make informed decisions that drive sustainable economic practices. With an expanding focus on biodiversity, plastics, and oceans, CDP addresses the interconnected environmental challenges facing the planet.
The Children and Youth Major Group to the United Nations Environment Programme (CYMG to UNEP) is a globally recognized platform representing youth networks and organizations committed to addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As the official youth engagement mechanism for the United Nations Environment Programme, CYMG advocates for the inclusion and empowerment of young people in global environmental governance processes and sustainable development. Through policy advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and engagement efforts, CYMG promotes youth involvement in decision-making, ensuring their voices help shape a sustainable future.
The UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment (UN-SPBF) is a dynamic platform launched in 2017 at the UN Environment Assembly to foster collaboration across sectors to drive environmental progress. Bringing together over 3,500 contributors from business, science, and policy, the Forum aims to scale up solutions for greener transitions by leveraging innovative technologies, empowering policies, and sustainable financing. Through influential dialogues, green tech promotion, and community-building, the Forum shapes impactful policies and markets, contributing to global environmental goals and a sustainable future for all.