Climate change impacts have become more visible. The world is now on a dangerous trajectory as achieving the ambition of the Paris Agreement is in question. In the absence of a scale-up in action, it will be increasingly difficult to hold the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 – 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Actions communicated by countries under the Paris Agreement put the world on an emission trajectory most consistent with about a 3°C warming. The consequences of which will be catastrophic for vast parts of the world and require more resources to be diverted to adaptation measures. The fires in the Amazon, Africa, and Southeast Asia, rapidly melting permafrost and icecaps in the Arctic and Antarctic, and other climate change impact, as well as the increasing demands for growth could lead to materialization of far worse scenarios affecting not just the climate but also developing countries’ long-term sustainable development prospects.

In recognition of these challenges, UN Secretary General Guterres has convened a Climate Action Summit at the end of September 2019, to address the urgent need to boost ambition and accelerate action on climate change.
Several individuals who have been deeply involved in the UN climate change negotiations leading up to and after the Paris Agreement are currently serving in senior positions in their diplomatic missions in Geneva to the UN. Several of them are the architects of the current policy framework and have shepherded the multilateral climate negotiations to ensure continued progress.
This event convenes a panel of climate policy shapers. The aim is to tap into their insights on climate change negotiations and discuss workable solutions to resolving the climate crisis in a way that adequately reflects developing country concerns.

Welcome remarks
■ Ambassador Christian Dussey, Director of Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Opening presentation
■ George Anjaparidze, CEO of Veritas Global.

Panelists
■ H.E. Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations Office in Geneva (Cuba UNFCCC lead negotiator 2009-2017)
■ H.E. Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNFCCC COP17 Presidency 2011 and UNFCCC G77 Chair 2015);
■ H.E. Socorro Flores Liera, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNFCCC COP16 Presidency 2010);
■ Deputy Permanent Representative Nitya Menon, Deputy Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations Office in Geneva (Singapore UNFCCC senior negotiator 2009-2013);
■ Minister-Counsellor Walter Schuldt, Minister-Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNFCCC G77 Chair 2017).

Facilitated Q&A with panel and closing remarks
■ Vicente Paolo Yu, Programme Coordinator, South Centre.

Location