The G-STIC conference programme

Programme overview per day

A variety of activities to spearhead market-ready technological solutions for the SDGs

G-STIC Conference

Watch our conference sessions. Sessions labeled were live-streamed from our studios in Brussels.

Showing All
All
Plenary
Climate
Education
Energy
Food
Oceans
Water
Circular Economy
ICT
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
G-STIC conference
G-STIC conference
THEMATIC CLOSING SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>Top priorities for developing a future-proof educational system
Education

THEMATIC SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>Technological innovations to realise sustainable food systems – part 1
Food

DEEP DIVE SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0 10px 15px;"class="fas fa-landmark"></i></div>Co-creating blue innovation
Oceans

THEMATIC CLOSING SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0 10px 15px;"class="fas fa-landmark"></i></div>Smart connections between the Green Deal and the European Industrial Strategy – In collaboration with CSR Europe
Circular Economy
ICT

THEMATIC SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>Technological innovations to realise sustainable food systems – part 2
Food

THEMATIC CLOSING SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>Key learnings from water technological solutions
Water

SPECIAL SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>IEEE’s support of sustainable development - Thoughts and actions
Plenary

DEEP DIVE SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>CTCN session – Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator
Climate

WORKSHOP
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>STEAM* education
Education

SPECIAL SESSION
Plenary

PLENARY SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>Looking beyond COVID-19: Integrated pathways to address health, economy and climate together
Plenary

WORKSHOP
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i></div>Energy statistics, modelling and forecasting in support of NDCs
Energy

PLENARY SESSION
<div><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0;"class="fas fa-info-circle"></i><i style="color: #fff; font-size: 24px; padding: 5px 0 10px 15px;"class="fas fa-landmark"></i></div>High-level Dialogue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Gro Harlem Brundtland
Plenary

G-STIC Partner Event

Plenary

Special session

IEEE’s support of sustainable development – Thoughts and actions

28/10/2020, 13:00 - 14:00

Watch this session

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.  With its “Technology for the Benefit of Humanity” mission, IEEE is a thought leader in the UN Social Development Goals. But IEEE doesn’t just think and talk about the SDGs, it also acts on them.

This session showcases some of IEEE’s impactful SDG projects by its global members and partners. Some of the UN SDGs represented in these talks are Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health, Clean Water, and Climate Action.

Chaired by

José M. F. Moura

José M. F. Moura

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

2019 President and CEO

José M. F. Moura is the Philip L. and Marsha Dowd University Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the U.S. National Academies Navy Study Board, corresponding member of Portugal Academy of Sciences, and Fellow of U.S. National Academy of Inventors, IEEE, and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has received several awards for his technical work. He holds a doctorate from MIT and an EE from Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa (IST), Portugal.

José holds 16 patents, including two used in over 3 billion disk drive chips in 60% of all computers sold in the last decade and the subject of a 2016 US$750 million settlement between Carnegie Mellon and a semiconductor manufacturer. He is President and cofounded Spiralgen, a company that specializes in super-fast software components for cutting-edge parallel platforms. This includes technology licensed by Intel (10 million lines of code in Intel’s IPP) and licensed and used by several other companies.

Besides being 2019 IEEE President and CEO, José has served the IEEE in several other positions including as Technical Activities Vice-President and Division IX Director and member of the Board.

Presentation 13:00 - 13:15

Achieving holistic development through energy access

How can you achieve holistic development through energy access? Paras Loomba focuses on using energy access as a tool, to further sustainable development in communities through creating interventions in education and livelihood. This brings an overall impact in the communities and in the process to achieve various SDGs.

Paras Loomba

Paras Loomba

Global Himalayan Expedition

Founder

Paras is the founder of Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), a social impact enterprise, that provides clean energy and livelihood access to the remote Himalayan communities.

Over last 8 years, Paras has led several leadership expeditions to Himalayas (India) to setup solar microgrids for the remote off-grid communities that are thriving for centuries without access to any kind of basic electricity. His initiative GHE has been instrumental in electrifying 110 remote Himalayan villages and impacting over 55,000 lives. In the process, GHE has also created livelihood generation for more than 140 village level women entrepreneurs that run traveler homestays in these solar electrified villages to promote community-based tourism.

An engineer by profession, Paras merges technology and passion with an approach to entrepreneurial models in these high-altitude areas advocating use of sustainable tourism solutions that would eventually providing stimulus to local economy, reducing local emigration and preserving age old cultural Himalayan heritage.

Presentation 13:15 - 13:30

Implementing sustainable development in local Maasai communities

The Maa Trust is a sustainable development implementer and a community-based non-profit in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. The Maa Trust increases benefits that local Maasai communities receive from safari tourism, focusing on the traditionally disadvantaged. The trust works to empower women, youth and children through three thematic areas: Education and Skills, Water and Health, and Alternative Livelihoods. The Maa Trust’s programs are research-based, built upon Dr Mogensen’s PhD examining the relationship between conservancies and development in the Maasai Mara.

This presentation will touch on the following UN SDGs:

  • No poverty: reducing poverty through livelihood diversification and income generation, women’s empowerment and the provision of basic services.
  • Good health and wellbeing: providing quality healthcare to marginalized rural communities through an Integrated Community Healthcare Project.
  • Quality education: making sure that all children attend school, and then once they are in school, that they receive a quality education.
  • Gender equality: preventing all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination, including female genital mutilation, child marriage, and child pregnancy.
  • Clean water and sanitation: moving away from troublesome boreholes and focusing on large scale rainwater harvesting and natural spring rehabilitation.
  • Affordable and clean energy: piloting a new modular solar system called the SunBlazer and rolling this out across the area, including charging electric vehicles.
  • Decent work and economic growth: coordinating three social enterprises, two for women (Maa Beadwork and Maa Honey) and one for youth (Maa Bricks).
  • Climate action/life on land: working with wildlife conservancies to ensure that communities benefit from the protection of wildlife and habitat through evidence-based community development.
Crystal Mogensen

Crystal Mogensen

The Maa Trust

CEO

Crystal holds a Ph.D. in African Studies from the University of Edinburgh and runs the Maa Trust, a community-based non-profit in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. The goal of this trust is to increase the benefits that communities receive from wildlife conservation.

Presentation 13:30 - 13:45

Green Village Electric Projects

GVE Projects Limited is a leading renewable energy solutions provider in Sub-Saharan Africa. In line with our vision of being the first-choice renewable energy enterprise sort globally, we have a business footprint that covers the design, sales, installation and maintenance of renewable energy solutions predominantly solar energy and hybrid power systems for residential, commercial, industrial and rural off-grid or under-served communities through commercially sustainable business models in line with our clients’ needs.

GVE pioneered Clean Energy Mini-Grid technology for Energy Access in West Africa and has raised US$7.8million (mix of a grant, equity, and debt) which has been used to successfully complete twelve (14) PV solar mini-grid pilot projects (2013 – 2020) in 7 states using a commercially sustainable PAYG business model. These are currently serving 14,868 homes in these communities. GVE’s energy access business plan was rated one of the top-5 most promising Clean Energy & Climate Investment opportunity by UNIDO/ PFAN, USAID, AfDB, ECREEE, EBID, BOAD etc. GVE was recognized by the London Stock Exchange Group as one of the fastest-growing private companies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ifeanyi B. Orajaka

Ifeanyi B. Orajaka

Green Village Electric Projects

Founder & Managing Director

Ifeanyi B. Orajaka is a 32-year old Engineer, Obama Foundation Fellow, Global Shaper (World Economic Forum), socio-entrepreneur, Green Ambassador, Mentor and Founder/CEO of GVE Projects Limited. Ifeanyi has over ten years’ experience in renewable energy systems design, installation/maintenance, business development, project management, GIS-based rural electrification planning, policy/strategy formulation and conflict resolution. As the founder and Managing Director of GVE Projects, he is directly involved in the development and implementation of strategies geared towards positioning the young company as a leader in the African renewable energy industry.

He holds a B.Eng in Electrical Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Owerri and an M.Eng in Power Systems Engineering from the University of Port-Harcourt both in Nigeria. He has also participated in training on Corporate Finance, New Venture Finance, Operations Management, Public-Private Partnerships and Marketing. He is a certified Project Manager and has had professional internship experiences in leading multinational companies (ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell & NIIT).

Ifeanyi’s mission to end extreme energy poverty in Africa has attracted him several international recognitions such as the 2016 Future Africa Award in Business, the 2016 Africa Energy Leader of the Year, the 2018 participant of the Dutch Visitor Program and the IEEE Smart Village Ambassador.

Ifeanyi was recognized as one of Nigeria’s top 100 most innovative CEOs in 2019 by the Guardian Newspaper. His leadership in the renewable energy industry in Africa earned him a Board seat in the Finance working Group of the Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association and an advisory board seat in the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria where he also chairs the association’s Access to Finance Working Group. Ifeanyi is equally a member of the Africa-Europe High-Level Platform for Sustainable Energy Investments in Africa which is an initiative of the African Union and the European Commission aimed at bolstering more collaboration between both continents towards increased energy investment in Africa for sustainable growth and job creation.

Presentation 13:45 - 14:00

The Women-in-Tech Challenge and the Digital-Change-Maker Challenge

Doreen will highlight some of the UN- ITU’s work with Women-in-Tech Challenge and the Digital-Change-Maker Challenge in various parts of the world.  Some of the SDG’s highlighted are Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin

Doreen Bogdan-Martin

International Telecommunication Union

Director Telecommunication Development Bureau

Doreen Bogdan-Martin was elected Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau in November 2018 and took office on 1 January 2019.

She is a strategic leader with 30 years’ high-level experience in international and inter-governmental relations, and a long history of success in policy and strategy development, analysis and execution. ​

​From 2008-2018, she led the Strategic Planning & Membership Department of ITU, and also served as Coordinator of United Nations affairs.

She was one of the architects of the annual Global Symposium for Regulators and leads ITU’s contribution to the EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age. She serves as Executive Director of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, and is leading ITU’s collaboration with UNICEF and others on the GIGA project to connect the world’s schools.

She holds a Master’s degree in International Communications Policy from the American University in Washington, DC and a post-graduate certificate in Strategies for Leadership from the Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.

She is an affiliate of the Harvard University Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society, and a Generation Unlimited Champion. She serves on a number of advisory bodies, including the Geneva-Tsinghua Initiative, the SDG Lab Advisory Board, and the UN Technology Innovation Labs.

Plenary

Plenary session

Looking beyond COVID-19: Integrated pathways to address health, economy, and climate

28/10/2020, 14:30 - 16:00

Watch this session

COVID-19, the first major pandemic of our century, confirms the crucial importance of sustainable healthcare systems and technologies in fighting health emergencies. Although science, technology and innovation are challenged during this pandemic, they play a vital role in how countries tackle the spread of the coronavirus and prepare for new outbreaks.

Systems for faster development of tests, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals are made possible by intensive collaboration among countries and coordination by the WHO. The use of telemedicine and other communication technologies is instrumental in making health systems more responsive and productive during critical pandemic phases. The integration of mathematical sciences in the prediction and modelling of essential elements proves to be a valuable resource for health sector authorities and managers to make rapid and precise decisions. Access to off-grid decentralised renewable power is crucial in mitigating the human catastrophe and speeding up the global recovery process, especially for developing countries.

Speakers during this plenary session will shed light on how different technological innovations are helping the fight against COVID-19 in different regions of the world. At the same time, they will reflect on the legal plausibility, ethical soundness and effectiveness of deploying emerging technologies under time pressure. Striking the right balance is crucial for maintaining public trust in evidence-based public health interventions.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic clearly shows we are facing a double-edged challenge in the long term. While the economic slowdown can have adverse effects on countries’ ongoing efforts towards climate mitigation, the gradual resumption of large-scale economic activities can put renewed pressure on the environment. In this way, the COVID-19 pandemic reconfirms the need for long-term development models designed around the core principle of building a resilient economy that ensures health and wellbeing of citizens and tackles climate change challenges. This plenary session will be an excellent opportunity to examine new technologies that catalyse broader change and tackle the climate change challenges ahead, maintaining the positive outcomes of this COVID-19 pandemic.

Presentation 14:30 - 14:35

Introduction

Paulo Gadelha

Paulo Gadelha

Fiocruz

Coordinator Fiocruz Strategy for 2030 Agenda

As the coordinator of the FIOCRUZ Strategy for the 2030 Agenda, Paulo Gadelha is in charge of promoting FIOCRUZ’ strategic engagement with the Agenda’s aspirational principles and goals. His background in technology includes studies of the application of technology in public health, healthcare models, and the history of Science, Technology & Innovation.

Paulo Gadelha was FIOCRUZ President from 2009 to 2016, leading scientific achievements in biomedical sciences, the generation of scientific and technological knowledge, and the promotion of health and social development. Previously, he founded and directed the “Casa de Oswaldo Cruz”, a FIOCRUZ Institute dedicated to the sociology and history of science and health.

Paulo served as a member of the National Health Council’s Science and Technology Intersectoral Commission. As President of the Brazilian Association of Collective Health, he chaired the 11th World Congress on Public Health. In cooperation with UN/DESA, he headed FIOCRUZ’s efforts in organizing the 1st International Consultation on Science, Technology and Innovation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its health-related goals in 2017.

Presentation 14:35 - 14:55

The global response to the pandemic: research and development at a time of health crisis

Soumya Swaminathan

Soumya Swaminathan

WHO

Chief Scientist

Presentation 15:00 - 15:10

The role of Fiocruz in pandemic responses

Nisia Trindade Lima

Nisia Trindade Lima

Fiocruz

President

Nisia Trindade Lima is the president of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, and the first woman to chair the institution in its 116-year history. She served as Fiocruz Vice-President of Teaching, Information, and Communication from 2011 to 2016. From 2006 to 2011, she was director of the publisher Editora Fiocruz.

Lima has been a Fiocruz civil servant for almost three decades. She was one of the founders of the specialization course on History of Health in the Amazon, as well as the History of Science and Health Graduate Program at the House of Oswaldo Cruz. Her major role in shaping up the partnership between Fiocruz and the Brazilian Government helped in enhancing the preservation of both cultural and tangible heritage of Health in Brazil. She earned a medal of honour from the Brazilian Academy of Letters and another during the Foundation’s 100th anniversary.

Lima has participated in international programmes and networks in the areas of the history of science and health and sits on the editorial boards of the journals Medical History; Revista Brasileira de História da Ciência; História, Ciências, Saúde—Manguinhos; Cadernos de História da Ciência (Instituto Butantan); and Escritos (Casa de Rui Barbosa Foundation). Her research interests include the history of science and health, especially the social sciences, and Brazilian social thought.

Presentation 15:10 - 15:20

Water and sanitation in the context of epidemics: challenges imposed to society and health facilities

Anthony Bud Rock

Anthony Bud Rock

Global Water

Principal

Presentation 15:20 - 15:30

Lessons from the Chinese response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Gao Fu

Gao Fu

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Director-General

Presentation 15:30 - 15:40

The role of science, technology, and innovation agencies, at times of pandemics

Manuel Heitor

H.E. Manuel Heitor

Portugal

Minister of Science and Technology

Manuel Heitor has been Minister of Science, Technology & Higher Education of Portugal since 2015.

From 2005-2011, he served as Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education. He is a full-time professor at IST, the engineering school of the University of Lisbon, and the founder and Director of IST’s Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research.

In 2011-12, he was a visiting scholar at Harvard. He earned a PhD at Imperial College, London, in combustion research and did his post-doctoral training at the University of California San Diego.

Manuel Heitor was co-Chairman of the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon between 1993 and 1998. During the ’90s, he studied politics of science, technology and innovation. In 1998, he founded Centre of Innovation, Technology and Development Policies Studies, IN+, at the Instituto Superior Técnico. In 2005, this centre was ranked among the Top 50 global centres of research on Management of Technology, by International Association for the Management of Technology.

Manuel Heitor is a Research Fellow of Texas University at the Institute of Innovation, Creativity and Capital. He founded and coordinated several international conferences related to Technology Policy and Innovation, and is a co-editor of the Purdue University Press book collection on Science and Technology Policy. In 2002, he also co-founded the international network Globelics – the global network for the economics of learning, innovation, and competence building systems.

Recently, Manuel Heitor was one of the promotors of the European step4EU network (science, technology, education and policy for Europe) and the International Observatory of Global Politics for the Exploitation of Atlantic Ocean. In July 2015, he promoted the manifesto “Knowledge as Our Common Future”.

Presentation 15:40 - 16:00

Q&A

Education

Thematic session

Top priorities for developing a future-proof educational system

28/10/2020, 09:30 - 11:00

Watch this session

Chaired by

Jan De Groof

Jan De Groof

College of Europe

Professor

Jan De Groof is professor at the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium) and at Tilburg University (the Netherlands), at the National Research University – Higher School of Economics in Moscow and extraordinary professor at the Edu-HRight Research Unit, North West University (South Africa) and previously at Ghent University (Belgium), teaching international and comparative educational law and policy. His academic work and numerous publications have covered many education rights-related issues but also constitutional and human rights law. His doctoral students, coming from several continents, focus on various aspects of the Right to Education.

De Groof has been visiting professor and/or taught at universities worldwide. He is founder and president of the European Association for Education Law and Policy (ELA) and co-founded the Russian and South-African Education Law Associations. He chaired – at the request of all regional Education Law and Policy Associations – the two World Conferences on Human Dignity, the Right to and Rights in Education (Amsterdam/The Hague, Brussels). De Groof holds the UNESCO Chair for the Right to Education and is former UNESCO Chargé de Mission on the Right to Education (2007-2010). He was and remains intensively involved in consultancy for national parliaments, governments and stakeholders, not the least in time of transition (Russia: 1990-2000, South Africa: 1995-2002), often in cooperation with multilateral organisations. He is member of the ‘Council of Senior Advisors’ of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), accredited to the UN, and vice-chair of the Legal Committee of EQAR. Furthermore, De Groof has been Team Leader of the EU-Project ‘The Rule of Law – Curriculum Reform of Legal Studies in Universities, especially in Iraq’.

In 2015 he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Pretoria (South Africa), giving “recognition to his significant role as leader in various fields of education and law, his global influence in education law during the late 20th and the 21th century, as well as his assiduous campaigning for justice and good governance in education,” and also chaired the Law Sessions in the framework of the World Congress on Catholic Education (Vatican, November 2015).

Presentation 09:55 - 10:05

How COVID flattened the educational curve and what to do?

With over one-third of all children having missed school for months and months, COVID has a clear impact in increasing the differences between children amongst different lines. To understand what needs to be done about this, we need not just to discuss those differences. We also need to look into further potential impacts and the possible solutions.

Pedro De Bruyckere

Pedro De Bruyckere

Artevelde high school

Postdoctoral Researcher

Pedro De Bruyckere (PhD) is the co-author of several books in Dutch on youth and education. He is also a frequent speaker on education topics at international events, one of his strongest points being that he is funny when explaining serious stuff. Pedro co-wrote the popular books Urban Myths about Learning and Education and More Urban Myths with Paul Kirschner and Casper Hulshof. He is also an avid blogger on new research in education.

Presentation 10:05 - 10:20

Reimagining education in a post-COVID world: Getting SDG4 back on track

COVID-19 has devastated education systems around the world, creating a crisis of learning that runs the risk of reversing decades of gains, especially in low and middle income countries.

Chandrika Bahadur

Chandrika Bahadur

Sustainable Development Solutions Network

President

Chandrika Bahadur is the Director of the SDG Academy. Previously she was President of SDSN Association from 2016 to 2020. Chandrika has led the education programs at UN SDSN since its inception. From 2008-2011, she was advisor to the Chairman and Managing Director at Reliance Industries, where she helped set up Reliance Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic foundation focusing on areas of education, health, rural development, and urban renewal.

From 2001-2008, Chandrika worked with the United Nations in different roles. In her last assignment, she was a Policy Advisor at UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy in New York, working in Africa to help Ministries of Finance and Planning align their strategies to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), across 20 countries. From 2003-2006, she was part of the leadership team of the UN Millennium Project, an advisory group convened by the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to recommend strategies for the MDGs. From 2001-2002 she worked on trade and HIV and AIDS programs at the United Nations. She has prior teaching experience at Harvard and Columbia universities.

Chandrika holds a Masters degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a BA (Honours) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.

Presentation 10:20 - 10:35

Investing in education as a ‘no regrets’ strategy for getting out of the crisis

COVID-19 is disrupting society and economy in a wide sense and both young people and vulnerable groups in the labor market are the hardest hit. This is why the Dutch Education Council recently called for targeted investment in education. Specific investments in education and focused and well-substantiated education policies are crucial to offer young and older generations good prospects. Three elements of our education systems warrant special attention: Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Lifelong Learning and Development (LLD): for a good start, for a good job and for a good life. Investing in good quality ECEC, VET and LLL&D will prove to be a ‘no regrets’ strategy.

Edith Hooge

Edith Hooge

The Nederlandse Onderwijsraad

President

Presentation 10:35 - 10:45

From context-based to competency-based education in a Post Pandemic Era for Sustainable Development

Novel educational frameworks provide the opportunity for educators to not only engage students in content-based education but also competency-based education through sustainable development goals. Specifically, opportunities provided by the SDGs not just provide a context to motivate students to employ integrated competencies to not only represent, understand, and solve real world problems. Such opportunities also engage them in using tools to make a decision, prediction, or solution about a real-world problem. This process helps to prepare students to become life-long learners through a variety of learning approaches including experiential learning, inquiry-based learning, challenge-based learning and interdisciplinary problem-based learning with connections made to the post-pandemic era.

Seshaiyer Padmanabhan

Seshaiyer Padmanabhan

George Mason University

Professor

Padmanabhan Seshaiyer (PADHU) serves as an Associate Dean at George Mason University, Virginia (USA). His research interests are in the broad areas of Computational Mathematics, Scientific Computing, STEM Education, Design and Systems Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Goals. During the last decade, he has initiated and directed a variety of educational programs including faculty development, post-graduate, graduate and undergraduate research, K-12 outreach, teacher professional development, and enrichment programs to foster the interest of students and teachers in STEM at all levels.

He is also actively involved in multiple global STEM collaborative projects involving the SDG 2030 and training programs that engage students, teachers and faculty from over 20 countries. He has won several prestigious awards for his contributions to teaching and research and holds affiliate faculty positions in multiple institutions including Arizona State University (USA), the Nelson Mandela African Institute for Science and Technology (Tanzania) and Advanced Teachers Training College (Suriname). In April 2019, he was selected as one of the “Figures that Matter” for his contributions to Academia and Society and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Presentation 10:45 - 10:55

Revisiting education in the post-COVID era

There is a strong need to revisit education in the post-COVID era. That requires a sharper focus on ‘STEM’ skill-building with a judicious augmentation by harnessing the digital revolution. While Smart education and the use of mobile devices as a learning tool offer great hope, the issues surrounding the access to technology can no longer be ignored. For the purpose apart from infrastructure provision, student and teacher training and capacity building will have to be undertaken at a war footing.

Equity in education will have to deal with not just bridging the Digital Divide but will also have to stress the relevance of education being imparted to the well-being of the disadvantaged learner, be it a girl child or a member of a marginalised community.

Abdul Samad Ibrahim

Abdul Samad Ibrahim

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Senior Professor

Abdul Samad Ibrahim is Deputy Director at the State-of-the-Art Electronic Media Production Centre (EMPC) of the world’s largest Distance Learning Institution – the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

As a senior educational technologist, he has worked with distinction in the field of educational technology for over 30 years. His work covers digitalisation of education from the development of e-content to delivery and management using multi-channels harnessing the best practices, including OERS and MOOCs.

He has incorporated behaviour change rooted in the evolution and revolution of Distance Learning through satellite-based applications to new media for training and development in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Due to his eminence, he was voted for a full term as a member of the Board of Management of the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Special mention should be made of his research on education in postmodern societies with a focus on fast-developing continents such as Africa. In this research, he highlighted the need for education to become circular, moving from the advancements of development and progress through an informative engagement with science and technology back to being embedded in one’s mother community.

Circular Economy ICT

Thematic session

Smart connections between the Green Deal and the European Industrial Strategy – In collaboration with CSR Europe

28/10/2020, 11:30 - 13:00

Watch this session

The COVID-19 crisis has shown that digital technologies will play a central role in the future of our society. In this closing session, we will discuss how digitalisation will enable a circular economy and a more sustainable society. We look in particular at the connections between the European Green Deal and the European Industrial Strategy. Both key policy documents for the post-corona period are driven by the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Digital Europe Programme. Key players from the industry and the European Commission will enter into debate and present their insights.

Chaired by

Karl Vrancken

Karl Vrancken

VITO

Research Manager Sustainable Materials

Karl Vrancken is Research Manager Sustainable Materials Management at VITO. He is responsible for the strategic management of VITO’s Materials programme. He has a part-time assignment as professor at the University of Antwerp (Department of Bio-engineering), where he teaches sustainable resources management.

Karl has broad experience as a researcher and project manager in projects on sustainability assessment and transition, waste management and treatment, secondary raw materials, best available techniques (BAT) and integrated pollution prevention and control. He has also worked as a Detached National Expert with the European IPPC Bureau in Seville (Spain), where he was the author of the BAT Reference Document for the Foundries sector.

Karl is the initiator and chairman of the European Circular Economy Research Alliance (ECERA) and strategic advisor of the European Topic Centre on Waste and Materials for a Green Economy, a consortium of European organisations working in partnership with the European Environment Agency (EEA). During its start-up phase, he was interim Chief Operations Officer to the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) EIT RawMaterials that was founded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). He is an expert speaker on circular economy in the media and at various national and international conferences.

Keynote presentation 11:35 - 11:45

Research and innovation challenges for Europe

Jean-Eric Paquet will give an introductory presentation highlighting how the Green Deal and the Industry Strategy are interlinked. He will identify how the Green Deal Call of the European Commission aims to establish a link between the digital and the circular agendas, and which Research & Innovation challenges have been identified to bridge the digital-circular gap.

Jean-Eric  Paquet

Jean-Eric Paquet

DG R&I

Director-General

Presentation 11:45 - 12:00

ECERA white paper on digital circular economy

Holger Berg will present the ECERA white paper on digital circular economy (10 min). Key messages of this white paper include

  • Circular economy provides a sustainable context and target to the digital revolution.
  • Circular economy needs to scale up, and this requires a change in business models, enabled by digital technologies: sharing, leasing, life-time extension, remanufacturing. This also requires a dematerialisation based on services enabled by the digitalisation of processes, products and interactive platforms.
  • Investment money from the EU reconversion strategy needs to be targeted at scaling up the digital circular economy.
Berg Holger

Berg Holger

Wuppertal Institute

Co-head research-unit digital transformation

Holger Berg is Co-Head of the Digital Transformation Research Unit in the Department of Circular Economy at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy GmbH. His main interests relate to the possibilities and influences of digital transformation on sustainable development, especially with regard to a digital circular economy. He is leading projects on the application of digital instruments in recycling and waste management, on technology assessment and on policy design for a sustainable digital transformation.

Holger Berg supports various national and international organisations as an expert. He teaches business ethics and acts as a coach for start-ups.

Panel discussion 12:00 - 12:15

Panel discussion – Industry approaches for digital circular economy

Jean-Eric  Paquet

Jean-Eric Paquet

DG R&I

Director-General

Berg Holger

Berg Holger

Wuppertal Institute

Co-head research-unit digital transformation

Holger Berg is Co-Head of the Digital Transformation Research Unit in the Department of Circular Economy at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy GmbH. His main interests relate to the possibilities and influences of digital transformation on sustainable development, especially with regard to a digital circular economy. He is leading projects on the application of digital instruments in recycling and waste management, on technology assessment and on policy design for a sustainable digital transformation.

Holger Berg supports various national and international organisations as an expert. He teaches business ethics and acts as a coach for start-ups.

Bernd  Schäfer

Bernd Schäfer

EIT RawMaterials

CEO

Bernd Schäfer is the CEO and Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, the world’s leading innovation community in the raw materials sector initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union. Bernd Schäfer has extensive industry and business experience.
Prior to joining EIT RawMaterials, he was over 20 years in Senior Management positions in the Aluminium industry. In his most recent role, Bernd was the CEO and Managing Director at apt Group, a leading European supplier of extruded, anodised and processed aluminium products. Prior to that, he was the VP Commercial, Global Commercial Transportation and Industrial at Alcoa. His area of accountability included global market responsibility and the execution of the strategic growth agenda, as well as the implementation of the innovation and technology roadmap in close cooperation with R&D.
Until he joined EIT RawMaterials, Bernd Schäfer was Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Semi Finished Products Industry with the “Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie” (the trade association of the aluminium industry) and Member of the Board with the “Wirtschaftsvereinigung Metalle‘ (the association of metal producing companies in Germany).

Henning  Ohlsson

Henning Ohlsson

Epson

Director Sustainability

Henning Ohlsson is Sustainability Director at Epson, a company developing printing, projection, wearable and robotics technologies that help customers meet their sustainability targets. As Sustainability Director, Henning Ohlsson aims at reinforcing the environmental benefits of the Epson product range, ensuring their regulatory compliance, as well as leading local and regional initiatives that promote the company’s and its employees’ commitment to sustainability values and environmental responsibilities.

Ernesto  Ciorra

Ernesto Ciorra

ENEL

Chief Innovability Officer

Walter  Weigel

Walter Weigel

European Research Institute, Huawei

Vice-President of the European Research Institute

Presentation 12:15 - 12:25

The European Raw Materials Alliance

Bernd  Schäfer

Bernd Schäfer

EIT RawMaterials

CEO

Bernd Schäfer is the CEO and Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, the world’s leading innovation community in the raw materials sector initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union. Bernd Schäfer has extensive industry and business experience.
Prior to joining EIT RawMaterials, he was over 20 years in Senior Management positions in the Aluminium industry. In his most recent role, Bernd was the CEO and Managing Director at apt Group, a leading European supplier of extruded, anodised and processed aluminium products. Prior to that, he was the VP Commercial, Global Commercial Transportation and Industrial at Alcoa. His area of accountability included global market responsibility and the execution of the strategic growth agenda, as well as the implementation of the innovation and technology roadmap in close cooperation with R&D.
Until he joined EIT RawMaterials, Bernd Schäfer was Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Semi Finished Products Industry with the “Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie” (the trade association of the aluminium industry) and Member of the Board with the “Wirtschaftsvereinigung Metalle‘ (the association of metal producing companies in Germany).

Panel discussion 12:25 - 12:50

Closing debate: strategies for a digital circular economy

Jean-Eric  Paquet

Jean-Eric Paquet

DG R&I

Director-General

Berg Holger

Berg Holger

Wuppertal Institute

Co-head research-unit digital transformation

Holger Berg is Co-Head of the Digital Transformation Research Unit in the Department of Circular Economy at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy GmbH. His main interests relate to the possibilities and influences of digital transformation on sustainable development, especially with regard to a digital circular economy. He is leading projects on the application of digital instruments in recycling and waste management, on technology assessment and on policy design for a sustainable digital transformation.

Holger Berg supports various national and international organisations as an expert. He teaches business ethics and acts as a coach for start-ups.

Bernd  Schäfer

Bernd Schäfer

EIT RawMaterials

CEO

Bernd Schäfer is the CEO and Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, the world’s leading innovation community in the raw materials sector initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union. Bernd Schäfer has extensive industry and business experience.
Prior to joining EIT RawMaterials, he was over 20 years in Senior Management positions in the Aluminium industry. In his most recent role, Bernd was the CEO and Managing Director at apt Group, a leading European supplier of extruded, anodised and processed aluminium products. Prior to that, he was the VP Commercial, Global Commercial Transportation and Industrial at Alcoa. His area of accountability included global market responsibility and the execution of the strategic growth agenda, as well as the implementation of the innovation and technology roadmap in close cooperation with R&D.
Until he joined EIT RawMaterials, Bernd Schäfer was Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Semi Finished Products Industry with the “Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie” (the trade association of the aluminium industry) and Member of the Board with the “Wirtschaftsvereinigung Metalle‘ (the association of metal producing companies in Germany).

Henning  Ohlsson

Henning Ohlsson

Epson

Director Sustainability

Henning Ohlsson is Sustainability Director at Epson, a company developing printing, projection, wearable and robotics technologies that help customers meet their sustainability targets. As Sustainability Director, Henning Ohlsson aims at reinforcing the environmental benefits of the Epson product range, ensuring their regulatory compliance, as well as leading local and regional initiatives that promote the company’s and its employees’ commitment to sustainability values and environmental responsibilities.

Ernesto  Ciorra

Ernesto Ciorra

ENEL

Chief Innovability Officer

Walter  Weigel

Walter Weigel

European Research Institute, Huawei

Vice-President of the European Research Institute

Presentation 12:50 - 13:00

Closing remarks – strategies for a digital circular economy

Karl Vrancken

Karl Vrancken

VITO

Research Manager Sustainable Materials

Karl Vrancken is Research Manager Sustainable Materials Management at VITO. He is responsible for the strategic management of VITO’s Materials programme. He has a part-time assignment as professor at the University of Antwerp (Department of Bio-engineering), where he teaches sustainable resources management.

Karl has broad experience as a researcher and project manager in projects on sustainability assessment and transition, waste management and treatment, secondary raw materials, best available techniques (BAT) and integrated pollution prevention and control. He has also worked as a Detached National Expert with the European IPPC Bureau in Seville (Spain), where he was the author of the BAT Reference Document for the Foundries sector.

Karl is the initiator and chairman of the European Circular Economy Research Alliance (ECERA) and strategic advisor of the European Topic Centre on Waste and Materials for a Green Economy, a consortium of European organisations working in partnership with the European Environment Agency (EEA). During its start-up phase, he was interim Chief Operations Officer to the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) EIT RawMaterials that was founded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). He is an expert speaker on circular economy in the media and at various national and international conferences.

Oceans

Deep dive session

Co-creating blue innovation

28/10/2020, 09:30 - 11:00

Watch this session

The technical and financial risks of large infrastructure projects dealing with challenges such as climate change, energy transition or population growth, get a substantial amount of attention during planning. Nevertheless, such projects often do not even reach the construction phase because social and spatial risks have been insufficiently taken into account. Especially for the development of multifunctional marine landscape infrastructures, it is imperative to implement co-creation processes to get support from both stakeholder authorities and the public.

Chaired by

Marijn Rabaut

Marijn Rabaut

Blue Cluster

International Marine Policy Manager

As an international marine policy manager, Marijn Rabaut works for the Blue Cluster as a strategic advisor and he contributes to several projects with a science-business-policy nexus. Being heavily involved in the development of the first legally binding Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in Belgium (royal decree of 2014), he takes also the role of MSP expert within Blue Cluster.

Presentation 09:35 - 09:55

Co-creating the resilient coastlines of tomorrow

The research study “Design for public value at sea” aims at creating a generic toolbox for the co-creative design of so-called MMLIs. These ‘Marine Multifunctional Landscape Infrastructures’ explore the potential of our seas and oceans in the transition towards a resilient coastline and sustainable society, considering elements such as floating aquaculture landscapes, coast-protecting ecological sandbanks or multifunctional islands to improve biodiversity.

Studies confirm that these landscape infrastructures are rarely realised due to the lack of spatial integration and public support. A toolbox for co-creative design combined with a co-creative strategy focused on guaranteeing economic and technical feasibility are therefore crucial to ensure a qualitative and integrated spatial design as well as public support.

All though research is still ongoing until the end of 2020, various conclusions can be already be drawn regarding a variety of topics. On their DNA-level (that is, performing as coastal protection), MMLI’s need a high degree of flexibility – which is often contrary to administrative procedures. On the co-creation level, commercial parties seem to be willing to learn opening the road for public-private ventures. On the functionality level, MMLI’s are not only very interesting for aquaculture, ecology, recreation and energy production. They are promising as well for large-scale energy storage. On the participation level, the value of using the generic toolbox is proven by case studies.

Alexander  D’Hooghe

Alexander D’Hooghe

ORG

Director

Alexander D’Hooghe is an associate professor at MIT and a senior founding partner of ORG Permanent Modernity, the international design agency and think tank specialising in urbanism and architecture. His urban designs and analyses have included sites in New York City, Shenzhen, Belgium, The Netherlands, Iceland, South-Korea, Malawi, Ghana and parts of Russia, to name a few.

Alexander D’Hooghe is a former director of the MIT Centre For Advanced Urbanism (CAU), which focuses on the large-scale complex urban issues of our time. In 2007, he obtained a PhD from the Berlage Institute in 2007 at the T.U. Delft. He previously obtained a Master’s degree in Urban Design from Harvard in 2001, and a Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Leuven in 1996.

During his professional career, Alexander D’Hooghe worked with several internationally renowned architects, including Rem Koolhaas and Marcel Smets. One of his most recent achievements is the successful co-creation process ‘Over de Ring’ which joins thousands of citizens and experts to co-create the future mobility of the City of Antwerp.

Presentation 09:55 - 10:15

The changing seascape

Humanity has always made use of the sea for travel and fishing and globally 30% of oil is produced offshore. But the dedication of huge areas of ocean to human activity is new. Projections indicate that offshore wind farms will take up a quarter of some Member States waters by 2050. We need to think of this as an opportunity not a threat. Alongside the turbines we can generate hydrogen or grow seafood. But we must not only ensure that this will not affect biodiversity goals but that the public understands that this is the case. This mean careful monitoring before, during and after installation and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) access to the ensuing data; not only to government agencies but also to the communities that may be affected. The presentation will show what the EU is doing to ensure that this happens.

Andreea  Strachinescu

Andreea Strachinescu

DG MARE EC

Head of Unit DG MARE A1

Andreea Strachinescu, Head of Unit Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment in the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is responsible for promoting innovative and emerging technologies and solutions, and ensuring broad dissemination of marine knowledge and research. The Unit fosters innovation and provides policy input to Horizon 2020, future Horizon Europe and to smart specialisation strategies and it aims to create a better understanding of the ocean resources and advocate their sustainable use. It is also in the lead for providing policy input to the investments strategies for the blue economy.
Prior to this position, Ms. Strachinescu was Head of Unit responsible for New Energy Technologies and Innovation in the Directorate General for Energy, European Commission, in charge with the development of policy and actions on non-nuclear energy research and innovation.

Presentation 10:15 - 10:35

Space users and User’s space: fine-tuning multiple uses at sea

Traditional approaches to marine spatial management draw rigid boundaries around ocean features and resource users. However, the ocean is in constant flux. Especially for mobile features (species, users, infrastructures), a stationary approach often leads to a mismatch in the rate and scale at which the ocean and the marine users’ behaviour changes.

Moving towards complementary dynamic ocean management practices takes into account the highly dynamic nature and responds to these rapid changes through the integration of (near) real-time data. To upscale the application of dynamic ocean management practices, we need to tackle several challenges. The benefits include a more effective and faster decision-making for space users, and increased effectiveness and efficiency in (multiple) uses of space, by fine-tuning the spatial and temporal scale of managed areas.

Ann-Katrien Lescrauwaet

Ann-Katrien Lescrauwaet

VLIZ

Director of International Relations

Dr Ann-Katrien Lescrauwaet studied zoology (MSc, University of Ghent) and Management of Protected Landscapes (University of Wales-UK). She obtained a PhD degree in Marine Sciences at UGhent, on the topic of Marine Historical Ecology and Fisheries. After her graduate studies she was engaged (20 years) in fieldwork in support of the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems. She worked on these topics in Belgium, Azores, Peru, Venezuela, and Chile, in particular working towards solutions to mitigate the impact of fisheries on marine life. In 2004 she joined the Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ, as head of the ‘Policy Information Division’ since 2006. This unit supports a science-based implementation of an Integrated Maritime Policy by strengthening the marine knowledge basis, the science-policy interface, and by actively brokering policy-relevant scientific information in appropriate format. Target groups are the broad range of policy officers (multiple levels and domains), marine researchers (multiple disciplines), and the Blue Economy and Innovation sectors. Currently she is Director of International Relations at VLIZ.

Keynote presentation 10:35 - 10:55

Belgium’s voyage to a new marine spatial plan

A success story about multi-use, cocreation and intensive cooperation with the broad stakeholder-network.

Philippe  De Backer

H.E. Philippe De Backer

-

Former Belgian Minister of North Sea

Philippe De Backer (41) obtained a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Ghent and an MBA from the Solvay Business School

Prior to being elected in the European Parliament, De Backer worked as Technology Transfer Officer at CRP-Santé and as an analyst at Vesalius Biocapital (a Luxemburg based venture capital firm specialised in life sciences). He has experience in valorization of IP developed by public research institutes and in establishing starting ventures in life sciences.

De Backer was a member of the European Parliamant from 2011 till 2016. He was a member of the ITRE commission (Industry, Technology, Research and Energy), the ECON Commission (Economic and monetary affairs) and the TRAN Commission (Transport by land, sea and air).

On the 2nd of May 2016 became a member of te Belgian federal government as State Secretary responsible for the fight against Social Fraud, Privacy and the North Sea.

On the 9th of December 2018 De Backer was promoted to minister and became also responsible for Telecom, Postal Services, Digital Agenda and Administrative Simplification.

In march 2020 De Backer was made responsible for the taskforce, charged with the management of medical aids and medicines in the fight against the coronavirus

As a liberal-democrat, De Backer believes that it is his duty to take up responsibility in the society. He is committed to work actively for that society and for the people living in it. He has strong beliefs in individual liberty, self-development, free markets and equal opportunities for all.

Plenary

Plenary session

High-Level dialogue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Gro Harlem Brundtland

28/10/2020, 16:00 - 17:30

Watch this session

Far from undermining the case for the SDGs, the root causes and uneven impacts of COVID-19 demonstrate precisely why we need the 2030 Agenda and underscore the urgency of its implementation. COVID-19 is forcing us to design a new area of technological development that balances economic, social and environmental progress to build a greener and more inclusive future.

While COVID-19 has encouraged technological changes, the question remains how to leverage technology transformation opportunities post-COVID-19? Are organisations ready to seize these new opportunities? What technology transformation trends can we expect to see in the post-COVID-19 era? What are the critical elements to facilitate the deployment of integrated technological solutions that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs?

The fallout from the pandemic requires strong cooperation among all nations, as well as non-state actors. How can we turn the possible negative impact of COVID-19 on the ability to form partnerships into an opportunity to revitalise existing partnerships, and even initiate new partnerships to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs?

Keynote presentation 16:05 - 16:15

Keynote by UN Secretary-General António Guterres

António Guterres

H.E. António Guterres

United Nations

Secretary-General

António Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, took office on 1st January 2017. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Guterres served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015, heading one of the world’s foremost humanitarian organizations during some of the most serious displacement crises in decades.

Having witnessed the suffering of the most vulnerable people on earth in refugee camps and in war zones, Mr. Guterres is determined to make human dignity the core of his work as UN Secretary-General, and to serve as a peace broker, a bridge-builder and a promoter of reform and innovation.

Before joining the UN, Mr. Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service. He served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, during which time he was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in East Timor.

As president of the European Council in early 2000, he led the adoption of the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs and co-chaired the first European Union-Africa summit. He was a member of the Portuguese Council of State from 1991 to 2002.

Guterres is a member of the Club of Madrid, a leadership alliance of democratic former presidents and prime ministers from around the world.

Keynote presentation 16:15 - 16:30

Keynote by Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro  Harlem Brundtland

H.E. Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland served three terms as Prime Minister of Norway between 1981 and 1996. She was the youngest person and the first woman ever to hold that office.

In 1983, the UN Secretary-General asked Gro Harlem Brundtland to chair a World Commission on Environment and Development. She came to make strong impact on the commission’s work, widely referred to as the Brundtland Commission. She developed the broad political concept of sustainable development in the course of extensive public hearings that were distinguished by their inclusiveness. The commission’s report ”Our Common Future” was presented in London in April 1987, after Brundtland had returned to the post of prime minister ten months earlier. The Commission’s recommendations led to the Earth Summit – the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

Gro Harlem Brundtland was Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 1998 to 2003. She adopted a far-reaching approach to public health, establishing a Commission on Macroeconomics and Health chaired by Jeffrey Sachs, and addressing violence as a major public health issue. Brundtland spearheaded the worldwide movement to achieve the abolition of cigarette smoking by education, persuasion, and increased taxation. When her period at the WHO was over in 2003, she retired.

Since Gro Harlem Brundtland retired in 2003, she has been a Health Policy Fellow at Harvard University, a member of a UN High Level Panel on threats, challenges and change, a UN Special Envoy on climate change, and a member and Deputy Chair of The Elders. This group of former leaders was convened by Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu to contribute their wisdom, leadership and integrity to tackling world problems.

Panel discussion 16:30 - 16:45

Opening statements

Jeffrey Sachs

Jeffrey Sachs

Columbia University

Director Sustainable Development

Jeffrey Sachs is a world-renowned professor of economics, leader in sustainable development, senior UN advisor, bestselling author, and syndicated columnist whose monthly newspaper columns appear in more than 100 countries. He is the co-recipient of the 2015 Blue Planet Prize, the leading global prize for environmental leadership, and has twice been named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential world leaders.

Professor Sachs is widely considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on economic development, global macroeconomics, and the fight against poverty. His work on ending poverty, overcoming macroeconomic instability, promoting economic growth, fighting hunger and disease, and promoting sustainable environmental practices has taken him to more than 125 countries. Over the past thirty years, he has advised dozens of heads of state and governments on economic strategy in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Professor Sachs served as the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University from 2002 to 2016. During that time, he led a university-wide organization of more than 850 research scientists and policy experts in support of sustainable development, championed the Masters of Development Practice (MDP) program, which is now offered at 30 universities around the world, and helped to introduce the PhD in Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

Prior to his arrival at Columbia University in July 2002, Professor Sachs spent over twenty years as a professor at Harvard University, where he served as the Director of the Center for International Development and the Galen L. Stone Professor of International Trade.

Zakia Khattabi

H.E. Zakia Khattabi

Federal Government of Belgium

Minister of Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development

Panel discussion 16:45 - 17:25

Reflections

Gro  Harlem Brundtland

H.E. Gro Harlem Brundtland

Gro Harlem Brundtland served three terms as Prime Minister of Norway between 1981 and 1996. She was the youngest person and the first woman ever to hold that office.

In 1983, the UN Secretary-General asked Gro Harlem Brundtland to chair a World Commission on Environment and Development. She came to make strong impact on the commission’s work, widely referred to as the Brundtland Commission. She developed the broad political concept of sustainable development in the course of extensive public hearings that were distinguished by their inclusiveness. The commission’s report ”Our Common Future” was presented in London in April 1987, after Brundtland had returned to the post of prime minister ten months earlier. The Commission’s recommendations led to the Earth Summit – the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

Gro Harlem Brundtland was Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) from 1998 to 2003. She adopted a far-reaching approach to public health, establishing a Commission on Macroeconomics and Health chaired by Jeffrey Sachs, and addressing violence as a major public health issue. Brundtland spearheaded the worldwide movement to achieve the abolition of cigarette smoking by education, persuasion, and increased taxation. When her period at the WHO was over in 2003, she retired.

Since Gro Harlem Brundtland retired in 2003, she has been a Health Policy Fellow at Harvard University, a member of a UN High Level Panel on threats, challenges and change, a UN Special Envoy on climate change, and a member and Deputy Chair of The Elders. This group of former leaders was convened by Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu to contribute their wisdom, leadership and integrity to tackling world problems.

Jeffrey Sachs

Jeffrey Sachs

Columbia University

Director Sustainable Development

Jeffrey Sachs is a world-renowned professor of economics, leader in sustainable development, senior UN advisor, bestselling author, and syndicated columnist whose monthly newspaper columns appear in more than 100 countries. He is the co-recipient of the 2015 Blue Planet Prize, the leading global prize for environmental leadership, and has twice been named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential world leaders.

Professor Sachs is widely considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on economic development, global macroeconomics, and the fight against poverty. His work on ending poverty, overcoming macroeconomic instability, promoting economic growth, fighting hunger and disease, and promoting sustainable environmental practices has taken him to more than 125 countries. Over the past thirty years, he has advised dozens of heads of state and governments on economic strategy in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Professor Sachs served as the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University from 2002 to 2016. During that time, he led a university-wide organization of more than 850 research scientists and policy experts in support of sustainable development, championed the Masters of Development Practice (MDP) program, which is now offered at 30 universities around the world, and helped to introduce the PhD in Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

Prior to his arrival at Columbia University in July 2002, Professor Sachs spent over twenty years as a professor at Harvard University, where he served as the Director of the Center for International Development and the Galen L. Stone Professor of International Trade.

Zakia Khattabi

H.E. Zakia Khattabi

Federal Government of Belgium

Minister of Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development

Presentation 17:25 - 17:30

Closing remarks

Dirk Fransaer

Dirk Fransaer

VITO

Managing Director

Dirk Fransaer is a Belgian engineer and the Managing Director of VITO since 2001. He graduated as a civil engineer at the University of Ghent (Belgium) in 1980 and as a biomedical engineer at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) in 1985.

VITO is a nonprofit research and technology organization in Belgium, focusing on today’s major societal challenges. From climate change and food security to sustainable energy and resource scarcity, VITO’s research agenda focuses on helping governments and companies around the world to initiate societal transitions in line with Agenda 2030 and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In his capacity as Managing Director of VITO, Dirk Fransaer has been standing at the forefront of technological innovation for sustainable development for almost two decades. Dirk Fransaer’s vision and leadership turned VITO into one of the leading technological research institutions around the world, with over 800 employees from 45 different countries.

Food

Thematic session

Technological innovations to realise sustainable food systems – part 1

28/10/2020, 09:30 - 11:00

Watch this session

The realisation of sustainable food systems depends on many factors that need to be addressed, including soil and land use, breed and farming, and harvesting. For each of them, technological innovation proves to be a critical enabler.

What innovations can help secure soil nitrogen sources and reduce environmental impact, for example? Which technologies enable improved cultivation management, automation of farming operations and increased production? And how can energy savings be achieved in harvesting and distribution?

Achieving sustainable food systems is not just a matter of how food is produced, however. Aspects related to marketing and consumption should be addressed, as well. Which gains to expect by deploying technological innovations for ensuring traceability of produce or re-using food waste, for example? And how to control excess food intake to reduce the amount of food loss?

In conclusion, technological innovation creates opportunities for all these challenges related to production, marketing and consumption of food. In particular, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things or Big data can help develop monitoring capabilities and platforms to support the development of sustainable food systems.

Chaired by

Maximo Torero Cullen

Maximo Torero Cullen

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Chief Economist

Maximo Torero Cullen is the Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He joined the Organization in January 2019 as Assistant Director-General for the Economic and Social Development Department. Prior to joining FAO, he was the World Bank Group Executive Director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay since November 2016. Before the Bank, Torero led the Division of the Markets, Trade, and Institutions at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

His major research work lies mostly in analysing poverty, inequality, the importance of geography and private or public assets in explaining poverty, in policies oriented towards poverty alleviation based on the role played by infrastructure, institutions, and on how technological breakthroughs (or discontinuities) can improve the welfare of households and small farmers. His experience encompasses Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

Torero holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of the Pacific, Lima, Peru. He is a professor on leave at the University of the Pacific, Perú, and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the University of Bonn, Germany. He has also published in several top journals, including QJE, Econometric Theory, AER-Applied Microeconomics, RSTAT, and Labor Economics.

In 2000, he received the Georg Foster Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. In 2000 and 2002, he won the Award for Outstanding Research on Development given by the Global Development Network. In 2014, he received the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole.

Presentation 09:35 - 09:50

Setting the scene: overview of the sustainable food system

Over the last decades, the global food security agendas have evolved tremendously. This has been driven by constantly changing trends of demography, resource bases, income and technologies. For example, when the world population reached 3 billion in 1960, famine was rampant in the developing countries, triggered by crop failures often aggravated by socio-political factors. Subsequently, the food security agenda at the time was to ensure the universal supply of sufficient calories, with the research priority to increase the outputs of staple crops through the mobilization of high-yielding varieties, fertilizers and water resources.

By 2020, the global food system has seemingly made a good progress to eradicate famines, with the volume of the global food production at the face value enough to feed 7.8 billion people, yet at the costs of both human and planetary health. The world faces the triple burden of malnutrition, while it is estimated that about 15-30% of food produced is wasted or lost. At the same time, the food system is now a leading driver of pushing the Earth system beyond the boundaries of sustainability as well as of the biodiversity loss, which in turn increases chances of zoonotic diseases emerging.

While the global food production has been already affected by increasing incidents of extreme weather events, it is also among the leading causes of climate change by accounting for 23% of the anthropogenic GHG emissions. With daily reports of a record number of COVID-19 infections, a record fall in GDPs, and record high temperatures, 2020 may be remembered as the year that marks the moment when the global food system is seen at the juncture of the quadruple crisis– pandemic, economic fallout, climate emergency, and food and nutrition insecurity. Therefore, the food security agenda today is to get the Great Food Transformation done before it becomes too late.

Miyuki Iiyama

Miyuki Iiyama

Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences

Director Research Strategy Office

With a PhD in economics from the University of Tokyo, Miyuki Iiyama has extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative analyses of integrated farming system evolutions, technological adoption, and sustainable livelihoods in rural Africa.

With almost 20 years of experience in East and Southern Africa, she has been especially assigned to do research on the evaluation of socio-economic and environmental viability of sustainable agricultural intensification within smallholder systems.

In April 2019, Miyuki Iiyama assumed the position of Research Strategy Office Director at the Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS). She is also in charge of the Research Program on Information Analysis, of which the activities include the collection, analysis and dissemination of information on developments and trends in international agriculture, forestry and fisheries to guide the identification of research priorities and research agendas.

Presentation 09:50 - 10:05

Agroecological approaches in the context of sustainable food systems

Jean-Francois Soussana

Jean-Francois Soussana

French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

Vice-President

Jean-François Soussana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for International Policy at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). As a doctor in plant physiology, he has led a research unit on grassland ecosystems and global change. He coordinates national and European research projects and international programmes on agriculture, soils and climate change. Being a member of the IPPC since 1998 and a Highly Cited Researcher (2018), Soussana has published over 150 refereed research papers in various international journals. He shared the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007 as the Lead Author of IPCC AR4 and has been awarded national and international distinctions.

Presentation 10:05 - 10:20

Biotechnology for sustainable agriculture and food

Agriculture and plant biotechnology is done by both public and private research organisations in India. The efforts accelerated with the entry of the private sector in the Indian seed industry. Availability of scientific manpower, research infrastructure, and access to public research products also paved the way for private investment in R&D. However, most of the private investment is for in-house research of input companies and is concentrated in the area of plant research for improved varieties and plant protection. Research in other areas like food processing, animal health, and farm machinery is also rising now. These developments have diversified the technology and input systems and increased access of farmers’ to improved technology. So far, input markets have been quite competitive. But a disproportionate increase in the prices has invited interventions by the government, as in the case of Bt cotton seed.

Bt cotton has been the most successful example in developing countries, including India, because of the scale of its impact. This technology has also standardized biosafety regulations in developing countries. The intellectual property rights have also been strengthened to provide incentives to the innovators. But still, there are issues relating to the adequacy of investment, research priorities, and most importantly commercialization of the products. Non-genetically modified products have made a significant impact but these are less discussed and documented. The commercialization of GM events has still how the biosafety and socio-economic regulations are being applied.

The best way to take this decision is the scientific evaluation of risk, transparency of the process, the cost-effectiveness of the regulations, and socio-economic considerations. The assessment is sometimes inadequate to capture institutional realities, unintended effects, and economic impact. Therefore, the regulations should set clear limits to the scope and time of the socio-economic assessment that should be conducted at an advanced stage of field trials rather than at the end of risk assessment to avoid any delay. Lastly, the assessment should not just provide quantitative economic estimates but it should also include key constructive recommendations for sustainable use of the technology. Addressing these issues shall help increase the availability of quality food, protect the environment, and improve the cost competitiveness of agriculture and food systems.

Suresh Pal

Suresh Pal

ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research

Director

Suresh Pal has a PhD in agricultural economics from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi). Before joining ICAR-National Institute for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research in 2016, he was Member (Official), Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, and Head, Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi). He has made significant contributions to the advancement of research and teaching in the area of agricultural development and policy.

He has published extensively (books, working papers, journal articles) on different aspects of Indian agriculture and his publications are cited internationally. He has guided doctoral and masters students and some of them have received prestigious awards for their research work. He was a member of various committees of the Government, notably ICAR review committees, expert groups of Niti Ayog (formerly Planning Commission), Ministry of Environment and Forest, Department of Science and Technology, Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

He was instrumental in designing and institutionalizing research planning and management reforms in the national agricultural research system and facilitated external peer reviews of ICAR and its institutes. He has also worked with international organizations like World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, Overseas Development Institute, and CGIAR Centres for short-term assignments and collaborative programs. He has received awards for his significant research contributions, notably the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award of ICAR, best journal article awards, Norman E Borlaug International Science Fellowship, Fellow of Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (Mumbai), and Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Presentation 10:20 - 10:35

Reducing post-harvest losses as a strategy for realization of sustainable food systems

Post-harvest losses present a major cause of unstable food supply and are known to pose a significant threat to Africa’s collective food and nutrition security. While a proportion of the produced crop reaches the market directly from the farm, the remaining part is unsafe for human consumption due to rotting (aflatoxin). The FAO estimates post-harvest losses at 30 % globally and around 37 % in SSA (2011).

Post-harvest losses are caused by poor handling during harvesting, transportation, and storage. Losses may also occur because of wastage along the food chain. Delays in reaching the market or appropriate storage facilities due to the poor condition of rural roads may also be responsible for food losses. In addition, farmers lack efficient on-farm drying technologies to help them meet the minimum moisture content required by public-owned warehouses. The drying methods that they use may even cause more losses in the process.

Post-harvest losses do have an impact on achieving SDGs but can be managed by harnessing science, technology and innovation to provide solutions for building sustainable food systems.

Tom Peter Migun Ogada

Tom Peter Migun Ogada

African Centre for Technology Studies

Executive Director

Tom Peter Migun Ogada is an Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering. He holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering, a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Strategic Management.

Since 2018, Tom Ogada is the Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies. He has been County Minister for Trade, Industrialization, Cooperatives, and Investment in Kenya (2013-2017) and he is a former Managing Director of Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (2006-2009). In discussing sustainable development topics, he can draw from his broad current and past experiences.

Panel discussion 10:35 - 10:55

Discussion and Q&A about sustainable food systems

Miyuki Iiyama

Miyuki Iiyama

Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences

Director Research Strategy Office

With a PhD in economics from the University of Tokyo, Miyuki Iiyama has extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative analyses of integrated farming system evolutions, technological adoption, and sustainable livelihoods in rural Africa.

With almost 20 years of experience in East and Southern Africa, she has been especially assigned to do research on the evaluation of socio-economic and environmental viability of sustainable agricultural intensification within smallholder systems.

In April 2019, Miyuki Iiyama assumed the position of Research Strategy Office Director at the Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS). She is also in charge of the Research Program on Information Analysis, of which the activities include the collection, analysis and dissemination of information on developments and trends in international agriculture, forestry and fisheries to guide the identification of research priorities and research agendas.

Jean-Francois Soussana

Jean-Francois Soussana

French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

Vice-President

Jean-François Soussana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for International Policy at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). As a doctor in plant physiology, he has led a research unit on grassland ecosystems and global change. He coordinates national and European research projects and international programmes on agriculture, soils and climate change. Being a member of the IPPC since 1998 and a Highly Cited Researcher (2018), Soussana has published over 150 refereed research papers in various international journals. He shared the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007 as the Lead Author of IPCC AR4 and has been awarded national and international distinctions.

Suresh Pal

Suresh Pal

ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research

Director

Suresh Pal has a PhD in agricultural economics from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi). Before joining ICAR-National Institute for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research in 2016, he was Member (Official), Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, and Head, Division of Agricultural Economics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi). He has made significant contributions to the advancement of research and teaching in the area of agricultural development and policy.

He has published extensively (books, working papers, journal articles) on different aspects of Indian agriculture and his publications are cited internationally. He has guided doctoral and masters students and some of them have received prestigious awards for their research work. He was a member of various committees of the Government, notably ICAR review committees, expert groups of Niti Ayog (formerly Planning Commission), Ministry of Environment and Forest, Department of Science and Technology, Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

He was instrumental in designing and institutionalizing research planning and management reforms in the national agricultural research system and facilitated external peer reviews of ICAR and its institutes. He has also worked with international organizations like World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, Overseas Development Institute, and CGIAR Centres for short-term assignments and collaborative programs. He has received awards for his significant research contributions, notably the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award of ICAR, best journal article awards, Norman E Borlaug International Science Fellowship, Fellow of Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (Mumbai), and Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Tom Peter Migun Ogada

Tom Peter Migun Ogada

African Centre for Technology Studies

Executive Director

Tom Peter Migun Ogada is an Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering. He holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering, a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Strategic Management.

Since 2018, Tom Ogada is the Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies. He has been County Minister for Trade, Industrialization, Cooperatives, and Investment in Kenya (2013-2017) and he is a former Managing Director of Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (2006-2009). In discussing sustainable development topics, he can draw from his broad current and past experiences.

Maximo Torero Cullen

Maximo Torero Cullen

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Chief Economist

Maximo Torero Cullen is the Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He joined the Organization in January 2019 as Assistant Director-General for the Economic and Social Development Department. Prior to joining FAO, he was the World Bank Group Executive Director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay since November 2016. Before the Bank, Torero led the Division of the Markets, Trade, and Institutions at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

His major research work lies mostly in analysing poverty, inequality, the importance of geography and private or public assets in explaining poverty, in policies oriented towards poverty alleviation based on the role played by infrastructure, institutions, and on how technological breakthroughs (or discontinuities) can improve the welfare of households and small farmers. His experience encompasses Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

Torero holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of the Pacific, Lima, Peru. He is a professor on leave at the University of the Pacific, Perú, and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the University of Bonn, Germany. He has also published in several top journals, including QJE, Econometric Theory, AER-Applied Microeconomics, RSTAT, and Labor Economics.

In 2000, he received the Georg Foster Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. In 2000 and 2002, he won the Award for Outstanding Research on Development given by the Global Development Network. In 2014, he received the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole.

Food

Thematic session

Technological innovations to realise sustainable food systems – part 2

28/10/2020, 11:30 - 13:00

Watch this session

The realisation of sustainable food systems depends on many factors that need to be addressed, including soil and land use, breed and farming, and harvesting. For each of them, technological innovation proves to be a critical enabler.

What innovations can help secure soil nitrogen sources and reduce environmental impact, for example? Which technologies enable improved cultivation management, automation of farming operations and increased production? And how can energy savings be achieved in harvesting and distribution?

Achieving sustainable food systems is not just a matter of how food is produced, however. Aspects related to marketing and consumption should be addressed, as well. Which gains to expect by deploying technological innovations for ensuring traceability of produce or re-using food waste, for example? And how to control excess food intake to reduce the amount of food loss?

Chaired by

Jean-Francois Soussana

Jean-Francois Soussana

French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

Vice-President

Jean-François Soussana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for International Policy at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). As a doctor in plant physiology, he has led a research unit on grassland ecosystems and global change. He coordinates national and European research projects and international programmes on agriculture, soils and climate change. Being a member of the IPPC since 1998 and a Highly Cited Researcher (2018), Soussana has published over 150 refereed research papers in various international journals. He shared the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007 as the Lead Author of IPCC AR4 and has been awarded national and international distinctions.

Presentation 11:35 - 11:50

Smart agriculture for sustainable development

Smart agriculture is a management concept that guides actions towards safeguarding or increasing agricultural productivity and food security under variable physical and chemical constraints and in a changing climate. It relies on observations, analyses and interpretations to make decisions and to implement these at different scales in a field, farm or region. It is increasingly supported by the development and the use of information and communication technologies.

The concept of precision agriculture does not depend on the technology level used in farming. Precision agriculture uses sensors to collect data about soils and crops and their evolution. In order to complement the expertise of farmers, these data have to be analysed such that they can become an information base to make better decisions. Training of consultants and advisory services is essential. However, the expertise of a farmer and his skills are of the most important components.

The enabling technology of mobile phones, the adoption of GPS and the entrepreneurship of local IT, IoT, and machinery service providers has jump-started agricultural mechanisation service enterprises. Private farmers and entrepreneurs are willing to invest in agricultural mechanisation and they can create a vibrant market for services that benefit small-scale farmers and also contribute to the creation of attractive jobs. These new approaches require a rapid deployment of machinery and IT service centres staffed by skilled technical and logistic specialists.

Mechanised technologies that have been adopted in Africa and elsewhere have often addressed challenges related to men’s tasks – often with negative consequences for women. However, they also have the potential to be developed as a service by women and young entrepreneurs.

Josse De Baerdemaeker

Josse De Baerdemaeker

KU Leuven, Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors (MeBioS)

Professor

Josse De Baerdemaeker graduated from the KU Leuven, Belgium and holds an MSc and PhD degree in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University. He is recognised as the founding father of the concepts of precision agriculture in Flanders, Europe and the world. His research on the physics of agricultural products evolved into technology for precision agriculture, automation and robotics. Improving technology in crop cultivation, harvesting and handling to minimise losses and optimise yield and income for farmers define his primary focus in precision agriculture and automation

Josse De Baerdemaeker is an Emeritus Professor at the KU Leuven and was a visiting Professor at Kyoto University, Japan. During 25 years, he was the chairman of a grower-owned fruit and vegetable marketing cooperative. Currently he is the chairman of VILT, the Flanders Infocenter for Agriculture and Horticulture.

During his career and up to this day, he has given a lot of attention to agricultural engineering and mechanisation in Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America. He has always done so in an effort to link research and development with the needs of local farming communities.

Presentation 11:50 - 12:05

Development of smart agricultural production technology and its social implementation through national projects

Society 5.0 is a super smart society, a concept that was proposed by the Government of Japan. Its goal is to achieve economic development and solving social issues, build a safe, secure and vibrant human-centred society, by making full use of ICT and digital technologies and by fusing physical space and cyber space. These goals are consistent with the SDGs.

The Government of Japan has aimed to promote innovation through national projects. First, it is trying to develop the innovative technologies in the Cabinet Office-led ‘Strategic Innovation Promotion Program in Japan (SIP)’, and then the achievements of SIP are further invested by ministry- and agency-led projects to create innovation. In SIP, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation (NARO) has developed smart agricultural technologies such as robot tractors and robot rice transplanters.

In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries launched a “Smart Agriculture Demonstration Project” at 148 demonstration farms throughout Japan, in order to spread smart agricultural technologies developed by SIP.

A trial in the hilly and mountainous area where it is difficult to expand the scale of farming because of the steep slope and limited arable land, revealed that the introduction of smart agricultural technologies result in the increase of yields and profits of the farmers. NARO has embarked on the realisation of the agricultural version of Society 5.0 and contributes to the achievement of the SDGs through the efforts on smart agriculture as a “whole government” approach.

Makoto Nakatani

Makoto Nakatani

National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

Senior Vice-President

Since April 2018, Makoto Nakatani is the Senior Vice-President of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation (NARO). After graduating from Osaka Prefecture University, Makoto joined the Agricultural Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in 1981 and carried out research on cultivation and breeding of sweet potatoes.

At MAFF, he started his career as a research scientist. Makoto succeeded in breeding more than 10 variety of sweet potatoes. He also holds 5 patents, including patents for processing sweet potatoes and for breeding sweet potatoes with high anthocyanin content. He also engaged in collaborative research project with research scientists of other crops, such as buckwheat and Amaranthus.

In 2005, after about 24 years of research work, Makoto started his career as a government officer, Director for Research and Development Planning at Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council of MAFF. For about 10 years, he took part in policy making of agricultural research & development, by managing various research projects and by proposing future agricultural technologies.

Presentation 12:05 - 12:20

Earth Observation: a flywheel technology for further digitisation of sustainable agro-food systems

Low Orbit is open for business! Thanks to the technological evolutions of Earth Observation satellites and the strategic investments of public organisations in Earth Observation programmes like Copernicus, Landsat…. we’re moving away from an explorational phase into an era where we need to have socio-economic reasons to do stuff in low orbit.

Space and airborne observation systems can provide global, high-quality and near-real-time digital information on various parts of the agro-food value chain. This is confirmed by several examples on the practical use of Earth Observation technology combined with Deep learning-based advanced analytics and data fusion techniques.

Apart from improving crop quantity and quality, these technologies will also help to balance the economic, environmental and societal responsibility of the global agro-food domain.

Steven Krekels

Steven Krekels

VITO

Director Remote Sensing

Steven Krekels has been the manager of VITO’s Remote Sensing unit since November 2014. VITO Remote Sensing develops and operates space- and airborne-based earth observation systems that translate raw data into consumable information about population, growth, urban development, agriculture & vegetation, natural disasters, and more.

After receiving his master’s degree in Applied Engineering (Telecommunications), Steven joined the Bell Labs of Lucent Technologies for research and development in optical networks. In 2001, he switched to the space industry and started working in earth observation and satellite communication at Thales Alenia Space. Later he moved on to Newtec – a leading Belgian satellite communication equipment provider – where he took on different managerial roles in the R&D department until he became the Managing Director of Newtec’s subsidiary in Berlin.

Steven always likes to be at the sweet spot where cutting-edge technology, creative people and viable business meet. He firmly believes that technology can accelerate our transition to a sustainable world.

In May 2017, Steven was selected as one of the top 50 Belgian Tech Pioneers, all experts in various applications working hard to create a better future.

Presentation 12:20 - 12:35

Driving sustainable impact at farm level using digital tools and network technology

Ekaterina Kargopoltseva

Ekaterina Kargopoltseva

ABInBev

Senior Sourcing Director for Raw Materials EMEA

Ekaterina Kargopoltseva is a passionate, business-centric professional currently leading Raw Materials Procurement for AB InBev Europe. Ekaterina began work at AB InBev as a buyer in 2011, being responsible for supply chain security for BNL countries and sourcing of raw materials.

Ekaterina then held different positions within Europe and Global Procurement Teams, managing various geographical regions and categories in Belgium and Switzerland, before being appointed to Senior Sourcing Director of Raw and Auxiliary Materials, Utilities for Europe in January 2019. She’s since been on a mission to bring best procurement practices and strategic category management in Europe, focusing on the sustainability agenda in agriculture and raw materials supply chains as well as the energy sector.

Ekaterina studied Economics and Finance at the London School of Economics and received a Masters in Business Management from Vlerick Business School.

Panel discussion 12:35 - 12:55

Discussion and Q&A about smart agriculture

Jean-Francois Soussana

Jean-Francois Soussana

French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment

Vice-President

Jean-François Soussana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for International Policy at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). As a doctor in plant physiology, he has led a research unit on grassland ecosystems and global change. He coordinates national and European research projects and international programmes on agriculture, soils and climate change. Being a member of the IPPC since 1998 and a Highly Cited Researcher (2018), Soussana has published over 150 refereed research papers in various international journals. He shared the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007 as the Lead Author of IPCC AR4 and has been awarded national and international distinctions.

Josse De Baerdemaeker

Josse De Baerdemaeker

KU Leuven, Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors (MeBioS)

Professor

Josse De Baerdemaeker graduated from the KU Leuven, Belgium and holds an MSc and PhD degree in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University. He is recognised as the founding father of the concepts of precision agriculture in Flanders, Europe and the world. His research on the physics of agricultural products evolved into technology for precision agriculture, automation and robotics. Improving technology in crop cultivation, harvesting and handling to minimise losses and optimise yield and income for farmers define his primary focus in precision agriculture and automation

Josse De Baerdemaeker is an Emeritus Professor at the KU Leuven and was a visiting Professor at Kyoto University, Japan. During 25 years, he was the chairman of a grower-owned fruit and vegetable marketing cooperative. Currently he is the chairman of VILT, the Flanders Infocenter for Agriculture and Horticulture.

During his career and up to this day, he has given a lot of attention to agricultural engineering and mechanisation in Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America. He has always done so in an effort to link research and development with the needs of local farming communities.

Makoto Nakatani

Makoto Nakatani

National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

Senior Vice-President

Since April 2018, Makoto Nakatani is the Senior Vice-President of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation (NARO). After graduating from Osaka Prefecture University, Makoto joined the Agricultural Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in 1981 and carried out research on cultivation and breeding of sweet potatoes.

At MAFF, he started his career as a research scientist. Makoto succeeded in breeding more than 10 variety of sweet potatoes. He also holds 5 patents, including patents for processing sweet potatoes and for breeding sweet potatoes with high anthocyanin content. He also engaged in collaborative research project with research scientists of other crops, such as buckwheat and Amaranthus.

In 2005, after about 24 years of research work, Makoto started his career as a government officer, Director for Research and Development Planning at Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council of MAFF. For about 10 years, he took part in policy making of agricultural research & development, by managing various research projects and by proposing future agricultural technologies.

Steven Krekels

Steven Krekels

VITO

Director Remote Sensing

Steven Krekels has been the manager of VITO’s Remote Sensing unit since November 2014. VITO Remote Sensing develops and operates space- and airborne-based earth observation systems that translate raw data into consumable information about population, growth, urban development, agriculture & vegetation, natural disasters, and more.

After receiving his master’s degree in Applied Engineering (Telecommunications), Steven joined the Bell Labs of Lucent Technologies for research and development in optical networks. In 2001, he switched to the space industry and started working in earth observation and satellite communication at Thales Alenia Space. Later he moved on to Newtec – a leading Belgian satellite communication equipment provider – where he took on different managerial roles in the R&D department until he became the Managing Director of Newtec’s subsidiary in Berlin.

Steven always likes to be at the sweet spot where cutting-edge technology, creative people and viable business meet. He firmly believes that technology can accelerate our transition to a sustainable world.

In May 2017, Steven was selected as one of the top 50 Belgian Tech Pioneers, all experts in various applications working hard to create a better future.

Ekaterina Kargopoltseva

Ekaterina Kargopoltseva

ABInBev

Senior Sourcing Director for Raw Materials EMEA

Ekaterina Kargopoltseva is a passionate, business-centric professional currently leading Raw Materials Procurement for AB InBev Europe. Ekaterina began work at AB InBev as a buyer in 2011, being responsible for supply chain security for BNL countries and sourcing of raw materials.

Ekaterina then held different positions within Europe and Global Procurement Teams, managing various geographical regions and categories in Belgium and Switzerland, before being appointed to Senior Sourcing Director of Raw and Auxiliary Materials, Utilities for Europe in January 2019. She’s since been on a mission to bring best procurement practices and strategic category management in Europe, focusing on the sustainability agenda in agriculture and raw materials supply chains as well as the energy sector.

Ekaterina studied Economics and Finance at the London School of Economics and received a Masters in Business Management from Vlerick Business School.

Tom Peter Migun Ogada

Tom Peter Migun Ogada

African Centre for Technology Studies

Executive Director

Tom Peter Migun Ogada is an Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering. He holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering, a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Strategic Management.

Since 2018, Tom Ogada is the Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies. He has been County Minister for Trade, Industrialization, Cooperatives, and Investment in Kenya (2013-2017) and he is a former Managing Director of Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (2006-2009). In discussing sustainable development topics, he can draw from his broad current and past experiences.

Water

Thematic session

Key learnings from water technological solutions

28/10/2020, 11:30 - 13:00

Watch this session

The two deep dive sessions will be concluded in the closing session which will include summarizing both the sessions on technology mix for sustainable irrigation and upscaling technological solutions for water supply systems. The key learnings from the two sessions will also be highlighted.

Presentation 11:30 - 11:50

Summarizing the water themes

Mr. Anshuman

Mr. Anshuman

Water Resources, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

Associate Director

Jaiswal Anshuman, Associate Director, Water Resources Division of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) has been working in the field of water sector since last 23 years. His key qualifications include M. Tech. in energy & environmental management from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), N. Delhi (India).

His expertise in the water sector lies in the areas of Integrated water resource management (IWRM), Water use efficiency, Water audits, Water conservation & watershed management, Urban & rural water supply & demand management, Climate change and water security; Provision of drinking water, Water quality and pollution studies, Adequacy & efficiency studies of WTPs & ETPs, Water policy & regulation, Training & capacity building in water & environmental management; Environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies etc. He also has expertise in water laboratory & analytical instrumentation, quality control & ISO 9001 systems. He has carried out several comprehensive research and implementation projects in context of water resources (surface water, groundwater), issues (water scarcity, pollution, use efficiency etc.), sectors (irrigation, domestic & industrial) & stakeholders (Central/state Governments & local communities). He has presented several papers at national and international fora and has several relevant national & international publications.

He has been a member of several advisory committees. Currently he is Designated Member, Expert Committee on ‘Ecology, Environment, Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water’ (E3OW) under CSIR (Ministry of Science & Technology, GoI), Designated Member, Domain Expert Group for ‘Deployment of Water technologies’ under CSIR (Ministry of Science & Technology, GoI), Member of Sectional Committee for Water Quality for Industrial Purposes under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Member of Sectional Committee for Water Quality for Industrial Purposes under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS); Jury, National Water Awards (awarded by Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI); Advisor, Water Digest, Jury Member, Water Digest Water Awards, Organised by Water Digest and UNESCO.

Presentation 11:50 - 12:05

Closing remarks: key learnings from water technological solutions

Ibrahim Hafeezur Rehman

Ibrahim Hafeezur Rehman

VITO Arabia Science and Technology

CEO

Ibrahim Hafeezur Rehman is presently Director of India Operations of VITO and also CEO – VITO Arabia Science and Technology LLC, Dubai. VITO is an independent Flemish (Belgian) research organization in the area of clean technology and sustainable development.
With a Master in Organic Chemistry; specialization program in Environment Management from University of Manchester; and a Doctorate from University of Utrecht; Dr Rehman has over 30 years experience in the field of sustainable development in general and water and energy management in particular.
Rehman has led a large number of research and implementation projects in India and across number of other countries in the field of energy, water and environment. Rehman has served on various National and International Committees and Boards of Government/Multi-lateral organizations/Corporates. He has worked in different countries such as India, Belgium, UAE, and Thailand and led a large number of transformative Projects and Campaigns in India, Africa, South East Asia, etc. He is also a co-author of several books and has written a number scientific (and policy) papers/articles in reputed journals (including Nature) and magazines.

Presentation 12:05 - 12:20

Water smart irrigation: A requirement for sustainable agriculture in the water value-chain

Water is crucial to development all over the world. It waters the fields, nurtures the crops and stock, provides recreation, it supports mines, industry, electricity generation and it provides life for plants and animals that make up ecosystems.

Innovative and sustainable agri-water management with smart irrigation technology is very important to adapt to a variable and changing climate. The role of technology and new ideas are essential in making agriculture resilient to a fast-changing climate when the demand for water is over-stressed.

Agriculture is expected to feed an estimated population of more than 9 billion by the year 2050 through a 60% increase over the 2006 food production levels, with 80% of the increase stemming from intensification which is essentially possible under irrigation. At the same time, increasing water scarcity and demand for water resources from other sectors is putting unprecedented pressure on agriculture that uses approximately 70% of the total water.

To satisfy global demand for food, by 2030, agriculture is expected to increase water requirements by 1.3 times. At the present moment 300 million hectares are irrigated (ICID, 2020) which is about 19% of the world’s cultivated lands and it accounts for almost half of the value of global crop production. The world’s population tripled in the twentieth century (there are now more than 7 billion humans on earth) and irrigation play a vital role to enhance the worldwide supply of food and fibre for all people.

Water, especially in irrigated agriculture, poses one of the most vital sustainable development challenges of our time.

We need to be more ‘water smart’ and that can be affected through smart irrigation technology as well as Climate-smart agriculture to address food security and climate challenges through three main pillars:

  • sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes,
  • adapting and building resilience to climate change,
  • reducing and/or removing greenhouse gases emissions, where possible.
Felix Britz Reinders

Felix Britz Reinders

International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID)

President

Felix Reinders is the President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage as well as the Chair of the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture. He completed his Engineering studies in 1979 at the University of Pretoria and is a Professional Engineer, registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He specialises in water resources management and irrigation engineering in the agricultural and civil engineering field, including research, design, training and mentoring. As Manager of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering at the Agricultural Research Council’s Agricultural Engineering group, he plays a pivotal role in the co-ordination of especially irrigation research, development, testing and design. He is the author of several scientific papers and manuals.

Presentation 12:20 - 12:50

Valedictory Address

Shri U.P.  Singh

Shri U.P. Singh

Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Goverment of India

Secretary

Shri U.P. Singh is a 1985 batch Indian Administrative Service Officer of Odisha Cadre. He did his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT, Kanpur. Having hold important assignments in both Central and State Governments, he possesses rich and varied experience.

He joined the Ministry of Water Resources & River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on 1.6. 2016 as Additional Secretary and also held the post of Mission Director, National Water Mission (NWM). Later he assumed the charge of Director General, National Mission for Cleaning Ganga (NMCG) on 7.10.2016. Prior to joining the Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR he worked as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He has the experience of working in different sectors like Water Resources, Finance, Steel and Transport.

Presently he is Secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, w.e.f. 1.12.2017. He is deeply involved in policy, planning and management of water resources in India. He oversees the implementation of PMKSY Projects, Inter-Linking of Rivers, two World Bank funded projects, viz. National Hydrology Project and National Ground Water Management and Improvement Scheme. These projects envisage revolutionizing water resources management in the country.

Presentation 12:50 - 13:00

Vote of thanks

Paul  Campling

Paul Campling

VITO

Business Development manager - Water Management and Technology

Paul Campling is a hydrologist, specialised in the domain of land and water management and policy assessment. He is currently International Business Development Manager at VITO (the Flemish Institute for Technological Research) where he coordinates the acquisition and management of European environmental projects. Previously he worked as a Project Manager at the European Environment Agency (Copenhagen) coordinating the IRENA project to develop and report on agri-environmental indicators for the European Union. He also spent 5 years in Nigeria working on a research project concerned with water resources development, for which he completed his PhD.

Paul Campling is an expert in European environmental policy. Over the last 25 years, he has managed a number of environmental projects addressing different environmental concerns for the European Space Agency (flood monitoring), DG Eurostat (landscape indicators), the Joint Research Centre (permanent grasslands, nitrogen balances), and DG ENV (cost benefit analysis of the Water Framework Directive, alternative water supplies, market-based instruments for reducing air pollution, soil organic matter – best practices and trade-offs). He is a coordinator of the Pavitra Ganga project in India that is demonstrating improved solutions for wastewater treatment, resource recovery (energy and materials) and smart water management (sensors and ICT).

Energy

Deep dive session

Energy statistics, modelling and forecasting in support of NDCs

28/10/2020, 14:30 - 16:00

Watch this session

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, important climate milestones such as COP26 in Glasgow have been postponed. Many Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have encountered delays and many of the underlying assumptions on which NDCs are based – such as the availability of domestic budget resources, access to international climate finance, economic growth and emission trajectories – are coming into question. Mitigating climate change risks by reducing GHG emissions remains a critical part of policies worldwide.
This deep dive session will follow up on suggestions made during the NDC workshop organised at the 2019 edition of the G-STIC conference, which discussed monitoring and reporting progress under the Enhanced Transparency Framework and how to improve engagement and implementation of the NDCs and the progress of the implementation of effective technologies. It will also provide an outlook on NDC updates in the changed reality of 2020.
In particular, this deep dive will provide updated insights, showcase experiences and challenges from 2 example cases on the update of specific countries’ NDCs.

Chaired by

Maarten  Pelgrims

Maarten Pelgrims

VITO

Maarten Pelgrims has experience as a project manager, technical consultant and researcher in environmental, climate change and energy-related projects and programmes.

Currently, Mr. Pelgrims is working as a researcher with VITO/Energyville, where he supports the Energy and Emission through Monitoring & Modelling team. In his current role, he is assisting several research projects in the field of energy and climate policy strategy, policy analysis and policy evaluation. In his last two projects he is leading a Colombian World Bank project to update the NDC and update & consolidation the national sector GHG emissions scenarios 2030 & 2050. He is assisting the development of the Climate and Energy plans and roadmaps towards 2030 and 2050 for the Flemish and Belgian Government.

From 2011 to 2017 Maarten Pelgrims acquired international expertise in multi-disciplinary project development and analytical skills throughout different international projects in the areas of environmental and waste management, climate change and renewable energy. He has a wide international expertise in project design, capacity building and strategic policymaking and project implementation. He was mainly active in the field of environmental consultancy and engineering. His main topics were environmental management, energy efficiency/infrastructure, waste management (policy and strategy) & development of waste treatment facilities (such as landfill design, biomass energy plants, etc.), urban development (e.g. waste water & sanitation management, water supply,…), food safety infrastructure (e.g. food labs, slaughterhouses) and sustainable industrial development (e.g. brick industry, cement industry).

Presentation 14:30 - 14:45

Introduction of the session & panelists, share experiences from current practice

This deep dive session shall throw a glimpse on current research projects and development cooperation in the international context. How can several initiatives support the NDC updates? It will also showcase VITO competencies in the subject of NDCs and broader on the Climate & Energy policy (including Policy evaluation guidelines (ex-post and ex-ante), Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC), Projections Policies & Measures (how do policies attribute to reach targets) and Energy modelling (scenarios and forecasts).

Maarten  Pelgrims

Maarten Pelgrims

VITO

Maarten Pelgrims has experience as a project manager, technical consultant and researcher in environmental, climate change and energy-related projects and programmes.

Currently, Mr. Pelgrims is working as a researcher with VITO/Energyville, where he supports the Energy and Emission through Monitoring & Modelling team. In his current role, he is assisting several research projects in the field of energy and climate policy strategy, policy analysis and policy evaluation. In his last two projects he is leading a Colombian World Bank project to update the NDC and update & consolidation the national sector GHG emissions scenarios 2030 & 2050. He is assisting the development of the Climate and Energy plans and roadmaps towards 2030 and 2050 for the Flemish and Belgian Government.

From 2011 to 2017 Maarten Pelgrims acquired international expertise in multi-disciplinary project development and analytical skills throughout different international projects in the areas of environmental and waste management, climate change and renewable energy. He has a wide international expertise in project design, capacity building and strategic policymaking and project implementation. He was mainly active in the field of environmental consultancy and engineering. His main topics were environmental management, energy efficiency/infrastructure, waste management (policy and strategy) & development of waste treatment facilities (such as landfill design, biomass energy plants, etc.), urban development (e.g. waste water & sanitation management, water supply,…), food safety infrastructure (e.g. food labs, slaughterhouses) and sustainable industrial development (e.g. brick industry, cement industry).

Presentation 14:45 - 15:00

Setting the scene: the International Policy Framework in 2020

As the administrative secretariat of the UN on Climate Change, the UNFCCC is well placed to discuss NDC progress. The core of the workshop is to follow up on the NDC reporting process and the NDC implementation in general. UNFCCC already received a number of NDC updates and can sketch the expected timelines which were affected by COVID and the postponed COP.

Lessons learnt are captured from the first INDCs and NDCs Parties submitted and while views are collected from different stakeholders, including financing institutes and national development cooperations, on barriers and actions to put NDCs into operation. Next steps will be discussed (February 2021: synthesis of reported NDC updates) along with the road to COP Glasgow.

Sergey  Kononov

Sergey Kononov

United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Manager

Sergey Kononov, a Russian national, is a manager in the Transparency Division of the UNFCCC secretariat. He has been with the United Nations since 1998, including about 18 years of service to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Kononov has been managing multiple key activities of the secretariat, in particular those relating to international negotiations, such as: coordinating secretariat’s support to the negotiations on the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol (2011-2012) and the subsequent negotiations on the technical and methodological modalities for the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol (2013-2015), and more recently the negotiations on the operational rules and modalities for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the framework of the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (2016-2018).

At present, Mr. Kononov is in charge of coordinating within the UNFCCC secretariat the work relating to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. He also manages secretariat’s support to the international negotiations on issues relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Kononov graduated from the Power Engineering Institute (Moscow, Russia) in 1981, and he holds a a PhD in nuclear engineering.

Presentation 15:00 - 15:15

Real-life testimonial: Colombia NDC update

We will also elaborate on project experiences from a current project case in Colombia. Main challenges shall be discussed and ways how to overcome (i.e. project methodology, data collection and modelling runs for different sectors). This presentation will give concrete examples from a good sample country like Colombia. Sharing experiences on NDC update processes can hopefully strengthen trajectories other attendees are involved.

Ricardo Morales Betancourt

Ricardo Morales Betancourt

Universidad de los Andes (UniAndes)

Professor

Morales Betancourt is national project coordinator at the University of the Andes in Bogotá. As an MSc in Physics, he did a PhD on Atmospheric Sciences in the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2013, he continued in a Post-doc programme for a short period before returning to Colombia to work on several projects, including the contribution to quantifying impacts of biomass burning emissions (i.e. climate hazards & forest fires) and their health impacts.

With several development finance programmes on air quality modelling in Latin America and the contribution to the set-up of the (I)NDC, Dr Morales Betancourt has a broad knowledge of adaptation and mitigation measures in climate action and the way they shall be reported and monitored. He has reputable specific experience for emissions and all related health and climate aspects. Currently, he is involved in a World Bank project trajectory for the NDC update in Colombia, together with a series of partners.

Presentation 15:15 - 15:30

Development through NDCs: the importance of good

The African continent represents a variety of countries with a wide range of challenges. Overall Climate Change will impact a great deal of the African societies. A broad consensus is already gearing up efforts on Climate Adaptation, but also Mitigation remains vital, especially to increase Access to Energy for All through Renewable & Off-Grid context. For effective NDCs in Africa, good data is paramount. AFREC supports all African countries with Toolkits and Workshops. They have good views on the current challenges for data collection & energy statistics. Mr. Abdallah will discuss current cases and aspired level of ambition.

Rashid Abdallah

Rashid Abdallah

African Union Energy Commission (AFREC)

Ali Abdallah

Abdallah holds a MSc in project Management, a Post-graduate Diploma in energy engineering and a B.Sc (Hons) in mechanical engineering. He has 16 years of work experience in the energy sector at the national, regional and continental levels working on energy policy, energy planning, energy projects planning, energy projects implementation.

Currently, he is working at the African Union Commission (AUC) as Acting Head of Energy Division and project Manager of the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF). This experience has given him excellent overview of the challenges and potentials for development in the electricity sectors in African countries.

His work also involves analysis of the energy sector in the African countries and collaboration with relevant authorities in formulation of energy policies, regulations and strategies that reform the energy sector and enable investments. His work has also exposed him to high-level engagement with policy-makers and other relevant stakeholders including, Regional Economic Communities, Regional Power Pools, Development Partners, International Organizations, Donors, etc., which are crucial in building synergy and consensus in articulating common development agenda for AUC.

Prior to joining the AUC, he worked in the electricity sector in Sudan in several positions for 12 years, where he gained rich experience in project management, especially on energy projects starting from the project initiation phase, bidding document preparation, negotiation with potential contractors, supervision of the design phase and approval procedures, supervision of on-site construction activities. Mr. Abdallah also gained rich experience in electricity sector planning at the national level as well as electricity sector reforms.

Presentation 15:30 - 15:45

Future NDC activities at International Finance Institutes – on financing and governance

The uptake of mitigation measures remains challenging because apart from the technological challenges there is a need for financial support, to build governance capacity and to create societal acceptance. Moreover, for many countries these climate mitigation measures need to be aligned with addressing other societal and environmental challenges as well as economic development. The deployment and implementation will have to be adapted to the local context. Contributing to local implementation NDC targets, NDC guidance needs continuous improvement (as Article 4 foresees). Long term energy and climate strategies will need to integrate technologies in a systematic way, and adapted to local context. The next phase of NDCs can offer a strategic framework looking at greenhouse gas mitigation potential and economic impacts of technology. World Bank has established several collaborations to facilitate this and is currently financing a great deal through existing Trust Funds.

Venkata Raman Putti

Venkata Raman Putti

World Bank Climate Change Group (WB)

PMR Program Director

Venkata Ramana Putti is the Programme Manager of the Climate and Carbon Finance unit at the World Bank since June 2015. His previous positions at the World Bank Group include leadership of the Carbon Finance Assist programme, and the Energy Access portfolio of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

Before working at the World Bank, he held senior executive positions at UNDP/GEF, Winrock International and TERI, managing national/global clean energy and environment programme portfolios. Dr Putti has authored and edited over 80 publications including books, peer-reviewed articles and technical reports. He holds degrees in civil engineering and business management and a PhD in energy studies.

Presentation 15:45 - 16:00

Q&A – energy statistics, modelling and forecasting in support of NDCs

Climate

Deep dive session

CTCN session – Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator

28/10/2020, 13:00 - 14:30

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) with the support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has received USD 5 million from the Adaptation Fund as part of its USD 10 million pilot small grants programme (Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator) to foster innovation in adaptation. The programme executed by the CTCN will contribute to CTCN technical assistance to developing countries and will support them to test, evaluate, roll out and scale up innovative adaptation practices, products and technologies.

Based on technical assistance services, the CTCN will implement 25 micro-grants projects (up to USD 250,000 each) for 5 years to enhance climate resilience and adapt to climate change in developing countries. Moreover, knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices will be facilitated through the programme, which will strengthen opportunities of South-South and triangular cooperation on innovation in adaptation among the countries.

In this Deep Dive Session, the CTCN and UNEP introduce the programme to participants from developing countries and climate technology providers. Overall information on the operation and management of the programme as well as the application process to the programme is provided to participants. With this, experts in the field of climate technology policy, international cooperation and the governance of the developing country will be invited to discuss adaptation innovation in climate change vulnerable countries.

Chaired by

Karina  Larsen

Karina Larsen

Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)

Knowledge and Communications Manager

Karina Larsen is responsible for the CTCN’s communications and outreach strategy. She also manages the knowledge management system which aims to facilitate sharing of technology information among climate stakeholders. As Gender Focal Point, Karina advises and supports the Secretariat on the implementation of gender mainstreaming within CTCN operations.

Karina has over twenty years’ experience in global environment and health issues, with previous positions at UNFPA, the Council of Women World Leaders, the Office of the Prime Minister of Iceland and the American Cancer Society.

Presentation 13:00 - 13:20

Welcome & Opening Speeches

Susan  Gardner

Susan Gardner

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Director, Ecosystems Division

Rose  Mwebaza

Rose Mwebaza

Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)

Director

Rose Mwebaza is the Director of the CTCN and brings 20 years’ experience providing policy advice on a wide range of climate change, environment and sustainable development issues. She has previously served as Chief Natural Resources Officer at the African Development Bank, and held leadership positions within the UN Development Programme. Dr. Mwebaza was a Lecturer at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, for 10 years, serving as the Head of Department for Commercial Law, and Deputy Dean of the Law School.

Mwebaza holds a PhD in Environment and Natural Resource Governance from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, a Master’s Degree in International Comparative Law (with a Certificate of Academic Excellence) from the University of Florida, U.S.A and a Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B, Hons.) from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Youssef  Nassef

Youssef Nassef

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Director, Adaptation Division

Youssef Nassef has led the adaptation workstreams under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change since their inception. He possesses over 30 years of experience in diplomacy and international environmental policy, and is a seconded diplomat from the Egyptian Foreign Service.

While assuming progressively higher levels of leadership at the UNFCCC, he led UNFCCC support for a number of ongoing initiatives on adaptation. These include the inception and support for NAPAs and NAPs; the Nairobi Work Programme – an international knowledge hub for impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; and the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage. He recently created the Resilience Frontiers initiative which applies foresight for attaining post-2030 resilience.

He regularly contributes his vision, insights and thought leadership to international conferences on resilience and adaptation to climate change and their nexus with sustainable development, often focusing on developing countries.

He assumed chairmanship of the World Adaptation Science Programme in July 2020.

He holds a Doctoral degree in International Technology Policy and Management and a Master’s degree in International Environmental Policy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as well as a Master’s degree in Middle East Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Physics from the American University in Cairo.

Mikko  Ollikainen

Mikko Ollikainen

Adaptation Fund

Manager

Mikko Ollikainen is the Manager of the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat. He leads the Fund’s Secretariat located in Washington, D.C.

Mikko has 20 years of experience in climate change and other global environmental issues. Before taking office as the Manager in April 2017, he served as a lead adaptation expert of the Fund since 2009, playing a key role in building the Adaptation Fund’s portfolio of concrete adaptation projects which currently consists of more than 105 projects and programmes, including 32 that are nationally implemented. He also led the development and implementation of the Fund’s medium-term strategy, which sets the Fund’s ambitious goals in three core areas of adaptation action, innovation, and learning.

Prior to joining the Adaptation Fund, Mikko worked as a technical specialist with the World Bank, on nature-based climate change mitigation and forest conservation projects in Africa and Indonesia. He worked for 5 years in East and Southeast Asia on global and local environmental and development issues, with development finance institution, academia and the private sector.

Mikko holds an MSc degree in Ecology and Biodiversity Research from the University of Turku, Finland, and a postgraduate diploma in International Trade from the University of Tampere, Finland.

Presentation 13:20 - 13:40

Introduction to the Programme

The objective and scope of the programme will be shared with participants. Moreover, overall process related to the operation and management of the programme will be introduced.

Ho-Sik  Chon

Ho-Sik Chon

Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)

Adaptation Specialist, Asia-Pacific

Ho-Sik Chon supports the CTCN services related to technical assistance and capacity building in adaptation sectors for developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region. Before joining the CTCN, Ho-Sik worked as a Senior Researcher for 6 years at the Green Technology Center which is a technology-based policy research institute funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea. He researched national policy and strategies for climate technology R&D in the Republic of Korea and technology transfer to developing countries.

Ho-Sik holds a PhD in Water Management from the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, UK and an MSc in Environmental Geochemistry from the Department of Geosystem & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea.

Presentation 13:40 - 14:10

Panel discussion on Adaptation Innovation in Vulnerable Countries

Hak  Mao

Hak Mao

The General Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia

Director, Department of Climate Change

Hak Mao graduated a Bachelor on Forestry Science at the Royal University of Agriculture in 2003. In 2008, he was awarded a Master of Science on Marine Environment and Ocean Management at World Maritime University in Sweden. Luckily, in 2015 he was awarded another higher degree-Ph.D. on a Design of Low Carbon Development Action in Cambodia towards 2050 and pursued as research fellow until mid-2016 in order to develop a National Strategy on a Design of Low Carbon Development Action in Cambodia towards 2050. He has a strong and extensive experience on climate change. In addition, he has also participated in climate change negotiations for Conference of Parties on Climate Change.  He is currently Director of the Department of Climate Change of the General Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia.

Charles  Nyandiga

Charles Nyandiga

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Regional Team Leader for Africa

Charles Nyandiga has worked in the field of forest and natural resources management for over 26 years, working as a research scientist and practitioner with government, development organizations and United Nation. Currently, he is the Team Leader for the UNDP Nature Climate and Energy (NCE) for Africa working closely with the Governments, UNDP Country Offices and the Technical Team of Advisors of NCE supporting Africa. His technical fields are Sustainable Forest Management, Land Degradation, Agroecology and Climate Change Adaptation. He can be reached at: charles.nyandiga@undp.org.

Stephen  Minas

Stephen Minas

Technology Executive Committee (TEC)

Vice-Chair

Stephen Minas is an Associate Professor of Law at the School of Transnational Law of Peking University, and a Senior Research Fellow in the Transnational Law Institute of King’s College London. He completed Honours degrees in Law and History at the University of Melbourne, an MSc in International Relations at the London School of Economics, a PhD in Law at King’s College London and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
Stephen Minas’ research and teaching interests include energy law, climate change law, finance law, public international law, especially international organization, law of the sea & international environmental law, transnational law, international dispute resolution and sustainable development. At the moment he is the Vice-Chair of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) of the UNFCCC.

Presentation 14:10 - 14:25

Guidance on Application to the Programme

A programme IT platform, including a landing page and a programme webpage with detailed information on the programme, will be introduced. Moreover, the application process to the programme will be shared with the participants.

Ho-Sik  Chon

Ho-Sik Chon

Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)

Adaptation Specialist, Asia-Pacific

Ho-Sik Chon supports the CTCN services related to technical assistance and capacity building in adaptation sectors for developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region. Before joining the CTCN, Ho-Sik worked as a Senior Researcher for 6 years at the Green Technology Center which is a technology-based policy research institute funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea. He researched national policy and strategies for climate technology R&D in the Republic of Korea and technology transfer to developing countries.

Ho-Sik holds a PhD in Water Management from the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, UK and an MSc in Environmental Geochemistry from the Department of Geosystem & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea.

Presentation 14:25 - 14:30

Closing Remarks – CTCN session

Rose  Mwebaza

Rose Mwebaza

Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)

Director

Rose Mwebaza is the Director of the CTCN and brings 20 years’ experience providing policy advice on a wide range of climate change, environment and sustainable development issues. She has previously served as Chief Natural Resources Officer at the African Development Bank, and held leadership positions within the UN Development Programme. Dr. Mwebaza was a Lecturer at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, for 10 years, serving as the Head of Department for Commercial Law, and Deputy Dean of the Law School.

Mwebaza holds a PhD in Environment and Natural Resource Governance from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, a Master’s Degree in International Comparative Law (with a Certificate of Academic Excellence) from the University of Florida, U.S.A and a Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B, Hons.) from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Jessica  Troni

Jessica Troni

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Head of Climate Change Adaptation Unit

Jessica Troni has more than 20 years of experience in environment and development policy and has worked on climate change adaptation programming in the UN for the last 12 years. She heads the Climate Change Adaptation Unit in UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi and has under her oversight all programming related to the international climate funds (Green Climate Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund and Adaptation Fund), in Ecosystems Division. She served as a UNDP Regional Technical Adviser for Adaptation for the East and Southern African Region between 2007 and 2014 and for the UK Department for International Development Headquarters from 2003 to 2007 as the adaptation policy lead and as the UK representative in the EU delegation to the UNFCCC for 4 years. Jessica started her career as an Overseas Development Institute Fellow, posted in Zanzibar as a junior economist in the Commission for Lands and Environment from 1995 to 1997.

Education

Workshop

STEAM* education

28/10/2020, 13:00 - 14:30

+: adding ‘A’ to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in the Anthropocene. This refers to ALL other capacities future generations need for society to be able to Adapt to the Anthropocene context and contribute the Agenda 2030. Arts and humanities are part of this, but so is integrating the laws of thermodynamics and complex systems thinking.

Panel discussion 13:00 - 14:30

How can educational decision-makers (at institutional and political levels) broaden STEM-education facing complex 21st century challenges?

Anne Snick

Anne Snick

KU Leuven

Country leader for Belgium

Anne holds a PhD in philosophy of education and is a researcher, lecturer and facilitator exploring new paradigms for Responsible R&I. She is the country leader for Belgium of the EU-funded STEAM+ project and is responsible for the development of the Implementation Path of STEAM+.

Jean Paul Gueneau de Mussy

Jean Paul Gueneau de Mussy

Materials Innovation

CEO

Jean Paul is an entrepreneurial researcher passionate about finding new ways to use disruptive innovation to catalyzing better alternatives of doing business for the well-being of people and planet and not only for profit. Jean Paul is CEO of Materials Innovation.

Plenary

Special session

Solar Impulse Session

28/10/2020, 14:30 - 15:30

You wish to know how the Efficient Solutions Label can support your cleantech business growth? You would like to be sure that your solution is eligible before you actually start applying? You want to know how to be faster to fill out your application? Join the Solar Impulse Foundation team in this 1-hour webinar to get all the info you need before starting your application to the Efficient Solutions Label.

Presentation 14:30 - 15:30

Accelerating adoption of cleantech solutions

Pierre Majoux

Pierre Majoux

Solar Impulse Foundation

Innovators coordinator