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Investible NDCs for Subnational Action - Towards low-carbon, resilient cities and a just future
| 14:30-16:00 Azerbaijan Time (UTC +4)
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Special Event Room 5 

Session Description: Subnational action is key for a just transition towards low-carbon and resilient buildings and cities. The event will showcase subnational actors leading the way, highlight the need for localising NDCs, and opportunities for effective multilevel governance and local financing. The session will also demonstrate outcomes of concrete successful initiatives on the engagement of subnational actors in achieving global climate goals, including the establishment of the Subnationals Action Group under the Global Alliance on Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) and the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGE); the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP); and the Subnational Cooling Pledge under the COP-28 Global Cooling Pledge.

Agenda Overview:

3:00 PM: Welcome and Introduction

  • Speaker: Gulnara Roll, Head of Cities Unit and GlobalABC Secretariat, UNEP
  • Overview of NDC 4.0 vision for 2030, discussing how updated NDCs 3.0 of 2025 enable this, with strategic initiatives like SURGE, CHAMP, and sectoral initiatives such as the GlobalABC Subnational Action Group, Buildings Breakthrough, and Cool Coalition.

3:03 PM: Welcome Remarks from High-Level Speakers

  • High-Level Climate Champion: Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak
  • Youth Voice: Hailey Campbell, Co-Executive Director, Care About Climate

3:10 PM: Keynote Speech

  • Speaker: Diana Urge-Vorsatz, Vice Chair of the IPCC, Director at Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Policy, Central European University
  • Framing the discussion in the context of IPCC reports and climate negotiations.

3:20 PM: Multilevel Action for Investible and Inclusive NDCs in Buildings and Construction Sector

  • Moderator: Dr. Jörg Linke, Head of Competence Centre Climate Change, GIZ
  • Speakers:
    • Rebecca Ochong, Associate Director, Global Affairs and Advocacy, Habitat for Humanity International 
    • Nasra Nanda, CEO, Kenya Green Building Society
    • Nariman Topchibashev, CEO, PMD Projects MMC, Baku, Azerbaijan 
  • Discussion on the leadership of non-state actors and the opportunity to include subnational territories in NDC revision, with a focus on waste and circularity, informal settlements, and low-emission business practices.
  • Followed by 5-minute Q&A.

3:45 PM: Urban Action: Enabling Local Integrated Climate Action

  • Moderator: Gulnara Roll, UNEP (F)
  • Speakers:
    • Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority
    • Mr. Keshab Mahanta, Hon'ble Minister, Science, Technology and Climate Change, Assam State, India 
    • Gregor Robertson, Special Envoy for Cities in CHAMP, GCoM, Vancouver, Canada 
    • Hellen Wanjohi-Opil, Cities, Climate & Engagement Lead, WRI Africa 
  • Focus on NDCs as a platform for multi-level governance and adaptation/resilience in human settlements.
  • Followed by 5-minute Q&A.

4:10 PM: Multilevel Action to Enhance Resilience and Adapt to Climate Change (Energy Focus)

  • Moderator: Lenio Myrivili, UN Chief Heat Officer and Cooling Champion 
  • Speakers:
    • Mr. Mobolaji Onimole, Director, Development Partnership, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget
    • Colin Stuart, VP Business, Tabreed 
    • Musa Miranda, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, São Paulo Development Agency, Brazil 
  • Discussion on resilience and adaptation in the energy sector, including cooling and heating systems, with updates on the Subnational Cooling Pledge.
  • Followed by 5-minute Q&A.

4:30 PM: Closing Remarks

  • Moderator: Gulnara Roll, UNEP (F)
  • Summary and closing of the session.