This session will explore practical pathways for integrating nature-positive solutions into urban infrastructure planning and development, with a special focus on water management and biodiversity enhancement. As urban areas expand and face increasing environmental challenges, it is crucial to mainstream nature-positive approaches into everyday infrastructure decisions - from procurement to implementation..
A dynamic panel discussion will bring together city leaders alongside experts from FIDIC, WWF, and others to share concrete experiences in nature-positive infrastructure development. They will focus on procurement strategies, innovative financing models, and sustainable integrated planning approaches to ensure the successful integration of nature-positive solutions into urban infrastructure. The session will also explore collaborative partnerships and policy frameworks that can support long-term implementation and scalability.
After the panel, participants will engage in an interactive session to explore urban planning tools provided by UN-Habitat and beyond, offering practical insights into integrating sustainability and nature into city development.
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Agenda
Keynote
- Speaker: Gulnara Roll, Head of Cities Unit, UNEP
- Overview: Keynote address to introduce the session and outline the importance of sustainability in cities.
Tool Presentation
- Speaker: Veerawit Tianchainan, Chief of Party, USAID - WWF Mekong For the Future (MFF) and Robert Spencer, Global Head of ESG Advisory Services, AECOM
- Overview: Presentation on the joint FIDIC-WWF Paper on sustainable development tools and strategies.
Presentation on Climate and Environmental Expertise
- Speaker: Alina Koschmieder, Climate and Environmental Expert, UN-Habitat
- Overview: Alina discusses climate resilience and environmental solutions for urban settings.
Panel Discussion
- Panelists:
- Akinyemi Akinyugha, Technical Adviser on Green Economy & Ecological Matters, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Camila Gomes de Assis, Coordinator of Multilateral Affairs, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Roland Hunziker, Director, Built Environment, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- Kotchakorn Voraakhom, Landscape Architect, IFLA, Thailand
- Dr. Alexandre B. Hedjazi, Academic Deputy International Affairs, University of Geneva / Senior Lecturer Institute for Environmental Sciences – GEDT, Director Global Environmental Policy Program
- Moderator: Andy Deacon, GCoM
- Overview: The panel will explore green economy strategies and best practices in urban sustainability and ecological development.
Q&A
- Overview: Open forum for audience questions to panelists.
Closing Remarks
