As the global biodiversity crisis escalates, cities are poised to take a leading role in safeguarding nature within urban environments. What are cities already doing to successfully address biodiversity loss within their own jurisdictions? How can we understand and enhance the interconnectedness between nature, resilience, and urban livability? This session delves into the multifaceted role of cities in combating biodiversity loss and restoring ecosystems, emphasizing innovative approaches and collaborative initiatives that drive systemic change. Attendees will leave inspiried to implement nature-based solutions within their own urban contexts, fostering nature restoration and community engagement.
Speakers:
- Alejandra Bravo, Councilor – Chair, Economic Development Committee, City of Toronto, Canada
- Alfredo Coro II, Mayor, Municipality of Del Carmen, Philippines; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member
- Anil Kumar, Mayor, City of Kochi India; ICLEI South Asia Regional Executive Committee
- Annelise de Bruin, Manager: Metropolitan Spatial Planning and Growth Management, City of Cape Town, South Africa
- Atha Phillips, Senior Policy Strategist, City of Austin, United States
- Deyvson Moura Braga, Director Forestry and Sustainability, City of Manaus, Brazil
- Gulnara Roll, Head of Cities Unit, Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, Deputy Mayor, City of Montreal, Canada
- Luiz Dâmaso Gusi, Secretary of Food and Nutritional Security, City of Curitiba, Brazil
- Mauricio Mira, Director of the Department of Environmental Management, City of Cali, Colombia
- Shin Sang-jin, Mayor, City of Seongnam, South Korea
Moderator:
Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability; Regional Director ICLEI Africa Secretariat
