The World Bank’s webinar series Bringing Nature to Cities: Integrated Urban Solutions to Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change will promote integrated urban solutions for cities to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change. Co-hosted by the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) and the Global Program on Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience, the series of thematic events will provide an online knowledge exchange platform connecting policymakers, practitioners, and experts to further mainstream biodiversity considerations into cities and development projects.

The webinar series will be launched at the high-level event titled “Pathways to Integrated Urban Solutions to Climate Change and Biodiversity” convened on Thursday, 16 September 2021, 8:15–9:15am EDT. Senior leadership will participate from the Government of Rwanda, Government of Colombia, the City of Glasgow, the City of Jakata, GEF, IUCN, and the World Bank. Participants will explain firsthand the urgency, opportunities, and challenges of mainstreaming integrated urban solutions into development plans and policies to address biodiversity loss and climate change in order to accelerate collaboration. The session will provide an overview of different approaches, drawing insights from relevant projects and research – such as the recent report findings announced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – while considering the significance and applicability of actions for cities around the world.

Introduction

  • Sameh Naguib Wahba – Global Director, Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience and Land Global Practice, World Bank

Moderator

  • Juergen Voegele – Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank

Panel Discussion 

  • Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya – Minister of Environment, Rwanda
  • Susan Aitken – Leader of the Council, Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • Carlos Manuel Rodríguez – Chief Executive Officer, GEF (Global Environmental Facility)
  • Bruno Oberle – Director General, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
  • Vera Revina Sari – Acting Deputy Governor for Spatial Planning and Environment, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Nicolás Galarza Sánchez – Deputy Minister of the Environment, Colombia