EMA Distinguished Speaker Programme with Dr Noeleen Heyzer, UN ESCAP Executive Secretary
About the Speaker:
Dr Heyzer is the ninth Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General in August 2007, Dr Heyzer is the first woman to occupy this position since its founding in 1947. She leads the organization at the level of Under-Secretary-General. Since taking office, Dr Heyzer has positioned ESCAP, the regional arm of the United Nations, as a powerful comprehensive platform for promoting regional co-operation among member states to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.
She was listed by the Earth Times in 2000 as one of the most influential voices in the UN system. In recognition of her contribution to women, peace and justice, Dr Heyzer was also among the nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
Synopsis:
Dr Heyzer will be speaking on "Rio+20: Implications for energy access and sustainable development in Asia". 2012 is the UN's International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and Rio de Janeiro will host the third Earth Summit, or "Rio+20", in June this year - 20 years after the first Earth Summit in 1992. Targeted to attract most of the world's heads of state and government, Rio+20 will focus on the 'green economy' and on creating an institutional framework for sustainable development. Against this backdrop, Dr Heyzer will be speaking on universal access to energy, the energy-food-water nexus and implications for inclusive and sustainable Asian development.
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