
Official opening
Ms Nosipho Ngcaba, Director General, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa H.E. Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, Minister of Environmental Affairs, South Africa
Setting the scene
Ms Nardos Békélé–Thomas, United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa Ms Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director, UN Environment on behalf of the PAGE Agencies
Keynote Addresses
Mr Guy Ryder, Director-General, International Labour Organization
Video message
Mr Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
High-level Panel: Green Economy at a Turning Point
Moderator: Ms Nozipho Mbanjwa Speakers: H.E. Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, Minister of Environment, South Africa H.E. Rita Schwarzeluhr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany Mr Guy Ryder, Director General, International Labour Organization Mr Nikhil Seth, Executive Director, UN Institute for Training and Research ...
10:50 - 11:00
Coffee Break
Media engagement and walkabout during tea-time
Keynote Conversation on Economic and Social Inclusion
Ms Nozipho Mbanjwa Mr Hugh Sealy, Special Envoy to the Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Barbados H.E. Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Namibia Mr Kumi Naidoo, Secretary-General of Amnesty International Ms Tanya Cohen, CEO, Business Unity South Africa
Parallel Sessions – Finance
Enabling environments for sustainable finance Moderator: Mr Tim Scott, Senior Policy Advisor, UN Environment Speakers: Mr Pierre Venter, General Manager, Banking Association of South Africa Ms Astrid Ladefoged, Head of Unit, SDGs, Green Finance and Economic Analysis, Directorate General for the Environment, European Commission Ms Sibongile Mavimbela, Senior Programme ...
Parallel Sessions – Circular Economy
Policies and strategies for sustainable consumption and production Moderator: Ms. Ligia Noronha, Director, Economy Division, UN Environment Speakers: H.E. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing, Finland Ms Ndibi Schwiers, Director, Department of Environment, Guyana Ms Astrid Schomaker, Director, Global Sustainable Development, Directorate General for the Environment, ...
Parallel Sessions – Inclusion
What is inclusion? Moderator: Mr Guy Preston, Deputy Director General: Environmental Programmes, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa Mr Teboho Maruping, Acting Director-General, Department of Labour, South Africa Ms Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Director and Head, School of Public Management and Administration, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria ...
Parallel Sessions – Strategies
Setting an overarching framework for policy reform Moderator: Ms Leena Srivastava, Vice Chancellor and Professor, TERI University Speakers: Prof Linda Godfrey, Manager, Waste RDI Roadmap Implementation Unit, DST, Principal Scientist, Waste for Development, CSIR H.E. Askarov Zamirbek, Vice-prime minister of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Atle Hamar, State Secretary Ministry ...
13:00 - 14:15

13:00 - 14:15
VIP Lounge, ICC
Leaders’ Luncheon “Social and societal innovative solutions for environmental challenges” (by invitation only)
The Leaders’ Luncheon is organised jointly by UN Environment and the UN Global Compact, South Africa Chapter. It will focus on partnering for innovative solutions – including social and societal innovations – for inclusive and sustainable economic transformation. During the Luncheon will bring together Ministers of Environment, senior policymakers ...
Keynote Conversation on the Future of Work in a Green Economy
Moderator: Ms Nozipho Mbanjwa Invited speakers: H.E. Soomilduth Bholah, Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mauritius Mr Guy Ryder, Director-General, International Labour Organization Mr Mthunzi Mdwaba, Vice-President, International Organization of Employers H.E. Cecilia Julin, Ambassador of Sweden to South Africa Ms Innocence Ntap N’diaye, President of the High Council ...
15:15 - 15:30

Parallel Sessions – Finance
Finance: Growth in sustainable banking, insurance and investment Moderator: Ms Vanessa Otto-Mentz, Head, Group Strategy, Santam Speakers: Ms Lilowtee Rajmun Joosery, Director, Mauritius Export Association Ms Wendy Dobson, Head, Group Policy, Advocacy, and Sustainability at Standard Bank Group Ms Louise Gardiner, Sustainable Finance Consultant, International Finance Corporation Ms Nicole ...
Parallel Sessions – Circular Economy
Innovations and solutions for sustainable consumption and production Moderator: Mr Stephan Sicars, Director of Department of Environment, United Nations Industrial Development Organization Speakers: Prof Linda Godfrey, Manager, Waste RDI Roadmap Implementation Unit, DST, Principal Scientist, Waste for Development, CSIR Mr. Ndivhuho Raphulu, Director, South Africa National Cleaner Production Centre Ms ...
Parallel Sessions – Strategies
Mainstreaming natural capital in policies and strategies Moderator: Mr Angus Mackay, Director, Division for Planet Manager, Green Development and Climate Change Speakers: H.E. Mary Goretti Kitutu, State Minister for the Environment, Uganda Mr. Bazarsad Chimed-Ochir, BIOFIN Lead Expert, Mongolia Ms Sofia Alroth, Senior Environmental Economist, World Bank Mr Mark Gough, ...
Parallel Sessions – Inclusion
What role do small- and medium-sized enterprises play in promoting inclusion? Moderator: Mr Joni Musabayana, Director, ILO Pretoria Office Speakers: H.E. Soomilduth Bholah, Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mauritius Mr John Wali, President Junior Achievement, Kenya Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, professor, inventor, engineer, author, and entrepreneur Ms Laura Kelly, ...
Moving from Reflection to Action
Moderator: Ms Tsakani Ngomane, Deputy Director General for Climate Change, Air Quality and Sustainable Development, Department of Environmental Affairs of South Arica Speakers: H.E. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing, Finland H.E. Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance, Guyana H.E. Mary Goretti Kitutu, State Minister for the ...
17:45 - 18:15
Hall 2, Ground Floor, ICC
Exhibition Green Economy Pioneers: Innovative Approaches, Business Models, Partnerships
The exhibition showcases the work of UN Agencies, South African academic institutions, development cooperation partners, industry, commerce, NGOs and service providers. The public exhibition will highlight and celebrate drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship and demonstrate what South Africa is doing towards implementing tools and strategies to accelerate the transition towards ...
19:00 - 22:00
Ballroom 2 - ICC
Banquet
All participants attending the PAGE Conference are welcome to the banquet. No formal invitation is required.
Keynote Address on Unlocking Finance for Sustainability
Mr Elliott Harris, Chief Economist, United Nations (confirmed)
High-level Panel: Unlocking finance for sustainability
Moderator: Ms Nozipho Mbanjwa Speakers: H.E. Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance, Guyana H.E. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing, Finland H.E. Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana Mr Frank Rijsberman, Director-General, Global Green Growth Institute Ms Nicky Newton-King, CEO, Johannesburg Stock ...
Keynote Conversation on Sustainable Economy
Moderator: Ms Joanne Yawitch, CEO, National Business Initiative, South Africa Speakers: Mr. Atle Hamar, State Secretary, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway H.E. Mame Thierno Dieng, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Senegal Mr Nikhil Seth, Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research Ms Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive ...
11:15 - 11:30

Parallel Sessions – Finance
Partnerships for financing a resilient, sustainable economy Moderator: Ms Cecilia Njenga, Head of the UN Environment Office in South Africa Speakers: Ms Joanne Yawitch, CEO, National Business Initiative, South Africa Mr Hugh Sealy, Special Envoy to the Ministry of Environment, Barbados Mr Dennis George, General Secretary of the Federation of Unions of ...
Parallel Sessions – Strategies
Greening small- and medium-sized enterprises Moderator: Mr Khaled El Mekwad, Representative, UNIDO Regional Office in South Africa Speakers: Mr Vic Van Vuuren, Director, Enterprises Department, ILO Ms Rethabile Melamu, General Manager, Green Economy, The innovation Hub, South Africa Mr Becquet Polycarpe Bationo, Director of the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Green ...
Parallel Sessions – Inclusion
What policies can support economic empowerment of women and youth? Moderator: Mr Oliver Greenfield, Convenor of the Green Economy Coalition (confirmed) Speakers: H.E. Mary Goretti Kitutu, State Minister for the Environment, Uganda Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, UN Women Ms Vore Gana Seck, Advisor, Economic, Social and Environmental Council, ...
Parallel Sessions – Circular Economy
Finance and investment for sustainable consumption and production Moderator: Mr Steven Stone, Chief of UN Environment’s Resources & Markets Branch Speakers: H.E. Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana Mr Antony Nyong, Director for Climate Change, African Development Bank Mr Benoît Lallemand, Secretary General, ...
13:00 - 13:30
Insights and awards ceremony
1. Green innovations in South Africa By: Ms Nosipho Ngcaba, Director-General, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa 2. Recognition of excellence in sustainability Ms Alida Afrika, General Manager of Heiveld Cooperative Mr Dave Lello, Founder of Ekasi Energy Ms Pheladi Chiloane, Social entrepreneur, community developer and environmentalist 3. Acknowledgement ...
Conference closing and outcomes
Moderator: Ms Nozipho Mbanjwa PAGE Management Board and Funding Partners welcome new PAGE countries By: Mr Tim Kasten, Deputy Director, Economy Division, UN Environment Announcement of next PAGE Ministerial Conference By: Government of the United Arab Emirates Conference Closing Speakers: Mr Stephan Contius, Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda for ...
14:15 - 15:30