Hear perspectives from senior-level officials on protecting all people through early warning systems, which warn people in advance that hazardous weather or climate events are on their way and informs action to minimize their impacts.
The COP28 outcome for the global stocktake called on Parties to support achieving the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative by building accessible, user-driven early warning systems by 2027.
The event will explore recent developments on EWS and hear from key thought leaders, including from within the UN system, on how to deliver on the global stocktake signal, including through new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in 2025.
This event will feature insights from a distinguished panel of senior-level officials and a presentation.
Distinguished Panel (in alphabetical order)
Thomas Asare
WMO Assistant Secretary-General
With over 25 years of experience in finance and development, he has led global financial management initiatives, collaborated with governance structures, and partnered with international organizations to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. Before WMO, he was Comptroller and Director of Financial and Administrative Management at UNICEF from February 2015.…
Kamal Kishore
Assistant Secretary-General, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction
UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Kamal Kishore from India as Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction at UNDRR. Currently the Head of the National Disaster Management Authority in India, Mr. Kishore has nearly three decades of experience in disaster risk reduction and climate action. He led the…
Rebecca Manzou
Head of the Zimbabwe National Meteorological Service
Rebecca Manzou has over 10 years of experience in climate change and meteorology, currently serving as the Director of Zimbabwe Meteorological Services and Permanent Representative with WMO. Her leadership has been pivotal in implementing significant advancements in the country’s early warning system, including the installation of five weather radars and…
H.E. Hajja Naseem
former Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Republic of Maldives
Minister Naseem formerly served as State Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Technology for the Republic of the Maldives. Prior to her appointment, Minister Naseem worked on various developmental projects in the Maldives funded by the World Bank and the UNDP. She has extensive experience in climate finance and disaster…
Kaveh Guilanpour — Moderator
Vice President for International Strategies, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Kaveh Guilanpour is the Vice President for International Strategies at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, overseeing the international aspects of the work of C2ES including in relation to the United Nations negotiations process. Mr. Guilanpour has worked in the environmental sector in policy and legal roles for more…
Presentation
Cristina Rumbaitis del Rio
Senior Adaptation Advisor, UNF
• Ms. Rumbaitis del Rio has nearly twenty years of experience in climate change adaptation and resilience. Before joining the United Nations Foundation, she was a Senior Advisor at the World Resources Institute and worked with the Food and Land Use Coalition. Previously, she led initiatives for the Global Commission…