UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development Hosts President & CEO of The ONE Campaign

The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development inaugurated its Distinguished Speaker Series on February 9 with a public talk at Qatar Foundation headquarters featuring Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President and CEO of The ONE Campaign.

A flagship program of the UNESCO Chair, the Distinguished Speaker Series offers opportunities to engage with remarkable individuals and celebrated personalities who have changed the world through their advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Included among these individuals is Ms. Nwuneli, who has over 25 years of international development experience and is deeply involved in shaping the global social innovation landscape. 

The session commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN Professor and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, College of Law (CL), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). This was followed by the distinguished lecture by Ms. Nwuneli, who also took audience questions and listened to interventions from the audience. The event was moderated by Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, Dean, College of Law. 

Commenting on the importance of the event and the topic of her lecture, food security, Ms. Nwuneli stated: “Building resilient agricultural systems and sustainable businesses requires a commitment from the public, private and nonprofit sectors working collaboratively to scale innovative solutions. I am convinced that the world can learn from and partner with African entrepreneurs to advance sustainable food ecosystems. I was honored to be the first in the Distinguished Speaker Series and was inspired by the exchange of ideas in the room and walked away with a renewed commitment to foster stronger partnerships between Africa and the Middle East to drive innovation and change.”

Speaking after the event, Dean Karamanian said: “The Distinguished Speaker Series enables HBKU to bring to campus practitioners and thought leaders who are setting standards as states and non-state actors pursue the SDGs, particularly as to the SDG’s focus on the environment. Ms. Nwuneli’s prior experience and continued work with The ONE Campaign speaks for itself. We were deeply inspired by her journey and dedication to sustainability.”

The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development looks forward to hosting further editions of its Distinguished Speaker Series. Information concerning the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development and the College of Law’s program of events can be found here.