Environmental Multilateralism and Human Development
In-Person and Hybrid Programme
(Online-Only Virtual and Youth Programme TBA Early June)
23-25 June 2025
University of Nairobi United Nations Office at Nairobi
Address: University Way, Address: United Nations Avenue,
Nairobi, Kenya Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
OVERVIEW
All times are in East Africa Time (UTC+3)
MONDAY, 23 JUNE 2025
Location: University of Nairobi
2:30 – 3:30 pm Registration and Check-in
3:30 – 5:30 pm Opening Plenary and Keynote Address
Professor Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi.
Title of Address: Tackling African Environmental Crises through Research, Innovation and Multilateralism
Professor Gilbert Ouma, Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA)
Professor Siphila W. Mumenya Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Professor Robert Kibugi, Centre for Advanced Studies on Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP)
Dr. David Obura, Founder and Director, Cordio East Africa and Chair, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
Professor Maria Ivanova, Co-Chair 2025 ACUNS Annual Meeting
Dr. Franz Baumann, ACUNS President & Researcher Georgetown University
Kenyan Government Representative (invited)
Moderator: Professor Alice Odingo, Co-Chair 2025 ACUNS Annual Meeting
5:30 – 7:00 pm Opening Reception
TUESDAY, 24 JUNE 2025
Location: University of Nairobi
8:30 – 9:00 am Check-in
9:00 – 10:15 am TUE-A: Simultaneous Panels and Roundtables
10:15 – 10:30 am Coffee/Tea Break
10:30 – 11:45 am TUE-B: Simultaneous Panels and Roundtables
12:00 – 1:00 pm Launch of Arid Cities Network | Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future
Dr. Michal Mlynar, Deputy Executive-Director, UN-Habitat
Professor David Simon, University of London Royal Holloway
UN Mission in South Sudan Official (invited)
Mr. Sebastien Turbot, Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future
Moderator: Ms. Maria Kisumbi, Humanity United
1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch
2:15 – 3:30 pm TUE-C: Simultaneous Panels and Roundtables
3:30 – 3:45 pm Coffee/Tea Break
4:00 – 5:00 pm ACUNS Lecture in Honour of Kofi Annan | Intergenerational Dialogue
Mr. Donald Kaniaru
Mr. Alphonce Munyao Muia
Moderator: Professor Maria Ivanova, Co-Chair, ACUNS Annual Meeting
Brief Remarks | Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center
5:00 – 6:30 pm Theatre Performance | The Impact of Plastics Pollution
Professor Cressida Bowyer, University of Portsmouth
Professor Erika Hughes, University of the Arts London
WEDNESDAY, 25 JUNE
Location: United Nations Offices, Gigiri
7:30 – 8:30 am Security & Check-in
8:30 –9:45 am WED-A: Simultaneous Panels and Roundtables
9:45 – 10:00 am Coffee/Tea Break
10:00 – 11:15 am WED-B: Simultaneous Panels and Roundtables
11:30 – 12:30 pm Holmes Lecture
Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General, United Nations Office at
Nairobi
Moderator: Professor Lise Howard, Georgetown University
12:30 – 1:30 pm United Nations University – Centre for Policy Research | Global Policy
Dialogue: Readouts & Feedback
Professor David Passarelli, Director, United Nations University – Centre for Policy Research
Mr. Peter Maddens, Ambassador of Belgium to Kenya, Madagascar, Seychelles,
Comoros, Eritrea, Somalia; Permanent Representative to UNEP and Habitat
Mr. Henk Jan Bakker, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kenya, Somalia,
Eritrea and Seychelles; Permanent Representative to UNEP and Habitat
Mr. Mirko Giulietti, Ambassador of Switzerland to Kenya, Eritrea, Rwanda,
Somalia and Uganda Permanent Representative to UNEP and Habitat
Moderator: Dr. Richard Ponzio, Stimson Center
1:30 – 2:30 pm Lunch
2:30 – 3:45 pm Closing Plenary Session
Ms. Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya
Ms. Edlam Abera Yemeru, Director of External Relations Strategy,
Knowledge, and Innovation Division, UN-Habitat
Ms. Patricia Mbote, Director, Law Division, United Nations Environment
Programme
Moderator: Dr. Franz Baumann, Researcher Georgetown University and
President ACUNS
AWARDS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ACUNS Dissertation Award Winner
ACUNS Service Award
Announce Annual Meeting 2026
3:45 – 5:00 pm Closing Reception