Rio Pavillion hosts successful launch

The Rio Pavilion hosted a successful launch last night that included many high-level speakers. Programme Directo Fundisile Mketeni, Deputy Director-General: Biodiversity and Conservation, introduced Keynote speaker, Minister Naledi Pandor - South African Minister of Science and Technology - who entertained and informed the packed room.

Other important speakers who atteneded were Minister Lulu Xingwana – South African Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs and Gustavo Alberto Fonseca, Team Leader Natural Resources, The Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

There was also a hard-hitting theatre performance called Resource Africa, which highlighted Africa’s plight in the face of climate change. The speakers highlighted the importance of bringing in the voices of rural communities, specifically rural women, who are feeling the effects of climate change on the ground, today, as well as the youth and indigenous peoples.

The Rio Conventions Pavilion is a platform for raising awareness and sharing information about the latest practices and scientific findings on the co-benefits that can be realized through implementation of the three Rio Conventions.

The Pavilion is a collaborative effort between the Secretariats of the three Rio Conventions and the Global Environment Facility, in addition to a growing list of other global and local partners.

View the launch gallery here.