Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 – 6.30-8.00 pm (NY)
Location: UN Headquarters, Conference Room 8

Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 – 6.30-8.00 pm (NY)
Location: UN Headquarters, Conference Room 8

Welcome

Cities and urban areas are increasingly affected by the impacts of major global challenges. At the same time these challenges are driving the development of innovative solutions in cities, providing the opportunity to create pathways towards a sustainable, green and inclusive development worldwide.

Building on the momentum of the UN 2023 Water Conference and bringing together this year’s HLPF focus on SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), the Side Event of the German Government will showcase the transformative potential of integrated urban development and sustainable water management for a just transition towards water-secure, climate-resilient and socially equitable cities, while leaving no one behind.

In this context, the event will also highlight the importance of equitable participation of vulnerable groups, e.g. those residing in informal settlements, women and girls, and the role of nature based solutions and innovative financing mechanisms to catalyze a sustainable, water and climate resilient urban development.

The German Side Event at this year’s HLPF will bring together practitioners, high-level speakers from different levels of governments around the world, including the Heads of German Delegation Dr. Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Dr. Bettina Hoffmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), as well as representatives of the UN system as renowned experts from related policy sectors to discuss the challenges and opportunities of inclusive and effective blue urban transformation around the globe.

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Moderation

Dr. Laura Lima

Dr. Laura Lima

Moderator
Head of Global Programmes of Cities Alliance

Dr. Laura Lima is the current Head of Global Programmes of Cities Alliance (UNOPS). She is from Brazil where she started her career in the NGO sector. She has been working on international development for 15 years and has project implementation experience in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Her main areas of expertise are urban governance, gender, fragility and conflict prevention. She holds a post-doctorate on Gender and Conflict in Slums in the Global South; a PhD on International Security; and 3 master’s degrees on International Development, Human Rights, and International History.

Speaker

Dr. Bärbel Kofler

Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Dr Bärbel Kofler (SPD) holds the position of Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Before being appointed to this role in December 2021, she was the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid for six years. She has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2004, where her previous roles included Development Policy Spokesperson of the SPD parliamentary group and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Dr Kofler has a doctorate in linguistics.

Dr. Bettina Hoffmann

Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV)

Dr. Bettina Hoffmann MdB was appointed Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection in 2021 and is a Member of Parliament in the German Green Party parliamentary group (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). Bettina Hoffmann completed her studies in biology at Philipps University in Marburg with a doctorate. Until 2017, she was managing director of an agency for planning and communication in the field of environment, tourism and regional development. Since 2017, she has been a Member of Parliament. Until 2021, she was spokesperson for environmental policy and environmental health, a member of the Environment Committee and chairwoman of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Sustainable Development.

Edward Senzu Mchunu

Edward Senzu Mchunu

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Republic of South Africa

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, is an alumni of the University of Zululand and the University of South Africa, where he obtained a BA degree in Education and International Relations. His entry into Government began as a High School Educator, at St Augustine’s High School (Nquthu, Northern KwaZulu-Natal) whereafter he was subsequently transferred to Impande High School in Eshowe. He went into politics full time in 1991 and was appointed as the first Regional Secretary of the African National Congress (ANC), of the then Northern Natal Region. In 1994, he was elected the first Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal. He became an ordinary member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in 1997, until his appointment as Chairperson of the Agriculture Portfolio Committee. Between 2002 – 2004, Minister Mchunu served as the Chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee and again, served in the same capacity in the Portfolio Committee of Education between 2004 and 2009. He became MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal between 2009 and 2013. Minister Mchunu was thereafter elected Provincial Chairperson of the ANC in 2013 and served as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal between 2013 and 2016. President Ramaphosa appointed Mr Mchunu as Minister for Water and Sanitation on 5 August 2021, after having served as the Minister for the Public Service and Administration.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is the custodian of South Africa’s water resources. It is primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy governing this sector. While striving to ensure that all South Africans gain access to clean water and dignified sanitation, the department also promotes effective and efficient water resources management to ensure sustainable economic and social development.

Joe Muturi

Global Chair of the SDI National coordinator, Muungano wa Wanavijiji, Kenyan Slum Dwellers Federation

Joe Muturi is the President of SDI Network and Chairs SDI Board. He is a social activist and leader of Kenya’s Muungano wa Wanavijiji federation for slum dwellers. With extensive experience in government and city-led projects for urban poor communities, he builds relationships between programs and residents. Notably, he played a key role in the precedent-setting Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA) project in Nairobi. Joe facilitates community consensus on strategy, budgeting, and project implementation. He has built federations in East and West Africa, established partnerships with government and stakeholders, and advocates for climate change awareness in slum neighborhoods. Joe contributes to the global advocacy efforts of the federation movement. Currently, he serves as an advisory in the Global Resilient Partnership and sits on the Cities Alliance board.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif (Malaysia) is the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), appointed at the level of Under-Secretary-General by the Secretary-General, following an election by the General Assembly on 22 December 2017. On 22 January 2018, Ms. Sharif assumed her post at UN-Habitat’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. She succeeds Dr. Joan Clos of Spain.

 

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Sharif was the Mayor of the City Council of Penang Island, Malaysia. In 2011, she became the first woman to be appointed President of the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai. As mayor, she led the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai to achieve its vision of a “cleaner, greener, safer and healthier place to work, live, invest and play.” She is a champion of Gender-Responsive Participatory Budgeting and Planning, integrating gender perspectives into the governance process. During her tenure, the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai was the first Local Authority to implement and achieve six quality-based management ISO certifications.

 

Ms. Sharif began her career as a town planner at the Municipal Council of Penang Island in 1985. In 2003, she was promoted to Director of Planning and Development, a position she held until November 2009. As Director, she was responsible for the preparation of structure and local plans and was directly involved in the development management of Penang City’s projects and landscape. She also led a team which planned and implemented urban renewal projects in George Town. In November 2009, as its General Manager, Ms. Sharif established George Town World Heritage Incorporated and managed the George Town World Heritage Site, which was inscribed by UNESCO in July 2008.

 

Born in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, on 26 August 1961, Ms. Sharif holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Town Planning Studies from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, UK and a Master of Science in Planning Studies from the Malaysia Science University. She has received several awards, including, “Planner of The Year 2014” by the Malaysian Institute of Planners, the 2016 Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award during Habitat III in Quito, for her contribution in sustainable planning in Seberang Perai and from the Penang State Government. On 11 January 2018, she received an award from the Malaysia Book of Records recognizing her for being the first Asian woman to be appointed as Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She is married to Mr. Adli Lai and has two daughters.

Berry Vrbanovic

Mayor, City of Kitchener, Canada; Co-president, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic served as Ward 2 city councilor for two decades before you elected him as your mayor in 2014. He is the highest-ranking elected official for Kitchener, with one vote on council and the responsibility to officially represent the council. He currently serves as UCLG’s Co-President.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif (Malaysia) is the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), appointed at the level of Under-Secretary-General by the Secretary-General, following an election by the General Assembly on 22 December 2017. On 22 January 2018, Ms. Sharif assumed her post at UN-Habitat’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. She succeeds Dr. Joan Clos of Spain.

 

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Sharif was the Mayor of the City Council of Penang Island, Malaysia. In 2011, she became the first woman to be appointed President of the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai. As mayor, she led the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai to achieve its vision of a “cleaner, greener, safer and healthier place to work, live, invest and play.” She is a champion of Gender-Responsive Participatory Budgeting and Planning, integrating gender perspectives into the governance process. During her tenure, the Municipal Council of Seberang Perai was the first Local Authority to implement and achieve six quality-based management ISO certifications.

 

Ms. Sharif began her career as a town planner at the Municipal Council of Penang Island in 1985. In 2003, she was promoted to Director of Planning and Development, a position she held until November 2009. As Director, she was responsible for the preparation of structure and local plans and was directly involved in the development management of Penang City’s projects and landscape. She also led a team which planned and implemented urban renewal projects in George Town. In November 2009, as its General Manager, Ms. Sharif established George Town World Heritage Incorporated and managed the George Town World Heritage Site, which was inscribed by UNESCO in July 2008.

 

Born in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, on 26 August 1961, Ms. Sharif holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Town Planning Studies from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, UK and a Master of Science in Planning Studies from the Malaysia Science University. She has received several awards, including, “Planner of The Year 2014” by the Malaysian Institute of Planners, the 2016 Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award during Habitat III in Quito, for her contribution in sustainable planning in Seberang Perai and from the Penang State Government. On 11 January 2018, she received an award from the Malaysia Book of Records recognizing her for being the first Asian woman to be appointed as Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She is married to Mr. Adli Lai and has two daughters.

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