African leaders to convene to promote high-level support for social entrepreneurship and a Just Energy Transition for climate action

September 20, 2022

New York – At the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, African heads of State and decision-makers will convene at the conferences “A Just Transition to Deliver Climate Actions in Africa,” and “Driving a Social Entrepreneurship Agenda for Africa,” on September 22nd, where they will issue a joint statement to promote the role of social entrepreneurship in reducing poverty, inequality, and joblessness – towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.

Organized by the Government of South Africa, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the African Union Development Agency (AUCDA-NEPAD), the conferences will offer an opportunity for African countries and leaders to engage on developing a social entrepreneurship agenda that explores case studies and investment opportunities for the continent – as well as a successful transition to a low-carbon energy and a green economy that is economically feasible and socially just. Further, it will provide a platform to strengthen cooperation to unlock the potential of social entrepreneurship and promote regional integration

EVENT 1

What	Driving a Social Entrepreneurship Agenda for Africa
When	22 September 2022 12h30 - 14h00 Lunch 14h00 - 16h30 Session
Where	Harvard Club of New York City 35 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 Biddle Conference Room Third Floor
Who	H.E. President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa (TBC) H.E. Ms Lindiwe D. Zulu, Minister of Social Development, Republic of South Africa H.E. Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams Minister of Small Business Development Republic of South Africa Mr. Samba Bathily, Founder, African Development Solutions Group (TBC) Mr. Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu The Tony Elumelu Foundation Ms. Nardos Bekele Thomas, CEO African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) Mr. Eldrid Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer, GovChat.Org	Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa Assistant Secretary General, Director UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Ms Cheryl Jacob Head of Social Entrepreneurship, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy, South Africa Mr. Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam Founder, Akon Lighting Africa (TBC) Mr. Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Mr. Motty Sacks, Chairman of The Board, Capital Appreciation Limited Prof. Randall Carolissenm Professor and Dean, Johannesburg Business School

EVENT 2

What	A Just Transition to Deliver Climate Actions in Africa
When	22 September 2022 8h30 - 9h30 Breakfast buffet 9h30 - 11h30 Session
Where	Harvard Club of New York City 35 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 Biddle Conference Room Third Floor
Who	Mr. Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator H.E. Ms. Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Republic of South Africa H.E. Mr. Mohammed H. Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Mr. Jagdish Dharamchand Koonjul, Chairperson, Africa Group of Ambassadors to the UN (TBC) Mr. Pravin Gordan, Minister of Public Enterprises, South Africa Mr. Jeffrey Sachs University Professor and Director, Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University Mr. Vuyo Kahla, Executive Vice President – Strategy, Sustainability and Integrated Services, SASOL Mr. Daniel Mminele, Head, Presidential Climate Finance Task Team Mr. Rainer Baake, CEO, Foundation for Climate Neutrality, Germany Prof Mark Swilling, Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Development, Co-Director of the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition, Stellenbosch University Mr. Mark Carrato, Coordinator, Power Africa, USAID Dr. Thuli Khumalo, COO, Presidential Climate Commission, South Africa

Media Opportunities

Opening session, Panel discussion, Plenary discussion
Signing of Joint Statement to promote Social Entrepreneurship in Africa

For more information or media interviews, please contact:

James Neuhaus james.neuhaus@undp.org

Conference website: https://www.unga2022events.com/

Follow the Conference on @UNDPSouthAfrica

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