ABOUT
The Redefining Sustainability in the International Agenda seminar, co-organized with the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD) took place on the 20 January 2010 at the Palais des Nations, home of the United Nations Office in Geneva. The seminar was organised to celebrate the United Nation’s ‘International Year of Biodiversity’ and provided a collaborative platform for the fashion and luxury industries to discuss their roles in supporting biodiversity conservation through their internal operations and global supply chains.
As frequent users and beneficiaries of biodiversity, the fashion and luxury industries have the opportunity and responsibility to become increasingly involved in biodiversity management and conservation. Biodiversity creates the opportunity for businesses to innovate and develop by presenting a source of raw materials, technology and business opportunities.
Unfortunately, the relationship is not always mutually beneficial. The sourcing and extraction of raw materials can cause population decline and damage to the wider ecosystem. Meanwhile, the transformation processes of textiles and other product manufacturing procedures use large amounts of water and energy and can contribute to air, water and soil pollution.
This seminar was organised in conjunction with EcoChic Geneva and the EcoChic Geneva Sustainable Design Exhibition.
Download the executive summary here.
SPEAKERS
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity Petko
Alex McIntosh, Business Support Manager, London College of Fashion
Allan Schwarz, Founder and Executive Director, a.d. schwarz
Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Thailand
Alphadi, President & Founder, Festival International de la Mode Africaine
Arturo Hernandez Basave, Deputy Permanent Representative, Mexico
Assheton Stewart Carter, VP Corporate Community Engagement, Pact
Burak Cakmak, Director CSR, Gucci Group
Chris Buss, Project Officer Forest Conservation, IUCN
Claire Hamer, Founder, ei8ht
Claus Conzelmann, VP Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability, Nestlé
Draganov, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Eduardo Escobedo, Economic Affairs Officer, UNCTAD
Eva Zabey, Assistant Programme Manager Ecosystems, WBCSD
Giulia Di Tommaso, Director External Affairs Africa Middle East and Turkey, Unilever
Hans Steisslinger, Head R&D Natural Cosmetics, Weleda Group AG
Isabel Berz, Director Fashion School, Istituto Europea di Design Madrid
Isabelle Quehe, Director, Universal Love / Paris Ethical Fashion Show
Jean-François Fournon, Global Creative Director, Saatchi & Saatchi Simko
Jean-Luc Ansel, Director General, Cosmetic Valley
Julie Tyrell, Secretary General, NaTrue
Kate Dillon, Model and M.P.A. International Development
Lucas Assunçao, Head of Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, UNCTAD
Maria Eugenia Giron, Founder and Partner, Megamcapital & Megadvice
Michel Mane, President, Mane USA Tim Wilson, Founder, Historic Futures
Mo Tomaney, Research Fellow Ethical Fashion, University for the Creative Arts & Central St. Martins College of Art & Design
Olivier Schneuwly, President and Director, NiceFuture & Green Lab Sarl
Paolo Naldini, Chief Executive Officer, Fondazzione Citadellarte Anggy Haif, Designer
Peter Ingwersen, Founder, Noir
Rene-Georges Gaultier, President, Gaultier Collette
Ricardo Duarte, Vice-Minister of Business Development, Colombia
Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Executive Director, Union for Ethical Biotrade
Sarah Ratty, Founder and CEO, Ciel Tamsin LeJeune, Founder, Ethical Fashion Forum
Summer Rayne Oakes, Model and Sustainability Strategist, SRO
Willem Wijnstekers, Secretary-General, CITES
Yves Darricau, Deputy Director ITPO France, UNIDO
MODERATORS
Allana McAspurn, General Manager, Made-By UK
Christina Dean, CEO, Redress
Edna dos Santos, Chief Creative Economies and Industries Programme, UNCTAD
Eduardo Escobedo, Economic Affairs Officer, UNCTAD
Lucas Assunçao, Head of Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, UNCTAD
Mina Mashayekhi, Officer-in-charge DITC, UNCTAD
Ornella Bignami, President and Founder, Elementi Moda
Sean Ansett, Managing Partner, At Stake Advisors
Timothy Han, Founder, Timothy Han London
