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Canada Pavilion at COP31 – program

Explore the events and activities at the Canada Pavilion during COP31. Partners and stakeholders will come together to share perspectives, showcase Canadian solutions, and advance climate action.

Discussions will highlight the linked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It will also highlight the importance of ambition and collaboration in addressing these challenges.

Learn more about the Canada Pavilion and Canada at COP31.

COP31 Program

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Results

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

    Canada's Leading Role in Grid Modernization and Electrification

    The Pembina Institute will lead an interactive dialogue with NGOs, utilities and experts to explore national electrification pathways and how passive electricity networks can shift to become active, dynamic grids. Grid modernization requires a fundamental change in how utilities plan, operate, and serve customers. Placing customers at the centre of the distributed energy system and electrification plans is critical to achieving affordability, reliability, and decarbonization targets.Canadian Alectra Utilities will share how its Grid Modernization program is enabling the transition toward an active Distribution System Operator (DSO), and their model that enables customer participation and creates opportunities to improve grid flexibility. Speakers from research and advocacy organizations in Australia and Germany will provide policy and regulatory experiences as we explore Canada’s role in global collaboration.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Jessica McIlroy
    Director, Government Relations
    Pembina Institute

    Speaker

    Hisham Omara
    Vice-President, Grid Modernization
    Alectra Utilities

    Speaker

    Ahmad Attia
    Chief Executive Officer
    Gestalt Communications

    Speaker

    Anna Freeman
    Global Coordinator
    Electrify Now

    Speaker

    Dennis Tänzler
    Executive Director
    adelphi

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

    Just energy transitions in practice: people-centred pathways from coal power to clean energy

    The transition away from coal and fossil fuels must create opportunities for workers and communities, ensuring no one is left behind. Drawing on concrete experiences from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, this event will showcase Canada-supported initiatives that put people at the heart of the energy transition. Participants will explore practical solutions and policies that can help governments, funders, and communities work together to deliver a fair and inclusive transition to clean energy.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Philip Gass
    Director, Energy Program
    International Institute for Sustainable Development

    Speaker

    Swasti Raizada
    Senior Policy Advisor
    International Institute for Sustainable Development

    Speaker

    Keegan Leahy
    Director
    Iron & Earth

    Speaker

    Bhim Adhikari
    Senior Program Specialist
    International Development Research Centre

    Speaker

    Duduzile Sibiya
    Provincial Climate Change and Just Transition Coordinator
    Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, South Africa

    Speaker

    Stefan Mager
    Head of Infrastructure - Energy, Water, Mobility
    GIZ

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

    Indigenous Climate Leadership: Energy Sovereignty and Community Resilience in the North and Beyond

    Indigenous Nations in Canada are leaders in climate action, advancing renewable energy as a tool for energy sovereignty while building community resilience. As Canada focuses on sovereignty and energy security, there is much to learn from Indigenous leadership and expertise. This event will bring together experts from Indigenous Nations with experience developing clean energy projects and community resilience; Indigenous organizations that support the energy transition; northern energy researchers that understand the technical challenges and considerations; and civil society advocates to explore how renewables can strengthen sovereignty, reduce emissions, and support more resilient communities. The discussion will explore northern energy projects, reducing diesel reliance, community-led ownership, Indigenous consent, support for Indigenous renewable energy, and accelerating the energy transition in Canada.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Aly Hyder Ali
    Senior Program Manager
    Environmental Defence Canada

    Speaker

    Jennifer Pylypiw
    Senior Policy Advisor on Climate Change
    Métis National Council

    Speaker

    Adamie Delisle Alaku
    Executive Vice-President
    Makivvik

    Speaker

    Andrew David MacMillan
    Senior Research Professional
    Yukon University

    Speaker

    Skw’akw’as Dunstan-Moore
    International Climate Justice Lead
    Indigenous Climate Action

    Indigenous Climate Leadership

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

    From Pledge to Power: What Must Happen by 2030 to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050

    The international commitment to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 has established a clear level of ambition. The next challenge is implementation. Achieving this goal will require countries to move from long-term targets to credible national project pipelines. Governments, utilities, regulators, suppliers, financial institutions, and investors will need to make coordinated decisions during this decade on technology selection, project sequencing, financing, licensing, workforce development, fuel supply, and manufacturing capacity. This session will examine what must happen by 2030 to keep the 2050 goal within reach. Rather than debating whether nuclear energy should grow, the discussion will focus on how governments and industry can convert national commitments into sequenced, financeable, and buildable projects. Canada’s experience with reactor refurbishment, uranium production, small modular reactor development, and planning for future large-scale generation will provide one case study.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    George Christidis
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Canadian Nuclear Association

    Speaker

    Natalie Cutler
    Vice-President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
    Canadian Nuclear Association

    Speaker

    Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
    Director General
    World Nuclear Association

    Speaker

    Joe St. Julian
    President, Nuclear
    AtkinsRéalis

    Speaker

    Wei Huang
    Director, Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management, Department of Nuclear Energy
    International Atomic Energy Agency

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

    Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Lessons from the AFN 4th National Climate Gathering

    The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 4th National Climate Gathering, titled Strengthening First Nations Climate Leadership: Braiding Relationships, Knowledge Systems, and Inherent Responsibilities, brought over 500 First Nations and allies to Hamilton, Ontario, on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee Nations and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. This session will begin with a brief overview of the Gathering and then shift to a panel discussion to discuss key lessons and implications for international climate action.

    Event participants

    Speaker

    Andrea Paul
    Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Gwendolyn Point
    Knowledge Keeper
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Nikita Kahpeaysewat
    Policy Analyst
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Graeme Reed
    Special Advisor
    Assembly of First Nations

    Indigenous Climate Leadership

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

    Closing the Gap: Inside Canada’s Methane Innovation Ecosystem

    Methane innovation often stalls—not for lack of good technology, but for lack of a place to test, validate, and commercialize it. Canada built this place, reaching its 45% oil and gas methane reduction target three years early through an ecosystem of aligned policy, public funding, testing infrastructure, and entrepreneurs. This panel unpacks the Canadian structure behind that result through four pillars: the Methane Innovation Collaborative, uniting industry, academia, and government to take technologies from lab to field to market; Emissions Reduction Alberta, investing to de-risk and scale solutions; the Clean Resource Innovation Network, linking innovators, industry, and investors nationwide; and Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada, advancing collaborative research and development to deployment. As Canada targets a 75% cut by 2035, the session offers a blueprint other countries can replicate, and exportable solutions for the world.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    John Adams
    Chief Executive Officer
    NGIF Accelerator

    Speaker

    Ian Gates
    Professor
    University of Calgary

    Speaker

    Scott Volk
    Director of Emissions and Innovation
    Tourmaline Oil Corp.

    Speaker

    The Honourable Grant Hunter
    Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
    Government of Alberta

    Speaker

    Justin Riemer
    Chief Executive Officer
    Emissions Reduction Alberta

    Speaker

    Lauren Savoie
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada

    Methane Solutions

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

    Enabling Industrial Competitiveness Through Clean Technologies

    How can Canada accelerate clean technology deployment while strengthening industrial competitiveness? This panel brings together perspectives from Alberta, the federal government, industry, and the international Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) community to examine the policy, financial, and operational conditions needed to move major clean technology and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects from ambition to investment. Speakers will explore regulatory and carbon-market certainty, investment incentives, project execution, infrastructure integration, and international competition, with a focus on the frameworks and commercial conditions that can unlock final investment decisions for long-life industrial assets.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Justin Riemer
    Chief Executive Officer
    Emissions Reduction Alberta

    Speaker

    Honourable Grant Hunter
    Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
    Government of Alberta

    Speaker

    Olivia Powis
    Chief Executive Officer
    Carbon Capture and Storage Association

    Speaker

    James Fann
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    International CCS Knowledge Centre

    Speaker

    Kel Coulson
    International Policy Director
    Carbon Engineering / Oxy

  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

    Delivering clean energy at scale: AtkinsRéalis Reception

    This reception, hosted by AtkinsRéalis, will bring together Canadian, Turkish and international leaders from energy, industry, government, investment, and the nuclear community for networking during COP31.

    Event participants

    Speaker

    Ian L. Edwards
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    AtkinsRéalis

    Speaker

    Michael Bonser
    Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and International Affairs
    Environment and Climate Change Canada

    Speaker

    Joe St. Julian
    President, nuclear
    AtkinsRéalis

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

    Local Leadership Advancing Global Climate Action

    Local governments are on the front lines of climate action. This discussion will highlight how Canadian municipalities work with international partners to share practical solutions that reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable communities at home and around the world. Attendees will hear from municipal leaders and experts about successful climate initiatives, international partnerships, and real-world examples of how local governments are advancing sustainable development. The session will showcase how knowledge-sharing and collaboration can accelerate climate solutions across borders. The panel will provide participants with practical examples, lessons learned, and opportunities for collaboration that can be applied in their own communities. By highlighting proven approaches and strengthening connections among local leaders, the session will help turn climate commitments into tangible local action.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Gaby Senay
    Senior Director of Programs and Networks
    Federation of Canadian Municipalities

    Speaker

    Berry Vrbanovic
    Mayor, Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG); Council Chair, Green Municipal Fund (GMF)
    City of Kitchener

    Speaker

    Dorah Marema
    Head Municipal Sustainability
    South Africa Local Government Association

    Speaker

    Martha Guerrero
    Mayor
    City of West Sacramento

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

    Beyond Cleanup: Scaling Solutions to Plastic Pollution

    Plastic pollution is a global environmental and climate challenge, yet many solutions already exist. From community-led recovery initiatives and innovative recycling technologies to advanced monitoring systems, organizations around the world are demonstrating what works. The challenge is scaling these solutions through sustainable financing, corporate accountability, and effective public policy. This panel brings together voices from plastic recovery organizations, technology innovators, corporate leaders, and policymakers to explore how we can move beyond isolated cleanup efforts toward a transparent, accountable, and financially sustainable circular plastics economy. Through real-world examples, speakers will demonstrate how data, traceability, and independent verification can build trust in environmental outcomes; how mechanisms such as plastic credits and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can mobilize financing for recovery; and how policy can create the conditions for these solutions to scale.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Parisa Golchoubian
    Founder and Chief Executive Officer
    Retide Labs Inc.

    Speaker

    Jason Graham-Nye
    Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer
    The Greater Good

    Speaker

    Jamie Kaminiski
    Managing Director
    Zero Waste International Alliance

    Speaker

    Stefanie Beitien
    Managing Director and Board Member
    PCX Solutions

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    11:00 - 11:15

    Remembrance Day Observance

    Join us for a moment of reflection to honour those who have served and sacrificed during times of war, conflict, and peace in defence of Canada and its values.

    Event participants

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

    Built to Last: Five Years of Indigenous-Led and Producer-Driven Innovation on Canada’s Agricultural Lands

    Two agricultural climate solutions living labs, the Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab and the Regenerative Alberta Living Lab, share five years of co-developed innovation on Canada’s working agricultural lands. The Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab, led by Mistawasis Nêhiyawak in partnership with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, describes an Indigenous-led model grounded in sovereign decision-making that reshaped a federal program to reflect First Nations governance values. The Regenerative Alberta Living Lab shows how participatory soil mapping bridges the gap between research protocols and the day-to-day reality of managing an agricultural operation. This approach enabled a flexible, adaptive research protocol that answers questions posed by the producers themselves, generating information on climate mitigation and adaptation in agricultural settings. Together, the panelists will discuss how trusted tools and genuine co-development work across very different systems and what this means for conservation programs and land tenure arrangements that reward long-term stewardship.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Melissa Pockar
    Project Manager
    Food Water Wellness Foundation

    Speaker

    Kimberly Cornish
    Executive Director
    Food Water Wellness Foundation

    Speaker

    Carol Lafond
    Councillor
    Muskeg Lake Cree Nation

    Speaker

    Jennifer Bogdan
    Agronomist
    Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    12:45 PM - 1:30 PM

    Inuit Voices, Inuit Decisions: Climate Leadership Across Inuit Nunangat

    This session brings together Inuit leaders from across Inuit Nunangat to discuss how Inuit are exercising climate leadership while advancing self-determination within Canada’s federal system. The conversation will explore opportunities to influence national and international climate policy, the challenges of aligning federal processes with Inuit priorities, and the growing role of Inuit governance in shaping climate solutions grounded in Inuit knowledge, rights, and lived experience. The discussion will emphasize that climate change is not only an environmental issue for Inuit, but also a matter of culture, food security, language, health, governance, and the future of Inuit homelands. Participants will reflect on how Inuit governments and organizations are navigating relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial governments while maintaining Inuit sovereignty in decision-making and pursuing Inuit-led climate action.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    TBC

    Speaker

    Herb Nakimayak
    Head of delegation and President
    Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

    Speaker

    Adamie Delisle Alaku
    Vice President for Environment
    Wildlife and Research at Makivvik Corp

    Speaker

    Rodd Laing
    Director of Environment
    Nunatsiavut

    Speaker

    Michael Bonser
    Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and International Affairs
    Environment and Climate Change Canada

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

    From Measurement to Impact: Reducing Food Loss and Waste for Climate and Food Security

    Reducing food loss and waste offers a powerful opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen food security. Reliable measurement provides the foundation for turning ambition into impact. Convened by Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, this panel brings together experts from government, non-governmental organizations, and industry to explore how standardized measurement and reporting can inform policy, guide investment, and drive measurable food loss and waste reductions. Drawing on Canadian and international examples, including Canada’s new standard framework and the ISO 20001 standard, panelists will share practical lessons, scalable solutions, and opportunities for collaboration. Join the discussion on how better data and partnerships can accelerate climate action and keep good food where it belongs: on plates and out of landfills.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Sophie Beecher
    Director General
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Speaker

    Adam Kehler
    Vice-President, Sustainability
    Farm Credit Canada

    Speaker

    Lori Nikkel
    Chief Executive Officer
    Second Harvest

    Speaker

    David Rogers
    Chief Partnership and Growth Officer
    Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

    Speaker

    Angela Ruttledge
    Head of Policy
    FoodCloud

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    2:45 PM - 3:30 PM

    Food Security in a Changing Climate: Partnerships for Resilient Food Systems

    This event will examine how partnerships can accelerate climate-resilient food systems in line with COP31 objectives on ambition, implementation, and partnership. Moderated as a panel discussion, it will bring together the Government of Canada, The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and the Société de coopération pour le développement international – the Society for International Development Cooperation (Socodevi) to show how climate finance, multilateral programmes, community-led action, and cooperative models help smallholder farmers adapt to climate shocks, strengthen food security, protect biodiversity, and build sustainable livelihoods. The Government of Canada will highlight climate finance and leadership; IFAD will share evidence from rural adaptation programmes; the Canadian Foodgrains Bank will showcase community-led food security solutions; and Socodevi will show how cooperatives create jobs, raise incomes, and scale climate-smart agriculture. Audience Q&A will explore how partnership models can be replicated, financed, and adapted elsewhere.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Rano Mansurova
    Country Representative
    Acted Canada

    Speaker

    Marcel Lebleu
    Canada Ambassador to Republic of Türkiye
    Global Affairs Canada

    Speaker

    Jahan Zeb-Chowdhury
    Chief of Climate and Environment
    International Fund for Agricultural Development

    Speaker

    Pieternel Boogaard
    Managing Director, Office of Technical Delivery; Acting Managing Director, Office of Development Effectiveness
    International Fund for Agricultural Development

    Speaker

    Julie Sage
    Lead, Strategic Development and Business Partnerships
    Socodevi

    Speaker

    Yihenew Demessie Mihret
    Programs Manager
    Migibare Senay Children and Family Support Organization (MSCFSO)

    Speaker

    Carol Thiessen
    Director, Public Policy
    Canadian Foodgrains Bank

    Speaker

    Liam Chicca
    Country Director and Head of the IFAD Multi-Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
    International Fund for Agricultural Development

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

    From Pilot to Commercial: Emission Reduction Technologies Making a Difference

    This panel brings together technology leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore how to scale emissions-reduction technologies from pilots to commercial deployment and international markets. More than half of ERA-supported projects—completed or underway—are already reducing emissions beyond Alberta or identifying export markets as a key growth driver. Drawing on proven scaling and export experience, panelists will show how Alberta’s catalytic funding and supportive policies accelerate emissions reductions while opening trade and export opportunities worldwide for Canadian climate solutions.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Justin Riemer
    Chief Executive Officer
    Emissions Reduction Alberta

    Speaker

    The Honourable Grant Hunter
    Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
    Government of Alberta

    Speaker

    Stéphane Germain
    President
    GHGSat

    Speaker

    Mathieu Bourchard
    Vice President Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs
    Deep Sky

    Speaker

    Jacqueline Peterson
    Chief External Affairs Strategist
    Kathairos Solutions

    Speaker

    Apoorv Sinha
    Co-Founder and President
    Carbon Upcycling

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    4:45 AM - 5:30 PM

    Accelerating Adaptation Through Boundary Organizations: INBOA’s Global Case Example Series

    Boundary organizations are organizations that specifically and actively facilitate the process of enabling exchanges between the production and use of scientific knowledge to support evidence-informed decision-making in a specific context. In climate change adaptation, their role and effectiveness have been widely documented. This event will launch the International Network of Boundary Organizations on Adaptation (INBOA) Global Case Example Series. Six boundary organizations from five continents will present concrete examples of adaptation boundary work, from community early warning in Benin to climate-informed flood mapping in Quebec. An interactive discussion will explore enabling conditions for climate information to translate into effective decision-making and adaptation action and identify opportunities to scale these approaches in support of National Adaptation Plans and the Global Goal on Adaptation.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Marco Billi
    Associate professor and researcher
    University of Chile

    Speaker

    Alain Bourque
    Executive director
    Ouranos

    Speaker

    Debora Ley
    Co-Convenor of Adaptation Futures 2027
    Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Guatemala

    Speaker

    Åsa Gerger Swartling
    Head of Division - Societies, Climate and Policy Support
    Stockholm Environment Institute

    Speaker

    Saqib Huq
    Managing director
    International Centre for Climate Change and Development

    Speaker

    Parfait Blalogoe
    Executive Director
    Center for Research and Expertise in Local Development

  • Wednesday, November 11, 2026

    5:45 PM - 6:30 PM

    Youth Leading the Way to Canada’s Clean Electricity Future

    Canada’s clean electricity buildout is central to its climate commitments, energy security, and long-term economic prosperity. Delivering this transition will require not only investment in infrastructure and technology, but also a skilled, inclusive workforce capable of building and operating the energy systems of the future. Yet young people continue to face barriers to entering the clean energy sector, including limited awareness of career pathways, the cost of training, and insufficient access to practical experience and employment opportunities. These barriers can be particularly pronounced for Indigenous youth and other underrepresented groups, whose perspectives and leadership are essential to an equitable energy transition. This event will explore how Canada engages young people in its clean electricity future, from expanding access to meaningful careers to ensuring that youth and community perspectives help shape the transition. Through a moderated panel discussion, youth leaders and representatives from across the energy sector will share perspectives on inclusive workforce development; practical pathways, from education to employment; and partnerships that translate clean energy ambitions into tangible opportunities. The conversation will also highlight the importance of Indigenous leadership and meaningful participation in shaping Canada’s energy future. By connecting policy ambitions with youth leadership, the event will contribute to a more inclusive clean electricity transition in Canada and share lessons relevant to other jurisdictions.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Abdullah Khair
    Director of Global Partnerships
    Student Energy

    Speaker

    Kareem Youssef
    Electrical Engineer and Founder of Student Energy Chapter at the University of Calgary
    Canadian Natural Resources Limited

    Speaker

    Ella Tomlinson
    Software Engineer
    Energy Toolbase and Calgary Indigenous STEAM Students' Association

    Speaker

    Serena Mendizabal
    Managing Director
    Sacred Earth

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

    Energy Efficiency, Retrofits, and Performance: Pillars of Housing Affordability and Decarbonization

    The COP31 Presidency’s 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge aims to increase electricity’s share of global energy use. Expanding clean power alone will not be enough. Energy efficiency, deep retrofits, and better building performance can reduce demand, lower operating costs, and support climate goals. Building on Canada’s National Electricity Strategy and the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing, this panel will explore how high-performance buildings provide a pathway to electrification. Drawing on experience in development, design, and affordable housing, panelists will share practical lessons from new construction and large-scale retrofits. They will discuss how governments, investors, designers, and housing providers can overcome barriers and scale solutions that improve affordability and quality of life.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Thomas Mueller
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Canada Green Building Council

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Kathy Wardle
    Regional Director of Regenerative Design and Principal
    Perkins&Will

    Speaker

    Natalie Voland
    President and Chief Vision Officer
    GI Quo Vadis

    Speaker

    Jonathan Lay
    Vice-President, Projects
    HomeED, the City of Edmonton Non-Profit Housing Corporation

    Speaker

    Cristina Gamboa
    Chief Executive Officer
    World Green Building Council

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026

    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Indigenous Climate in Action: A Dialogue

    Indigenous peoples are advancing climate solutions, stewardship practices, and approaches to sustainable development that contribute to climate resilience and strengthen communities in Canada and around the world. This high-level dialogue brings together leaders from Canada's National Indigenous Organizations, representatives of the Government of Canada, and international delegates to discuss Indigenous priorities, leadership, and partnership in climate action and major project development. The discussion will highlight Indigenous-led climate initiatives and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration, advance shared climate objectives, and support meaningful Indigenous participation and leadership in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future. The session will end with a short reception to give Indigenous leaders and rightsholders, federal representatives, international partners, and other key stakeholders the opportunity to mingle and connect over light refreshments.

    Event participants

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Andrea Paul
    Regional Chief, Nova Scotia
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Victoria Pruden
    President
    Métis National Council

    Speaker

    Herb Nakimayak
    President
    Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

    Indigenous Climate Leadership Series

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026

    11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    From Alert to Action: Scaling the Global Response to Satellite-Detected Methane Emissions

    Satellite systems are already identifying major methane emissions events with unprecedented speed and transparency. Yet detection alone does not reduce emissions, and we need to collectively build the institutions, partnerships, financing, and operational capacity to respond at scale. Through the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) has established a global infrastructure to connect satellite observations with governments, operators, and partners who can act. In response to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Methane, and as a co-convener to the Global Methane Pledge, IMEO and partners are scaling up efforts to ensure that satellite detections lead to rapid investigation, effective mitigation, and measurable emissions reductions.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Martin Krause
    Director
    Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Giulia Ferrini
    Head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
    International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)

    Speaker

    Yousif Muayad Yousif
    Director of the Climate Change Directorate
    Ministry of Environment, Iraq

    Speaker

    Abdussalam Ali
    General Manager of Health, Safety, Environment, Security and Renewable Energy
    NOC Libya

    Speaker

    Ovezgeldi Goshjanov
    Minister
    Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan

    Speaker

    Marcelo Mena
    Chief Executive Officer
    Global Methane Hub

    Speaker

    Li Gao
    Deputy Minister
    Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition, China

    Speaker

    Adalberto Maluf
    National Secretary of Urban Environment, Water Resources and Environmental Quality
    Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil

    Speaker

    Fred Krupp
    President
    Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

    Speaker

    Carlos Gonzalez Seeman
    Director of International Affairs
    National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC) of México

    Speaker

    Antha Williams
    Environment Programme Lead
    Bloomberg Philanthropies

    Speaker

    Celine Gauer
    Director General
    Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission

    Methane Solutions

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026

    12:45 PM - 1:30 PM

    Not Just Observers: Métis-Led Climate Action Beyond the Negotiation Rooms

    While Indigenous peoples do not have a formal seat at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiation tables, they are often leading some of the most innovative and effective climate action on the ground. Across the Métis Homeland, climate solutions are being advanced through stewardship, community-based monitoring, adaptation, environmental governance, and international advocacy. This panel explores what it means to create change without always having a formal seat at the table. Through stories from the Métis Nation, panelists will examine how communities are responding to climate impacts, advancing practical climate solutions, and shaping conversations far beyond the negotiating rooms. Join us for a discussion on Indigenous rights, climate leadership, and the many ways people are driving action, influencing decisions, and creating results both inside and outside international climate processes.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Jennifer Pylypiw
    Senior Policy Advisor for Climate Change
    Métis National Council

    Speaker

    Victoria Pruden
    President
    Métis National Council

    Speaker

    Kate Gillis
    Senior Policy Advisor International Relations
    Métis National Council

    Speaker

    Laura Desaulniers
    Environmental Advisor
    Métis Nation of Ontario

    Speaker

    Secretary Gabrielle Blatz
    Provincial Secretary of Women, Gender Equity and Inclusivity and Women’s Representative
    Otipemisiwak Métis Government within Alberta

    Indigenous Climate Leadership Series

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026

    1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

    From Ambition to Implementation: Subnational Leadership for 35-by-35

    Accelerating clean electrification across industry, transport, buildings, and power systems is essential to achieving global climate goals, strengthening energy security, and supporting sustainable economic growth. As the world works toward increasing electricity’s share of final energy demand to 35% by 2035, states, provinces, and regions have a critical role to play in translating global ambition into practical action. Co-hosted by the Government of Québec and the Climate Group’s Under2 Coalition, this high-level event will bring together subnational leaders from developed and developing economies to explore how governments can use their respective powers, policies, and partnerships to accelerate clean electrification. The session will showcase diverse approaches to advancing electrification across regions with different jurisdictional powers, economic priorities, and implementation conditions. From direct regulation and infrastructure investment to regional planning, project development, and cross-sector partnerships, speakers will explore how governments can prioritise and sequence action across sectors, overcome implementation barriers, and identify solutions that can be replicated or adapted to different contexts.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Helen Clarkson
    Chief Executive Officer
    Climate Group

    Speaker

    Jean Pellerin
    Minister of the Environment, Fight against Climate Change, Biodiversity Protection, Wildlife and Parks
    Government of Quebec

    Speaker

    Llyr Gruffydd
    Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
    Government of Wales, UK

    Speaker

    Doreen Harris
    President and Chief Executive Officer of of New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority
    Government of New York State, USA

    Speaker

    Abdellatif Maâzouz
    President
    Regional Council of Casablanca-Settat, Morocco

    Speaker

    Marisa Barros
    Deputy Secretary of Energy and Mining
    State of São Paolo, Brazil

  • Thursday, November 12, 2026

    2:45 PM - 3:30 PM

    Public-Private Partnerships that Deliver: Lessons from the Field on Methane Reduction

    This conversation brings together a government working to strengthen public-private collaboration, a Canadian technology company whose satellite-based emissions monitoring supports customers globally, and an institution galvanizing operators to find and reduce emissions. Together, panelists will share lessons learned on what it takes to detect, measure, and reduce methane emissions at scale. Topics include how clear policy signals help industry plan, how technology and data build trust between governments and operators, and the obstacles that remain. The panel will close with a look at what comes next and how these lessons can be applied by other governments and companies working toward the same goal.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Nina Lothian
    Director of Impact

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Stéphane Germain
    Chief Executive Officer
    GHGSat

    Speaker

    Jacqueline Peterson
    Chief External Affairs Strategist
    Kathairos Solutions

    Speaker

    Scott Volk
    Director of Emissions and Innovation
    Tourmaline Oil Corp.

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    All the Cards Are in Your Hands: Climate Fresk

    Climate Fresk is an international non-profit that has engaged over two million people worldwide in understanding the mechanisms of climate change through a collaborative, science-based workshop based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. In Canada, the community includes over 1,500 Fresk facilitators (Freskers) and has reached more than 32,000 participants. While the full Climate Fresk workshop lasts three hours, this short quiz and demonstration offers a 15-minute introduction/teaser to the approach. The standee’s eye-catching format and bright colours are designed to attract passers-by, spark their curiosity, and engage them in conversations about climate change.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Rhona Bhuyan
    All the Cards Are in Your Hands: Climate Fresk
    Climate Fresk

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

    De-Risking Investment in Agriculture: Innovative Finance for Climate-Resilient Food Systems

    Transforming agri-food systems in response to climate change requires investment at a scale that public finance alone cannot deliver. Yet perceived risk and delayed, uncertain returns continue to limit access to private investment, particularly for smallholders, women-led enterprises, and Indigenous communities. This panel will bring together leaders from government, finance, industry, and civil society to explore how innovative finance can mobilize capital for nature-positive, regenerative, and climate-resilient food systems. Panelists will examine promising approaches, including blended finance, green bonds, market-based approaches, and risk-sharing mechanisms, as well as the policy, regulatory, and institutional conditions needed to scale them. The discussion will highlight lessons learned, emerging best practices, and opportunities for collaboration to unlock durable investment in sustainable agriculture.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Sophie Beecher
    Director General
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Speaker

    Adam Kehler
    Vice-President, Sustainability
    Farm Credit Canada

    Speaker

    Barb Swartzentruber
    Senior Advisor
    Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-Food (CANZA)

    Speaker

    Liam Cana
    Team Leader, International Nature Finance Hub
    Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom

    Speaker

    Luke Disney
    Global Head of Climate
    Rabobank

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

    Indigenous Leadership Across Waters: Transforming Climate Adaptation Finance and Decision-Making

    Indigenous peoples already lead climate adaptation through deep relationships with lands, waters, culture, and community. Yet they receive less than 1% of global adaptation finance directly and are too often treated as stakeholders rather than rightsholders, knowledge-holders, and decision-makers. This interactive dialogue will bring together Indigenous leaders and partners from Canada, the Pacific, and Aotearoa New Zealand to explore how adaptation finance and decisions can shift from consultation to Indigenous leadership. Panellists will explore practical pathways for building adaptation approaches that are more effective, culturally grounded, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Indigenous peoples in Canada and globally. The session will also introduce the International Indigenous Adaptation Network (IIAN), a newly established Indigenous-led global network created to strengthen collaboration, improve access to finance, and promote equitable partnerships between Indigenous peoples, governments, funders, and other adaptation actors.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Kaeden Watts
    Strategic Engagement Lead
    International Indigenous Adaptation Network

    Speaker

    Graeme Reed
    Special Advisor
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Nikita Kahpeaysewat
    Policy Analyst
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Anahera Nin
    Co-Founder
    Four Directions Fund

    Indigenous Climate Leadership

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

    From Risk to Return: Investing in AI-Enabled Climate Solutions

    As extreme weather intensifies, physical and financial assets face a triple squeeze on insurability, bankability, and operational continuity. Insured natural catastrophe losses reached US$107 billion globally in 2025, with roughly half of all losses uninsured, and Canada recorded CAD$8.5 billion in insured losses in 2024, its worst year on record. Investment in adaptation and resilience is therefore shifting from discretionary sustainability spending to a condition of doing business. AI sits at the heart of the response, turning fragmented climate data into decision-grade intelligence so that resilience can be priced, insured, and financed at scale. Yet institutional capital reaching the companies that build these solutions remains limited and closing that gap is essential if climate action is to keep pace with the risks already upon us. Hosted by the Government of Canada and the Investor Leadership Network (ILN), this focused session brings together institutional investors, researchers, Canadian innovators, and public finance institutions across three conversations. The first looks at how leading investors are deploying AI, drawing on recent research into why climate risk data providers reach different conclusions about the same asset, and on what makes infrastructure resilient, insurable, and bankable. The second showcases Canadian companies in insurance, the built environment, climate intelligence, water, and the energy transition that are turning demand for AI-enabled climate solutions into revenue growth and market leadership. The third turns to capital, exploring how institutional investors, family offices, philanthropies, public institutions, and companies can bridge the “valley of death” facing growth-stage firms through catalytic capital, dedicated investment vehicles, and new public-private partnerships. The session closes with a call to action and aims to produce concrete ideas and recommendations for unlocking institutional capital for Canadian adaptation, resilience, and AI-for-climate champions while helping to harden vital infrastructure.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Amy Hepburn
    Chief Executive Officer
    Investor Leadership Network

    Speaker

    Anna Murray
    Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainable Investing
    Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

    Speaker

    Michael Kelly
    Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer
    Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS)

    Speaker

    Richard Manley
    Chief Sustainability Officer
    Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)

    Speaker

    Alanna Boyd
    Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer
    Sun Life Financial

    Speaker

    Annalisa Kristoffersen
    Chief of Staff
    Investor Leadership Network

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    12:00 AM - 12:45 PM

    Financing Just Coal-to-Clean Transitions

    Coal transition is accelerating around the world, but without adequate finance and support for the workers, communities, and regions most affected, we risk leaving them behind. As the Belém Action Mechanism is operationalised, COP31 is a moment to address a central implementation challenge: how countries can finance a just transition; and how international partners can help close the gaps with public, concessional, and private finance at each stage. Several countries are now years into their coal transitions, with real experience of planning for workforce change, supporting communities, and structuring international support around national priorities. Ahead of COP31, the Powering Past Coal Alliance and the Coal Transition Commission, with Carbon Trust, published a Financing Coal-to-Clean Just Transition brief, drawing on Spain, South Africa, Canada, and the Philippines to identify lessons, financing barriers, and best practices. This event will draw on Powering Past Coal Alliance members’ experiences to show the choices they made, the partnerships they built, and how they sequenced support for workers, communities, and clean energy replacement so others have somewhere practical to start. These lessons matter most for countries earlier in the journey, where young coal plants, long-term contracts, and community dependence on coal make it hard to turn interest into a funded plan. This is the gap the Powering Past Coal Alliance’s new Coal Transition Partnerships, which will be launched at COP31, are designed to fill: Country-led, fully funded early-stage support, including technical assistance and investment preparation and connecting governments with multilateral development banks, technical partners, and funders to turn just transition plans into investable projects.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Lorane Collignon
    Senior Diplomacy Officer
    Powering Past Coal Alliance

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Panelist

    Philippines Representative
    Financing Just Coal-to-Clean Transitions
    Philippines Government

    Speaker

    Julia Skorupska
    Head of Powering Past Coal Alliance Secretariat
    Powering Past Coal Alliance

    Keynote Speaker

    Tariye Isoun Gbadegesin
    Chief Executive Officer
    Climate Investment Funds

    Panelist

    Farah Heliantina
    Deputy for the Acceleration of Energy Transition
    Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Republic of Indonesia

    Panelist

    Alice Carr
    Managing Director, Public Policy and Energy Transition
    Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)

    Panelist

    Julián Martínez Bejarano
    Technical Advisor
    Institute for Just Transition, Spain

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

    Financing the Future of Early Warnings: Mobilizing Innovation and Investment for Climate Resilience in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

    Early warning systems are among the most cost-effective investments in climate resilience, yet they remain underfunded and often fail to trigger timely action in the countries that need them most. When early warnings do not reach at-risk communities or fail to inform decision-making, anticipatory action cannot function effectively: pre-positioned finance goes undeployed, and pre-agreed plans are not triggered. Bridging this gap requires financing models that mobilize private capital, de-risk investment in frontier markets, and harness the technological innovations that the private sector is uniquely positioned to deliver, including AI-enhanced forecasting, mobile alert platforms, satellite data, and last-mile communications infrastructure. However, finance and technology alone are not sufficient. Effective innovation must be grounded in people-centred and gender-responsive approaches that ensure early warning systems are accessible, trusted, and actionable for those most at risk. This event will convene stakeholders from across the full early warning chain, including telecommunications partners, climate finance institutions, anticipatory action practitioners, private sector actors, women leaders, and government representatives from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, to examine what a step-change in financing for early warning systems could look like and showcase practical examples of what is already working.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Francis Pigeon
    Executive Director
    Environment and Climate Change Canada

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    The Honourable Éléonore Caroit
    Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad
    Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France

    Speaker

    The Honourable Patricia Wiskes
    Minister of Natural Resources
    Government of Malawi

    Speaker

    Birgit Pickel
    Director-General, Sustainable Development and Climate
    Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany

    Speaker

    Celeste Saulo
    Secretary-General
    World Meteorological Organization

    Speaker

    Jagan Chapagain
    Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General
    International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

    Speaker

    Adam Elman
    Director of Sustainability
    Google Europe, Middle East and Africa

    Speaker

    Lucy Mtilatila
    Director
    Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services

    Speaker

    Emily Reinstein
    Manager for Strategic Partner Development
    Google

    Speaker

    Ninni Ikkala Nyman
    Lead, Climate and Environment
    International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

    Speaker

    Amer Baig
    Chief Investment Officer
    Green Climate Fund

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

    Financing the Clean Energy Transition: Unlocking Capital for Emerging and Developing Economies

    Drawing on the work carried out by the International Energy Agency (IEA) with support from Canada under its flagship Clean Energy Transitions Programme and global best practices, this event will gather representatives from government, the financial sector, and representatives of local and underserved communities to explore strategies and approaches to unlocking capital for clean energy transitions in emerging markets and developing economies. The discussion will focus on how public and private actors can work together to address investment barriers, reduce financing costs, strengthen project pipelines, ensure inclusive decision-making processes, and support implementation of country energy transition priorities.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Sophie Westlake / Dan Dorner
    Senior Energy Policy Analyst / Sherpa and Head of the Strategic Initiatives Office
    International Energy Agency

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Lori Kerr
    Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
    FinDev Canada

    Speaker

    Angela Asuncion
    Regional Coordinator - Asia Pacific
    Resource Justice Network

    Speaker

    Felix William B. Fuentebella
    Undersecretary of Energy of the Philippines
    Department of Energy

    Speaker

    Dr. Fatih Birol
    Executive Director
    International Energy Agency

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

    Climate Mobilization – Canada’s Climate Finance Ambition in Action

    Earlier this year, Canada announced its renewed commitment to international climate finance, which included a CAD$13 billion goal for Canada to deliver in climate-related support to emerging markets and developing economies over the next five years. FinDev Canada, Canada’s bilateral Development Finance Institution, is a lead delivery partner in Canada’s international climate finance ambition. FinDev Canada is rolling out its Climate Mobilization Strategy which is designed to match the scale of the climate challenge and drive meaningful greenhouse gas emissions. This requires moving with and mobilizing the private sector, including investors. This dialogue will bring together key Canadian and international institutional investors, industry leaders, and FinDev Canada to discuss greater collaboration in climate investments in emerging markets. Discussions will focus on understanding the barriers faced by commercial investors and the need for structures that can address those barriers and expand the pool of capital available for climate projects. Canada’s success in climate action is measured by tangible outcomes: markets responding to climate signals, significant reductions in emissions, and climate-aligned projects that are securing financing and advancing faster. The effective and efficient deployment of catalytic climate finance can facilitate greater flow of private capital. Join us in a dynamic conversation on how public and private investors can prioritize speed, scale, and collaboration to meet Canada’s ambition.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Ben Weisman
    Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Mobilization
    Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Lori Kerr
    Chief Executive Officer
    FinDev Canada

  • Friday, November 13, 2026

    4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

    The New Metrics of Climate Progress

    This expert panel will examine how the ways we measure climate progress are evolving in Canada and internationally. We will explore why incorporating leading indicators and economic outcomes into the analysis of a country’s climate progress — alongside emissions inventories — can provide a more complete and timely picture of where policy, technology, and investment are delivering results and where further ambition or effort is required.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Julia Kilpatrick
    Vice-President, External Affairs
    Canadian Climate Institute

    Speaker

    Rick Smith
    President
    Canadian Climate Institute

    Speaker

    Sophie Vipond
    Director of External Affairs
    UK Climate Change Committee

    Speaker

    Roman Kramarchuk
    Head of Energy Transition Narratives and Policy
    S&P Global

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Art4Climate: A Global Child Art Exhibition for Climate Action

    Experience climate action through the eyes of children around the world. Art4Climate transforms the Canada Pavilion into a vibrant global gallery showcasing children’s perspectives on climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, and hope for the future. Featuring artwork from young people across Canada and around the world, the exhibition brings creativity and child voices directly into the heart of COP31. Each piece tells a story — of the places children want to protect, the changes they are witnessing, and the future they imagine. Together, the collection offers a powerful reminder that children are not only affected by decisions made today; they are also artists, advocates, and changemakers with ideas worth hearing. Visitors are invited to explore the exhibition throughout the day and connect with the stories behind the artwork. A digital gallery extends the experience beyond the Pavilion, opening a window onto thousands of additional works created by children worldwide.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Sarah Flynn
    Executive Director
    Centre for Global Education

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

    Climate Awareness for All: Canada’s Child-Led Model for Global Climate Action

    What happens when children are given the tools, skills, and opportunity to lead on climate awareness and climate action? Developed in Canada and now connecting more than 10,000 students annually across 85 countries, the Centre for Global Education’s #Decarbonize initiative moves climate education beyond awareness to meaningful participation. Through inquiry-based learning, skills and capacity building, local action, global collaboration, and direct engagement with decision-makers, young people develop the knowledge and agency to help shape climate solutions in their schools, communities, and on the global stage. Rather than positioning children as the leaders of tomorrow, #Decarbonize recognizes them as partners in climate action today. This session explores a Canadian-developed model for connecting climate awareness, education, skills, action, and policy, demonstrating how locally rooted learning and global collaboration can work together to advance the Paris Agreement, Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), and the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Maclane Cardinal
    Indigenous Educator
    Pembina Trails Collegiate

    Speaker

    Frankie Berback-Rosengreen
    Student
    École George Elliot Secondary

    Speaker

    Taoin Skinner
    Student
    École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School

    Speaker

    Ryan McLean
    Student
    Pimlico State High School, Australia

    Speaker

    Ethan Phillip
    Student
    Queens Royal College, Trinidad and Tobago

    Speaker

    Rafalison Josia Neumann
    Student
    Lycée Jean Joseph Rabearivelo, Madagascar

    Speaker

    Eugenia D'Asero
    Student
    SGS Loma Verde Bilingual School, Argentina

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

    Indigenous Climate Leadership in Canada's International Assistance Programming

    A panel of Indigenous experts will share lessons from their Indigenous-led climate finance projects funded by Global Affairs Canada. The Assembly of First Nations, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, and their partners will share perspectives from Africa, Latin America, the Indo-Pacific, and Canada. Topics will include building Indigenous-to-Indigenous partnerships, ensuring self-determination in project design and governance, and storytelling. Partners are invited to listen, learn, and put these practices into action in their own projects.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    François-Philippe Dubé
    Deputy Director, Innovative Finance Division
    Global Affairs Canada

    Speaker

    Kittisak Rattanakrajangsri
    Expert on Indigenous Rights and International Policies
    Indigenous Peoples’ Foundation for Education and Environment

    Speaker

    Melania Canales Poma
    Expert in Indigenous Women's Rights
    Regional Federation of Indigenous Women from Ayacucho (FEREMIA)

    Speaker

    Andrea Paul
    Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief
    Assembly of First Nations

    Speaker

    Erin Meyers
    Director of Environment, Climate Change, Emergency Management
    Métis National Council

    Indigenous Climate Leadership

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

    Building Momentum Toward the 12th Our Ocean Conference

    The ocean is central to Canada’s identity, economy, and security. Yet as the ocean warms, threats to coastal communities and marine biodiversity are rapidly intensifying, from shifting fish stocks to more intense storms to rising sea levels. Urgent action is needed to mitigate and adapt to these impacts and build community resilience. Voluntary commitments have proven to be an effective policy tool that support the rapid implementation of outcomes agreed in forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Our Ocean Conference has been a key mobilizer of these commitments, generating over 500 commitments to ocean-climate action since 2014, 80% of which are complete or in-progress. In spring 2027, the Government of Canada, led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, will host the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At COP31, Canada will convene international partners for a discussion on shared ocean-climate priorities and emerging areas of interest for the Our Ocean Conference. This panel discussion will bring together representatives from governments and civil society to discuss opportunities for collaboration and partnership that can be advanced through the delivery of new ocean-climate commitments at the Our Ocean Conference, as well as the importance of delivering ocean-climate solutions through the implementation of existing commitments. Additionally, this event will showcase innovative ocean-climate solutions that Canada will seek to advance during its tenure as conference host.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Meaghan Cuddy
    Manager, Our Ocean Conference Secretariat
    World Resources Institute

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Herb Nakimayak
    President
    Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

    Unlocking Canada's Nature Advantage: Global Lessons to Mobilize Private Investment in Nature-Positive Working Landscapes

    Canada's strategy, A Force of Nature, establishes a foundation for a globally competitive nature-positive economy. At COP31, Canada’s Nature Advantage will officially launch its Seven Policy Pillars, a sector-informed roadmap developed by leaders from agriculture, forest management, finance, Indigenous-led enterprise, and conservation to mobilize private investment in nature-based solutions across Canada’s working landscapes. This session will bring together Canadian and international leaders to examine how policy, finance, governance, and partnerships can accelerate implementation of A Force of Nature. Drawing on global experience and emerging best practices, speakers will explore approaches to natural capital accounting, nature finance, Indigenous-led stewardship, and collaboration across federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments. The discussion will consider how Canada can leverage its natural advantages to attract investment; strengthen competitiveness; and deliver climate, biodiversity, and economic outcomes at scale.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Shaughn McArthur
    Director, Canada's Nature Advantage
    Canada's Nature Advantage

    Speaker

    Eoin Callan
    Managing Director
    Bloom Impact Capital

    Speaker

    Ines Verleye
    Head of Delegation for Belgium
    Government of Belgium

    Speaker

    Bertrand Millot
    Head of Sustainability
    La Caisse

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

    Climate Action Under Attack - How to Defend Ourselves Against the Menace of Disinformation

    The panel will explore who is behind the multiple attacks against climate action on social media and how they operate while also exploring how governments can better protect themselves and their constituents against the dangers of disinformation. Relying on what has been done around the globe to adopt frameworks to deal with disinformation, our panel will present new ways for the Canadian and Quebec governments to implement the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Charles-Édouard Têtu
    Policy analyst, Climate and Energy
    Équiterre

    Speaker

    Sonja Solomun
    Deputy DirectoSenior Adviser on Information Integrity
    United Nations

    Speaker

    Leah Temper
    Director, Health and Economic Policy Program
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

    Speaker

    Alex Murray
    Head of Advocacy
    Conscious Advertising Network

    Speaker

    Alexander Walsh
    Lead
    Quebec Climate Communication Community of Practice (COMM Climat)

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

    Just Transition Councils – Firsthand Experiences from Labour

    Countries around the world are taking important steps to engage labour unions in efforts to create a just transition, with workers having a seat at the table. Countries such as Spain and South Africa are leading the way, with trade unions engaged in just transition work with government and employers. Canada's Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council, established in 2024, is a more recent addition. Members of these councils will discuss the formation of these councils and the challenges and successes that workers have faced. The discussion will also explore the future of just transition councils, how worker representatives are seeking to strengthen and improve these councils, and lessons learned for workers around the world.

    Event participants

    Speaker

    Eric Manzi
    Deputy General Secretary
    International Trade Union Confederation

    Speaker

    Bea Bruske
    President
    Canadian Labour Congress

    Speaker

    Boitumelo Molete
    Social Development Policy Coordinator
    Congress of South African Trade Unions

    Speaker

    Manuel Riera Díaz
    Superior Technician in Climate Action and Just Ecological Transition
    Unión General de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

    Communicate Better to Mobilize Better: Putting People Back at the Heart of Our Approach

    In a context of polarization, disinformation, and fragmented audiences, traditional communication approaches are struggling to mobilize the public over the long term, even though public support is essential to climate action. To mobilize people more effectively, we must first understand them better: their concerns, their values, the messengers they trust, and the spaces where they get their information. This panel, moderated by COMM Climat, will explore the limits of current approaches, the benefits of a people-centred approach, and the concrete changes it requires. Attendees will leave with promising practices, actionable ideas for strengthening public support for climate policies, and new opportunities for collaboration between governments and civil society.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Alexander Walsh
    Advisor
    Quebec Climate Communication Community of Practice (COMM Climat)

    Speaker

    Jean Lemire
    Emissary for Climate Change, Northern and Arctic Affairs
    Government of Québec

    Speaker

    Champa Patel
    Executive Director, Governments and Policy
    Climate Group

    Speaker

    Jean Pellerin
    Ministre de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Protection de la biodiversité, de la Faune et des Parcsde la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Protection de la biodiversité, de la Faune et des Parcs (Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Biodiversity Protection, Wildlife and Parks)
    Government of Quebec

    Speaker

    Mattias Frumerie
    Climate Ambassador of Sweden
    Head of Delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Chair of the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge

  • Saturday, November 14, 2026

    4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

    Canada at COP31: A Conversation with Civil Society

    Climate impacts are becoming more frequent and severe, and the gap is widening between current plans and what is needed for a safer future. Both within Canada and at the global level, civil society plays a critical role in driving forward climate action and ambition. Join us for a conversation between a high-level representative of the Canadian government and members of Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac), Canada’s largest network of organizations working on climate and energy issues. In this bilingual discussion, civil society and government will share their priorities for COP31 and perspectives on the negotiations. This will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and questions on how Canada can play a constructive role at COP31 — and on the work that needs to be done at home to set Canada up to succeed amid the global energy transition.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Caroline Brouillette
    Executive Director
    Climate Action Network Canada

    Speaker

    The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
    Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
    Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Michael Bonser
    Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and International Affairs
    Environment and Climate Change Canada

  • Monday, November 16, 2026

    9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

    The Clean Electricity Investment Supercycle: Canada’s Model

    Canada is in an energy investment supercycle. Federal investment tax credits, paired with 20- to 35-year provincial power purchase agreements, give lenders the certainty to finance clean electricity at scale. A domestic supply chain opportunity is emerging alongside it, positioning Canada as a destination of choice for major investments in the energy and industrial sectors. And it all runs on a prosperity model that brings communities and Indigenous partners in as owners. For investors, developers, and governments looking at Canada, this panel unpacks how the model works.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Imran Noorani
    Vice-President of Policy
    Canadian Renewable Energy Association

    Speaker

    Sabrina Harbec
    Head of Corporate Relations
    Nordex

    Speaker

    Roberto Chavez
    Vice-President, Federal and Energy
    Sussex Strategy

  • Monday, November 16, 2026

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

    Counting What Counts: Beyond GDP Metrics for Climate Action, Resilience, and Sustainable Development

    As countries confront climate change, biodiversity loss, rising inequality, and economic uncertainty, there is growing recognition that gross domestic product (GDP) alone cannot capture whether development is truly sustainable or improving people’s well-being. Building on global efforts led through the United Nations High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP and its report, Counting What Counts: A Compass of Progress for People and Planet, this event explores how governments and institutions are putting Beyond GDP metrics into practice to better measure resilience, sustainability, and long-term prosperity. The session will bring together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to discuss how complementary indicators, including measures of well-being, natural capital, and comprehensive wealth, can support climate action, resilience-building, and more informed policy and investment decisions. Participants will hear lessons from country experiences, emerging tools, and practical approaches for integrating Beyond GDP metrics into planning, budgeting, and monitoring systems. The event will also share findings from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Beyond GDP initiative, including evidence from country applications and engagement with policymakers on implementing new measures of progress. By connecting global recommendations with practical experience, the discussion will help advance the adoption of metrics that better reflect what matters for people, planet, and future generations and support more effective action toward sustainable development and climate goals.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Erin Tansey
    Director, Sustainable Inclusive Economies
    International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

    Speaker

    Livia Bizikova
    Lead, Monitoring and Governance
    International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

    Speaker

    Stanley Nkhuwa
    Director, National Planning and Budgeting Department
    Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Zambia

    Speaker

    Amrikha Singh
    Programme Manager, Sustainable Development
    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat

    Speaker

    Dr. Radhouane Ben-Hamadou
    Director, Research and Policy Development
    Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future

    Speaker

    Patricia Fuller
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    International Institute for Sustainable Development

  • Monday, November 16, 2026

    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

    Investing in Nature: From Nature Risk to Climate Resilience and Economic Competitiveness

    Nature loss and climate change are interconnected challenges that create material risks for businesses, communities, and economies. This interactive panel brings together leaders from conservation, industry, finance, and international policy to show how investing in nature can reduce climate risk, strengthen resilience, support competitiveness, and deliver measurable biodiversity outcomes. Through practical case studies, speakers will explore how nature is being integrated into business strategy, investment, risk management, project development, and cross-sector partnerships. The discussion will identify lessons, barriers, and opportunities and practical actions governments, businesses, investors, and conservation organizations can take to scale nature-positive investment and implementation in Canada and globally.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Dawn Carr
    Director, Strategic Conservation
    Nature Conservancy of Canada

    Speaker

    James McBreen
    Senior Programme Manager, Business and Nature
    International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

    Speaker

    Mohammed Ali
    Vice-President, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs
    Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

    Speaker

    Claudine Blamey
    Chief Sustainability Officer
    Aviva

    Speaker

    Lauren Kouba
    Executive Director, Nature and Climate Projects Accelerator
    Nature Conservancy of Canada

  • Monday, November 16, 2026

    2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

    Red River Métis Climate Leadership: Nation-Led Solutions for Climate Action

    This event will highlight how the Manitoba Métis Federation is advancing an integrated, Nation-led approach to climate action through Indigenous Climate Leadership. By connecting climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience, the session will demonstrate how Indigenous governments can lead meaningful, lasting sustainability initiatives while contributing to broader national and international climate objectives. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation present significant challenges for Indigenous peoples and communities whose cultures, livelihoods, and food security are closely connected to the land. Indigenous self-government plays an important role in advancing climate solutions that reflect community priorities, Indigenous Knowledge, and long-term environmental stewardship.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Connor Staub
    Senior Policy Analyst
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    Elias Desautels
    Policy Analyst
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    Riley Bartel
    Senior Policy Analyst
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    Phoenix Combe
    Policy Analyst
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    Will Goodon
    Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife, and Traditional Lands
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    Marci Riel
    Senior Director, Energy, Infrastructure, and Resource Management
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    David Beaudin
    Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Speaker

    Hannah Keenes
    Policy Analyst
    Manitoba Métis Federation

    Indigenous Climate Leadership

  • Monday, November 16, 2026

    11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

    Industrial Decarbonization of Cement and Concrete

    This panel will explore how governments, industry, innovators, and international organizations can work together to accelerate the decarbonization of the cement and concrete sector. Discussions will highlight innovative low-carbon cement and concrete solutions and the policies, financing mechanisms, and partnerships needed to scale their deployment. Panellists will examine the role of green public procurement and Buy Clean policies in creating demand for low-carbon materials, as well as opportunities to harmonize standards across the value chain and develop practical roadmaps for the transition to low-carbon construction.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Sinziana Chira
    Manager, Clean Technology Policy
    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada

    Speaker

    Thomas Guillot
    Chief Executive Officer
    Global Cement and Concrete Association

    Speaker

    Hugo Salamanca
    Industry Decarbonization Expert
    United Nations Industrial Development Organization

    Speaker

    Julia Gaus
    Partnerships and Cooperation Officer
    Climate Club

    Speaker

    Isabel Geppert
    Program Manager
    Climate Club

    Speaker

    Apoorv Sinha
    Co-Founder and President
    Carbon Upcycling

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026

    9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

    Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice: Addressing Environmental Racism as a Health Imperative

    Environmental racism is a climate-health emergency hiding in plain sight. This session will launch a joint position statement from leading Canadian health organizations calling for environmental justice to be treated as a core health, human rights, and Indigenous rights priority. At a moment when Canada is developing its first national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice, the session will bring together climate and health leaders, environmental justice advocates, and civil society partners, centring Indigenous perspectives to move the issue from recognition to action. Through an interactive discussion grounded in community examples, participants will explore how Indigenous leadership, anti-racist policy, and rights-based climate governance can protect health, strengthen accountability, and shape a more just climate future.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Sarah Lowden
    Strategic Advisor, Social Accountability
    Canadian Medical Association

    Speaker

    Dr. Margot Burnell
    Past President
    Canadian Medical Association

    Speaker

    Maria Shallard
    Director, Indigenous Research
    Canadian Climate Institute

    Speaker

    Dr. Leah Temper
    Director, Health and Economic Policy
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

    Speaker

    Dr. Brent Young
    Vice-President
    Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

    Indigenous Fire Stewardship: Indigenous Leadership for Climate-Resilient Landscapes

    As climate change increases the frequency and severity of wildfires around the world, Indigenous Nations are leading innovative solutions rooted in generations of land stewardship knowledge. This session will showcase how Indigenous-led fire stewardship is helping build climate resilience, restore ecosystems, support biodiversity, and strengthen community well-being. Join Indigenous leaders and partners from British Columbia, Canada, and Australia, to explore how cultural burning and other Indigenous land stewardship practices are reducing wildfire risk while delivering benefits for nature, climate, and communities. The session will highlight the leadership of the Yunetsit'in and Xeni Gwet'in First Nations and their work with the Gathering Voices Society to advance Indigenous stewardship approaches that support ecological health, biodiversity conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and community resilience. The discussion will also feature international collaboration between Indigenous communities in Canada and Australia, including knowledge exchanges facilitated by World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada). These partnerships demonstrate how Indigenous Nations are sharing knowledge, strengthening governance, and advancing practical climate solutions across landscapes and continents.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    James Snider
    Senior Vice-President and Chief Conservation Officer
    WWF-Canada

    Speaker

    Mary MacDonald
    Strategic Advisor, Climate and Global Affairs
    WWF-Canada

    Speaker

    William Nikolakis
    Executive Director
    Gathering Voices Society

    Speaker

    Jimmy Lulua
    Former Elected Chief
    Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026

    11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

    Beyond 1.5 °C: Wildland Fire Risks Across the Circumboreal Forest

    Because global temperatures approach and are expected to temporarily exceed the 1.5 °C target, wildland fire risk is expected to increase across boreal forests. What are the implications of this increased risk for carbon storage, biodiversity, human health, communities, and economies? Join the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Government of Canada for the launch of a major new assessment, titled Wildland Fires in the Circumboreal Forest Under Climate Overshoot. The assessment examines how warming beyond 1.5 °C could reshape fire regimes across the circumboreal forest. It highlights emerging risks — including increasing carbon emissions from wildland fires, ecosystem transformation, impacts on Indigenous peoples and local communities, and growing economic consequences — and identifies opportunities to strengthen resilience through adaptation, preparedness, and international cooperation. Speakers will share their perspectives on addressing this growing global challenge.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Mirey Atallah
    Chief of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch
    United Nations Environment Programme

    Speaker

    Elizabeth Sellwood
    Senior Advisor
    United Nations Environment Programme

    Speaker

    Florian Kraxner
    Principal Research Scholar and Research Group Leader
    International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

    Speaker

    Megan Masters
    Deputy Director of Multilateral Affairs
    Natural Resources Canada

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026

    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

    Building the Innovation Ecosystem: What It Takes to Advance Responsible Marine Carbon Removal Research

    Meeting the climate crisis is not only a technical innovation challenge. It requires governments, the private sector, communities, and researchers to work across sectors to open new flows of funding; bring together traditional, local, and academic knowledge; and connect regulation with industry. The growing field of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) research shows what this takes in practice, and Canada is one of a small number of countries building the foundations for careful, methodical evaluation of mCDR. This session brings together five panelists, each presenting one concrete innovation from their work: Indigenous engagement that lays the groundwork for communities to shape how research is designed, monitored, and evaluated; frameworks for responsible engagement between mCDR research and fishers; bilateral cooperation between Canada and Australia; international research collaboration; and a blended funding partnership that lets university researchers and start-ups work side by side at one field research site in Bedford Basin. Together, these innovations show how government, civil society, companies, and philanthropy can work together to advance climate solutions and fund work that no single sector can do alone.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Miriam Zitner
    General Manager
    Carbon to Sea Canada

    Speaker

    Dr. Antonius Gagern
    Executive Director
    Carbon to Sea Canada

    Speaker

    Ken Paul
    Principal / Owner
    Pokiok Associates

    Speaker

    Dr. Kalina Grabb
    Postdoctoral Fellow and CONVERGE CDR Research Lead
    Dalhousie University

    Speaker

    Dr. Andrew Lenton
    Director, CarbonLock
    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia

    Speaker

    Sue Biniaz
    Former Principal Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, USA
    Lecturer, Yale School of the Environment

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026

    2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

    Scaling Coastal and Ocean Nature-based Solutions in the Western Indian Ocean: From Community Action to Adaptation Finance

    This event continues the conversation opened at the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2026, where ReSea presented regenerative seascapes as a way to connect biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and community-led action. It builds on the vision of the Great Blue Wall initiative, which promotes interconnected, nature-positive, and community-centred approaches to restoring coastal and marine ecosystems across the Western Indian Ocean. At COP31, the event brings these approaches into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate agenda, showing how well-designed, gender-responsive, nature-based solutions can deliver benefits for adaptation, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. The session takes place on November 17, COP31’s “Ocean, Seas, Nature and Land Use - Rio Synergy” thematic day, and contributes to the Presidency’s priorities on Oceans and Seas, Rio Synergy and moving climate commitments into implementation and investment. The event will highlight evidence and practice from the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature (ReSea) project, implemented by Mission Inclusion and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with support from Global Affairs Canada, across five Western Indian Ocean countries: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The ReSea Nature-Based Solutions Knowledge Series will be launched at this event, bringing together lessons from implementation and practical resources to inform the design and delivery of nature-based solutions. A moderated panel with conservation, gender equality, and government perspectives will then connect the Knowledge Series to practitioners’ experience, exploring how biodiversity-positive and gender-responsive approaches can be embedded in policy, scaled across seascapes, and supported through sustained and equitable adaptation finance. The discussion will conclude with key takeaways and calls to action for governments, funders, and delivery partners.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Andréanne Martel
    ReSea Project Director
    Mission Inclusion

    Speaker

    Christopher Roy
    Programme Officer, Climate Change
    International Union for Conservation of Nature

    Speaker

    James Snider
    Senior Vice-President and Chief Conservation Officer
    WWF-Canada

    Speaker

    Glory Mbia
    ReSea Program officer
    Women Fund Tanzania Trust

    Speaker

    Chamina Ali Mohamed
    Governor
    Government of the autonomous island of Mwali, Comoros

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2026

    3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

    Ocean-Climate Interventions and Community Experiences: Lessons from Canadian Leadership on Ocean Science and Governance

    As climate risks accelerate, researchers, governments, innovators, Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and civil society organizations are examining a broader set of ocean-climate solutions and interventions alongside emissions reductions and adaptation. This panel will consider how these options are being evaluated in national and regional contexts, using Canadian experience as a reference point within a wider international discussion. The session will focus on marine carbon dioxide removal and Arctic sea ice preservation and restoration research. Speakers will discuss the scientific, institutional, and social conditions needed to assess whether, where, and how research should proceed, including safeguards, governance, monitoring, community participation, and clear decision-making. Canada offers relevant experience through its marine research capacity, Arctic infrastructure, Indigenous and coastal communities with longstanding relationships to ocean and sea-ice systems, and growing attention to intervention governance. These experiences will be considered alongside work in other regions, including the African Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Roadmap, which is examining capacity, governance, community engagement, financing, and regional coordination needs.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Brad Ack
    Chief Executive Officer
    Ocean Visions

    Speaker

    Leonardo Valenzuela Pérez
    Senior Director, International Partnerships and Policy
    Ocean Visions

    Speaker

    Ken Paul
    Principal/Owner
    Pokiok Associates

    Speaker

    Mariam Swaleh
    Executive Director
    Ocean Climate Innovation Hub Kenya

    Speaker

    Kalina Grabb
    Postdoctoral Fellow; CONVERGE CDR Research Lead
    Dalhousie University; Ocean Frontier Institute

    Speaker

    Aarthi Ananthanarayanan
    Global Engagement and Policy Advisor
    Carbon to Sea Initiative

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026

    9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

    Regional Hubs for Climate Action Transparency: Empowering Climate Action Through Regional Transparency Hubs

    Transparency is essential for effectively implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), planning national climate policies and actions, and consistently reporting on progress. To strengthen developing countries’ capacity to implement the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) and use transparency to guide evidence-based action, the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT), supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada, has established Regional Climate Action Transparency Hubs. Embedded within established intergovernmental or regional organizations in Central Africa, Central America, and Central Asia, the ICAT hubs enabled regional collaboration, peer learning, and the creation of networks of experts. These hubs provided instrumental support to help countries leverage transparency frameworks – and the data and evidence they provide – to develop strong submissions for countries’ NDC 3.0, and support and monitor their implementation. This COP 31 side event will showcase achievements and lessons learned from regional transparency hubs, with an emphasis on how regional collaboration supported countries in building strong transparency frameworks to support their NDCs. It will highlight how a regional approach can build national ownership and spur meaningful climate action by overcoming institutional, technical, and programmatic barriers.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Molly White
    Senior Director
    Greenhouse Gas Management Institute

    Speaker

    Henning Wuester
    Director
    Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT)

    Speaker

    Dilovarsho Dustzoda
    Deputy Director
    Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)

    Speaker

    Gervais Itsoua
    Director
    Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub (ReCATH) Central Africa

    Speaker

    Marisol Castillo Collado
    Executive Secretary
    Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD)

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026

    10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

    Building Bankable Climate Resilience: How Partnerships Can Unlock Investment in Developing Countries

    As climate impacts intensify, the challenge is no longer simply recognizing the importance of resilient infrastructure; it is ensuring that resilience is reflected early enough in project preparation, financing decisions, insurance markets, and investment structures to influence what ultimately gets financed and delivered. Building on the 2026 launch of the Underwriting the Future of Resilience initiative, this session would move from analysis to implementation. It would bring together government, a beneficiary-country perspective, multilateral development banks /project-preparation expertise, insurers, and long-term investors to examine how infrastructure projects can be made simultaneously climate-resilient, insurable, bankable, and attractive to private capital. The discussion would focus on practical mechanisms rather than climate finance in the abstract: how climate and insurance expertise can be integrated during preparation; how stronger project pipelines can reduce investment barriers; and how governments, multilateral development banks, Development Finance Institutions, insurers, and institutional investors can work together earlier to improve investment outcomes. Canada’s longstanding partnership with the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF), including its recent CAD$20 million contribution, provides a strong foundation for the conversation and an opportunity to showcase Canadian leadership in translating climate and development priorities into investable infrastructure.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Charles-Antoyne Hurstel
    Infrastructure Specialist
    Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF)

    Speaker

    Natalia Moudrak
    Founder
    Resilience Table

    Speaker

    Marika Rueter
    Head of Sustainability Strategy Development
    AXA

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026

    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

    From Commitments to Community Results—Gender-Responsive Climate Action in Practice

    Across more than 100 developing country members, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Partnership has helped countries strengthen climate planning, mobilize support, and advance implementation. The Expert Deployment Mechanism for Climate Action in Africa (EDM-CAA) initiative has deployed Canadian climate change experts to collaborate with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, civil society organizations, and post-secondary institutions on targeted, short-term technical assistance in support of the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change across the region, with a focus on increasing women’s capacity to fully participate as active agents of change. These experiences demonstrate that while the transition from climate ambition to action remains challenging, it is achievable when countries have the capacity, partnerships, and political ownership needed to deliver results. Gender equality and social inclusion are increasingly reflected in national climate commitments, but implementation remains uneven. This interactive side event will share concrete lessons from countries translating gender-responsive climate commitments into policies, budgets, projects, capacity-building initiatives, data systems, and community-led results. Through a moderated practitioner exchange and audience dialogue, speakers from government, civil society, communities, and technical partners will explore what enables gender-responsive climate action to move from ambition to implementation. Participants will leave with practical approaches to strengthen NDC implementation, climate finance readiness, transparency, and inclusive resilience.

    Event participants

    Moderator

    Jaime Webbe
    Project Director
    Climate Action Africa

    Speaker

    Amanda McKee
    Director, Knowledge and Learning
    NDC Partnership

    Speaker

    Salome Owuonda
    Executive Director
    Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development

    Speaker

    Maha Al Ma'ayta
    Secretary General Technical Assistant and Director of Policies and International Cooperation Directorate
    Ministère de l’Environnement, Jordanie

    Speaker

    Ahmed Waheed
    Directeur, Departement des changements climatiques
    Ministère du Changement climatique, de l’Environnement et de l’Énergie des Maldives

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026

    2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

    Beyond Davos: How Energy Transition is Advanced Through Middle Power

    In the wake of Prime Minister Carney’s speech in Davos, middle-power tactics are emerging in response to changing global power dynamics and influencing the diplomatic strategies countries are adopting to navigate them while advancing energy transition outcomes. Drawing on independent research into Canada’s bilateral engagements over the past 12 months, the discussion will present evidence that middle-power diplomacy, including trade agreements, memoranda of understanding, and joint statements, is helping advance transformation and concrete clean energy cooperation. The conversation will also explore how experts from other middle powers perceive the agenda Canada is prioritizing, how they view their own country’s place within it, and what their experience has been in working with Canada on the energy transition file. Participants will examine where cooperation among middle powers can accelerate clean energy deployment and identify practical ways to strengthen that cooperation. The session will also seek to foster an informal transnational network of middle-power policy and civil society voices that can carry this collaboration beyond COP31. Finally, the discussion will connect Canada’s international bilateral record to its domestic agenda by highlighting outcomes from the Federal Investment Summit, held in September 2026, as well as Canada’s methane and electrification commitments. In doing so, the panel will reinforce, rather than sit apart from, the Government of Canada’s broader COP31 priorities.

    Event participants

    Speaker

    Michael Brewster
    Researcher
    Perezstrat

    Speaker

    Eddy Perez
    Chief Executive Officer
    Perezstrat

    Speaker

    Caroline Brouillette
    Executive Director
    Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac)

    Speaker

    Li Shuo
    Director of the China Climate Hub
    Asia Society Policy Institute

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2026

    4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

    Climate Advocacy Lessons from the AIDS Crisis

    The HIV/AIDS movement transformed healthcare advocacy by turning stigma, urgency, and lived experience into lasting policy change. What lessons from that era can guide today’s climate and health movement? Drawing on firsthand experiences from the AIDS crisis and decades of LGBTQ+ advocacy, this panel will explore how healthcare leaders can build effective coalitions, shift public narratives, influence policy, and sustain momentum to accelerate climate action in Canada and around the world. Join us for a cocktail reception after the event

    Event participants

    Moderator

    William Gagnon
    Director of Implementation
    Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care

    Speaker

    Dr. Mili Roy
    Ontario Regional Co-Chair
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

    Speaker

    Dr. Brent Young
    Vice-President
    Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada

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2026-11-09