In addition to our participation in official COP 27 Blue Zone and Green Zone events, the Future Economy Forum, Sekem and our local and global partners and co-sponsors hosted ten Solutions Dialogue Evenings between November 8th – 17th in the large garden of a villa on the ocean, close to the official COP zones. 

Thank you for your interest in scaling a new economic mainstream together with Future Economy Forum & Sekem! Learn more about our work here.

10 Evenings of Solutions Dialogues

November 8th

Scaling Regenerative Finance & Business

Empowering the Transition towards Regenerative Businesses and Economies

Finance is key to scaling the unavoidable transition to a new economic mainstream that integrates economic development and business success with the regeneration of people and societies, nature and the climate. In this session we will discuss how this Regenerative Value Creation empowered by real ESG investing and banking that goes beyond greenwashing can enable entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to innovate and scale. We will present trend data and concrete cases from banking, investment and policy within a whole system context. In dialogue with the audience we will explore what concrete steps we can take to accelerate these developments.

  • Hani Sewilam, Egypt's minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, executive director, UNESCO Chair, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Heba El Serafi, Vice Chair, Cairo Stock Exchange, which co-creates a Carbon Credit scheme with the Egyptian government and Sekem
  • Dr. Bryan Scheler, BMW Foundation, head of sustainable finance and impact investing to empower entrepreneurs and business start ups
  • Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani, Program Head, Climate Bridge Fund, BRAC
  • Adriana Kocornik-Mina, Global Alliance of Banking on Values, demonstrating sustainable banking success in 44 countries
  • Mr. Tamer Bader, Manager of Financing and Partnerships Programs for Small and Medium Enterprises, National Bank of Egypt, the country’s largest public sector financial institution
  • Bhadra Kanaiya, CFA, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Sunways Global, India
  • Martin Stuchtey, Landbanking Group, new financial tools to fund natural based asset climate function
  • Gordon Bennett, managing director, ICE the world’s largest carbon credit trader

November 9th

Scaling Regenerative Economies & Businesses

Inspired by the Club of Rome’s Limits to Growth’s 50th Anniversary and its ongoing work

Companies across the globe increasingly demonstrate that they can be more successful because they regenerate people, societies and nature. But we are nowhere near the speed and scale necessary to develop a new economic mainstream that meets our decarbonisation targets nor our regenerative needs. This will take more ambitious business and policy leadership. In this interactive session, business leaders, investors, activists and policy leaders will discuss how to achieve this large scale transformation that serves people and the planet while enhancing prosperity for all. Participants will be asked to actively engage in the conversation.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture.
  • Walter Link, founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President, Club of Rome
  • Merijn Dols, NOW Managing Partner and former Head of Open Innovation and Circularity at Danone
  • Laura Santucci, Chief of Staff, Obama White House political operations and UN's World Food Program
  • Hunter Lovins, President, Natural Capitalism Solutions, Managing Partner, NOW Partners
  • Kirsten Dunlop, CEO, ClimateKIC, Climate innovator across city-scapes and sectoral systems
  • Leslie Johnston, CEO, Laudes Foundation, Philanthropic systems catalyst across fast fashion, built environment, and economic change
  • Lorenzo Fioramonti, Director, Institute for Sustainability, University of Surrey, Former Minister of Education Italy 
  • Stephen Brooks, World-renowned ethnobotanist, permaculture designer and educator
  • Robert Metzke, Global Head of ESG of Philips, that became carbon neutral in 2020

November 10th

Unleashing the Power of Education for the Future of the Planet

The investment case for why and how education can address the world’s climate crisis

Co-convened at the invitation of the Future Economy Forum by the Climate Governance Commission, Dubai Cares, the Global Partnership for Education, UNESCO, UNICEF Generational Unlimited, the LEGO Foundation, and the 17 Rooms Initiative this meeting sets the agenda for a year of urgent action to ensure that by COP28, every country has a climate-smart education system. With schools reaching into nearly all communities, education can play a critical role in mobilizing climate action at the frontlines. By working together across sectors, the climate and education movements can rapidly decarbonize our communities and dramatically improve our climate adaptation efforts.

Welcome:

  • Mahmoud Sakr, President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), exED of Science, Technology Development Fund
  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture.
  • Walter Link, founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances

Moderators: 

  • Maja Groff, Esq. Climate Governance Commission  
  • Dr. Andrew Cunningham, AKF, 17 Rooms Initiative, Room 4
  • HE Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO and Vice Chair, Dubai Cares
  • Charles North, Acting CEO, GPE
  • Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director General, UNESCO
  • Dr. Reda Hagazy, Minister of Education, Egypt
  • Urmila Sarkar, UNICEF GenU
  • Hana Sahatqija, UNICEF GenU
  • Grecia Bárcena Calderón, World Scout Org., Mexico
  • Mukhtar Halilu, GPE Youth Advocate, Nigeria
  • Wissam Kadi, SAP Global
  • Eugenio Donadio, Goodwall
  • Lennart Kuntze, Teach for All, Global
  • Ahmad El Baghdadi, Teach for Lebanon
  • Jerome Oberreit, Executive Director, BRAC Global

November 11th

The Future Economy of Egypt and Africa

Climate change will change the way businesses all over the world will conduct their activities. Egyptian and African companies are starting to realize the changing environment and context. Some of them start to make carbon and ecological footprints and sustainability reports and engage with experts to develop footprint reduction strategies. Some are even offsetting their footprints and engage - together with the civil society and policy makers - in innovative CSR, sustainability and regeneration projects. In dialogue with the audience we will explore what concrete steps we can take to accelerate and scale these developments.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture.
  • Walter Link, founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Mohanad Khaled, Managing Partner of BDO Egypt, founding member of the chapter zero initiative 
  • Samy Awad, Chair of the Alexandria company, founding member of the green transformation partnership 
  • Gamal Abou Ali, Chair, Egyptian Junior Business Association, asking its members to commit to a climate action pledge
  • Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Former Head, UN World Food Programme, CEO, Food Systems for the Future, DSM Sustainability Board member 
  • Kamal Amakrane, Managing Director of Global Centre for Climate Mobility and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University; Morocco and USA
  • Dr. Michael Knaus, Team Coordinator Climate, DEG, KfW Group

November 12th

Regenerative Agriculture Solutions: Day 1

A multipurpose solution for Climate, Hunger, Biodiversity & Economic Development

With concrete cases from around the world, we will discuss how regenerative agriculture is one of most effective methods to integrate economic development with the reduction of carbon emissions and the sequestering of carbon at massive scale. It also improves food security, health, biodiversity, soil, water and incomes of farmers and their communities, reducing forced migration and its many negative consequences. In dialogue with the audience we will explore how we can accelerate the implementation of regenerative farming, ranching and forestry methods around the world.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Hunter Lovins, regenerative rancher and author of 16 books on Natural Capitalism and related topics
  • Patrick Holden, CEO and founder of Sustainable Food Trust, under the patronage of HRM King Charles
  • Hani Sewilam, Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, executive director, UNESCO Chair, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
  • Paul Newnham, CEO of Chef’s Kitchen, a global network of 1,200 chefs, is launching the ‘Beans Is How’ campaign
  • Million Belay, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa
  • Merijn Dols, NOW Managing Partner and former Head of Open Innovation and Circularity at Danone, Member of Google’s Food Lab
  • Felipe Villela, Founder, reNature
  • Praveen Agrawal, Representative & Country Director Egypt at World Food Programme
  • Precious Phiri, Regeneration International
  • Ueli Hurter, BFDI and Agriculture Section of the Goetheanum

November 13th

Regenerative Agriculture Solutions: Day 2

A multipurpose solution for Climate, Hunger, Biodiversity & Economic Development

With concrete cases from around the world, we will discuss how regenerative agriculture is one of most effective methods to integrate economic development with the reduction of carbon emissions and the sequestering of carbon at massive scale. It also improves food security, health, biodiversity, soil, water and incomes of farmers and their communities, reducing forced migration and its many negative consequences. In dialogue with the audience we will explore how we can accelerate the implementation of regenerative farming, ranching and forestry methods around the world.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, Founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Hunter Lovins, regenerative rancher and author of 16 books on Natural Capitalism and related topics
  • Roberto Waack, Brazil’s Arapyau’s foundation
  • Merijn Dols, NOW Managing Partner, former Head of Open Innovation and Circularity at Danone and member of Google’s Food Lab
  • Ueli Hurter, Biodynamic Federation International, co chair, agriculture at the Goetheanum, Switzerland
  • Philippe Birker, Co-Founder, Climate Farmers, carbon credits and regenerative agriculture networkers
  • Victoria Gutierrez, Head of Global Policy, Common Land, promoting four types of returns from landscape restoration
  • Roy Steiner, Leads Regenerative Agriculture at Rockefeller Foundation
  • Andrey Kushlin, Co-Chair, End Pandemics working globally to prevent pandemics via regenerative One Health policies
  • Karen Mapusua, Fiji Islands, Ifoam, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
  • Federico Bellone, Agriculture Lead of UNFCCC climate champions, former director of Porticus Foundation
  • Martin Frick, a Director of the UN’s WFP co-leader of UN Food System Summit and past COPs
  • Paul Luu, Executive Secretary, 4P1000

November 14th

Wisdom, Law and International Frameworks for a Liveable Planet

How to create the conditions for a new economic mainstream

Convened by the Future Economy Forum and the Climate Governance Commission in collaboration with diverse partners this interactive session will explore how practical wisdom, legal activism and enhancing international frameworks can create conditions that scale behavior change of companies and economies towards a new economic mainstream that integrates economic development and business success with the regeneration of people and societies, nature and the climate. In dialogue with the audience, we will explore concrete steps that we can take to accelerate these crucial activities

  • Mohamed Talaat Khalifa, CEO of Concrete, Egypt’s largest men’s wear & kids wear retailer, including a Demeter organic cotton line
  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Maja Groff, Esq., International governance expert and Convenor, Climate Governance Commission
  • Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders, former president of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein*, President/CEO, International Peace Institute,  former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Mauro del Barba, Italian member of parliament who initiated Italy’s Benefit Corporation law and chairs Italy’s AssoBenefit
  • Mr. Malcolm Dalesa, Vanuatu ICJ Climate Diplomacy Lead, Advisory Opinion to the International Court of Justice
  • Martin Köppel, CEO, Protect the Planet that helped lawyers to win a historic case before the German supreme court to protect future generations
  • Sarah Mead, Co-Director, Global Climate Litigation Network
  • Cynthia Houniuhi, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change
  • Jule Schnakenberg, World Youth for Climate Justice
  • Wanjira Mathai, Managing Director for Africa & Global Partnerships, World Resources Institute
  • Amanda Ellis, New Zealand’s former UN Ambassador, Senior Director, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Lab

November 15th

Regenerating for Climate, Society and Economy

International and national civil society organizations are engaged in many initiatives and projects to create awareness for the impacts of climate change and to promote solutions. In all sectors and fields of life like policy, education, sustainable housing, waste management, agriculture and social entrepreneurship, solutions are created in the south which can be replicated around the whole world. Catalyst 2030 - a global alliance of NGOs and social businesses from all over the world - is planning to launch a south south solution database to document many of them.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, Founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Laura Santucci, who was Chief of Staff for Political Operations at the Obama White House
  • Luc Gnacadja, former Minister, Environment and Urban Development; Former Executive Secretary,  UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
  • Tony Rinaudo, Right Livelihood Award 2018, Australian agronomist who inspired a farmer-led movements across continents

  • Hon. Saber Chowdhury (MP), Chair, Bangladesh Parliament All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change and the Environment. Honorary President, Inter-Parliamentary Union. Co-President, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, Councillor, World Future Council

  • Marie-Claire Graf, Co-Founder, Climate Youth Negotiator Programme (CYNP), Youth, Present Representative, World Future Council

  • Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC Bangladesh

  • Jack Kimani, Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A)

  • A representative of Dalberg advisers, Kenia, advising African governments on the  climate impacts of their policies
  • A representative of Catalyst 2030

November 16th

Rapidly Scaling the Regenerative Economy & Climate Solutions

We need exponential change to achieve 1,5 degrees and ensure carbon drawdown

The science is clear. We need to halve emissions by 2030 and protect and restore nature to keep global warming close to 1.5°C to reduce severe risks for humanity.  Solutions in energy, industry, transport, food and nature exist to take us to the first halving. Already today, more than 11,000 companies, investors, cities and regions representing a substantial part of the global economy have voluntarily joined the 'Race to Zero', led by the UN Climate Change High-level Champions, committing to leaving the fossil economy behind.  A massive shift is happening but we don’t have time on our side. Climate solutions must scale exponentially and 5-10X faster to break through and shift out the fossil economy. This requires sharp policies which enable and not delay the required transition and that companies clearly support sharper policy.  In dialogue with participants, we will explore how to collaborate around the world across industries and stakeholders to achieve the speed-up of transformation required. Convened by the Future Economy Forum, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, the Climate Governance Commission, UN Race to Zero and We Don’t Have Time.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, Founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, co-founder of many sustainable business alliances
  • Johan Falk, Co-founder, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, aiming to halve emissions before 2030 through exponential climate solutions
  • Maja Groff Esq., International governance expert and Convenor, Climate Governance Commission
  • Lindy Fursman, Chief Advisor, Climate Change,  Ministry for the Environment – Manatū Mō Te Taiao, New Zealand
  • Hunter Lovins, Regenerative Rancher, Author of 16 books on Natural Capitalism and related topics
  • Laura Santucci, Chief of Staff for Political Operations at the Obama White House
  • Merijn Dols, NOW Managing Partner, former Head of Open Innovation and Circularity at Danone, Member of Google’s Food Lab
  • Markus Lutteman, Climate Communicator and Editor, We Don't Have Time, author of 11 books
  • Bertrand Piccard, Serial explorer and clean technology pioneer 
  • Naomi Swickard, Head of Public Affairs, South Pole, supporting companies, governments to turn climate action into long-term business opportunities
  • Stuart Templar, Director for Global Sustainability, Volvo
  • Andreas Follér, Head, Sustainability, Scania

November 17th

Growing a Regenerative Amazon Economy

Strengthen the forest, it's people and the climate

The Amazon region’s health is central to the world’s climate and biodiversity. In addition to conservation and legal enforcement, it depends on developing local enterprises and economies that support the 20 million people living in the region to make more money from ‘trees standing’ than from eliminating them. To support the new Brazilian government’s Amazon strategy development, this solutions-oriented dialogue among the panelists and the audience will explore how to scale such regenerative economic development in the Amazon region.

  • Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem, an example for regenerative business, agriculture, education and culture
  • Walter Link, Founding CEO of Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners, globally co-founder of sustainable business alliances
  • Hunter Lovins, NOW Partners, Managing Partner, global expert in climate and regenerative agriculture and business
  • Marina Silva*, born in the Amazon region, is a member of the federal parliament whose policies as a former minister of the Environment led to a 80% reduction of Amazon deforestation. As a presidential candidate she won 20 million votes.
  • Renata Piazzon, Arapyau foundation and Concertação for Amazon which co-created a 100 day action proposal for new Brazilian president.
  • Denise Hills*, Global Sustainability Director of Natura & Co, Lat Am (that includes Natura, The Body Shop, Aesop, Avon), after having the same role at Itau Unicredit, Latin America’s largest bank. 
  • Adrienne Bowles, VP of Operations at Sourcemap, that helps companies to raise standards across supply chains, from the first mile to the last.
  • Juliana Tinoco, responsible for external relations and knowledge management at  Partnerships For Forests (P4F) that catalyzes investment in forests and sustainable land use.
  • Carlos Vicente, National Facilitator at the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative, an international, multi-faith alliance to end deforestation and former senior member of the ministry of environment and parliamentary delegations.
  • Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Co-Founder ED, Plataforma CIPÓ, a policy institute focusing on climate, governance, and peacebuilding
  • Larissa Araújo Santos, Institutional Manager, RAPS, a groundbreaking alliance of senior politicians across all parties who committed to sustainability and ethical behavior

Why Convene Solutions Dialogues at COP27?

The purpose of these events is to convene climate experts and senior leaders in business, finance, policy making, civil society and other relevant stakeholder groups to advance concrete solutions for the climate and other core challenges and opportunities to co-create a new economic mainstream that integrates economic development and business success with the regeneration of people, societies and nature. 

Advancing Regenerative Solutions

The UN’s Paris Climate Treaty became a force in part because policy makers partnered with future-oriented economy leaders and other stakeholders. Also this year, COP needs a bold and inspiring economic stakeholder presence to advance regenerative solutions. Our events and the follow up action they will catalyze become another opportunity to translate SDG 17 for partnership and collaboration into concrete outcomes. Join us!

Meeting in Nature and Culture

REAL CONNECTION, DEEP CONVERSATION, CONCRETE OUTCOMES

We provide a regenerative and inspiring space for reflection and meaningful dialog to complement the official COP program.

We want to open windows that may remain closed amidst COP’s fast paced intensity.

For decades already, we have built initiatives and alliances for shared action and what we discovered is that nature, culture and good food empower real relationship, deep conversation and concrete outcomes.  

Each evening will have the following program flow

17.00 – 19.00 Networking & Dinner 

  • Drinks and Arabian organic food prepared by Sekem’s chefs
  • Rejuvenation in nature and informal conversations

19.00 - 21.00 Solutions Dialogues

  • Short musical performance to enjoy and focus attention
  • Interactive presentations on the evening’s solutions topics
  • Lightly facilitated, small circle dialogues inviting collective intelligence

21.00 - 22.00 Informal Conversations

  • Conversations in the garden and around fires on the beach
  • Evening walks along the ocean

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