Check out the session programme and watch the recording on the screen above. In case your browser doesn’t show the embedded video, you can also watch the session on our Youtube channel.
The opening session examines where we are and where we need to go.
The opening plenary will provide introductions, set the scene, and take stock of the progress made in the transition to a nature-positive circular economy. The session will feature prospects for global resource use and underline the need for sustainable resource management for effective action on well-being, prosperity and equality. It will highlight the importance of a shared vision on a circular economy, leaning on regenerative principles and urgency in scaling up circular solutions.
Opening entertainment: Blooming for the future
Welcome to WCEF2023: Global ideas with a Nordic twist
Nadia Gullestrup Christensen
EU Youth Delegate to the UN
EU mission to the UN
Nadia Gullestrup Christensen is one of the two first European Union’s youth delegates to the United Nations for the UNGA 77th session. She is also chair of the Danish Youth Climate Council, giving recommendations to the minister of climate and energy of Denmark. As an EU youth delegate, Nadia will focus on creating partnerships across generations and between civil society and the private sector. In the council, Nadia works with the other members to create a global alliance of youth climate councils, as well as local youth climate councils in Denmark. Previously, she has been a Danish youth delegate to the UN for climate and environment – in this capacity she has participated in conferences like the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow (UK), COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt) and the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 in Montreal (Canada). Strongly interested in climate and biodiversity, she will keep working to push for more action to keep the 1.5-degree target alive and she will remain a fierce advocate for stronger efforts to limit the extinction of species. Nadia holds a Bachelor's in natural resources, specialised in environmental economics, and she currently studies for a Master’s in environmental economics.
Kimmo Ohtonen is one of the two MC’s (Masters of Ceremonies) at WCEF2023. He is a Finnish journalist, author, keynote speaker and TV personality. His career in TV started in the UK in 2005 working for the BBC and ITV on programmes centred around social topics and current affairs. In Finland, Ohtonen is known for various factual programmes and documentaries he has made for the national public broadcaster Yle and other channels. Kimmo has written six books – three fictional and three factual.
Jyrki Katainen’s career has focused on analysing societal change, finding solutions and decision-making. Before his appointment to Sitra, Katainen was the European Commission vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness. Prior to the Commission, he has held the positions of prime minister and minister of finance. During his 15 years as a member of the Finnish parliament he has chaired the Committee for the future among other appointments.
Svein Berg started at Nordic Innovation in 2017. Prior to that, he held various positions in Innovation Norway, including senior vice president and regional director. Svein also has experience as CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council and as advisor in the Norwegian Ministry for Local Government. He holds a Master’s in economics from the University of Oslo.
Minister of Environment
Ministry of Environment, the Republic of Rwanda
Prior to her appointment in November 2019, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya served as ambassador of Rwanda in Russia from 2013, rector of Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (2011–2013), minister of gender and family promotion (2008–2011), minister of education (2006–2008), minister of state in charge of higher education (2005–2006) and minister of state in charge of primary and secondary education (2003–2005). She holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT in Roorkee, India. She is passionate about conservation and sustainable development for Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation.
Frans Timmermans is leading the Commission’s work on the European Green Deal and leads the EU’s international climate negotiations. He is responsible for the European climate law which makes the 2050 climate-neutrality target legally binding and for the Fit for 55 package to meet the 55 per cent emission reduction target for 2030. In June 2022, he presented the nature restoration law, part of the biodiversity strategy. He also oversees the Commission’s zero-pollution ambition, the circular economy action plan, the Farm to Fork strategy and other initiatives. From 2014–2019 Timmermans was First Vice-President in charge of better regulation, inter-institutional relations, rule of law and the Charter of fundamental rights. In the Netherlands, he previously served as minister of foreign affairs (2012–2014), minister of European affairs (2007–2010) and member of parliament for Partij van de Arbeid (2010–2012 and 1998–2007).
Sustainable resource management for the future we want
Janez Potočnik
Co-Chair
International Resource Panel
Among other roles, Janez Potočnik is partner at Systemiq, chair of the Forum for the Future of Agriculture and advisor to thought-leading institutions such as the European Forest Institute. Previously, he was European commissioner for science and research (2004–2010) and commissioner for the environment (2010–2014). Before joining the European Commission, he was head of the negotiating team for aAccession of Slovenia to the EU (1998). He was also Slovenia’s director of the Government Office for European Affairs (2000), Minister Councillor at the Office of the Prime Minister (2001) and Minister responsible for European Affairs (2002).
An industrial system that is regenerative by intention and design – is it possible?
Roberto Franchitti
Executive Vice President, Tetra Pak Services
Tetra Pak
Roberto Franchitti’s team of more than 6,000 highly trained employees is uniquely positioned to make a positive impact in the global food industry. Roberto is a strong advocate for the reduction of food waste and losses in production, and he is committed to driving innovation and collaboration in the food systems transition, helping customers embrace more sustainable practices and implement circular economy principles at every stage of the food value chain. He brings more than 30 years of industrial experience. Prior to joining Tetra Pak, he worked extensively in R&D, primarily in the automotive industry.
Patience is a mining executive and thought leader with over two decades of experience in the mining industry. Her company provides insights in the critical minerals and strategies that support the transition to a net-zero economy. Her research and thought leadership have significantly contributed to the understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry in the context of circularity. She is an IWF Fellow, a global speaker, and has authored and published in over 10 international peer-reviewed journals. She was named one of the most influential women in mining. Patience holds a PhD in Mineral Processing from UNISA Australia and an AMP from INSEAD.
Ilkka Hämälä has worked for Metsä Group since 1988. Before becoming head of the group in April 2018, he was the CEO of one of the group’s companies, Metsä Fibre. He is chairman of CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries) and a member of CEPI Board and Steering Committee. Hämälä is also vice-chairman of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, among others, and has a Master’s in engineering.
Global Director of Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy
The World Bank
Valerie Hickey worked in the World Bank’s climate change group, overseeing the implementation of their commitments on climate change, mainstreaming and finance. She also worked in Latin America and the Caribbean, managing a team that supported communities on climate change mitigation and natural resource management. Valerie holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University.
André is the president & CEO of an international financial institution of the Nordic and Baltic countries with a responsibility for strategy, operations and managing assets of €40 billion. Before that, André had a 25-year career at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, latest as the regional managing director. He was the director for local currency and capital markets in 2012–2020, country director for Ukraine in 2008–2013 and for Kazakhstan in 2004–2008. Earlier André led teams investing equity and debt in 1996–2004. He also served in EBRD management committees. André has served on the boards of over 30 banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges, equity funds and large infrastructure companies. An Estonian national, André graduated with a MSc from Tallinn University of Technology, studying also in Sweden, Germany, Finland and Hungary. He is also a graduate of Estonian Business School and Stockholm School of Economics. André speaks 5 languages.
Nadia Gullestrup Christensen is one of the two first European Union’s youth delegates to the United Nations for the UNGA 77th session. She is also chair of the Danish Youth Climate Council, giving recommendations to the minister of climate and energy of Denmark. As an EU youth delegate, Nadia will focus on creating partnerships across generations and between civil society and the private sector. In the council, Nadia works with the other members to create a global alliance of youth climate councils, as well as local youth climate councils in Denmark. Previously, she has been a Danish youth delegate to the UN for climate and environment – in this capacity she has participated in conferences like the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow (UK), COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt) and the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 in Montreal (Canada). Strongly interested in climate and biodiversity, she will keep working to push for more action to keep the 1.5-degree target alive and she will remain a fierce advocate for stronger efforts to limit the extinction of species. Nadia holds a Bachelor's in natural resources, specialised in environmental economics, and she currently studies for a Master’s in environmental economics.
Kimmo Ohtonen is one of the two MC’s (Masters of Ceremonies) at WCEF2023. He is a Finnish journalist, author, keynote speaker and TV personality. His career in TV started in the UK in 2005 working for the BBC and ITV on programmes centred around social topics and current affairs. In Finland, Ohtonen is known for various factual programmes and documentaries he has made for the national public broadcaster Yle and other channels. Kimmo has written six books – three fictional and three factual.
Svein Berg started at Nordic Innovation in 2017. Prior to that, he held various positions in Innovation Norway, including senior vice president and regional director. Svein also has experience as CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council and as advisor in the Norwegian Ministry for Local Government. He holds a Master’s in economics from the University of Oslo.
Minister of Environment
Ministry of Environment, the Republic of Rwanda
Prior to her appointment in November 2019, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya served as ambassador of Rwanda in Russia from 2013, rector of Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (2011–2013), minister of gender and family promotion (2008–2011), minister of education (2006–2008), minister of state in charge of higher education (2005–2006) and minister of state in charge of primary and secondary education (2003–2005). She holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT in Roorkee, India. She is passionate about conservation and sustainable development for Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation.
Executive Vice President, Tetra Pak Services
Tetra Pak
Roberto Franchitti’s team of more than 6,000 highly trained employees is uniquely positioned to make a positive impact in the global food industry. Roberto is a strong advocate for the reduction of food waste and losses in production, and he is committed to driving innovation and collaboration in the food systems transition, helping customers embrace more sustainable practices and implement circular economy principles at every stage of the food value chain. He brings more than 30 years of industrial experience. Prior to joining Tetra Pak, he worked extensively in R&D, primarily in the automotive industry.
Global Director of Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy
The World Bank
Valerie Hickey worked in the World Bank’s climate change group, overseeing the implementation of their commitments on climate change, mainstreaming and finance. She also worked in Latin America and the Caribbean, managing a team that supported communities on climate change mitigation and natural resource management. Valerie holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University.
Ilkka Hämälä has worked for Metsä Group since 1988. Before becoming head of the group in April 2018, he was the CEO of one of the group’s companies, Metsä Fibre. He is chairman of CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries) and a member of CEPI Board and Steering Committee. Hämälä is also vice-chairman of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, among others, and has a Master’s in engineering.
Jyrki Katainen’s career has focused on analysing societal change, finding solutions and decision-making. Before his appointment to Sitra, Katainen was the European Commission vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness. Prior to the Commission, he has held the positions of prime minister and minister of finance. During his 15 years as a member of the Finnish parliament he has chaired the Committee for the future among other appointments.
André is the president & CEO of an international financial institution of the Nordic and Baltic countries with a responsibility for strategy, operations and managing assets of €40 billion. Before that, André had a 25-year career at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, latest as the regional managing director. He was the director for local currency and capital markets in 2012–2020, country director for Ukraine in 2008–2013 and for Kazakhstan in 2004–2008. Earlier André led teams investing equity and debt in 1996–2004. He also served in EBRD management committees. André has served on the boards of over 30 banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges, equity funds and large infrastructure companies. An Estonian national, André graduated with a MSc from Tallinn University of Technology, studying also in Sweden, Germany, Finland and Hungary. He is also a graduate of Estonian Business School and Stockholm School of Economics. André speaks 5 languages.
Patience is a mining executive and thought leader with over two decades of experience in the mining industry. Her company provides insights in the critical minerals and strategies that support the transition to a net-zero economy. Her research and thought leadership have significantly contributed to the understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the mining industry in the context of circularity. She is an IWF Fellow, a global speaker, and has authored and published in over 10 international peer-reviewed journals. She was named one of the most influential women in mining. Patience holds a PhD in Mineral Processing from UNISA Australia and an AMP from INSEAD.
Among other roles, Janez Potočnik is partner at Systemiq, chair of the Forum for the Future of Agriculture and advisor to thought-leading institutions such as the European Forest Institute. Previously, he was European commissioner for science and research (2004–2010) and commissioner for the environment (2010–2014). Before joining the European Commission, he was head of the negotiating team for aAccession of Slovenia to the EU (1998). He was also Slovenia’s director of the Government Office for European Affairs (2000), Minister Councillor at the Office of the Prime Minister (2001) and Minister responsible for European Affairs (2002).
Frans Timmermans is leading the Commission’s work on the European Green Deal and leads the EU’s international climate negotiations. He is responsible for the European climate law which makes the 2050 climate-neutrality target legally binding and for the Fit for 55 package to meet the 55 per cent emission reduction target for 2030. In June 2022, he presented the nature restoration law, part of the biodiversity strategy. He also oversees the Commission’s zero-pollution ambition, the circular economy action plan, the Farm to Fork strategy and other initiatives. From 2014–2019 Timmermans was First Vice-President in charge of better regulation, inter-institutional relations, rule of law and the Charter of fundamental rights. In the Netherlands, he previously served as minister of foreign affairs (2012–2014), minister of European affairs (2007–2010) and member of parliament for Partij van de Arbeid (2010–2012 and 1998–2007).
