Marbella hosts III World Congress of Climate Change and Wine. Kofi Annan, guest speaker. 13th & 14th April.
- Kofi Annan – guest speaker.
The responsability of the corporate world in the fight against climate change will be the focus of Kofi Annan’s speech in Marbella.
The former secretary general for the United Nations is the key note speaker of the conference which will take place in Marbella on April 13th. He will also preside a charity gala dinner.
Since the end of his secretary post in the United Nations, (UN) in 2006, Kofi Annan (Ghana, 1938) has been devoted to the protection and development of social causes all over the world. The former Secretary-General has been championing the importance of economic, social and environmental sustainability throughout his career at the United Nations. He believes this is the key to “reduce the environmental impact for future generations”.
The climate change challenge will be the main focus of Mr. Annan’s speech on the first day of the III World Congress on Climate Change and Wine. It will take place in the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos of Marbella on the 13th and 14th of April and is organised by The Wine Academy of Spain. Mr Annan’s conference is titled “The Global Compact: A challenge in the business word to become leaders in sustainable development” (13th of April. 18.00h.) and will be introduced by Pancho Campo MW.
The conference is directed to the Business community on the Coast and focuses on the importance of adapting to sustainable measures in order to deal with climate change. The conference is open to businessmen and the general public. After the conference there will be a 30 minute session of questions and answers with the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize winner. On the evening of April 13th, Kofi Annan and his wife will be joined by the mayoress of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, and together they will preside the la Official Dinner, which will take place in La Cabane , Hotel Los Monteros. This dinner will be in aid of the charity Vicente Ferrer Foundation.
Last November in a climate change conference in Switzerland, Annan explained the impact of this phenomenon in sectors where high irrigation is needed, such as agriculture or farming: “The gradual increase in temperature is producing in increase in the seawater. This causes more floods and less frost”, which is crucial for the growth of some grape varieties.
In this speech, the Secretary-General will reiterate the responsibility of businesses and individuals to address environmental challenges; undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; protect human rights; and encourage the development and transfer of environmentally-sustainable technologies.
A report released by the Forum in May of 2009 estimated that climate change is responsible for the deaths of 300,000 people every year, with 325 million of the poorest suffering most. All its work ultimately aims to be of benefit to the most vulnerable, particularly those living in least developed countries. In an address to the World Economic Forum in 1999, he challenged business leaders to join an international initiative – the Global Compact – that would bring companies together with UN agencies, as well as labour and civil society, to promote and respect universal environmental and social principles.
This III World Congress on Climate Change and Wine (www.cambioclimaticoyvino.com) will rely on professionals in this field who have already begun implementing new concepts in Spain and abroad. In order to fight climate change, Campo believes that we need to focus on two issues: one of prevention, which would aid in diminishing CO2 emissions as well as energy costs; and mitigation and adaptation directed specifically to vineyards and wineries.
Tickets to Kofi Annan’s conference are 50 euros and the dinner plus conference package is 250. More information and reservations: 952 830806. http://www.climatechangeandwine.com//entradas.php?id=
The Wine Academy of Spain is a private organization founded in 2003 by Pancho Campo MW, the first Spaniard to hold the title Master of Wine. It focuses its activities on the education of wine professionals and amateurs; the international promotion of Spanish wine through its Spanish Wine Experience; the promotion of Spain as a destination for wine tourism; the analysis of the impact of climate change on the industry; and study trips to wine producing regions with the collaboration of the University of California Davis (US). It is also an Approved Programme Provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), which it promulgates in Spain; has organised the internationally-acclaimed conferences Climate Change & Wine, Wine Future-Rioja ’09, and Vinoble Jerez 2010.
www.thewineacademy.es – www.spainwines.es – www.cambioclimaticoyvino.com – www.madwine.net – www.eleconomista.es/blogs/vamonos-de-vinos/
Paul Wilcockson LMPA Events photographer/reporter
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