2009 Forum: human impact of climate change.

The Annual Forum is a unique international platform with a mission to engage and inspire pioneering leaders and top experts to build a stronger global community for dealing with humanitarian challenges.

The objectives are to bring leading people who do not usually work side-by-side together to define policies in readiness for the future; to trigger new collective action; and to raise awareness.

The 2009 Forum was a two-day international conference held in Geneva. The programme of debates and interactive sessions covered around 20 different topic areas exploring the human face of climate change, and was designed by key partners from the private, public and non-profit sectors. Debates were complemented by in-depth workshops delivered by world-leading experts.

The 2009 Forum is entitled “Human Impact of Climate Change: New Challenges for Humanitarianism and Sustainable Development”.

The event was divided into four main topic areas as follows:

• Climate Displaced People
• Adapting to Climate Impacts
• Post-Kyoto: Copenhagen and beyond
• New frontiers: evolving response

Over the course of 2 full days, the event’s 400 senior international participants were actively engaged in a range of highly interactive sessions. All sessions were moderated by independent facilitators. The entire event was convened and chaired by the Forum’s President, Kofi Annan.

Over 400 leaders, senior figures and experts from across the global society attended the two-day event.

The Forum aims at a strong participation of women, as well as of representatives of developing countries, which receive sponsorship if necessary. Youth participation is organized in association with the Forum’s own Youth Forum, held immediately prior to the annual forum, and in collaboration with partner organizations.

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