23 August 2013

European Forum Alpbach

This August, IIASA researchers joined world leaders and academics to discuss the most pressing problems of our time, in an interdisciplinary forum that brings participants from all of the world.

EAF

EAF

From 25-27 August, at the Alpbach Political Forum, participants from around the world discussed how united global action is required for issues such as human security, adaption to and mitigation of climate change, energy markets and food security. As European Forum Alpbach’s strategic partner, IIASA has co-organized the Political Symposium at this year’s event.

Here you will find information about the events at Alpbach as well as links to news and information from the event.

For updates follow IIASA on Twitter.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday, 31 August

Closing Sessions:

New Ideas for a Fair Globalization: What Should Entrepreneurs do?
31 August 2013, 08:45-10:00

New Ideas for a Fair Globalization: The Role of Politics
31 August 2013, 10:30-11:45

As part of the closing sessions, Kabat joined European Commission President Jose Barroso to discuss new ideas for a fair globalization together with Kandeh K. Yumkella (Chair of UN Energy), Habbib Haddad (CEO of WAMDA), Heinz Fischer (President of Austria), Jakaya Kikwete (President of the United Republic of Tanzania) and the Indian Nobel Prize Laureate Rajendra Pachauri.

The closing sessions also included a performance by The Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, IIASA's goodwill ambassador. This took place on 31 August 2013, 10:15-10:30.

Global Think Tank

During the closing sessions, IIASA and EFA announced the launch of a new global think tank. For more information, read the press release: New global think tank launched.

President of the European Forum Alpbach Franz Fischler, President of Austria Heinz Fischer, and IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat at the IIASA-Alpbach breakfast on August 31. © Matthias Silveri

President of the European Forum Alpbach Franz Fischler, President of Austria Heinz Fischer, and IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat at the IIASA-Forum Alpbach breakfast on August 31. (Photo: Matthias Silveri)















IIASA-Alpbach Forum breakfast:

IIASA also co-hosted a breakfast on Saturday, prior to the closing sessions. High-level participants included Amina J. Mohammed, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, Bob Orr, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, H.E Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Michael Karnitschnig, Adviser to EU Commission President Barroso on climate action, energy policy, international development and EU enlargement, Heinz Fischer, President of Austria, Ulrike Ritzinger, European and International Affairs, Office of the President, Franz Fischler, President of the European Forum Alpbach, Thomas Mayr-Harting, EU Head of Delegation to the United Nations, Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Chin Min Lee, Special Advisor to IIASA Director/CEO Directorate. They discussed the new global think tank and received full support from all participants. The Federal Minister for Science and Research, Mr. Töchterle, welcomed the establishment of the global think tank as a "precious fertile soil for sustainable approaches to tackle essential matters of the future."


Friday, 30 August

Retreat:

President of the European Commission H.E. Jose Manuel Barroso (right), IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat (center) with his spouse Anneke Kabat-Geselschap (left) at the high level retreat in Alpbach on August 30 along with Chairman of UN Energy, H. E. Kandeh K. Yumkella (back center) and President of Tanzania H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (back right). (Photo: Matthias Silveri)

High-level retreat took place on Friday, 28 August, to discuss the global transformation, including food and nutrition security and the key for poverty reduction and growth. The retreat was followed by a working dinner involving: H.E. Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Heinz Fischer, President of Austria, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of Tanzania, Franz Fischler, President of the European Forum Alpbach, Jeff Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute, and Kristalina Georgieva, Member of the European Commission, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. 






Monday, 26 August

Plenary Session: Green Growth: A new concept for sustainable development
26 August 2013, 11:30-13:00

At a plenary session on 26 August, IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat discussed the concept of sustainable development and green growth, what defines a green economy, and the implications of the introduction of this new concept.

IIASA's Michael Obersteiner participated in the breakout session on Monday. (Photo: Forum Alpbach)

Breakout Session: Dealing with the Complexities of Development: Why are Integrated Approaches Essential?
26 August 2013, 15:00-18:00

IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat, Ecosystems Services and Management Program Leader Michael Obersteiner, and Energy Program Research Scholar David McCollum participated in a breakout session to address the complexities of development and why an integrated approach is essential. Looking at particular examples to see how lessons can be applied. 


Friday, 23 August

Working Group: The Potential of the Alps: Focus Sustainable Use of Resources

23 August 2013, 09:00-15:00

IIASA Director and Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr. Pavel Kabat joined Karleinz Töchterle, Austria’s Federal Minister for Science and Research, and other high-level institutional and political leaders for a discussion of resource scarcity and quality of life in the Alps.


Selected images from European Forum Alpbach 2013

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Last edited: 24 July 2013

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