Translating the Advisory Opinion into Equitable Climate Action
An Intergenerational Dialogue
Date & Time: Monday 17 November 2025 | 14:30: 16:00
Venue: Special Event Room São Francisco, Blue Zone, COP 30
Organizers: The Elders, in partnership with Climate High-Level Champions and Presidency Youth Climate Champions
The landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the Obligation of States in respect of Climate Change delivered on July 23rd 2025 concludes that “the duty of States to prevent significant environmental harm applies in the context of climate change and that this duty forms part of the most directly relevant applicable law.” This conclusion is a monumental, vital and urgent call to action - but how is it to be implemented?
This high-level roundtable, convened by The Elders, in partnership with the Climate High Level Champions and the Presidency Youth Climate Champions (PYCC), will provide a space for dialogue and reflection on opportunities and challenges to the implementation of this landmark pronouncement. Bringing together an intergenerational group of leaders and activists, the discussions will focus on avenues for implementing the Advisory Opinion and translating it into equitable climate action.
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SECTION
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DESCRIPTION
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Moderator to welcome and introduce the session
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14:30 – 14:45
Opening session
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Keynote: Mr. Vishal Prasad, Director, PISFCC
Respondents
- Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, Chair of The Elders
- Ms. Marcele Oliveira, COP30 Presidency Youth Climate Champion
- Mr. Dan Ioschpe, COP 30 Climate High-Level Champion
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14:45 – 15:05
Moderated discussions
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Translating the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion into a moral and political reality
What is the ICJ Advisory Opinion and how can it be implemented? Unpacking the AO and enhancing understanding about its legal nature
Opening: Mr Harj Narulla
Discussion participants:
- Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim
- Ms. Vanessa Nakate
- Ayisha Siddiqa
- Ms. Jule Schnakenberg
- Ms. Astrid Puentes
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15:05 -15:20
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Open Floor for all participants to the event
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15:20 - 15:40
Moderated discussion
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Ensuring an equitable, just and sustainable future for all through intergenerational cooperation
What can the elders generation do to support the younger generations in upholding the outcome of the ICJ? How do the generations support and empower the other?
Discussion participants:
- Ms. Xiye Bastida
- Ms. Elisa Morgera
- Ms. Fatou Jeng
- Mr. Benjamin Schachter
- Ms. Mara Ghilan
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15:40 - 15:50
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Open Floor for all invitees
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15:50 - 16:00
Closing
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Closing remark
- Ms. Leyla Hasanova, COP 29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion
- Ms. Marcele Oliveira, COP 30 Presidency Youth Climate Champion
- Mrs. Mary Robinson, Member of The Elders
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