CAF is to Partner with the Largest Business Focused Event taking place during COP21

COP refers to the Conference of the Parties comprising the 196 countries in ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC. This year COP21 will convene in Paris in December, and is of particular significance as it represents the last opportunity for a globally binding agreement to be made that can limit warming to under 2 degrees Celsius- a limit after which dangerous and irreversible climate change becomes inevitable.

COP21 is therefore symbolic of the need for urgent, global climate action and is functioning to align the focus of governments, businesses, civil society and the media, in an effort to accelerate our path toward a low carbon future. Over 50,000 people are expected to be present in Paris to influence the talks, representing one of the largest climate conferences ever organised.

The Sustainable Innovation Forum takes place on the 7^th and 8^th of December at Stade de France, just outside of the La Bourget area, Paris. Now in its 6^th year and hosted by Climate Action and the UNEP, SIF15 is endorsed by the host country and organiser of COP21, the French Government. The forum is the largest business focused event taking place during the COP, uniting 750 global delegates from public and private sector organisations to catalyse the partnerships needed to accelerate low carbon development solutions.

 "This forum is an opportunity for CAF to continue fostering low-carbon and climate resilient economies that have low carbon emissions through programs and actions oriented towards promoting a sustainable productive transformation through innovative financial operations that are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible" said Ligia Castro, Director of Environment and Climate Change at CAF.

This year's agenda topics have been carefully crafted by the Advisory Board of cross-industry leaders, ensuring that the content is of the highest calibre and reflects the latest trends in the low carbon innovation space. Session topics include carbon markets and pricing, urban mobility, sustainable landscape management, the circular economy and innovation for business advantage.

With over 40 speakers already confirmed, the Forum will welcome some of the leading organisations in the space. Panellists include Achim Steiner, Undersecretary- General of the UN and Executive Director of UNEP; Tine Sundtoft, Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway; Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Minister of Environment of Peru; Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General, Food & Agriculture Organisation UN (FAO) and Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland.

Anna Watson, Head of Conference Production at Climate Action said "I am thrilled to welcomeCAF -development bank of Latin America-to the Sustainable Innovation Forum. Their leadership on climate action provides inspiration to other companies wishing to take decisive measures to help build the low carbon economy".