New York City, USA
2023 United Nations High Level Political Forum
The HLPF is the main United Nations platform on sustainable development. It has a central role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level.
The 2024 HLPF will be held from July 8th, to July 17th, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council in New York City. This year's theme will be “Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Kimberley Watada , Head Delegate
Kimberly is in the final semester of her chemical engineering degree at the University of Toronto, specializing in sustainable energy and engineering business. She is a recipient of the Engineers Canada Leadership Award and Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Undergraduate Ambassador Award for her sustainability contributions across academia and industry and her dedication to empowering students to solve global challenges.
Kimberly is a published research author, co-developing a novel extraction method for rare earth metals that are critical components for many green technologies. She has also competed in climate change design competitions at the national and international level, receiving top prizes for her cleantech entrepreneurship efforts. Last year, Kimberly completed a year-long internship at CPP Investments, where she worked on their net zero scenario investment model. Next year, Kimberly will be working as an Associate at the Boston Consulting Group.
Currently, Kimberly is the Head of Curriculum at Global Spark, an international non-profit dedicated to mobilizing university students towards solving global development challenges. As an advocate for youth empowerment, Kimberly is honoured to represent Canadian youth at the 2023 HLPF and contribute towards global sustainable development efforts.
Joe Noss, Communications Coordinator
Joe Noss is a consultant in Deloitte’s Public Sector Transformation practice, working on projects with a focus on Human Services and Digital ID technology. Through this position, Joe has the opportunity to engage with and work on some of the most complex transformations to Canadian government systems currently underway.
Joe graduated Cum Laude from Claremont Mckenna College in California with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), and a dual major in Government. Joe received his Master's of Science degree from the Ivey Business School in Analytics.
Having competed as a Model United Nations delegate in High School and University, Joe has a deep appreciation for the United Nations SDGs and Canada’s efforts over the past decade towards achieving them. With a specific interest in the role Canada can play in creating the next generation affordable, sustainable energy system, Joe hopes to bring Canada’s commitments to human rights to the discussion throughout the HLPF sessions.
In his free time, Joe actively works with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto to help create new tools and solutions to help youth transitioning out of care receive the services they need to fully participate in the economy as adults.
Nico Han, Engagement Coordinator
Nico is a research analyst at a DC-based think-tank. An aspiring policy maker and a scholar, Nico is passionate about the role of the global south in international affairs from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Nico has interned with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Wilson Center for International Scholars, the U.S.-Asia Institute as well as the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nico holds a Masters of Philosophy in International Relations from the University of Oxford, where she was also President of her MCR (Middle Common Room) and a co-founder of the Oxford Diplomatic Society. Nico is an incoming Yenching Fellow at Peking University in China.
Topaza Yu, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
Topaza (like the gem) Yu (she/her/hers/elle) is a first year doctoral student in counselling psychology. She originally is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which is the treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis. Her areas of expertise include anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO), mental health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). She has been a trusted consultant and advocate for ARAO and SRHR for over five years. Her dedication to ARAO and SRHR is demonstrated by her involvement with Action Canada's Sexual Health and Rights Board of Directors and her community work addressing these issues like improving accessibility to SRHR resources for youth. Following her doctoral studies, she wants to continue positively impacting SRHR through counselling psychology, advocacy and entrepreneurship.