Anote Tong is one of the world’s leading voices for climate justice. He is renowned for his role in building awareness of the devastating impacts of climate change on the Pacific, the leadership of frontline communities, and the urgent need for stronger action from the international community.

With his home country among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Anote Tong has tirelessly campaigned for developed nations to step up their commitments to climate action and was instrumental in securing the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Join us in Melbourne for an evening with Anote Tong as he discusses the challenges facing Kiribati, Australia’s responsibility to tackle the climate crisis, and his vision for a more just and sustainable future.

Celia McMichael will serve as the event MC.

Biographies
His Excellency Anote Tong served as President of the Republic of Kiribati from 2003 to 2016. Originally from the island of Maiana in central Kiribati, Anote Tong studied in New Zealand at the University of Canterbury and in England at the London School of Economics. He has been a leading figure in global efforts to confront the climate crisis, and his pioneering initiatives include the creation of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, one of the largest marine protected areas in the world. Following his presidency, Anote has continued to advocate passionately on behalf of the people of Kiribati.

Dr Celia McMichael is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography, The University of Melbourne. She has a background in human geography, anthropology, international development and epidemiology. Celia has conducted applied work in the areas of forced migration, including with the World Health Organization in Angola and UNFPA in Sri Lanka. A central focus of her current research is environmental change and migration in the Pacific Islands region.

If you are interested in attending this event and costs are prohibitive, please email events@climatereality.org.au so that something can be arranged.

This event is being jointly hosted by The Climate Reality Project, Oxfam Australia, Pacific Calling Partnership and Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute.