Sustainable development has transitioned from a niche concern to a critical global priority, influencing how societies balance economic development with

sustainability. The severe consequences of climate change and environmental degradation threaten the lives and livelihoods of billions worldwide. Despite these challenges, significant strides have been made in combating nature loss and addressing climate change. Landmark international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, endorsed by nearly 200 nations, exemplify this progress. We now have a remarkable opportunity to mobilize global action among key stakeholders to halt and reverse climate change and biodiversity loss by 2030 while tackling the root causes of environmental degradation.

Alice Ruhweza is a visionary leader whose dedication to inclusive and sustainable development has profoundly influenced the field. Growing up with a father deeply committed to conservation and a mother devoted to community development, Alice witnessed the critical need for harmony between nature and people early on. This upbringing shaped her path and inspired a career focused on the intersection of environmental, economic, and social development. Much of her work has been rooted in the Global South, where she has earned a reputation for fostering cross-cultural collaboration. Guided by her unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Alice firmly believes that meaningful and lasting sustainable development can only be achieved when women, youth, indigenous and local communities are in the lead as primary architects and implementers of their solutions.

Sustainable Development Thought Leader and Practitioner

Alice Ruhweza, who was recently appointed President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a role she will take on from March 1, 2025, brings nearly three decades of experience as a thought leader, systems thinker, and sustainable development practitioner. Her 28- year career spans leadership and board roles across Government, the private sector, the United Nations, and major international NGOs.

Previously serving as the Senior Director for Policy Influence and Engagement Alice has been instrumental in establishing a policy influence and engagement hub and fostering a community of practice. Her efforts aim to strengthen the capacity of country offices and regional teams to shape and influence sustainable development agendas at both national and regional levels.

Alice’s achievements include mobilizing funding for groundbreaking initiatives that prioritize amplifying marginalized voices—women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities—while creating stronger national and regional policy contexts for inclusive conservation. At a pivotal moment when the world looks to organizations advance localization and elevate perspectives from the Global South, Alice has been at the forefront of driving meaningful progress in these critical areas.

Alice Ruhweza has also been an influential voice for various global platforms, including participating in the European Commission’s mandated high-level expert group on scaling finance for low- and middle-income countries. In this capacity, she was selected to present the group’s final recommendations to Finance Ministers alongside the Executive Director of the IMF. Additionally, Alice serves as a member of

the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Nature and Security, where she was

recently appointed Co-Chair; and an Advisory member of the Global Foresight Network. Through her involvement in these forums, Alice has brought invaluable insights from the field, ensuring that global strategies and positions are informed by the realities and perspectives of countries and local communities.

Alice has also held the Team Leader and Technical Adviser position at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Global Environmental Finance Unit. In this role, she led a team of technical advisors supporting 44 countries in mobilizing over US $1 billion in public and private financing for sustainable development priorities, including climate mitigation and adaptation, sustainable finance, sustainable energy, and nature-based solutions.

Earlier in her career, Alice worked as a Regional Coordinator for the Africa Katoomba Group at Forest Trends. This network brought together global experts to advance markets and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) across Africa.

Her extensive experience also includes consulting for prominent organizations such as the UNFCCC (Bonn), the World Bank Environment Department (Washington, D.C.), the Foundation for International Law and Development (UK), and the Institute for European Environmental Policy ((Brussels), among others. These roles allowed Alice to contribute her expertise to critical global initiatives in environmental policy, sustainable development, and ecosystem services, further solidifying her reputation as a thought leader.

Alice Ruhweza holds a Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Economics, as well as prestigious leadership certifications from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Additionally, she has completed the United Nations System Mastermind in Sustainable Development Leadership program.

Alice’s extensive board and advisory roles reflect her global influence. She serves on the Board of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) a consortium of 15 centers working to address major global challenges threatening the sustainability of food, land, and water systems, and their transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alice has contributed significantly to advancing sustainable development initiatives as a Senior Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s New Voices Program, a Henry Arnhold Conservation Fellow, a Forest Trends Fellow, and a Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow. She is also an International UN Gender Champion, a member of the UNCCD Gender Caucus, and a dedicated advocate for gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Awards and Recognition:

• Named among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Africa (2024).

Recipient of the Africa Green Champion Award (2022) by the Eleven Twelve Foundation.

• Alice is a contributing author to the landmark publication on the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB).

Her remarkable contributions inspire progress in sustainable development and inclusive leadership globally.

Insights on Sustainable Development in Africa

Alice Ruhweza acknowledges Africa’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, noting an average score of 53.82 across all African member states in 2020—slightly higher than in 2019. However, she emphasizes that progress is not at the scale or speed needed to meet the 2030 targets. After six years of SDG implementation, Africa is only halfway toward achieving its goals. Challenges such as high poverty levels, climate change, and biodiversity loss, compounded by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia- Ukraine conflict, threaten current and future well-being, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

Despite these challenges, Alice identifies significant opportunities for the continent. Africa’s young, entrepreneurial, and increasingly educated population is a vital asset. As the fastest urbanizing continent, Africa can build modern, green energy infrastructure without dismantling fossil fuel systems. With abundant solar and hydroelectric potential, Africa can lead a green energy transition. The rapid growth of digital technologies, such as mobile payments and fintech, offers innovative solutions tailored to local conditions.

Alice reflects on the transformative potential of achieving the SDGs, which could unlock $12 trillion in market opportunities and generate 380 million jobs by 2030.

She also highlights the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical avenue to advance the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

While acknowledging the challenges, Alice remains optimistic about Africa’s ability to achieve sustainable development. She stresses that successful environmental solutions must be tailored to local contexts, ensuring their relevance and practicality for the communities involved. Alice advocates for building strong partnerships, emphasizing that collective efforts across sectors and stakeholders often more effectively address complex environmental challenges.

She underscores the importance of incorporating local, national, and regional perspectives into global policy discussions., Alice insists that the voices of those most affected by environmental issues must not be overlooked when crafting international strategies.

Alice also underscores the importance of aligning financial resources with environmental goals, stressing the need for investment opportunities that foster sustainability while bolstering vulnerable countries’ economies. Alice advocates for ensuring financial and technical resources reach the most underserved populations and those who need them most.

Moreover, she champions flexible and adaptable approaches to Africa’s diverse challenges, drawing on her extensive experience. Alice believes coordinated efforts across sectors are essential for achieving the SDGs. Her vision is rooted in leveraging Africa’s resources, youthful population, and technological advancements to create a sustainable and inclusive future for the continent.

Prioritizing Rights-Based Approaches

Alice stresses the growing recognition of integrating human rights into conservation and development efforts.

Historically, conservation initiatives have sometimes prioritized nature preservation at the expense of local communities. However, Alice observes a critical shift toward inclusive strategies that place the rights and well- being of local populations at the center of conservation planning.

This change reflects an evolving understanding of the interconnectedness between communities and ecosystems. Thriving communities often lead to more effective stewardship of natural resources, which enhances the protection of wildlife and habitats.

Alice also underscores the significance of community participation in conservation projects. Involving local populations in decision-making and resoourcem management fosters a stronger sense of ownership and investment in the success of these efforts. When communities see tangible benefits—such as improved livelihoods, access to resources, or economic opportunities—they are more motivated to engage in sustainable practices that protect their natural environment.

These rights-based, community-driven approaches transform conservation from a narrow focus on preserving nature in isolation to a broader vision of sustainable development. By balancing the needs of people and ecosystems, these methods pave the way for long-term, harmonious sustainability across Africa’s landscapes. Alice believes this inclusive approach sets a promising precedent for conservation efforts’ future, ensuring that nature and communities can thrive together.

Values-Based Leadership: A Journey to Antarctica and Beyond

In 2018, Alice embarked on a transformative journey with Homeward Bound, a group of 80 women from around the globe, to Antarctica. The mission was to empower women by helping them connect their values to their leadership approach in the workplace. Unlike many leadership courses focusing on “what” to do, this voyage concentrated on “why” women should lead. Research highlights that “structured reflection”—dedicated time for introspection and self-examination—plays a key role in leadership development. As the only African woman on the trip, Alice returned with a renewed appreciation for her parents’ investment in her education and the values they instilled in her: humility, empathy, courage, and a determination to advocate for girls’ education and women in leadership.

Reflecting on her last two years as Senior Director at WWF International, Alice emphasizes how those same core values—humility, empathy, and courage—have shaped her approach to policy influence and engagement. Alice believes that creating sound policies is not enough; policymakers must also deeply understand the human experience and address the needs of local communities.

When these values are embedded in policymaking, she argues, better outcomes can be achieved for the environment and the people who depend on it.