Open Forum: Making the Case for Nature

Overview Speakers

Granting nature legal personhood involves recognizing ecosystems' rights to exist, thrive and regenerate. This legal framework empowers communities to protect natural resources by allowing lawsuits on behalf of rivers, forests and other natural entities.

What are the opportunities and challenges in granting nature legal personhood?

Johanna Hoffman

Opening Remarks by

Founder and Principal, Design for Adaptation

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

President, Association for Fulani Women and Indigenous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT)

Mindahi Crescencio Bastida Munoz

Coordinator, Earth Elders

Emmanuel de Merode

Director, Virunga National Park, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN)

Joyeeta Gupta

Professor, Environment and Development in the Global South, University of Amsterdam

Cristina Mittermeier

Co-Founder and Lead Storyteller, SeaLegacy

Justin Langan

Curator, Winnipeg Hub

More talks from World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

Open Forum: Building Communities, Brick by Brick

Open Forum: Building Communities, Brick by Brick

Access to affordable, safe housing is a basic right, but many face poor conditions, homelessness, or are priced out of neighbourhoods, deepeni...

Open Forum: Balancing the Scales

Open Forum: Balancing the Scales

According to the IMF, income inequality is high or increasing in 60% of low- and middle-income countries, with the highest impact being felt o...

Open Forum: All Abilities Welcome

Open Forum: All Abilities Welcome

Know how to remove barriers in education and employment to create equitable opportunities for the 15% of the global population living with dis...