The United Nations Office for Partnerships, in collaboration with Fashinnovation, will host Design for the Planet: Leadership Panel Discussion on Nov. 6 at Hotel Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro. The event will coincide with the COP30 Local Leaders Forum and aims to emphasize Brazil’s role in sustainable and regenerative design through the intersection of fashion, lifestyle and climate innovation.
The forum will convene prominent figures from Brazil’s fashion and creative industries alongside international leaders in sustainability. Speakers include Oskar Metsavaht, founder of Osklen; Maria Laura Neves, managing director of Vogue Brasil; Carla Assumpção, general manager for Latin America at Swarovski Crystal Business; Paulo Borges, founder of São Paulo Fashion Week; Omoyemi Akerele, founder of Lagos Fashion Week; Amanda Mendonça, executive secretary of the Rio Fashion Council; Dayana Molina, founder of Nalimo; Marcia Kemp, founder of Nannacay; and Fernanda Simon, executive director of Fashion Revolution Brasil.
“Brazil’s leadership in design, circularity and inclusion underscores the power of partnerships to transform creativity into climate action. We are proud to elevate the voices working toward a more sustainable and equitable future for people and planet,” said Annemarie Hou, executive director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, via statement.
Sessions will explore how design can drive local climate action while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. Topics include circular fashion, responsible sourcing, and the integration of Indigenous and artisan practices into production systems. By connecting creative sectors with global climate priorities, the discussion positions Brazil as a case study in localized sustainability with international reach.
“Brazil has always been a land of creativity, resilience and cultural power — and now it’s also a beacon for sustainable innovation,” Marcelo Guimarães, founder of Fashinnovation, said. “At Fashinnovation, we believe that the future of fashion must be rooted in local wisdom and global collaboration.”
The initiative forms part of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, supported by the U.N. Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund. COP30 will take place in Belém, Brazil, from Nov. 10 to 21, bringing governments, experts, and organizations together to advance climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
