In January this year, ICLEI’s nine Regional Executive Committees were announced after an 8-month globally executed election process. The ICLEI Regional Executive Committees each represent one of the nine ICLEI regions worldwide, and together make up the ICLEI Council that represents ICLEI’s global subnational Membership. As part of this process, ICLEI Oceania’s new Board was also elected and inaugurated. 

Councillor Francis B. Green is the Chairperson of the Kiribati Local Government Association - KiLGA, and was elected Mayor of Eutan Tarawaieta Council in 2020. As the Mayor of North Tarawa constituency and the Chairperson of KiLGA, he underscores the importance of international partnerships  to strengthen resilience in the Pacific Islands. He sees ICLEI’s role as a vital avenue in responding to island communities who are vulnerable to rising sea levels, floods, food insecurity, waste and a range of interconnected development challenges.    

“We have to strengthen our voices in solidarity for environmentally friendly solutions and promote the multilateral efforts through climate mitigation activities or programs for all members. ICLEI’s work is renowned across KiLGA members and transnationally, and I hope to use my role as RexCom Member to provide oversight on local sustainability issues, provide sound governance, accountability and transparency. Representing Kiribati is a prestigious honour to equally amplify the voice of remote islands, regardless of their size, landmass and other discriminatory benchmarks, to the global agenda.”

Councillor HY William Chan is part of Sydney’s Mayoral team and was elected to Council in 2021. Cr Chan is the Chair of the Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee, Deputy Chair of the Transport, Heritage, Environment and Planning Committee, and Executive of Climate Emergency Australia, which represents over 100 local governments accelerating a zero-carbon economy across the nation. 

A registered architect, Cr Chan is also a passionate advocate for design excellence, sustainability and housing rights, and his work has won numerous industry awards including from the Australian Institute of Architects and Good Design Australia. Cr Chan has championed human rights as UNICEF’s Young Ambassador, led the Australian Youth Climate Coalition on its national council, and facilitated the community’s 2050 vision as a member of the expert panel to the City of Sydney’s Citizens Jury.  

“To achieve net zero carbon cities by 2030, we must focus on action-leadership, not just thought-leadership within the urban sector. Local elected officials within Oceania have a personal and collective responsibility to align pathways and outcomes collaboratively, particularly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement. As a first-generation Australian architect, I’m most passionate about how we design for Indigenous and Pasifika Country as our ‘partner’. Incorporating the regenerative knowledge and practices of First Nations Peoples in our region into the design process is a personal leadership ambition of mine.”

Councillor Amanda Stone is no stranger to ICLEI’s governance, serving as previous RexCom Chair and on the ICLEI Global Executive Committee (GexCom). A long-standing elected member at the City of Yarra, Cr Cr Stone was re-elected in November 2020 representing Nicholls ward. She served as Yarra’s Mayor in 2008-2009 and again in 2016-2017.

Cr Stone brings extensive skills and experience in municipal and political leadership, strategic planning, financial management, public representation, community engagement, stakeholder collaboration and partnerships to the work of the RexCom. This is invaluable as ICLEI Oceania works to strengthen partnerships and support across the region on various sustainability issues. Cr Stone’s energy, experience and a strong commitment to continue driving change is a hallmark of ICLEI’s unique and vital role in the work of local governments in securing a sustainable urban future.

“Local governments are the engine rooms of sustainability. Across our region, they are at the forefront of emissions reductions, biodiversity protection, circular economies and building resilience. But they need recognition and support to do so. ICLEI’s programs and technical support, and our advocacy to national governments for financing and partnership, provide that support and recognition. ICLEI Oceania has recently reflected deeply on its role into the future, and major changes are underway to ensure it is more responsive to its membership, continues to provide quality relevant programs to its members and can position itself at the forefront of innovation and member-driven initiatives in sustainability in our region.”

Councillor Anna Reynolds was elected Lord Mayor of Hobart in 2018. She takes pride in working with communities to create a city that is inclusive, resilient, future-focused and economically thriving. Cr Reynolds has had an impressive career working around Australia in a number of roles in public policy and advocacy, and in the management of teams and organisations. She has worked in local, national, and international government agencies and community organisations. 

Cr Reynolds has provided policy leadership to divest Council funds away from banks with fossil fuel investments, to declare a climate emergency, and support a net zero by 2030 target. Her mayoral priorities include supporting environmental and sustainability initiatives in the city, including greening, waste and public transport initiatives under the Sustainable Hobart Action Plan. Cr Reynolds is a board member of the Global Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy.

 ICLEI Oceania is going through a period of change, and I would like to continue to assist it to grow as an important policy and advocacy organisation in the Oceania region. The need for ICLEI is more important than ever before for its member organisations. I would like to continue helping ICLEI to lead national discussions on climate change policy. I also bring experience in working in and managing international teams and building the capacity of people from a range of cultures at different stages in their careers.”

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes is the 14th Lord Mayor and the longest serving Lord Mayor in the City of Newcastle. Cr Nelmes has continued to build on her first-term success, which delivered progressive financial sustainability, while protecting local jobs and services, creating momentum for positive change through consistent hard work, stability and collaboration. She understands the importance of collaboration with partners in achieving local government goals, and views ICLEI’s role as instrumental in cross-sector collaboration. 

Cr Nelmes has worked on community climate adaptation programs and championed various catalytic initiatives that have achieved highly impactful results, some of which include shifting to 100% renewable energy and reducing the City’s carbon footprint by 77%; delivering a 15000 panel 5 MW city-owned solar farm; developing the first approved Coastal Management Program in NSW; and rolling out public electric vehicle infrastructure and expanded cycleways.   

“Taking action to address climate change, protecting and enhancing our natural environment and using our resources sustainably have been the hallmark of my time as Lord Mayor. Under my leadership, we have created a positive environmental legacy for generations to come, with our recently adopted Newcastle Environment Strategy providing our city with a 10-year roadmap for sustainability.”