July 2, 2026 (Thursday, 18:30 – 20:00 JST)
ONLINE (Zoom)
About the Hiroshima University x UN-Habitat Webinar Series: Unravelling Social and Peace in Urban Waste Management
Access to waste management is fundamentally linked to safeguarding human health and the environment. The increased pressure from population growth and rapid urbanisation, along with changing waste production and composition, makes urban waste management one of the most complex responsibilities for national and local authorities. On the other hand, poor urban waste management systems can cause conflicts and environmental hazards, leading to social tensions and highlighting the link between waste management and peace.
Co-organised by the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS) at Hiroshima University, Japan, and the Urban Basic Service Section (UBSS) of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), this webinar series aims to explore the connections between peace and urban waste management from both academic and practical perspectives.
This initiative recognises the existing limitations in current practice and academic discourse in linking peace and urban waste management. Specifically, it identifies a gap in emphasising and framing the vital role of waste management processes in fostering social cohesion, inclusivity, income generation, and the overall stability of urban communities.
About the third webinar
The third installment of this series will focus on interventions at the institutional and policy levels, with multi-stakeholder engagement. We will hear about the pathways and components that drive successful participatory planning and implementation for urban waste management, involving government, non-governmental, and local community partners.
About the speakers
Cecilia Andersson
Cecilia Andersson is an Urban and Regional Planner with UN‑Habitat, based in Nairobi, focusing on urban basic services and sustainable urban development. She currently leads both the solid waste management and urban mobility teams, guiding the development and implementation of global and multi-country programmes. She has extensive experience in designing and delivering programmes with a strong emphasis on solid waste management, urban mobility, basic service delivery, public space, and inclusive city planning.
She supports governments and cities in advancing sustainable solid waste management and circular economy approaches, including zero waste strategies, waste reduction, recycling systems, and clean-up initiatives, alongside sustainable urban mobility systems, infrastructure development, and policy frameworks aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11. Cecilia plays a key role in coordinating partnerships with other UN agencies, development partners, and local authorities, ensuring effective project implementation, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Her work emphasizes integrated and people-centered approaches, linking urban planning, service delivery, and policy development, with a strong focus on improving the quality of life for underserved communities.
Before joining the Urban Basic Services Section, Cecilia led the Public Space Programme, where she worked extensively on urban regeneration and urban safety, advancing inclusive, accessible, and safe public spaces as a key component of sustainable cities. She is committed to promoting equitable, climate-responsive, and resource-efficient urban transformation, with urban basic services at the core of achieving inclusive and resilient cities.
Mohammed Dahiru Aminu
Dr. Mohammed Dahiru Aminu serves as the Policy Manager for Methane Pollution Prevention in Africa at Clean Air Task Force, a globally renowned environmental organization dedicated to mitigating the severe impacts of climate change. Within Clean Air Task Force, Dr. Aminu works on advocacy efforts aimed at implementing robust, technically sound regulations and policies to curb methane emissions across various African nations, with a primary focus on the oil and gas as well as waste sectors.
With a distinguished track record, Dr. Aminu has contributed significantly to the field of energy and environmental research, having authored papers in esteemed scientific journals. His outstanding work titled “A review of developments in carbon dioxide storage” earned him the prestigious Applied Energy highly cited article award in 2020. Furthermore, Dr. Aminu is a prolific writer, regularly publishing essays in prominent print and online media platforms. His writings often delve into critical issues such as energy, education, infrastructure, economics, and other developmental challenges.
Recognized for his expertise and dedication, Dr. Aminu was appointed to serve on the Expert Advisory Panel for The Earthshot Prize in both 2023 and 2024. The Earthshot Prize, founded in 2020 by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, is the world’s most prestigious and ambitious environmental prize. Dr. Aminu holds a Ph.D. in carbon capture and storage from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, complemented by a master’s degree in petroleum engineering and a bachelor’s degree in geology. He is a Chartered Geoscientist and an active member of numerous professional associations.
Kassim Gawusu-Toure
Kassim Gawusu-Toure is a conservation biologist and climate change and sustainability expert with over a decade of experience in civil society. He holds an MPhil in Climate Change and Sustainable Development from the University of Ghana and an MSc in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration from University College London (UCL). Kassim is the Founder and Executive Director of Greener Impact International, where he has led the development and implementation of a wide range of climate change initiatives across the waste, energy, and agriculture sectors.
He has served as a consultant for organisations including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Clean Air Task Force (CATF), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In his role with CATF, he led case study research on methane emissions in two urban communities in Ghana and played a key role in advancing a national campaign on methane mitigation.
An active member of Ghana’s civil society community, Kassim has contributed to several national environmental committees, supporting the development of key policy frameworks, including Ghana’s Climate Change Strategy and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
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