Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will be the guest speaker at the ninth installation of the Khazanah Global Lectures (“KGL”), to be held here on 10 February.

Mrs. Robinson will be delivering a speech titled “Sharing the Unequal Burdens of Global Warming – Climate Justice and Our Global Responsibility.” She held office as the President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997 and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002. She is currently President of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice in Dublin.

“We are indeed privileged to host Mrs. Robinson, a former head of state who has been credited for many social reforms in Ireland and spent most of her life as a human rights advocate. From her early years as a barrister and throughout her tenure as President of Ireland and at the United Nations, Mrs. Robinson has displayed unwavering commitment to the upholding of human rights and advocacy of inclusive development with a focus on the world’s least privileged communities,” said Dr. Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, Executive Director of Khazanah Research and Investment Strategy.

He added that despite facing obstacles, Mrs. Robinson displayed deep courage and brought to the fore the voice of the world’s most vulnerable communities and made them heard and taken into account by global decision makers.

“As a leading proponent of ethical and compassionate behavior, Khazanah is proud to provide a platform for Malaysians to share Mrs. Robinson’s thoughts, experiences and wisdom in inculcating responsible behavior,” Dr. Nungsari said.

Mrs. Robinson will join several past and present heads of state and influential global leaders who has shared their thoughts, beliefs and ideas at the annual lecture series. India’s current Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke at the KGL in 2010 while other past speakers were Sir John Bond, YABhg. Tun Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Carlos Ghosn, Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz, Kofi Annan and Prof. Muhammad Yunus.

During her two day visit to Malaysia, Mrs. Robinson will also take part in a CEO Roundtable forum and meet with representatives from various non-governmental and civil organization including the Malaysian Bar Council.
The 2011 KGL is scheduled to be attended by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and his wife Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, and will be broadcasted live via video conferencing facility to seven institutions of higher learning, namely Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

The video conferencing facility is provided by Telekom Malaysia Berhad while UEM Group Berhad and UEM Land Berhad are the presenting sponsors of KGL 2011.