City of Melbourne Councillor, Cathy Oke, has been elected the international First Vice President of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.
ICLEI is a global network of over 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future. The growing network is impacting on 25 percent of the global urban population in more than 100 countries.
Following recent international elections, Mayor of Bonn, Germany, Ashok Sridharan, was elected President and Cr Oke elected Vice President.
Mayor Sridharan and Cr Oke will represent ICLEI at the highest level in international meetings and events and will provide strong leadership to ICLEI global.
Cr Oke held the position of Chair, ICLEI Oceania Board and Regional Executive Committee, 2008 to 2017, and Chair, ICLEI International Management Committee.
Regional Director, Steve Gawler, said, “Cathy has provided very strong leadership and continuity for ICLEI International and ICLEI Oceania region during a decade of great change and challenges.”
Cr Oke is Chair of the Environment portfolio, City of Melbourne, which covers Carbon Neutral, Total Watermark, Zero Net Emissions, Climate Adaptation and Resilience program areas. She is also Deputy Chair of the Finance and Governance and Transport portfolios.
First elected to the Melbourne City Council in 2008, Cr Oke has over 20 years’ experience in the sustainability sector. She currently works at the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Research Hub, based at the University of Melbourne and holds a PhD in molecular science.
A resident in the City of Melbourne municipality for more than 30 years, Cr Oke is committed to supporting programs which enable a safe, vibrant and creative community.
Cr Oke said, “I’m very proud to be elected to this important position for ICLEI.
“Cities continue to show leadership on solutions for the sustainable and resilient future our citizens demand.
“I’ve witnessed the significant role ICLEI has played in shifting action on climate change and other important environmental issues.
“ICLEI has been showcasing the collective power of cities working together on regional, national and international stages for decades.
“I’m excited to help ICLEI continue to make a difference.”
