Ms Kogilam Govender is the Deputy Director Global Change and Sustainability at the Department of Science and Innovation. In this capacity, she promotes the development of research, the production of scientific knowledge and capacity in the field of global change. She has over 15 years of experience in conceptualizing, coordinating and facilitating strategic partnerships, initiatives and strategies that contribute to sustainability science. She has have served as the South African Environmental  National Contact Point for the European Union Seventh Framework Programme and the H2020 programme and is a cofounder of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change. She has extensive knowledge in international, regional and national environmental policy and R&D trajectories, particularly those that relate to the circular economy, climate change, earth systems science, biodiversity, air quality and ocean and coastal management. Her interests include science communication and advocacy alongside youth mentorship.