We arrived at the UN Helipad right at 3 pm. It was a quick walk to the security checkpoint where the handsome guards donning white helmets and official vests were directing visitors through an airport-like TSA screening room. I now realize you don’t need a pat-down from each guard – the first will suffice. And, just so you know you don’t need a pat-down when you exit.

I hustled through the expansive plaza towards the revolving brass doors of the main building. It was a cold day and I was already running late – so stopping to admire the art sculptures positioned throughout the walkway happened afterward.

Once inside you are seduced by the grandeur and powerful energy. Kings, Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers and Greta Thunberg have walked through the doors of the UN Building. Art Gallery + Library + modern palace and Ball Room all combined in one opulent location. There is 6’1″ life-size bronze sculpture of South African President, Nelson Mandella that greets you midway through the lobby. It is just a few steps away from the Information Booth. . . .

• Me: (using my best German Accent) “Greetings, I’m late for a very important VIP meeting in conference room B section 11”.
• Info Booth Lady: “are you a Diplomat, sir?”
• Me: “yes, please . . . I’ll be a Diplomat”
• Info Booth Lady: “you can’t just be a Diplomat, you have to be appointed”
• Me: “did I say Diplomat – I meant Ambassador”
• Info Booth Lady: “An ambassador is a diplomat, but all the diplomats are not ambassadors. … An ambassador is a permanent representative of a country in another country and lives in his country’s embassy in that other country. This means an ambassador represents his country until a new ambassador is appointed in his place.”
• Me: (checking my fingernails) “Hamilton”
• Info Booth Lady: “Hamilton ?” (with a confused expression)
• Me: “Ambassador”
• Info Booth Lady: “Ambassador Hamilton??”
• Me: “yes that’s me, now which way to the VIP meeting for the announcement of a new collaborative initiative between Messe Frankfurt, the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Conscious Fashion Campaign?”

Together for more sustainability in the textile industry

Over 100 guests from the press, business, politics and
associations met at the headquarters of the United Nations to learn how the Texpertise Network of Messe Frankfurt, the Conscious Fashion Campaign and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP) plan to collaborate in furthering the implementation of their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the fashion and textile industry.

The Executive Director of UNOP Robert Skinner, opened the event and
highlighted the importance of global engagement of the private sector
and other stakeholders for achieving Sustainable Development.

Goals. Mr. Skinner stated that international fashion and textile
industry has a potential to advance the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable
Development. Together with Messe Frankfurt and Conscious Fashion
Campaign, UNOP welcomes the opportunity to reach a broad and
professional audiences, raise awareness of the goals and galvanize
support.

Mr. Skinner, who moderated the event, invited Ambassador Jürgen
Schulz, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United
Nations, to deliver opening remarks.

With its Texpertise Network Messe Frankfurt supports the Sustainable
Development Goals within the framework of the cooperation with the
Conscious Fashion Campaign and UNOP. The goals will be presented at the more than 50 textile events organized by Messe Frankfurt at venues around the globe.

The next event directly after Heimtextil is Neonyt (14-16 January 2020),
which takes place once again during Berlin Fashion Week. In the framework of its international conference format Fashionsustain, Neonyt will feature, amongst others, the panel “SDGs X Fashion.

Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, convention and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. It employs a workforce of 2,600* at around 30 sites and generates annual
sales of around EUR 733* million. The comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt