Mary Robinson

Former President of Ireland,

Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Former United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Change

Mary Robinson served as the 7th President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, becoming the first female president in the country's history. Known for her reformative influence, she broke the conservative mold of Irish politics, leading the nation towards revitalization and openness. After her presidency, she served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mary Robinson is deeply concerned with the balance between environment and development, as well as issues of climate justice. In 2010, she founded the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, aiming to create a center for thought leadership, education, and advocacy, to champion justice for those globally affected by climate change who are often forgotten, deprived of rights, and marginalized. Additionally, she is the chair of several international organizations, including The Elders, Oxfam, the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), and the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL).

In April 2019, Mary Robinson led a delegation from The Elders to visit China and was received by President Xi Jinping.