Deputy Secretary-General & Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group
United Nations
The Speakers of the HSC 2026
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Amina J. Mohammed
Amina J. Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General & Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group
United Nations
Where do I participate?
- Bridges not Barriers: UN80 and the Fight for the Future of Multilateral Cooperation
- Navigating the Hormuz Crisis: Forging a Collective Response
Biography
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Mohammed served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered the country’s efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment. Ms. Mohammed first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the responsibility for post-2015 development planning. She led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Mohammed began her career working on the design of schools and hospitals in Nigeria. She served as an advocate focused on increasing access to education and other social services, before moving into the public sector, where she rose to the position of adviser to four successive Presidents on poverty, public sector reform, and sustainable development. Ms. Mohammed has been conferred several honorary doctorates and has served as an adjunct professor, lecturing on international development. The recipient of various global awards, Ms. Mohammed has served on numerous international advisory boards and panels. She is the mother of six children and has six grandchildren.
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Sarah Abdelatif
Co-founder & CEO
Propel
Sarah Abdelatif
Co-founder & CEO
Propel
Where do I participate?
- Turning Fragmented Knowledge into Shared Intelligence for SDG Action
Biography
Sarah Abdelatif is the Co-Founder and CEO of Propel, a collective intelligence platform helping development and humanitarian organisations turn fragmented experience and evidence into shared knowledge for better decision-making. Her work focuses on how organisations can capture lessons as projects and partnerships unfold, connect knowledge across teams and countries, and use responsible AI to support more coordinated and adaptive action. Alongside her work at Propel, Sarah is conducting PhD research at Radboud University Nijmegen on organisational learning in international development cooperation, with a particular focus on power, politics, and the future of knowledge practices in the sector. Her work explores how institutions can move beyond siloed information systems and build more collaborative, inclusive, and actionable approaches to learning. Sarah has worked with NGOs, foundations, multilateral organisations, and government actors on learning, knowledge management, and adaptive programming in complex contexts. She is particularly interested in how collective intelligence and responsible technology can strengthen multilateral cooperation and support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
Government of Yemen
Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
Government of Yemen
Where do I participate?
- Beyond Humanitarian Aid: Yemen and the Future of Fragile States
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Grethel Aguilar
Director General
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Grethel Aguilar
Director General
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Where do I participate?
- The Mangrove Opportunity: Scaling Nature-Based Solutions
Biography
Dr Grethel Aguilar, born in Costa Rica, was appointed Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in October 2023. Dr Aguilar brings with her thirty years of experience in conservation and sustainable development, having worked extensively on developing and applying environmental law and policy in collaboration with governments and civil society. She is deeply passionate about the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities and has pushed for the inclusion of their knowledge and experience in mainstream conservation policy. Through her work, Dr Aguilar has helped communities access clean water and land rights, advocated for environmental justice, promoted a “whole of society” approach to conservation, and championed gender equality in environmental governance. Most recently, she held the position of IUCN Deputy Director General, starting in 2021, and prior to this, IUCN Acting Director General (2019-2020) and Regional Director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (2005-2019). She served as the 2018 Dorothy S. McCluskey Visiting Fellow in Conservation at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, and in 2001 received the title of Doctor of Law Outstanding cum laude from the University of Alicante, Spain.
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Temidayo Akenroye
Professor of Supply Chain Management
University of Missouri–St. Louis
Temidayo Akenroye
Professor of Supply Chain Management
University of Missouri–St. Louis
Where do I participate?
- Scaling Logistics for Sustainable Development
Biography
Dr Temidayo Akenroye is Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and Academic Advisor to the Kuehne Foundation in Germany. He also holds positions as Senior Visiting Fellow at Lagos Business School, Honorary Professor at the University of South Africa, and External Examiner at the University of Lancashire. A globally recognised scholar in supply chain sustainability and public procurement, his recent work on Scope 3 emissions reduction, green logistics innovation, and fairness in food supply chains has been published by the World Economic Forum and other leading international outlets. He brings extensive consulting experience across the UK, USA, and Africa, advising organisations on procurement transformation, supply chain strategy, and sustainability leadership. He holds a PhD in Supply Chain Management from the University of Salford and an MSc in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
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Bayo Akomolafe
Host Teacher
Dancing with Mountains
Bayo Akomolafe
Host Teacher
Dancing with Mountains
Where do I participate?
- Reimagining Global Cooperation: Inclusive Development in a Reordered World
Biography
Bayo Akomolafe (Ph.D.), rooted with the Yoruba people in a more-than-human world, is the father to Alethea Aanya and Kyah Jayden Abayomi, the grateful life-partner to EJ, son and brother. A widely celebrated international speaker, posthumanist thinker, poet, teacher, self-styled ‘trans-public’ intellectual, essayist, and author of two books, These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to My Daughter on Humanity’s Search for Home (North Atlantic Books) and We Will Tell our Own Story: The Lions of Africa Speak (along with Professors Molefi Kete Asante and Augustine Nwoye), Bayo Akomolafe is the visionary founder of The Emergence Network, a planet-wide networking project and inquiry at the edges of the Anthropocene that seeks to convene new kinds of responsivities, sensuous solidarities, and experimental practices for a posthumanist parapolitics. He is host of the postactivist course/festival/event, ‘We Will Dance with Mountains’ and curator of Dancing with Mountains, the educational consultation. He currently lectures at Pacifica Graduate Institute, California – and, in November 2024, was appointed the Hubert Humphrey Distinguished Professor of American Studies at Macalester College, USA (beginning Fall 2025). He sits on the Board of many organizations.
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Waleed Al-Bahar
Director
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED)
Waleed Al-Bahar
Director
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED)
Where do I participate?
- From Ideas to Impact: Financing Recovery & Resilience in Somalia
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Reem Alabali Radovan
Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
Reem Alabali Radovan
Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
Where do I participate?
- BMZ Lunch
- Employment, Migration, and Markets: The Agenda for the Next Decade
- Navigating the Hormuz Crisis: Forging a Collective Response
Biography
Since May 2025 Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development 2022 to 2025 Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Racism 2021 to 2025 Minister of State for Migration, Refugees and Integration Since 2021 Member of the German Parliament for the constituency of Schwerin – Ludwigslust-Parchim I – Nordwestmecklenburg I 2020 to 2021 Integration commissioner of the Land government, Ministry of Social Affairs, Integration and Gender Equality of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 2018 to 2020 Member of political staff – Integration office of the Land government, Ministry of Social Affairs, Integration and Gender Equality of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 2015 to 2018 Clerical officer at the State Office for Internal Administration, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 2013 to 2014 Country desk officer, German Near and Middle East Association (NUMOV) 2012 to 2013 Assistant to country divisions, German Near and Middle East Association (NUMOV) 2012 to 2014 Research assistant, German Orient-Institute 2008 to 2013 Degree in political science at the Freie Universität Berlin 2008 Higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) at Gymnasium Fridericianum Schwerin
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Cambria Allen-Ratzlaff
Interim CEO
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
Cambria Allen-Ratzlaff
Interim CEO
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
Where do I participate?
- From Risk to Resilience: Mobilizing Business to Tackle Inequality and Deliver Shared Prosperity
Biography
Cambria is Interim CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a UN-supported organisation with more than 5,000 signatories worldwide representing nearly US$140 trillion in assets under management. In this role, she oversees the PRI’s global operations and leads efforts to advance its mission to embed responsible investment principles across financial markets. With deep expertise in financial services, responsible investment and governance, Cambria brings a strong track record of strategic leadership. She first joined the PRI as Chief Markets Officer, after serving as Managing Director and Head of Investor Strategies at JUST Capital, a not-for-profit research organisation focused on corporate performance and stakeholder capitalism. Her career includes senior leadership roles at the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust and the State of Connecticut Office of the Treasurer, as well as service on a range of influential investor-led committees. Cambria holds a BA in political science from Bryn Mawr College and an MA in public policy from Trinity College.
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Heald Andrew
Chair
iNovaland
Heald Andrew
Chair
iNovaland
Where do I participate?
- Community as an Enabler of Inclusive and Responsible Carbon Markets
Biography
Andrew is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and has over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of sustainable forestry and plantation management. He is the co-founder and Chair of the iNovaland group of companies, which is delivering large scale forest landscape restoration projects in Ghana and Brazil. He has worked for leading international forest product companies including UPM and Mondi, and for major NGOs such as WWF International and FSC International. Andrew is also Chair of the Art of Forests, a global community of practice, made up of land stewarding individuals and organisations, all dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural environment using nature-based solutions — reforestation, afforestation, ecosystem restoration and conservation. Andrew is a professional member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and has worked at a senior level in UK, Ghana, Uruguay, and Uganda. From 2020 until earlier this year, Andrew was a member of the UK’s Government’s Expert Committee on Forest Science and has previously sat on the UK’s
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Ali Aslan
International Moderator
Journalist
Ali Aslan
International Moderator
Journalist
Where do I participate?
- Reimagining International Cooperation: New Partnerships for a Shared Vision
- Employment, Migration, and Markets: The Agenda for the Next Decade
- Navigating the Hormuz Crisis: Forging a Collective Response
Biography
ALI ASLAN is an internationally renowned TV host, moderator, and journalist with a global media career spanning three decades, including at CNN, ABC News, and Deutsche Welle TV. Globally recognized as a highly acclaimed conference host and moderator, Aslan has led high-level discussions at many of the world’s most significant events and influential platforms, including for the UN, G20, EU, World Bank, IMF, NATO, WEF, and OECD. Over the course of his distinguished career, Aslan has interviewed and shared stages with numerous world leaders, including Bill Clinton, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ursula von der Leyen, Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Henry Kissinger, Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, King Felipe of Spain, António Guterres, Christine Lagarde, Madeleine Albright, Melinda Gates, and many more. Aslan holds master's degrees in International Affairs and Journalism from Columbia University in New York as well as a bachelor's degree in International Politics from Georgetown University in Washington DC.
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Sanjeev Asthana
CEO
Patanjali Foods
Sanjeev Asthana
CEO
Patanjali Foods
Where do I participate?
- The First 1,000 Days: How Child Nutrition Shapes a Lifetime
Biography
Mr. Sanjeev Asthana is a recognized leader across Food, Agribusiness, Retail, and Private Equity, with extensive experience in top management, public policy, and industry think tanks. He is currently the CEO of Patanjali Foods Limited and a valued member of the Millers for Nutrition Miller Advisory Group. He also serves as President of the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), India’s largest association of edible oil companies, bringing strong industry leadership to the edible oil fortification ecosystem.
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Matthew Bach
Regional Director Europe
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Matthew Bach
Regional Director Europe
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Where do I participate?
- Forging City–Industry Alliances for Climate Neutrality Markets
Biography
Matthew Bach is Regional Director for Europe at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, a global network of local and regional governments advancing sustainable urban development. He leads ICLEI's policy and advocacy work across Europe with a particular focus on multilevel governance and financing for sustainable urban development. He represents the network in intergovernmental processes including the G7/Urban7 engagement group and policy forums on topics including climate and biodiversity. He is based in Freiburg and works in English, French, and German.
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Rakshya Bam
Activist & Coordinator
Nepal Gen Z Front
Rakshya Bam
Activist & Coordinator
Nepal Gen Z Front
Where do I participate?
- From Mobilization to Power: Youth Shaping Political Voice and Economic Futures
Biography
Rakshya Bam is a young activist and civic leader known for her role in recent youth-led political and social movements in Nepal. She is recognized for transforming questions into public pressure and dissent into democratic dialogue. Emerging from the far-west yet speaking to the entire nation, she represents a generation that refuses to inherit silence. Her work lies at the intersection of street, state, and society. She served as Executive Coordinator at the Ujwal Thapa Foundation, inspired by the civic ideals of Ujwal Thapa. Through campaigns, public speaking, digital advocacy, and grassroots mobilization across the country, Rakshya advocates transparency, youth political ownership, gender dignity, and accountable governance. Her activism spans street-vendor rights, democratic accountability, and challenging political cultures that normalize power without responsibility. She has emerged as one of the most recognizable voices of Nepal’s Gen-Z generation, demanding accountability, democratic engagement, and justice.
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Amitabh Behar
Executive Director
Oxfam International
Amitabh Behar
Executive Director
Oxfam International
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International, is a global civil society leader, with decades of experience in human rights, economic inequalities, governance accountability, philanthropy, democracy, social justice and building citizen participation.
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Dr. Hamed Beheshti
Co-Founder & CEO
Boreal Light
Dr. Hamed Beheshti
Co-Founder & CEO
Boreal Light
Where do I participate?
- Sustainable Industrialization and Infrastructure Development in Mexico
Biography
Dr. Hamed Beheshti, CEO and Co-founder of Boreal Light GmbH in Berlin, is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming water access in remote regions. He has developed a pioneering solar desalination system, providing affordable and safe solutions for communities worldwide. Under his leadership, Boreal Light has implemented scalable, off-grid water solutions across East Africa, Latin America and Middle East and Europe, empowering communities, creating local jobs, and strengthening climate resilience.
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Jonathan Bellish
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
Shuraako Capital
Jonathan Bellish
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
Shuraako Capital
Where do I participate?
- From Ideas to Impact: Financing Recovery & Resilience in Somalia
- Small Businesses, Big Impact: MSMEs as the Engine of Resilient Recovery
Biography
Jon Bellish is Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Shuraako Capital, a $34 million private investment platform supporting more than 125 companies across the Horn of Africa. He oversees institutional strategy, governance, and capital allocation for the fund, which operates in partnership with several Nordic development finance institutions and private impact investors. He also serves as Board Chairman and Independent Trustee of the Cashmere Fund, an $18 million regulated Delaware statutory trust, and as a board member of Fundación Paz Sostenible in Bogotá, Colombia. Jon holds a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and an M.B.A. from Millsaps College. He speaks fluent Spanish.
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Jessica Bennett
Climate Transition Lead, Sustainable Finance Data Solutions
Bloomberg
Jessica Bennett
Climate Transition Lead, Sustainable Finance Data Solutions
Bloomberg
Where do I participate?
- Re-Doing Growth: Economic Development in a Resource-Limited World
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Toni Beukes
Head of Environment, Social & Governance
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy
Toni Beukes
Head of Environment, Social & Governance
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy
Where do I participate?
- Why Climate Action can become one of the World’s Biggest Job Creators
Biography
Toni J. E. Beukes is Head of Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) at Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, one of the world’s largest green hydrogen developments. With 22+ years’ experience across upstream oil & gas, renewables and green hydrogen in Africa, she bridges legal, commercial and governance expertise to enable bankable, large-scale energy transition projects. At Hyphen, she leads ESG as a strategic business function integrating governance, risk, socio-economic development, stakeholder engagement and licence-to-operate across the project lifecycle and working with governments, investors, lenders, and communities. Previously, Toni held senior roles at GE Renewable Energy, Vestas Southern Africa and Nordex, advancing development, construction, operations and localisation of wind and renewable projects across Southern Africa. An admitted Attorney and Conveyancer (High Court of Namibia), she holds an LL.B (University of Namibia), an LL.M in Energy Law & Policy and an MBA in International Oil & Gas Management (University of Dundee). Recognitions include Woman in Hydrogen of the Year, Top 50 Pan-African Female Leaders in Energy and Africa’s Environmental Heroes.
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San Bilal
Executive Director
European Centre for Development Policy Management
San Bilal
Executive Director
European Centre for Development Policy Management
Where do I participate?
- Strengthening the Geostrategic Dimension of the Global Gateway
Biography
Dr San Bilal is the executive director of ECDPM. San's work focuses on geopolitics, international relations, development & climate finance, sustainable investment, economic diplomacy, economic recovery and transformation dynamics (notably in Africa and the Ukraine reconstruction), the European financial institutions and tools for external investments and the Global Gateway, trade and development, sustainable global value chains, private sector and industrialisation dynamics. San holds a PhD in international economics from the University of Birmingham, a master’s degree from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Geneva. Before joining ECDPM, he worked at ODI, the European Institute of Public Administration and the University of Geneva’s economics department. San is also a board member of the European Think Tank Group (ETTG) & a Steering Committee Member of the Ukȧmȧ Africa-Europe platform for sustainable development.
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Ruth Boumphrey
CEO
Lloyd's Register Foundation
Ruth Boumphrey
CEO
Lloyd's Register Foundation
Where do I participate?
- Reimagining Progress: Lessons from the HDR Trilogy and the Road Ahead
Biography
Dr Ruth Boumphrey Ruth became Chief Executive of Lloyd’s Register Foundation in 2022, having joined in 2014 as Director of Research and Strategic Programmes, to lead global programmes on resilience, risk, and safety innovation. She has a background in research, development, and regulation, primarily in space and environmental regulation. She is the Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, a Non-executive Director of CEFAS – the UK Government's Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; and is a Commissioner with the National Preparedness Commission.
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Miniya Chatterji
CEO
Sustain Labs Paris
Miniya Chatterji
CEO
Sustain Labs Paris
Where do I participate?
- Re-Doing Growth: Economic Development in a Resource-Limited World
Biography
Dr. Miniya Chatterji is the CEO of Sustain Labs Paris, a venture building & venture capital company with operations across Europe, MENA, and Asia focusing on new ventures for sustainable growth. The portfolio includes Carbon Capture Company, Anant School for Climate Action, Sustainability DIY, a chain of 28 hospitals, amongst others. In the UAE, Sustain Labs Paris also works as a partner to the Dubai World Trade Centre and the UAE Ministry of Education as well as works with UAE’s Ministry of Community Development, ADNOC, Microsoft, amongst others as clients in the country. Globally, Sustain Labs Paris works with over 200 companies and partners with governments. Dr. Miniya Chatterji founded Sustain Labs Paris in 2017. She was Chief Sustainability Officer of the USD 5 billion Jindal Steel & Power group of companies 2014 - 2017. Prior to that, during 2011-2014, she was in the senior leadership of the World Economic Forum in Geneva where she managed the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions. Between 2007-2011, Dr. Miniya Chatterji was managing two Euro 200 million hedge funds at HSBC in Paris. Prior to this role, she worked briefly in JP Morgan’s Hedge Fund division in Paris, after starting her career in finance as a summer associate at Goldman Sachs in 2006 in London. In parallel to pursuing her PhD, Dr. Miniya Chatterji’s first job 2002-2005 was that of Policy Analyst to the office of the President of the Republic of France, Jacques Chirac. Dr. Miniya Chatterji is also Adjunct Professor at SciencesPo Paris, where she teaches since 2016. She is on the Steering Group for Sustainability United Nations Global Compact India, and the World Steel Sustainability Expert Group. She is also a member of 100 Women in Hedge Funds and a member of the Parliament of Francophone Writers as constituted by the government of France. Dr. Miniya Chatterji is a Jury Member for the Million Dollar Global Teacher Prize by the Varkey Foundation and for The Circulars award that is given away each year at Davos. She is a columnist for The Harvard Business Review, The Indian Express and The Pioneer newspapers. Indian Instincts - essays on freedom and equality in India was Dr. Miniya Chatterji’s first book, published by Penguin Random House in 2018. It in its 2nd edition, and translated in Bengali and French languages. In September 2023, Dr. Miniya Chatterji was featured as the cover story for Gulf News’ Friday magazine, for her contributions to sustainable growth in the Middle East. In the same month, Dr. Miniya Chatterji was invited and received by President Bill Clinton in New York for establishing 10 climate focused university institutions globally supported by the Clinton Global Initiative. In 2019 she was awarded as ‘India’s most influential business leaders of the year under 40 years of age ‘by Business World. In 2018 she was bestowed the award of ‘Most influential sustainability leader in India’ at the India Sustainability Leadership Summit. In 2016 Dr. Miniya Chatterji was awarded by the Navoothan Foundation for her personal social commitment. She has also been awarded the CSR India award 2016 for corporate social responsibility. In the same year, Dr. Miniya Chatterji’s contribution to the field of sustainability was the cover story of Business World Asia. Dr. Miniya Chatterji has a PhD from Sciences Po Paris, which she completed in 2009. During her last 2 years of the Phd, she was a research fellow at Columbia University and Harvard University. She is a Global Leadership Fellow alumna of the World Economic Forum, with leadership certificates from London Business School, Columbia Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Anne-Marie Chidzero
CIO
FSD Africa Investments
Anne-Marie Chidzero
CIO
FSD Africa Investments
Where do I participate?
- Mobilizing Innovative Capital for Entrepreneurs in Africa: ICAMA Live
Biography
Anne-Marie is CIO of FSD Africa Investments, the investment arm of FSD Africa. She is the former CEO of FSD Mozambique, and Co-founder of Alitheia IDF Managers, a private equity fund manager investing in women-led businesses. Anne-Marie has a wealth of experience in building African financial markets. Across her career, she has led a range of development finance investments and implemented strategies for private sector growth, in roles at the World Bank Group, CGAP, and UK Aid – among other development finance institutions. She has held Board and Advisory positions at pioonering inclusive finance organisations in Africa.
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Joyelle Trizia Clarke
Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Joyelle Trizia Clarke
Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Where do I participate?
- Circular Policy Labs: From Local Indicators to Global Implementation
- Skills Partnership: Capacity Building for a Sustainable Future
Biography
Shortened Bio for The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke – Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment of Saint Kitts and Nevis The Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke is a dedicated environmentalist and biodiversity conservation advocate. As an educator, she has played a key role in the successful coordination and execution of environmental programs on recycling, climate action, conservation, and education for sustainable development. As a public servant, she has worked to develop projects that fuel local, community-based climate work especially among women in rural areas. As a Senator within the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis, she has championed and led the government’s mandate for sustainability, climate resilience and environmental protection, particularly in the advancement of the national Sustainable Island State Agenda – a transformational vision to transition St Kitts and Nevis to a climate resilient and sustainable island state by 2040. Allowing her environmental advocacy to manifest through the work and priorities of her Ministries, she has led major environmental shifts locally, including the implementation of the Single Use Plastic Ban; and has spearheaded the passage of key legislation on environmental protection as well as community beautification and safety. In 2025, she was appointed Vice President of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) Bureau 8 representing Latin America and the Caribbean (2025-2027) and previously served as rapporteur of UNEA-7 Bureau. Through her passion for sustainability, years of experience and spirit of volunteerism, Joyelle has advised and mentored with leading non-governmental organizations such as the Global Fund for Women (GFW), Women Empowering Girls (WEG), and GirlsCARE JA. She currently serves as an appointed Member of Parliament as Minister with responsibilities for Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action, Constituency Empowerment along with the Parks and Beaches Unit and the Solid Waste Management Corporation, a portfolio directly aligned with her training and lifelong work.
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Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook
Senior Advisor
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook
Senior Advisor
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Where do I participate?
- The Impact of Philanthropy as Accelerator for Progress in Challenging Times
Biography
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook is a German-American economic and political analyst and strategist currently serving as Senior Advisor to the Bertelsmann Foundation, where she spearheads the Foundation’s work on economic security and cross-sectoral resilience. She is the former Director and CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations and directed a series research programs at the Harvard Kennedy School for over a decade, after a career in international think tanks and management consulting. She served in the second Bloomberg administration in New York City and has published numerous academic articles and book chapters on urban reslience and leadership, alongside her 2026 SPIEGEL Bestseller on American democratic resilience. A former journalist, she is a Trustee of the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship, a Board Member of the U.S. Fulbright Commission and a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper, and retains academic affiliations at her alma maters, Brown and Harvard Universities.
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Sabine Dall'Omo
Chairperson
Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft
Sabine Dall'Omo
Chairperson
Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft
Where do I participate?
- Critical Raw Materials: Mittelstand as Enabler of African Value Chains
Biography
Sabine Dall'Omo is a highly respected figure in the field of digital technology and engineering in Africa, recognized as one of the continent's most influential women in this male-dominated industry. With over thirty years of experience at Siemens, she currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board member for Siemens in South Africa, where she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to driving innovation and leveraging technology for the advancement of society. Sabine's dedication to the development of Africa is evident in her various leadership roles. She is the Deputy Chairperson of the NEPAD Business Foundation, a prestigious position that underscores her expertise in business strategy and development. She has also been honored with a membership on the Board of Trustees for the Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V., showcasing her passion for addressing global hunger and poverty. In addition, Sabine has been appointed to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council on Investment (PACI), where she lends her insights and expertise to drive economic growth and investment in Africa. Sabine's contributions to the academic community are equally commendable. She was elected to the North-West University Faculty of Engineering Dean's Advisory Board, where she provides guidance and strategic direction for engineering education in South Africa. She is the Chairperson of the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein Deutschen Wirtschaft), further showcasing her commitment to fostering business relations between Germany and Africa. With her visionary leadership, Sabine Dall'Omo has made significant strides in advancing engineering, science, and technology in Africa. Her unwavering dedication to driving innovation, her extensive experience, and her commitment to societal impact make her a true trailblazer in the field, and a notable figure in the African business and engineering landscape
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Clayticia Daniel
Project Officer
Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Clayticia Daniel
Project Officer
Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Where do I participate?
- Circular Policy Labs: From Local Indicators to Global Implementation
- Skills Partnership: Capacity Building for a Sustainable Future
Biography
Clayticia L. Daniel is a climate policy researcher and practitioner specialising in Small Island Developing States. She serves as Project Officer at St. Kitts and Nevis's Ministry of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Alternate National Focal Point for Adaptation, and National Focal Point for Gender Focal Point (ACE NCCFP). In 2025, she negotiated on behalf of St. Kitts and Nevis at COP30. Her doctoral research at the University of the West Indies examines gender equality and social sustainability in the Caribbean, directly informing her ministry's climate policy, resilience programming, and institutional governance work.
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Ani Dasgupta
President & CEO
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Ani Dasgupta
President & CEO
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Where do I participate?
- Why Climate Action can become one of the World’s Biggest Job Creators
- Shock-Proofing the Water-Economy Nexus
Biography
Ani Dasgupta is President and CEO of World Resources Institute (WRI), where he spearheads global efforts to drive systemic change for people, nature and climate. Dasgupta is the author of The New Global Possible: Rebuilding Optimism in the Age of Climate Crisis. A widely recognized leader in climate policy and finance, sustainable cities and poverty alleviation, he brings a global perspective to ensure that environmental solutions are both scalable and equitable. His thought leadership is frequently featured in the New York Times, TIME Magazine, Financial Times and other global media outlets. He took the helm at WRI after seven years as global director of the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. Prior to joining WRI, Dasgupta spent two decades at the World Bank. Originally from Delhi, India, he holds master's degrees from MIT in city planning and architecture.
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Sodnomdarjaa Davaasuren
Deputy Minister of Economy and Development
Government of Mongolia
Sodnomdarjaa Davaasuren
Deputy Minister of Economy and Development
Government of Mongolia
Where do I participate?
- Advancing NDC Implementation and COP30 Outcomes Through Country Platforms
Biography
Davaasuren Sodnomdarjaa is the Deputy Minister of Economy and Development of Mongolia, bringing nearly three decades of expertise spanning public policy, financial regulation, and academic research. Before her ministerial appointment, Dr. Davaasuren served as a Senior Analyst for the National Security Council of Mongolia (2021–2023) and chaired the Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia (2016–2019). Her extensive background in financial development includes leading the Microfinance Development Fund at the Bank of Mongolia, serving as General Coordinator for the "Sustainable Livelihoods" project. Alongside her public service, Dr. Davaasuren has had a distinguished career in academia. She spent over two decades at the National University of Mongolia as a Senior Lecturer and Economics Department Chair. She holds an MA and a PhD in Economics.
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Isabel de Saint Malo
International Affairs Advisor, Member of the Board of Trustees, Former Vice President and Foreign Minister Panama
IFRS Foundation
Isabel de Saint Malo
International Affairs Advisor, Member of the Board of Trustees, Former Vice President and Foreign Minister Panama
IFRS Foundation
Where do I participate?
- The Dependencies of Growth: How Ecological Loss Drives Financial Risk
- How Women Lead the AI Transformation
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John Denton
Secretary General
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
John Denton
Secretary General
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Where do I participate?
- From Risk to Resilience: Mobilizing Business to Tackle Inequality and Deliver Shared Prosperity
- Re-Doing Growth: Economic Development in a Resource-Limited World
Biography
John W.H. Denton AO is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). He is a global business leader and international advisor on policy and a legal expert on international trade and investment. In 2026, John was appointed by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General to represent the global private sector on the UN Task Force for the Strait of Hormuz. In 2022 he was appointed to the Steering Committee of the UN Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance. John serves on World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General’s Business Advisory Group and the World Health Organization (WHO) Foundation Strategic Advisory Group. In 2024, he was appointed Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of Business Interlocutors of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). John is a founding member of the Business 20 (B20), of which he co-chairs the Finance and Infrastructure Task Force. He is Chair of the ICC Merchants of Peace Foundation and the Moeller Institute Advisory Board at the University of Cambridge. In 2015, John was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to the business community, the arts and the rights of refugees, including as a founder of Human Rights Watch (Australia) and Teach for Australia.
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Michael Dittrich
Vice Secretary General
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
Michael Dittrich
Vice Secretary General
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
Where do I participate?
- The Impact of Philanthropy as Accelerator for Progress in Challenging Times
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Opha Pauline Dube
Professor of Environmental Science
University of Botswana
Opha Pauline Dube
Professor of Environmental Science
University of Botswana
Where do I participate?
- Academic Freedom Under Pressure: Sustainability at Risk?
Biography
Pauline is a global environmental change scientist based at the University of Botswana (UB) in the Department of Environmental Science. She holds a PhD, University of Queensland (UQ), Australia (2000); an MPhil in Applied Remote Sensing, Cranfield University, UK. She is an Adjunct Professor, Griffth University, Australia (2026-27) where she was a visiting Fellow, 2012. She was also visiting Fellow, University of Oxford, UK, 2018. Pauline was appointed to the15 Independent Group of Scientists by the UN Secretary General for the 2023 UN Global Sustainable Development Report. She has served in and led local, regional and international research initiatives, applying innovative approaches to pull together resources and motivate groups to address environmental sustainability. She served in the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme Science Committee, 2008-2010; and as its Co- Vice Chair (2010-2015). Pauline was part of the IPCC assessment process from the 3rd WGII report to IPCC WGII AR6, 2022, assuming different roles including Coordinating Lead Author for the Global Warming 1.5 °C report. Currently she serves in the World Meteorological Organisation Scientific Advisory Panel and was Vice Chair, 2020-2022. She leads the Kalahari Basin Observatory Climate Resilience Network. Pauline received the UQ 2018 International Alumnus of the Year Award; and 2019 the UB Vice Chancellor’s Award for International Collaboration.
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Ismahane Elouafi
Executive Managing Director
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
Ismahane Elouafi
Executive Managing Director
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
Where do I participate?
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships as a Catalyst of North-South Innovation
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Martin Ewald
Lead
SCALED
Martin Ewald
Lead
SCALED
Where do I participate?
- SCALED: A New Era of Sustainable Investing
Biography
Martin is a dedicated Impact Investor and serial entre- and intrapreneur driven by the desire to scale up sustainable solutions, a structurer and innovator of investment fund solutions. He is a seasoned impact leader who solely has carried out Impact Investments over his whole career. Martin led and implemented the buildup and growth of two sustainable business areas in Allianz before he started and scaled the Impact Investment and Blended Finance equity practice including AfricaGrow and Emerging Market Climate Action Fund, which both were first of their kind. Martin is an advisor in the instersection between finance and sustainability and currently is leading SCALED, a multi-stakeholder initiative aiming to increase efficiency and standardization on the Capital Formation side of Blended Finance.
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Katharina Fegebank
Senator and Second Mayor
Behörde für Umwelt, Klima, Energie und Agrarwirtschaft (BUKEA), Hamburg
Katharina Fegebank
Senator and Second Mayor
Behörde für Umwelt, Klima, Energie und Agrarwirtschaft (BUKEA), Hamburg
Where do I participate?
- Skills Partnership: Capacity Building for a Sustainable Future
- Rethinking SDG-Reporting: How AI Revolutionizes Local Sustainability
Biography
will be submitted later
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Manuela Francisco
Global Director for Fiscal Policy and Growth at the Prosperity Vice Presidency
World Bank Group
Manuela Francisco
Global Director for Fiscal Policy and Growth at the Prosperity Vice Presidency
World Bank Group
Where do I participate?
- Debt in the Daylight: Transparency for Trust and Sustainability
Biography
Manuela Francisco is the World Bank Group Director for Fiscal Policy and Growth Department at the Prosperity Vertical of the World Bank. Ms. Francisco, a Portuguese national, joined the World Bank in 2005 as Country Economist in the Africa Department. She has since held various positions of responsibility in the Bank. Prior to her current position, she was the Director of Credit Risk, in the Chief Risk Officer Vice Presidency, and before that, she was the Practice Manager for the Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment Unit in the South Asia Region. Before joining the Bank, Ms. Francisco was an Assistant Professor at Universidade do Minho, Portugal. Ms. Francisco has a PhD in Economics, International Macroeconomics from the University of Nottingham.
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Dawn Freshwater
Executive Director
Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
Dawn Freshwater
Executive Director
Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
Where do I participate?
- Sustaining Academic Freedom, Sustaining the Future?
- Academic Freedom Under Pressure: Sustainability at Risk?
Biography
Professor Freshwater is a globally recognised leader, having worked in world-class universities for almost three decades. She became the University of Auckland’s first female Vice-Chancellor in March 2020, after serving at the University of Western Australia as Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Go8 in Australia. She is recent past Chair for Asia Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Steering Committee, and Presidential Champion for the Asia Pacific Women in Leadership (APWiL); Current Chair of Research Australia and recently appointed Chief Executive of the Worldwide University Network (WUN). Dawn has been elected to the Academia Europaea (MAE), is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (FRCSI) and Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (FRCN). She was listed in the top 2% of researchers in Stanford-Elsevier List 2024 in Public Health, Clinical Psychology and Nursing. She is a global commentator on higher education and an international advisor to several governments.
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María del Pilar Garrido Gonzalo
Director for Development Co-Operation
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
María del Pilar Garrido Gonzalo
Director for Development Co-Operation
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Where do I participate?
- Overcoming Fragility Through Peace-Positive Economic Policy
Biography
https://www.oecd.org/en/about/directorates/development-co-operation-directorate/pilar-garrido.html
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Workneh Gebeyehu
Executive Secretary
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
Workneh Gebeyehu
Executive Secretary
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
Where do I participate?
- Hamburg Call to Action on Internal Displacement
Biography
Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu Negewo (Ph.D) is the Executive Secretary of the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) having assumed office in November 2019. Prior to taking up his post as the IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Workneh, served as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia between 2016 and 2019. He also held office as Minister of Transport and Communications between 2012 and 2016.
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Zachariah George
Managing Partner
Launch Africa Ventures
Zachariah George
Managing Partner
Launch Africa Ventures
Where do I participate?
- Mobilizing Innovative Capital for Entrepreneurs in Africa: ICAMA Live
Biography
Managing Partner @Launch Africa Ventures; Leading African Tech Angel Investor; Co Founder @Startupbootcamp Africa; Former Wall St Investment Banker; Stanford and I.I.T. alum; MENSA; Harambean; Musician; Husband; Dad
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Jayati Ghosh
Professor at the Department of Economics
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Jayati Ghosh
Professor at the Department of Economics
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Dr Jayati Ghosh is an Indian development economist. She is currently a Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the United States, and previously taught at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi for more than thirty years. Dr Ghosh has authored and/or edited over twenty books, and regularly writes columns on economics for Frontline and other prominent publications in India and around the world. She was Founder-Secretary of the International Development Economics Associates for 20 years and is one of the founders of the Economic Research Foundation in New Delhi. She has advised and consulted with many governments and international organisations and is a member of two high level Boards of the United Nations. Dr Ghosh holds a BA from the University of Delhi, an MA and MPhil from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
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Gunnar Groebler
CEO
Salzgitter
Gunnar Groebler
CEO
Salzgitter
Where do I participate?
- Competitiveness and Decarbonization in the Green Industrial Transition
Biography
Gunnar Groebler, born 1972, studied mechanical engineerung at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen. He started his career in the Corporate Development department of VEAG Vereinigte Energiewerke AG in Berlin. In the years 2001 to 2002 Groebler was part of the project group Corporate Development for the formation of Vattenfall Europe AG, in which he then worked in the Corporate Development department. In the year 2003 Gunnar Groebler moved to the Group Strategies department of Vattenfall AB in Sweden. In 2005 he returned to Germany as Head of Procurement of Vattenfall Europe AG. Between 2007 and 2011 Groebler initially lead the corporate development, later the Mergers & Acquisitions and finally the Corporate Development/M&A Department of Vattenfall Europe AG before he was appointed head of the Business Unit Hydro Germany. He became Chairman of the Management Board of Vattenfall Europe Windkraft GmbH and Head of the Business Unit Renewables Europe / United Kingdom. Since 2015 Gunnar Groebler was responsible for the Business Area Wind as member of the Group Executive Board of Vattenfall Group. Gunnar Groebler has been a member of Salzgitter AG’S Executive Board since May 2021 and Chairman of the Executive Board since July 2021.
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Hermann Gröhe
Vice Chair
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
Hermann Gröhe
Vice Chair
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)
Where do I participate?
- International Development Cooperation and Economic Partnerships
- Building Chinese-European Cooperation to Close the Infrastructure Gap in EMDEs
Biography
Hermann Gröhe, born in 1961 in Uedem, served as Federal Minister of Health from 2013 to 2018. From late March 2018 to March 2025, he was Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, responsible for the policy areas of labour and social affairs as well as economic cooperation and development. From 1989 to 1994, Hermann Gröhe was Federal Chairman of the Junge Union. He was first elected to the German Bundestag in 1994 and remained a member until 2025. From 2009 to 2013, he served as Secretary General of the CDU Germany. Since November 2025, he has been President of the German Red Cross.
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Stine Renate Håheim
State Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Stine Renate Håheim
State Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
Where do I participate?
- The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): A Paradigm Shift in Nature Finance
Biography
Ms. Håheim (b. 1984) holds a master’s degree in educational studies, history, and political science from the University of Oslo. She served the Norwegian Labour Party as an elected member of Parliament for two terms, from 2009 to 2017. In Parliament, she was a member of the Justiciary Committee, the Election Committee, the Committee for Education and Science, and the Regional Development Committee. Before her time in Parliament, she held various positions in the Workers’ Youth League (AUF) and the regional council of her home county, Oppland. She is a survivor of the 2011 terrorist attack at Utøya. Ms. Håheim is a teacher and worked for several years at Sinsen High School in Oslo before joining the government as Deputy Minister in February 2025. As Deputy Minister of International Development, she is responsible for international development efforts in countries outside the OSCE, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. She is also responsible for Norwegian humanitarian efforts and development cooperation under the auspices of the UN system, the World Bank, the regional development banks, and other global funds and programmes.
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Beza Haile
Founder and Executive Director
HOPE Spina Bifida and Hydrocephatus (HOPE-SBH)
Beza Haile
Founder and Executive Director
HOPE Spina Bifida and Hydrocephatus (HOPE-SBH)
Where do I participate?
- The First 1,000 Days: How Child Nutrition Shapes a Lifetime
Biography
Beza Haile is a humanitarian leader and nutrition advocate from Ethiopia with extensive experience in development and humanitarian programming. She is the Founder of HOPE Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (HOPE-SBH), Ethiopia's first organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Following the loss of her child due to severe micronutrient deficiency, she became a leading advocate for maternal and child nutrition, championing large-scale food fortification and policy reforms to prevent birth defects and improve health outcomes. Beza has led national awareness campaigns reaching more than 10 million people, spearheaded high-level advocacy efforts with the Ethiopian Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, and key ministries, and mobilized support for approximately 7,000 families affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. She is known for combining evidence, lived experiences, and community voices to drive sustainable policy and systems change.
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Anna Sophie Herken
Member of the Management Board
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Anna Sophie Herken
Member of the Management Board
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Where do I participate?
- New Global Realities: How Geopolitical Shifts Are Repositioning European Businesses
- Mobilizing Innovative Capital for Entrepreneurs in Africa: ICAMA Live
Biography
Anna Sophie Herken is Member of the Board of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). She has extensive experience in the private and public sector and across industries. Previously, she was Business Division Head at Allianz Asset Management GmbH and served as Member of the Board at Allianz Life (US) and CPIC Fund Management LtD (China) as well as President and Chair of the Board of Allianz Foundation for North America. As part of her international career, Anna was CFO of Hasso Plattner Capital Germany, Managing Director of the Hertie School of Governance GmbH and worked at the World Bank in Washington DC and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. She also worked for the German government in international fora such as a delegate in the context of, inter alia, UN, EC, WTO, OECD. She also serves as a Board / Committee member of various non-profit organizations including the German Business Ethics Network (DNWE), International Rescue Committee (IRC) Germany and Save the Children Germany. She is the founder of the initiative #DieNächste against violence against women and author of the book “Machtgebiete”. Anna, a German- Swedish national, is a lawyer by training having studied in Germany, France and the US. She also holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge. She has received several awards including the Focus Female Finance Award 2023, the Strive Award, Top 40 under 40 etc.
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Judith Hermes
Director General European Policy, International Financial Policy
Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany
Judith Hermes
Director General European Policy, International Financial Policy
Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany
Where do I participate?
- Debt in the Daylight: Transparency for Trust and Sustainability
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Valerie Hickey
Director Environment
World Bank Group
Valerie Hickey
Director Environment
World Bank Group
Where do I participate?
- Why Climate Action can become one of the World’s Biggest Job Creators
- Water–Growth Nexus: Sustaining Industrial Development in a Thirsty World
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Anna-Katharina Hornidge
Director
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Anna-Katharina Hornidge
Director
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Where do I participate?
- Academic Freedom Under Pressure: Sustainability at Risk?
Biography
Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge is Director of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS, former Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)) and Professor for Global Sustainable Development at the University of Bonn. In her research, Ms. Hornidge works on knowledges & innovation development for development, as well as questions of natural resources governance in agriculture and fisheries in Asia and Africa. Ms. Hornidge serves as expert advisor at national, EU and UN level: as Co-Chair of the German Advisory Council on Global Change of the German Government (WBGU), Co-Chair (with Gesine Schwan) of SDSN Germany, and as part of the executive council of the German UNESCO-Commission.
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Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven
Managing Director
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven
Managing Director
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Where do I participate?
- Why Climate Action can become one of the World’s Biggest Job Creators
- Sustainable Industrialization and Infrastructure Development in Mexico
- Shock-Proofing the Water-Economy Nexus
Biography
Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven is Managing Director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH since October 2020. Ms. Hoven is a development economist with more than 30 years of international experience focusing strongly on sustainability, gender and climate issues. From 2010 to 2014, she served as World Bank Group Executive Director representing Germany. Prior to this assignment and thereafter, she held various high-level positions in the BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). During this time, Ms. Hoven spearheaded new global initiatives such as the NDC Partnership and AFR100, as well as multistakeholder partnerships in the field of climate risk insurance and finance. She is a member of, amongst others, the Supervisory Board of the German Energy Agency (dena), the Board of Trustees of the Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance, the Agora Verkehrswende Council and the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) Steering Committee. Ms. Hoven studied economics and political science at Justus-Liebig University Giessen and Université Paris IX/Dauphine. She is alumna of the postgraduate program of the German Development Institute (now IDOS).
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Katja Hujo
Head of Bonn Office
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
Katja Hujo
Head of Bonn Office
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Katja Hujo is head of the UNRISD Bonn office and leads the Transformative Social Policy Programme. Her work focuses on sustainable development, social policy, poverty and inequality, migration, sustainable financing, and eco-social contracts. She is author of more than 130 publications, has coordinated two UNRISD flagship reports (2022, 2016) and leads the institute’s work on FfD4 and WSSD2. With GEC, she co-convenes the Global Research and Action Network for a New Eco-Social Contract (GRAN-ESC).
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Hamdiya Ismaila
Founder & CEO
Savannah Impact Advisory
Hamdiya Ismaila
Founder & CEO
Savannah Impact Advisory
Where do I participate?
- Mobilizing Innovative Capital for Entrepreneurs in Africa: ICAMA Live
Biography
Hamdiya Ismaila is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Savannah Impact Advisory, with over 23 years of experience in finance, including extensive fund of funds experience supporting emerging managers across West Africa. She brings deep expertise in private markets fund structuring, fund investing, and fund management, and has been a strong champion of ecosystem development across Africa, influencing policy and regulatory outcomes. A committed impact investor, she chaired the taskforce that established Impact Investing Ghana, the Global Steering Group (GSG) -affiliated national advisory board, and served as a GSG Trustee from 2020 to 2022. Hamdiya sits on several boards and councils, including the Ghana Alternative Exchange and the Investment Committee of the USD $200 million Mastercard Africa Growth Fund, and is a frequent speaker at private markets conferences across Africa and globally. She holds an Executive Certificate in Private Equity and Venture Capital from Harvard Business School, a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, and a BBA (Honours) from Monroe College. She is a Finance Leaders Fellow and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
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Juan Carlos Jintiach
Executive Secretary
Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC)
Juan Carlos Jintiach
Executive Secretary
Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC)
Where do I participate?
- The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): A Paradigm Shift in Nature Finance
Biography
Juan Carlos Jintiach Arcos, current Executive Secretary of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities -GATC (https://globalalliance.me/), belongs to the Shuar people of the Ecuadorian Amazon. He is a member of the Interprovincial Federation of Shuar Centers of Ecuador (FICSH). He previously served as Coordinator of International Economic Cooperation and Autonomous Development with Identity for COICA. He also served by appointment as Coordinator of the Interfederal Committee of Resistance against Extractive Industries (mining and oil) of the indigenous organizations FICSH, NAE, and NASHE. He was appointed as an elected representative to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Green Climate Fund, and as a focal point for the Indigenous Peoples' Caucus at the UNFCCC. A candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 ((https://www.prio.org/nobelshortlist/2023), he was nominated among the 100 people who have contributed to the fight against climate change and its impacts during the 16th edition of Climate Week 2024 in New York.
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Norichika Kanie
Professor of Sustainability Sciences
Keio University
Norichika Kanie
Professor of Sustainability Sciences
Keio University
Where do I participate?
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
Professor at Graduate School of Media Governance, Keio University, Director of xSDG Laboratory at Keio Research Institute at SFC, and Co-Director of Keio STAR at Keio Global Research Institute. He serves various governmental committees including the SDGs Promotion Round-Table of the SDGs Promotion Headquarters in the Government of Japan, and sustainability advisors, including Japan Airlines, Shizen Energy, and Okinawa Prefecture. He was appointed by the UN Secretary General to one of the 15 Independent Group of Scientists to write the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023. In 2025 he launched Public-Private Forum on Beyond SDG, an initiative based in Japan/Asia.
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Malih Ole Kaunga
Founder & CEO
IMPACT Kenya
Malih Ole Kaunga
Founder & CEO
IMPACT Kenya
Where do I participate?
- Community as an Enabler of Inclusive and Responsible Carbon Markets
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Candace Kelly
Chief Legal Officer
Stellar Development Foundation
Candace Kelly
Chief Legal Officer
Stellar Development Foundation
Where do I participate?
- Collaboration with Blockchain Private Sector Leaders in Achieving SDGs
Biography
Candace Kelly is the Chief Legal and Policy Officer of the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), a non-profit organization focused on working with and supporting changemakers to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. She leads SDF’s legal team, that is responsible for all of SDF’s legal affairs and the policy team that is focused on bridging the gap between the public and private sectors and fostering dialogue with global regulators and policymakers. Prior to joining SDF, Candace worked for Uber Technologies, Inc., where she held a variety of positions, helping to navigate the company’s response to regulatory investigations and advising on safety, security, privacy, consumer protection, and law enforcement response. Candace brings many years of legal experience to SDF, most notably her 17 year career at the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), where she held positions as a legal and policy advisor on national security, criminal, and civil rights issues in leadership offices in Washington D.C. and as a prosecutor in the Northern District of California. During her time with DOJ, she also served as Special Counsel for National Security for the Director of the FBI. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies from Williams College and a Juris Doctor from University of California (UC), Hastings College of the Law. Candace is a member of the Janet Reno Endowment Advisory Committee at the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, and an Advisory Board Member for the UC Hastings Center for Business Law.
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Fahmida Khatun
Executive Director
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Fahmida Khatun
Executive Director
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Where do I participate?
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
Dr Fahmida Khatun Economist and Executive Director Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh Dr Fahmida Khatun is an Economist and the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a leading think tank in Bangladesh. Dr Khatun has more than 30 years of experience conducting research and analysis, leading organisations and influencing policies at the national and global levels. Previously, she worked as a Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), an Environment Specialist at the UNDP, and an Economist at the USAID Mission in Bangladesh. She has taught economics at universities in Bangladesh and England and has been a Visiting Fellow at several international research organisations. At the international level, Dr Khatun regularly serves on policy-making and advisory bodies at home and abroad. She is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). She is a member of the High-level Advisory Board on the Productive Capacities Index of UNCTAD and of the Task Force on Climate, Development, and International Financial Architecture, an initiative of Boston University, USA. In 2023, she served as Co-Chair of the T20 India Task Force on “Accelerating SDGs: Exploring New Pathways to the 2030 Agenda” under the G20 process. She was a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, USA. At home, Dr Khatun is a member of the Board of Bangladesh Bank. She also serves on the BRAC Board, the world’s largest non-governmental organisation working for the left-behind population. She was a Member of the Task Force on Re-Strategising the Economy and Mobilising Resources for Equitable and Sustainable Development and the Task Force to Strengthen the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), formed by the interim government of Bangladesh during 2024-25. She is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Five-Year Strategic Framework (2026-31) formed by the Government of Bangladesh. Dr Khatun holds a Masters and a PhD in Economics from University College London (UCL), University of London. She completed her postdoctoral research at Columbia University, USA and undertook joint research with Professor Jeffrey Sachs. She has participated in the Leadership Decision-Making programme at Harvard University in the USA. Dr Khatun’s areas of expertise include macroeconomic policy, the financial sector, international trade and WTO issues, climate change, environment, energy economics, youth employment, the interlinkages between digital public infrastructure and health, the interests of Least Developed Countries, and women’s contribution to the economy. She has several publications to her credit at home and abroad. Her books and book chapters have been published by international publishers, including Palgrave Macmillan, Springer, Sage Publications, Routledge and Cambridge University Press. Dr Khatun regularly speaks on economic and national issues in both national and international media, including BBC World Service Television and Al Jazeera Television. She is a columnist for the Daily Star, a leading daily in Bangladesh. She is an invited contributor to the East Asia Forum, based at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
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Lee Kinyanjui
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry
Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Kenya
Lee Kinyanjui
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry
Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Kenya
Where do I participate?
- From Risk to Resilience: Mobilizing Business to Tackle Inequality and Deliver Shared Prosperity
- Housing for Economic Transformation, Urban Equity, and Human Dignity
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Andrej Kirn
Head, International Organisations and Humanitarian Agenda
World Economic Forum
Andrej Kirn
Head, International Organisations and Humanitarian Agenda
World Economic Forum
Where do I participate?
- From Ideas to Impact: Financing Recovery & Resilience in Somalia
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Erin Kitchell
Managing Director
Namati
Erin Kitchell
Managing Director
Namati
Where do I participate?
- Community as an Enabler of Inclusive and Responsible Carbon Markets
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Christian Klein
CEO
SAP
Christian Klein
CEO
SAP
Where do I participate?
- Employment, Migration, and Markets: The Agenda for the Next Decade
Biography
Christian Klein is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of SAP SE. In his role, Klein holds the overall responsibility for the corporate strategic direction, management, and performance of SAP. Klein joined the SAP Executive Board in 2018 as Head of the Intelligent Enterprise Group, combining global responsibility for the development and delivery of SAP’s core applications with the cross-board area mandate for SAP’s global business operations. Klein started his career at SAP in 1999 as a student. After holding various positions across the company, including Chief Financial Officer of SAP SuccessFactors and SAP’s Chief Controlling Officer, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of SAP in 2016, a role in which he continued until 2021. On October 11, 2019, he was named Co-CEO of SAP SE together with Jennifer Morgan, before being appointed the sole CEO on April 20, 2020. Klein holds a diploma in International Business Administration from the University of Cooperative Education in Mannheim, Germany. Other board memberships: Supervisory Board, adidas AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany (publicly listed)
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Harry Knoll
CEO
TURBOO
Harry Knoll
CEO
TURBOO
Where do I participate?
- TURBOO - The New Green Steel for Construction
Biography
Harry Knoll is a German architect, trained carpenter and founder of TURBOO GmbH, a Berlin-based deep-tech company developing TURBOO — a high-performance engineered bamboo technology for construction. His career began 33 years ago in a carpentry workshop in Hamburg, followed by years as a traveling carpenter with the hand-crafter guild “Axt und Kelle”. This experience shaped his understanding of materials, manufacturing and structural systems. Driven by the ambition to create affordable and sustainable housing, Harry worked across construction sites, industrial production and architecture offices in Europe and the United States. Before founding TURBOO, he led residential, hospital and modular timber construction projects in Switzerland and New York City. Responding to rapid urbanization, climate change and timber scarcity, he turned his focus to bamboo, the fastest growing plant on earth. After years of research, pilot manufacturing and testing in Brazil, he developed TURBOO, positioned as “The New Green Steel for Construction.” Today he is establishing the first TURBOO production facility in Brazil, creating the foundation for a global scalable licensing and technology platform.
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Stephan Koehne
CEO
HyIron Green Technologies
Stephan Koehne
CEO
HyIron Green Technologies
Where do I participate?
- Green Hydrogen: B2B Partnerships for Industrial Decarbonization
Biography
Dr. Stephan Koehne is the CEO and managing partner of TS Group, an Aachen-based industrial group of eleven companies and more than 200 employees operating worldwide in furnace and gear box manufacturing, green steel, energy-storage production systems, and DAC, with a strategic focus on green technology. He holds a Dr.-Ing. in mechanical engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and has built his career across engineering-driven manufacturing and clean-tech ventures, including leadership positions at TS Elino, TS Henschel, HyIron, and FCPower. Under his direction, TS Group has expanded its footprint in sustainable industrial technologies while actively reshaping its portfolio. Dr. Koehne brings more than three decades of experience at the intersection of mechanical engineering, industrial transformation, and the transition to greener production technologies.
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Pauline Koelbl
Founder & CEO
ShEquity Partners
Pauline Koelbl
Founder & CEO
ShEquity Partners
Where do I participate?
- ShEquity tbd
Biography
Pauline Koelbl is the Founder and CEO of ShEquity Partners (“ShEquity), an investment firm backing climate-focused, gender-smart businesses across Africa. A recognized visionary leader, she is committed to building a sustainable and prosperous Africa where gender equity and environmental stewardship drive economic transformation. Through ShEquity, Pauline invests at the intersection of gender and climate, supporting scalable, profitable, and high-impact businesses that strengthen climate resilience and accelerate Africa’s inclusive green transition. Pauline serves on several boards of impact-driven institutions, companies. A double Fulbright, Pauline holds an Executive Education in Innovation for Economic Development from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Master’s Degree in Poverty and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, UK, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Honors) from the University of Arizona, USA.
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Bärbel Kofler
Parliamentary State Secretary
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
Bärbel Kofler
Parliamentary State Secretary
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
Where do I participate?
- From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence
- Insurance as the Foundation of Resilient Economies
Biography
Dr Bärbel Kofler (SPD) holds the position of Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Before being appointed to this role in December 2021, she was the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid for six years. She has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2004, where her previous roles included Development Policy Spokesperson of the SPD parliamentary group and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Dr Kofler has a doctorate in linguistics.
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Kristina Kölling
Head of Environment & Circularity
Tchibo
Kristina Kölling
Head of Environment & Circularity
Tchibo
Where do I participate?
- Circular Policy Labs: From Local Indicators to Global Implementation
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Fatih Konukoğlu
Chairman/Vice President
Re&Up/SANKO Holding
Fatih Konukoğlu
Chairman/Vice President
Re&Up/SANKO Holding
Where do I participate?
- Circular Textiles: Europe’s Contribution to a Global Transformation
Biography
Born in Gaziantep, Turkey in 1967. He studied textiles at the Bolton Institute of Higher Education in England, where he was involved in various aspects of the family business during his studies. He is a fourth-generation leader of the SANKO Group, the family conglomerate founded in 1904 by his great-grandfather, a weaver. He now serves as CEO of ISKO, one of the world’s largest denim manufacturers, where he describes sustainability as being “in our DNA.” He is the founder and Chairman of RE&UP, a next-generation textile-to-textile recycling venture. He is married and has one daughter and two sons.
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Csaba Kőrösi
Strategic Director and Former President UN General Assembly
Blue Planet Foundation
Csaba Kőrösi
Strategic Director and Former President UN General Assembly
Blue Planet Foundation
Where do I participate?
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
CSABA KŐRÖSI President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Strategic Director, Blue Planet Climate Foundation As Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations, he co-chaired the intergovernmental process tasked with producing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals at its heart. In 2023, as President of the UN General Assembly, he has convened the UN Conference on Water, as well as the scientific consultative process for it. He is a member of the Presidential Committee on Sustainable Development, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, a Distinguished Fellow of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Ogata Sadako Research Institute, Fellow of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Honorary Fellow of the International Science Council, Chairman of the Steering Committee, Asia Science Mission, member of the Jury of the Elizabeth Haub Award, Special Advisor to the Project on Beyond SDG project, Keio University, Japan, He is a member of the UN Council of Presidents of the General Assembly and of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.
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Mlindeni ‘Miles’ Kubheka
CEO & Founder
Wakanda Food Accelerator
Mlindeni ‘Miles’ Kubheka
CEO & Founder
Wakanda Food Accelerator
Where do I participate?
- Small Businesses, Big Impact: MSMEs as the Engine of Resilient Recovery
Biography
Miles Kubheka: A passionate serial entrepreneur and changemaker on a mission to drive positive change in the world. With the audacity of hope and innovation, he transforms dreams into reality. His influential story resonates across the cultural landscape of both South Africa and beyond, inspiring others to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship. As a thought leader, he fosters an entrepreneurial mindset in individuals (across walks of life) and organizations, making a lasting impact on the continent's business landscape. A former Microsoft systems engineer, he founded the Vuyos brand and later, Wakanda Food Accelerator & Gcwalisa. Beyond entrepreneurship, he serves on the board of the food rescue organisation, SA Harvest, National Mentorship Movement, and the South African Urban Food & Farming Trust, further cementing his commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
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Jeff Jacobsen Kwarteng
Founding Member
Business Empowerment Hub (AiDiA)
Jeff Jacobsen Kwarteng
Founding Member
Business Empowerment Hub (AiDiA)
Where do I participate?
- Diaspora Engagement Strategy for German–African Economic Collaboration
Biography
Jeff Kwarteng Jacobsen is a management consultant and public-sector advisor working at the intersection of international development and Germany-Africa relations. He has extensive experience on advising governments, multilateral institutions and public sector organizations from strategy to implementation. He is a founding member of AiDiA, co-founder of Boldly and Special Advisor Diaspora Affairs Ghana as well as Board Member at Afrika-Verein, the German-African Business Association. His work focuses on how diaspora networks can strengthen trust and long-term economic cooperation between Germany and Africa.
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Hans Peter Lankes
Deputy CEO & Managing Director
ODI Global
Hans Peter Lankes
Deputy CEO & Managing Director
ODI Global
Where do I participate?
- Hamburg Data Alliance: Better DFI Transparency to Scale Investments in EMDEs
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Colincia Rose Levine
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Colincia Rose Levine
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Where do I participate?
- Skills Partnership: Capacity Building for a Sustainable Future
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Sandile Mahlaba
Microsoft Provincial Senior Account Executive
Microsoft Corporation in South Africa
Sandile Mahlaba
Microsoft Provincial Senior Account Executive
Microsoft Corporation in South Africa
Where do I participate?
- Rethinking SDG-Reporting: How AI Revolutionizes Local Sustainability
Biography
Sandile Mahlaba is a distinguished technology strategist, public sector transformation leader, and advocate for inclusive digital innovation, with over two decades of experience advancing large-scale digital transformation across South Africa and the African continent. He currently serves as a Public Sector Provincial Executive at Microsoft South Africa, where he leads strategic engagements across key government institutions including the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, eThekwini Municipality, the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), and the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. In this role, Sandile drives the adoption of Cloud, Data, and AI-powered solutions to modernize public service delivery, strengthen governance systems, and enhance operational efficiency at scale. Sandile has been instrumental in designing and implementing data-driven governance frameworks, including award-winning initiatives such as the eThekwini Municipality “Single Source of Truth” platform leveraging data and artificial intelligence to optimize municipal decision-making and service delivery. He also led the development of the KZN COGTA MasterPlan Dashboards, enabling long-term infrastructure planning and water resource monitoring through advanced analytics, as well as the Provincial Government’s Information and Innovation Hub, strengthening real-time, insight-driven governance. A recognized leader in smart city development and digital public infrastructure, Sandile has driven initiatives such as the repositioning of the KwaZulu-Natal Smart Nerve Centre and the development of AI-enabled urban platforms, positioning cities like eThekwini at the forefront of Africa’s smart city evolution. His work during the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated digital adoption across government, embedding resilient, technology-enabled service models that continue to shape the “new normal” in public sector delivery. Beyond his corporate leadership, Sandile is a passionate champion of community-based AI adoption, digital inclusion, and future skills development. As a Co-Founder, Patron, and Strategic Leader of the GoDigitalSA Foundation, he leads transformative initiatives focused on STEM education, AI literacy, and grassroots digital skills development in township and rural communities. His work includes establishing Digital Economy Precincts, Community Innovation Hubs, and youth-focused Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) programs aimed at equipping underserved populations with the capabilities to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Sandile has also contributed to national and provincial youth empowerment programs, including involvement in large-scale skills development initiatives such as Tshepo 1Million, helping to bridge the gap between education, employability, and emerging technology opportunities. On the global stage, he is an active member of the BRICS+ Skills Development, Applied Technology & Innovation Working Group, where he collaborates with international stakeholders to align vocational training systems with future economic demands and shape workforce readiness strategies across member nations. Known for his ability to build multi-stakeholder coalitions, Sandile works at the intersection of government, industry, and civil society unlocking funding, fostering innovation ecosystems, and delivering scalable, high-impact technology programs. His leadership is anchored in a strong commitment to ethical AI, responsible innovation, and equitable access to digital opportunities, ensuring that the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are inclusive and transformative for all. Through his work, Sandile continues to position Africa as a competitive force in the global digital economy driving sustainable growth, empowering communities, and shaping a future where technology serves as a catalyst for inclusive development.
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Fernando Marani
Program Director, Justice, Inclusion and Equality
NYU Center on International Cooperation
Fernando Marani
Program Director, Justice, Inclusion and Equality
NYU Center on International Cooperation
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Fernando Marani is Program Director of Justice, Inclusion, and Equality at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, where he co-leads the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. He works at the intersection of justice, inequality, and global governance. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Legal Adviser to four Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, playing a key role in multilateral negotiations and institutional processes at the highest level. A former senior Argentine diplomat with over two decades of experience, he has represented his country at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the Argentine Embassy in the Netherlands, and before the International Court of Justice, the OECD and other international organizations. He has authored and contributed to numerous publications on multilateralism, people-centered justice, and inequality, and leads the Secretariat of the Justice Action Coalition and the Global Alliance against Inequality.
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João Paulo Martins do Carmo
Coordinator of Itumbiara Universitary Unity
Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG)
João Paulo Martins do Carmo
Coordinator of Itumbiara Universitary Unity
Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG)
Where do I participate?
- Microplastics and their invisible risks in fluvial waters of Goiás, Brazil
Biography
Biomedical Scientist graduated from São Paulo State University (UNESP Botucatu Campus), with a Master’s degree in Pathology from the Botucatu Medical School (UNESP Botucatu Campus) and a PhD in Immunology from the University of São Paulo (USP). Currently serves as Professor of Pathology, Immunology, and Molecular Biology in the Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy programs at State University of Goiás (Universidade Estadual de Goiás - UEG), where he also coordinates the Itumbiara Unit. Advises undergraduate research and postgraduate students on topics including microplastics, endocrine disruptors, and their impacts on human, environmental, and animal health within the Applied Sciences to Health Products Program and the Professional Master’s Program in Water Resources Management.
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Peter Maurer
Board Member
Zurich Insurance
Peter Maurer
Board Member
Zurich Insurance
Where do I participate?
- SCALED: A New Era of Sustainable Investing
- Insurance as the Foundation of Resilient Economies
Biography
CV /E Peter Maurer is President of the Basel Institute on Governance, a member of the Board of Directors of Zurich Insurance company, a Senior Fellow of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and a member of the Foundation Board of Vontobel Foundation. He also serves amongst others on the advisory bodies of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the GSG Impact (the Global Steering Group for Impact) in London and of Elea Foundation. Previously, Mr. Maurer served as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from 2012 to 2022. Before that, he was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Switzerland from 2010 to 2012, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations from 2004 to 2010. He began his career in the Swiss diplomatic service in 1986, with various positions in Switzerland, South Africa and the U.S. Mr. Maurer studied History and Law at University of Bern and has a Doctorate in Contemporary History. His key interests turn around international relations, international law, negotiations and diplomacy. He has extensive first-hand experience in crisis contexts, conflict-prevention, humanitarian diplomacy, peacebuilding and human security. CV/D Peter Maurer ist Präsident des «Basel Institute on Governance», Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates der Zürich Versicherung, Senior Fellow des «Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies» in Genf und Mitglied des Stiftungsrates der Vontobel Stiftung. Er nimmt auch eine Reihe von beratenden Funktionen wahr, unter andern für das «International Institute for Strategic Studies» und die GSG-Impact («The Globale Steering Group for Impact») in London, sowie für die Elea Stiftung und die Stars Initiative in Zürich. Er ist auch Präsident des «Center of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiations” (CCHN). Während seiner Berufslaufbahn war Peter Maurer von 2012-2022 Präsident des Internationalen Komitees vom Roten Kreuz, Staatssekretär im EDA von 2010-2012 und Ständiger Vertreter der Schweiz bei den Vereinten Nationen in New York von 2004-2010. Er begann seine Karriere im diplomatischen Dienst der Schweiz 1986 und hielt verschiedene Posten in Südafrika, Bern und den USA inne. Peter Maurer studierte Geschichte, Staats- und Völkerrecht an der Universität Bern und schloss mit einem Doktorat in Neuerer Allgemeiner Geschichte ab. Seine Interessen kreisen um die Themen Internationale Beziehungen, Internationales Recht, Verhandlungen und Diplomatie. Er hat umfangreiche Erfahrungen in Krisengebieten, in humanitärer Diplomatie und friedenspolitischen Fragen, sowie in Fragen der Menschlichen Sicherheit.
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Caroline Mbindyo
Chief Innovation Officer
Amref Health Africa
Caroline Mbindyo
Chief Innovation Officer
Amref Health Africa
Where do I participate?
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships as a Catalyst of North-South Innovation
Biography
Caroline S Mbindyo, Chief Innovation Officer - Amref Health Africa Caroline is a futures researcher operating at the intersection of digital transformation, global health, and international development. With deep expertise in leveraging innovation to address Africa's most pressing health challenges, her work leverages both imagination and implementation science to develop and deploy products and solutions that meet local needs and address systemic inequities. With a strong foundation in innovation strategy, health R&D, and evidence-based practices, Caroline leverages data analytics to improve outcomes and drive impact. She is dedicated to honoring local communities and is currently investigating how AI could shape health across Africa. Caroline is an alumnus of USIU and Stellenbosch Business School, is a Member of the Board of Directors of D-Tree and Qhala, and Advisory Board Member of the Clinical Trials Clinical Trials Community Africa Network (CTCAN) and the Transform Health Coalition, and an Expert Review Committee Member of the 2026 Access to Medicine Index.
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Hari Menon
President, Global Growth and Opportunity
Gates Foundation
Hari Menon
President, Global Growth and Opportunity
Gates Foundation
Where do I participate?
- The First 1,000 Days: How Child Nutrition Shapes a Lifetime
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships as a Catalyst of North-South Innovation
Biography
Hari Menon leads the foundation’s Global Growth & Opportunity Division, which includes the Agricultural Development, Digital Public Infrastructure, Global Education, Inclusive Financial Systems, Nutrition, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene programs. These programs work to strengthen food security and improve incomes so millions of families can break free from poverty and more low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia can get on a path to prosperity. They support greater productivity on smallholder farms; expanded access to high-quality digital public infrastructure, including payment systems; improved foundational reading and math skills among children; development of large-scale food fortification systems; and delivery of innovative sanitation products and services. Before assuming his current role, Hari led the India office, overseeing the foundation’s work in South and Southeast Asia spanning family health, nutrition, sanitation, digital financial inclusion, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. These efforts, carried out in close collaboration with governments, local and global nonprofits, philanthropies, community groups, researchers, and the private sector, have contributed to progress toward India’s national health and development goals and strengthened the foundation’s partnerships in countries including Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
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Benedikt Messner
Senior Vice President
Uniper Global Commodities
Benedikt Messner
Senior Vice President
Uniper Global Commodities
Where do I participate?
- Green Hydrogen: B2B Partnerships for Industrial Decarbonization
Biography
Benedikt Messner is Senior Vice President New Energies at Uniper Global Commodities SE, based in Düsseldorf, Germany. In his role he leads global energy initiatives centered around molecules; ie hydrogen derivatives, alternative fuels, supply chains and offtake agreements. His interests extend into Clean Tech Investment and Energy Transition Ventures, where he is member of advisory councils. Until July 2016 he was General Manager at Enerjisa, Istanbul, Turkey, a JV of E.ON with the Sabanci group, member of the Executive Risk Committee and the Innovation Board. Prior to joining Enerjisa in April 2013 Benedikt Messner was the Director of Origination at E.ON Global Commodities, Düsseldorf. Before that he held various managerial roles, heading European power trading desks at E.ON, worked at Acton Energy, Frankfurt, and Enron Europe, London. He started his career in 1996 with the liberalization of European electricity markets at Verbund, Vienna. Benedikt Messner holds a master’s degree from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.
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Jibril Mohamed
Director of Investment
The Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Jibril Mohamed
Director of Investment
The Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Where do I participate?
- From Ideas to Impact: Financing Recovery & Resilience in Somalia
Biography
Jibril Mohamed is the Director of Investment and Project Implementation at the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB), where he plays a leading role in advancing Somalia’s development finance agenda through innovative investment programs, private sector development initiatives, financial inclusion strategies, and enhanced access to finance. He has been instrumental in designing and implementing investment and financing frameworks that support economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development across key sectors of the Somali economy. With more than 15 years of professional experience spanning both public and private financial institutions, Mr. Mohamed is widely recognized for his expertise in development finance, Islamic finance, banking regulation, financial sector development, compliance, and economic policy. Prior to joining SDRB, he served as Director of Licensing and Supervision at the Central Bank of Somalia, where he led major regulatory and supervisory reforms, strengthened oversight of banks and financial institutions, and contributed significantly to the implementation of Somalia’s Financial Sector Development Roadmap and AML/CFT reform agenda. He also played an important role in supporting Somalia’s financial sector reforms under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.His contributions have positioned him as one of Somalia’s leading professionals in the fields of finance, banking, and development policy. Mr. Mohamed holds a Master of Finance and a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Banking and Finance from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a Senior Associate of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (CIIF), reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and continuous development in the financial services industry.
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Tatiana Molcean
Under-Secretary-General & Executive Secretary
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Tatiana Molcean
Under-Secretary-General & Executive Secretary
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Where do I participate?
- Re-Doing Growth: Economic Development in a Resource-Limited World
Biography
Tatiana Molcean is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), appointed by the UN Secretary-General on 26 July 2023. Ms. Molcean brings to this role nearly two decades of diplomatic and public-sector experience, having previously served as Moldova’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and the WTO, and as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Earlier in her career, she was State Secretary and Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova. She holds an LL.M. in International Law from Moldova State University and completed the Graduate Institute’s Multilateral Diplomacy Program in Geneva. At UNECE, Ms. Molcean leads work across a broad portfolio, such as trade and transport, energy transition, circular economy, climate and environment, housing and urban development, advancing practical standards and cooperation among 56 member States. An International Gender Champion, Ms. Molcean actively promotes gender equality in multilateral fora and is recognized for steering consensus in complex negotiations, drawing on her experience chairing the WIPO General Assembly.
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Azadeh Montazer Haghighi
CEO & Founder
youturn modular biodiveristy systems GmbH
Azadeh Montazer Haghighi
CEO & Founder
youturn modular biodiveristy systems GmbH
Where do I participate?
- Lego for Nature + Tinder for Nature = youturn Engineered Nature Infrastructure: Turning Nature into a Standardized, Buildable and Measurable System for Urban Biodiversity and Blue-Green Infrastructure
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Gustavo Enrique Morales Cobo
Executive President
Fasecolda
Gustavo Enrique Morales Cobo
Executive President
Fasecolda
Where do I participate?
- The Dependencies of Growth: How Ecological Loss Drives Financial Risk
Biography
Gustavo Morales Cobo - Lawyer. He is currently head of the Insurance Association in Colombia (Fasecolda). He previously led the health comissioner´s office in Colombia, the Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical companies, and the Association of Health Insurance Companies.
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Jose Luis Muñoz Dominguez
Executive Director of Investor Relations and Sustainability
Grupo Financiero Banorte
Jose Luis Muñoz Dominguez
Executive Director of Investor Relations and Sustainability
Grupo Financiero Banorte
Where do I participate?
- Shock-Proofing the Water-Economy Nexus
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Endah Murniningtyas
Member of the Advisory Board
PERHEPI (The Indonesian Society of Agricultural Economics)
Endah Murniningtyas
Member of the Advisory Board
PERHEPI (The Indonesian Society of Agricultural Economics)
Where do I participate?
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
Currently an independent professional as Board member of PERHEPI an Indonesian Agriculture Economist Association. Guest lecturer in several university. I was Co-Chair of the GSDR 2019. In 2010-2016 was Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, in the Planning Ministry/BAPPENAS. In this Ministry was also experienced in managing SDG and Climate Change Policy in Indonesia; and also on Food and Agriculture Policy, Poverty Reductions. During my professional career in the Ministry, also represented Indonesia in Open Working Group for SDGs in 2013-2015. Educational background is Bachelor in Agriculture and Resource Economics in IPB University in Indonesia, Master Degree in from Oregon State University, USA and PhD from Colorado State University, USA all in the same field.
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Ian Chitumba Mwiinga
National Coordinator EITI Secretariat
Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, Zambia
Ian Chitumba Mwiinga
National Coordinator EITI Secretariat
Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, Zambia
Where do I participate?
- Critical Raw Materials: Mittelstand as Enabler of African Value Chains
Biography
I am the National Coordinator for the Zambia EITI Secretariat which is hosted by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in Zambia. The Secretariat provides administrative and implementation support to the Zambia EITI Council (ZEC). The ZEC is composed of representatives from the Government, Mining sector and Civil Society. The ZEC is chaired by the Secretary to Treasury - Ministry of Finance. I am also a member of the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) under the Mining cluster which is hosted by the Government of Zambia at the Cabinet Office aimed at promoting dialogue between the government and private sector. I have previously served as a Board member of the EITI International Board representing Anglophone and Lusophone EITI implementing countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia) until June this year (2023). I co-chaired the implementation committee on the EITI International board. The implementation Committee (IC) provides oversight on how the EITI Standard is being implemented and presents recommendations for strategic policy issues related to the EITI standard.
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Oliver Niese
CEO
Festo Didactic
Oliver Niese
CEO
Festo Didactic
Where do I participate?
- German TVET in Southeast Asia: Skills for Large-Scale Projects
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Kevin Njiraini
Director at IFC
World Bank Group
Kevin Njiraini
Director at IFC
World Bank Group
Where do I participate?
- Building an Asset Class for Sustainable Investments in Emerging Markets
Biography
Kevin is IFC’s Director of the Syndicated Loans and Mobilization Department. IFC’s Syndications Department mobilizes debt financing for IFC projects through several syndicated loan products, including the B Loan Program and the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP) to commercial banks, institutional investors, and other developmental financial institutions. The department is also responsible for managing the relationship with investors as well as the recently established Emerging Markets Securitization Program.
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David Obura
Chair
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
David Obura
Chair
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
Where do I participate?
- Reimagining Progress: Lessons from the HDR Trilogy and the Road Ahead
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
David Obura chairs the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES, 2023-2026), is a Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa, a knowledge organization supporting sustainability of coral reef and marine systems in the Western Indian Ocean, and is on the Earth Commission (2019-2026). David’s primary research has been on coral reef resilience, biogeography and climate change impacts. He is turning now towards sustainability science pivoting around nature-climate interactions and their relevance in broader economic and societal domains, and exploring the scientific basis underpinning just transitions and transformations. His current research and policy engagement seeks to foster collective action to promote sustainability across all scales, to strengthen the broader sustainable development paradigm. David was awarded Kenya’s national honour, Moran of the Burning Spear in December 2021, and the Coral Reef Conservation Award of the International Coral Reef Society in 2022.
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Kirsten Orschulok
Project Lead Greener Reefers
GIZ GmbH
Kirsten Orschulok
Project Lead Greener Reefers
GIZ GmbH
Where do I participate?
- Greener Reefers: A Sustainable Business Case for Shipping
Biography
Ms Kirsten Orschulok is head of the Greener Reefers project, funded by the German International Climate Initiative (IKI), at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GmbH). The project aims to develop a highly energy efficient refrigerated maritime containers that use natural refrigerants and blowing agents with ultra-low climate impact (GWP below 1) and without F-gases and PFAS. Kirsten worked before in projects transforming the transport sector in Asian countries for more climate-friendly solutions and focusing on data analysis. From 2018-2021 she worked in Thailand supporting the implementation of climate strategies for emission mitigation and could bring in her strong academic background in policies and international negotiations.
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Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Future of Development Cooperation Coalition Co-Chair
Future of Development Cooperation Coalition
Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Future of Development Cooperation Coalition Co-Chair
Future of Development Cooperation Coalition
Where do I participate?
- Reimagining International Cooperation: New Partnerships for a Shared Vision
Biography
Yemi Osinbajo served as the 14th Vice President of Nigeria (2015 - 2023). He is also a Professor of Law and continues to engage actively in global and African development initiatives, with a focus on climate change, technology and AI for job creation, human capital development, and innovative financing for development.
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Hodan Osman
President
Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Hodan Osman
President
Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Where do I participate?
- From Ideas to Impact: Financing Recovery & Resilience in Somalia
- Small Businesses, Big Impact: MSMEs as the Engine of Resilient Recovery
Biography
Hodan Osman is the President of the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank, where she leads efforts to expand inclusive finance and catalyze private sector growth in Somalia. With over 20 years of experience in commercial banking, public financial management, and development policy, she brings deep expertise in building financial systems, particularly in emerging economies. She played a pivotal role in restoring Somalia’s central banking functions and advancing the country’s debt relief process under the HIPC Initiative. Hodan has advised the Central Bank of Somalia, the Ministry of Finance, and international partners—including the World Bank, United Nations, and European Union—on fiscal reform, economic planning, and private sector financing. A practitioner of adaptive leadership, she has taught and advised globally through institutions such as Harvard, Cambridge, and the Global Fund. Her work in fintech across Africa has focused on expanding access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises. She has also advised the UN Joint SDG Fund and convened leading development finance institutions, including through a roundtable with European DFIs on investing in fragile states. She holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she was a Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership, as well as a master’s in Human Rights and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
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Sidi Ould Tah
President
African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
Sidi Ould Tah
President
African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
Where do I participate?
- Hamburg Call to Action on Internal Displacement
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Patricia Victoria Peña
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister International Assistance Partnerships and Programming
Global Affairs Canada
Patricia Victoria Peña
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister International Assistance Partnerships and Programming
Global Affairs Canada
Where do I participate?
- SCALED: A New Era of Sustainable Investing
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Daniela Perrotta
Coordinator of the FOLEC Program and member of CLACSO’s Executive Team
Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales
Daniela Perrotta
Coordinator of the FOLEC Program and member of CLACSO’s Executive Team
Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales
Where do I participate?
- Academic Freedom Under Pressure: Sustainability at Risk?
Biography
Daniela Perrotta is Coordinator of the Latin American Forum on Scientific Evaluation (FOLEC) at the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, where she works on responsible research assessment, open science, knowledge democratization, and science policy from a Global South perspective. Her work focuses on promoting more inclusive, socially relevant, and regionally grounded approaches to knowledge production and evaluation in Latin America and the Caribbean. She is also an Independent Researcher at National Scientific and Technical Research Council, based at the Institute for Research in Educational Sciences (IICE), Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, University of Buenos Aires. Currently, she serves — on leave from CONICET due to higher office appointment — as Secretary for Development and Institutional Engagement at the National University of the Arts, where she leads initiatives on university internationalization, institutional cooperation, and strategic partnerships. Her academic work specializes in higher education internationalization, Latin American regional integration, geopolitics of knowledge, South-South cooperation, and global governance of higher education and science.
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Ondřej Picka
Deputy Director
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
Ondřej Picka
Deputy Director
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Ondřej Picka is the Head of the Sustainable Development Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. He has been engaged with the foreign policy dimension of sustainable development over the past 10 years, dealing with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the UN, EU and national levels. In addition to development affairs and the UN agenda, he has also been active in economic diplomacy and security policy.
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Markus Piechotka
Business Development Manager
mele Energietechnik
Markus Piechotka
Business Development Manager
mele Energietechnik
Where do I participate?
- Green Hydrogen: B2B Partnerships for Industrial Decarbonization
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Marina Ponti
Global Director
UN SDG Action Campaign
Marina Ponti
Global Director
UN SDG Action Campaign
Where do I participate?
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
Marina Ponti, Global Director of the United Nations SDG Action Campaign In her role, Ms. Ponti led several global initiatives, including the award‑winning #TurnItAround and #FlipTheScript campaigns, which mobilized more than 350 million SDG actions across 190 countries. She also spearheaded the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, elevating changemakers from every region and sector who are driving transformative solutions on the ground. A strong advocate for social, economic, and climate justice, Ms. Ponti champions the power of creativity, storytelling, and collective action to accelerate progress toward more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful societies. Her leadership has increasingly focused on advocacy for a more equitable global financial architecture, contributing to high‑level consultations and multi‑stakeholder dialogues aimed at reshaping financing systems so they better serve people and planet. She brings a unique ability to translate complex economic and governance debates into compelling narratives that galvanize political will, public engagement, and cross‑sector collaboration. Previously, as one of the main architects of the UN Millennium Campaign, Ms. Ponti served for over a decade as Global Deputy Director and Regional Director for Europe, where she stood at the vanguard of innovative global mobilization efforts. She built broad coalitions, mobilized resources, and forged long‑term partnerships across civil society, local governments, parliamentarians, media, the private sector, and the UN system. She also served as a Special Advisor on the post‑2015 process during the final negotiations of the 2030 Agenda, and held leadership roles at UNICEF, the UN Secretariat, and Catapult, a pioneering crowdfunding platform advancing the rights of girls and women.
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Diana Pretzell
First Mayor, Mayor for Citizen Services, Environment and Technical Operations
City of Mannheim
Diana Pretzell
First Mayor, Mayor for Citizen Services, Environment and Technical Operations
City of Mannheim
Where do I participate?
- Forging City–Industry Alliances for Climate Neutrality Markets
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Gabriela Ramos
Co-Chair
Task-Force Inequalities Social Financial Disclosure
Gabriela Ramos
Co-Chair
Task-Force Inequalities Social Financial Disclosure
Where do I participate?
- From Risk to Resilience: Mobilizing Business to Tackle Inequality and Deliver Shared Prosperity
Biography
Economist and Diplomat. Co-chair of the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TSIFD). She held senior roles at UNESCO (Assistant Director General) and OECD (Chief of Staff and Sherpa). Member of the Mexican Foreign Service. A strong advocate for social justice, her major achievements include advancing landmark international agreements and initiatives to promote transparency, fairness, sustainability, and inclusion. These include the OECD/G20 international tax reform (BEPS), analytical support for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the G7 Business for Inclusive Growth initiative in partnership with international corporations, and global strategies to promote gender equality through the G20, including the Brisbane Target. She also played a leading role in shaping global standards for the ethical governance of emerging technologies. She was the architect of UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by 194 countries to advance human rights, human dignity, fairness, and sustainability in the digital transition, and developed the Readiness Assessment Methodology, now implemented in more than 80 countries. In 2025, she also led the adoption of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology. Fulbright and Ford-MacArthur Fellow, with degrees from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico). Recipient of multiple distinctions from Forbes and Apolitical, and decorated by President Hollande as a member of the Ordre national du Mérite of France. Member of the Mission Committee of Danone.
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Liz Ricketts
Co-Founder & Director
The Or Foundation
Liz Ricketts
Co-Founder & Director
The Or Foundation
Where do I participate?
- Circular Textiles: Europe’s Contribution to a Global Transformation
Biography
For the past 15 years, Liz Ricketts has worked to bring global awareness to the waste crisis caused by the fast fashion business model. As the co-founder and executive director of Ghana-based not-for-profit The Or Foundation, Liz has played a critical role in advocating for meaningful international policy change and brand accountability. Alongside community members, The Or Foundation team of more than 100 people has been at the forefront of identifying and implementing innovative solutions to address textile waste and its impact on local communities in Accra — home to Kantamanto Market, the world’s largest secondhand clothing market and leading hub for reuse, repair, upcycling, and remanufacturing. Liz and her team are calling for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies to be globally accountable, urging brands to move critical resources to communities like Kantamanto.
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Udo Riese
Head of Sustainable Investment
Allianz Investment Management (AIM)
Udo Riese
Head of Sustainable Investment
Allianz Investment Management (AIM)
Where do I participate?
- SCALED: A New Era of Sustainable Investing
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Ingo Ritz
Director
Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
Ingo Ritz
Director
Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Ingo Ritz is the Director of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) since 2013. He coordinates the work for global justice to erradicate poverty and to end inequalities – with focus on social protection, tax and debt justice. As part of his role he coordinates the Global People’s Assembly and global campaigns, does advocacy with the UN and supports national coalitions in their work on the Sustainable Development Agenda and the inclusion of socially excluded groups. A trade economist from Germany, he has been a part of GCAP through GCAP Germany since 2004, and he worked as the Executive Director of the German Civil Society organization NETZ Partnership for Development Justice from 2001 to 2013. Since 2020 he is board member of NETZ. This includes work with community based organisations for a rights based approach, for the right to food, education and women’s rights.
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Matt Robinson
Global Lead on Development Finance
Moody’s Ratings
Matt Robinson
Global Lead on Development Finance
Moody’s Ratings
Where do I participate?
- ESG, Credit Ratings, and the Cost of Capital in the Global South
Biography
Matt Robinson manages the Sovereign Risk Group’s Middle East and Africa team producing ratings and research regarding sovereign and supranational creditworthiness in Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East/North Africa. He also leads the global development finance activities of Moody's Ratings.
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Adam Roble
Director General
The Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Adam Roble
Director General
The Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank
Where do I participate?
- From Ideas to Impact: Financing Recovery & Resilience in Somalia
Biography
An Economist and Financial analyst with vast expertise in Somalia’s socioeconomic and developmental sectors. Previously served as Fiscal Analyst and a member of Somalia's National Economic Council(NEC) and played a pivotal role in formulating and championing policies focused on revenue mobilization, addressing Somalia’s trade deficit, and designing a post-HIPC development framework for Somalia. Currently serving as the Director General (DG) of Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB), leading the implementation of Somalia's National Transformation Plan (NTP) and paving the way for the realization of Somalia's Centennial Vision 2060.
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Uju Rochas-Anwukah
Senior Specialist Assistant to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Uju Rochas-Anwukah
Senior Specialist Assistant to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Where do I participate?
- The First 1,000 Days: How Child Nutrition Shapes a Lifetime
Biography
Uju Vanstasia Rochas-Anwukah is a nutrition and public health advocate, serving as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Focal Person on Nutrition in the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria. She plays a pivotal role in shaping national nutrition policies and driving multi-sectoral coordination to combat malnutrition. She leads the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a flagship program of the National Council on Nutrition delivering interventions across the 774 local government areas, and coordinates the Nutrition Core Working Committee (NCWC) – a coalition of government, development partners, academia, civil society, and the private sector advancing high-impact, accountable nutrition and public health interventions. She serves as Co-Chair of Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg), where she champions innovation, research, and investment in health and food security. She is also a member of the Core Working Group of Nigeria’s Health SWAp Blueprint, focused on reforms that strengthen financing, governance, and service delivery, and sits on the National Economic Council Subcommittee on Polio Eradication.
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Lars-Hendrik Röller
Founder and Chairman
Berlin Global Dialogue
Lars-Hendrik Röller
Founder and Chairman
Berlin Global Dialogue
Where do I participate?
- Business Lunch Roundtable: Scaling Private Investments in EMDEs: The Role of Guarantees and ECAs
- Addressing Regulatory Obstacles to Green Guarantees and Beyond
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Katja Römer
Head of Communication & Outreach
UNESCO - Institute for Lifelong Learning
Katja Römer
Head of Communication & Outreach
UNESCO - Institute for Lifelong Learning
Where do I participate?
- Cities strengthening multilateralism: The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC)
Biography
Katja Roemer is Head of Communications and Outreach at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in Hamburg, Germany. She leads the Institute’s strategic communication and partnership-building efforts, promoting lifelong learning as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development worldwide. She brings extensive experience in international communications and public affairs. Prior to joining UIL, she served as Spokesperson of the German Commission for UNESCO and as Head of Education and Communication, where she led strategic outreach and supported national and international policy dialogue. Earlier in her career, she worked at UNESCO Headquarters in the Communication and Information Sector, contributing to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
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Juliana Rotich
CEO
Kehmett Consulting
Juliana Rotich
CEO
Kehmett Consulting
Where do I participate?
- New Global Realities: How Geopolitical Shifts Are Repositioning European Businesses
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Claus Runge
Chief Health Equity Officer
Bayer
Claus Runge
Chief Health Equity Officer
Bayer
Where do I participate?
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships as a Catalyst of North-South Innovation
Biography
Dr. Claus Runge Senior Vice President, Global Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability & Internal Engagement and Chief Health Equity Officer, Bayer Since February 2018, Claus Runge led the Global Market Access group, as of July 2019, the Global Market Access, Public Affairs & Sustainability Group and as of June 2024, he is leading the Public Affairs, Sustainability & Internal Engagement Group at Bayer AG – Division Pharmaceuticals, and acts as its Chief Health Equity Officer. Claus Runge has twenty-six years of experience in working in the pharmaceutical industry. He has heldsenior roles on both local and global level in various multinational companies, such as GSK, Wyeth and AstraZeneca. In his career, he has been responsible for a broad span of functions, including Commercial, Pricing & Market Access, Communications, Governmental Affairs as well as Patient Advocacy. Claus also is Bayer representative/member of the IFPMA Council, the IFMPA-AMR and the PhRMA Heads of International Committee. Additionally, he will also join the Executive Council of the Bill & Melinda Gates CEO RT. Claus Runge is a pharmacist and health economist by training and holds a Ph.D. from the Humboldt University in Berlin. He served as one of the editors of the European Journal of Health Economics from 2006-201, helping it to become a renowned journal in the field. He has published numerous articles in high impact journals, with a focus on health economics and quality of life research. Since 2022, he serves as a board member of the “Technologie Stiftung Berlin”.
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Ofosuah Agyekum Sarkodie
Vice President
Kantamanto Women’s Association
Ofosuah Agyekum Sarkodie
Vice President
Kantamanto Women’s Association
Where do I participate?
- Circular Textiles: Europe’s Contribution to a Global Transformation
Biography
Retailer, Kantamanto Market Mary has been working in Kantamanto Market since 2007. She sells men’s joggers and jeans. Formerly a civil servant with Ghana Water and Sewage, Mary transitioned into entrepreneurship to gain flexibility and time for her children after starting a family. Her journey into Kantamanto was driven by a desire for independence, freedom and self-determination. A memorable highlight of her work was discovering 80 in the pocket of a jogger — a joyful surprise she shared with her kids. On the average day, an influx of low value fast fashion clothing has made it difficult for Mary to achieve her goals. Mary champions financial independence for women, encouraging others to rely on their own means rather than on partners or spouses. To her, Kantamanto is more than a place of business — it’s a vibrant community of strength, support and learning. As a proud member of the new Kantamanto Women’s Association, she advocates for unity, a shared voice and better protection for market women to stand up and work with purpose.
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Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel
Chair of the Management Board
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel
Chair of the Management Board
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Where do I participate?
- Building Chinese-European Cooperation to Close the Infrastructure Gap in EMDEs
Biography
Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel is Chair of the Management Board and Director of Labour Relations at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. From 2003 onwards, he became a member of the Hesse State Parliament. In 2009, he was elected chair of the SPD state parliamentary group and state association in Hesse. In 2013, Schäfer-Gümbel was appointed deputy party chair of the SPD at national level. Schäfer-Gümbel was elected as one of the SPD’s deputy federal chairpersons in 2013 and led the SPD as one of three acting federal chairpersons from early June 2019 until the end of September 2019. He has been a member of the GIZ Management Board as Director of Labour Affairs since October 2019; in November 2022, he also took on the role of Chair of the Management Board.
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Petra Scharner-Wolff
CEO
Otto Group
Petra Scharner-Wolff
CEO
Otto Group
Where do I participate?
- Circular Textiles: Europe’s Contribution to a Global Transformation
Biography
Petra Scharner-Wolff, born 1971 in Göttingen, has been Chair of the Executive Board of the Otto Group since March 1, 2025. Previously, from June 1, 2015, to February 28, 2025, Petra was responsible for Finance, Controlling, and Human Resources on the Executive Board of the Otto Group. After completing a degree in business management at the University of Göttingen, Petra joined the Nymphenburg Group in Munich as a management consultant in 1995. In 1999, Petra moved to controlling at the Otto Group in Hamburg, where she was appointed Vice President of Group Controlling Affiliates in 2002 with global responsibility for controlling at all Group companies. Petra joined the Executive Board of the Schwab Group in Hanau in 2007, becoming spokesperson of the Executive Board on July 1, 2009. Responsible for the Planning and Controlling, Finance and Accounting, IT, Stock Management, and Technology as well as HR divisions, Petra drove the successful establishment of the Sheego fashion concept. Petra moved back to Hamburg as a member of the OTTO Executive Board in 2012, where she took charge of HR, Controlling, and IT.
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Frank Scheidig
Global Head Senior Executive Banking
DZ Bank
Frank Scheidig
Global Head Senior Executive Banking
DZ Bank
Where do I participate?
- Re-Doing Growth: Economic Development in a Resource-Limited World
Biography
Frank Scheidig is Global Head of Senior Executive Banking at DZ BANK, leading DZ BANK’s high level global strategic engagement with government and official institutions. His network covers – amongst others - the German government, Bundesbank and KfW; the EU commission, EIB and ESM as well as SAFE, AIIB and Worldbank. Having previously had a 40+ years career in the capital markets, with Deutsche Bank and Dresdner Bank among others, covering governments, central banks, supranationals, state funds, and development banks. He is Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board of OMFIF (The Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum), a well-connected think-tank for central banking, economic policy and public investment. He chairs the Rhein-Main regional committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany, is a member of the Board of the IBF International Bankers Forum and of the Sustainable Finance Advisory Committee of the Federal Government of Germany.
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Gerhard Schlaudraff
Director for Climate and Energy Diplomacy
Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Gerhard Schlaudraff
Director for Climate and Energy Diplomacy
Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where do I participate?
- Green Hydrogen: B2B Partnerships for Industrial Decarbonization
Biography
Gerhard Schlaudraff is the Director for Climate and Energy Diplomacy at the Federal Foreign Office. He joined the diplomatic service in May 1993. His first posting abroad took him to Bishkek as Deputy Head of Mission; further postings in Afghanistan, Indonesia, Palestine and Canada followed. Within the framework of the EEAS, Gerhard Schlaudraff served as Political Adviser to the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process in Brussels and as Ambassador for the EU Border Assistance Mission EUBAM in Israel and Palestine. From September 2022, he worked as a senior fellow and strategic advisor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, focusing on the risks and impacts of global climate change and sustainable concepts for a just climate future. Taking over as head of the International Climate Finance Division brought him back to the Federal Foreign Office in December 2024, where he was appointed Director for Climate Diplomacy and temporarily Deputy Special Representative for Climate Foreign Policy in January 2025. In January 2026, he was appointed Director for Climate and Energy Diplomacy. Gerhard Schlaudraff is married and has four children. He holds a master's degree in history from the Université de Franche-Comté Besançon.
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Alexander Schmidt
Chief Underwriting Officer
Zurich Insurance Group Germany
Alexander Schmidt
Chief Underwriting Officer
Zurich Insurance Group Germany
Where do I participate?
- The Mangrove Opportunity: Scaling Nature-Based Solutions
Biography
Alexander started his career at McKinsey & Company, advising mostly insurance companies. From 2016 to 2025 he worked for AXA both in Paris and Cologne. Since 2025 he is a member or the board of Zurich Germany as the Chief Underwriting Officer for the P&C business.
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Stephan Schnabel
Chairman of the Executive Board
HELM
Stephan Schnabel
Chairman of the Executive Board
HELM
Where do I participate?
- Re-Doing Growth: Economic Development in a Resource-Limited World
Biography
Liegt bereits über Rouven Utasch vor
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Ludger Schuknecht
Vice President for Policy and Strategy
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Ludger Schuknecht
Vice President for Policy and Strategy
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Where do I participate?
- Building Chinese-European Cooperation to Close the Infrastructure Gap in EMDEs
Biography
Ludger Schuknecht is Vice President for Policy and Strategy. He drives AIIB’s strategic agenda, oversees AIIB’s environmental, social, fiduciary, and international relations policies, and manages the Bank’s administrative budget. Previously, he served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Bank. Before joining AIIB in August 2021, he held important leadership posts at the national and international levels. He was a Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. Prior to this role, he was Deputy Secretary-General at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and was previously Chief Economist and Director General of Germany’s Federal Finance Ministry. In this position, he served as the G20 Finance Deputy for Germany and Co-chair of the Infrastructure Investment Working Group of the G20. Schuknecht has extensive experience working with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank and the World Trade Organization. He also acted as the Chief Negotiator for Germany in the founding of AIIB, making him one of the architects of AIIB and one of the drafters of its Articles of Agreement. He holds a Vordiplom in Economics from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany; an MA in Economics from George Mason University, USA; and a Ph.D in Economics and a Habilitation in Economics from Universität Konstanz, Germany. Schuknecht is from Germany.
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Thomas Schulte
Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety
Robert Bosch GmbH
Thomas Schulte
Senior Vice President, Head of Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety
Robert Bosch GmbH
Where do I participate?
- Strengthening the Geostrategic Dimension of the Global Gateway
- Building Chinese-European Cooperation to Close the Infrastructure Gap in EMDEs
Biography
Dr. Thomas Schulte is Senior Vice President at Bosch. Over the last 20 years, he has held various international operative & strategic roles within research, supply chain and purchasing. Based upon his experience, he has shaped Bosch Supply Chain Management Purchasing. Besides implementing award winning approaches for supply chain sustainability, his focus is set on functional excellence, enabling transition, and solutions for competitive yet resilient supply chains. Since April 2025 he is head of sustainability and EHS at Bosch.
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María Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona
Director
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
María Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona
Director
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Dr Magdalena Sepúlveda is the Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). Before taking up this position, she was the Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. She is also a member of the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT) and the United Nations (UN) High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity for Achieving the 2030 Agenda. From 2008 to 2014, she was the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. From 2013 to 2017, she was a member of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Ms Sepúlveda holds a PhD in International Law from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and an LL.M. from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.
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Daniel Sesay
Deputy Director
Namati
Daniel Sesay
Deputy Director
Namati
Where do I participate?
- Community as an Enabler of Inclusive and Responsible Carbon Markets
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Elke Siehl
Director General Sectoral Department
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Elke Siehl
Director General Sectoral Department
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Where do I participate?
- From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence
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Carl Skau
Acting Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
World Food Programme (WFP)
Carl Skau
Acting Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
World Food Programme (WFP)
Where do I participate?
- The First 1,000 Days: How Child Nutrition Shapes a Lifetime
Biography
Carl Skau is the Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to serve as interim head of WFP until the designation of its next Executive Director. Since May 2023, Mr. Skau has served as WFP’s Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, leading the organization’s overall coordination, strategic direction, humanitarian diplomacy, and support or field operations. In this capacity he also oversees partnerships, management, and governance across the organization, and heads corporate efforts to maximize WFP’s inter-agency collaboration. He continues in this role while serving as Acting Executive Director. Mr. Skau has over 25 years of experience working in diplomacy, humanitarian affairs, peace-building and development across different regions and organizations. He is a recognized and experienced leader with a track record in forging strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships, mobilizing resources, advancing international negotiations and leading and motivating empowered and diverse teams. Prior to joining WFP in 2023, Mr. Skau headed Multilateral Partnerships at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs leading the response to humanitarian crises across the globe, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the Swedish campaign for Security Council membership, and was Ambassador and Alternate Permanent Representative to the United Nations during Sweden’s two-year term on the Security Council. His previous positions have included Deputy Representative to the European Union Political and Security Committee in Brussels and Deputy Head of the European Union Mission in Zimbabwe, in addition to postings for the Swedish Foreign Service and the UN in Latin America. He began his career with UNHCR and UNDP. Mr. Skau, a Swedish national, holds a bachelor’s degree in social science, and a master’s degree in political science from Lund University. He is fluent in English and Spanish. He is married with three children.
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Nevana Srikissoon
Project manager
Ethekwini Municipality
Nevana Srikissoon
Project manager
Ethekwini Municipality
Where do I participate?
- From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence
Biography
Nevana is a municipal practitioner with over 27 year's experience in municipal operations including finance, audit, systems development, project management and performance monitoring and evaluation. She works on multi-sectoral projects with municipal and external stakeholders, where she aims to enhance cooperation and partnerships, promote the use of technology and data to improve service delivery, and monitor project deliverables. Nevana also oversees SDG reporting and performance monitoring and evaluation for several functional areas within the Municipality.
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Liesbet Steer
Director People in the New Economy
Systemiq
Liesbet Steer
Director People in the New Economy
Systemiq
Where do I participate?
- Why Climate Action can become one of the World’s Biggest Job Creators
Biography
Dr. Liesbet Steer is an economist and international finance expert. Her work explores the important links between human development, economic progress and sustainability. Liesbet was the Executive Director of the Global Education Commission, under the auspices of the UN Secretary General and chaired by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. In this context she led the design and establishment of the International Financing Facility for Education (IFFEd), a $5 billion innovative finance mechanism, providing portfolio guarantees to development banks. She is also the co-founder and board director of Greater Share, a philanthropic fund in partnership with private equity firms. Liesbet also serves on the global Advisory Council of the Education Outcomes Fund, an outcomes based financing instrument working in 5 African countries, and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, an initiative working on youth skills and employment. Her current work focuses on the human aspects of economic and climate transitions. She is the Executive Director of a global initiative on People in the New economy at Systemiq, working with governments and industry. She also chairs the Sustainable Finance Initiative for School Health and Nutrition working on financing strategies for school meals, including as a lever for wider food system reform. Over the past three decades, Liesbet has served in a range development and finance roles. She was the President and CEO of EDC – a not-for-profit with 1600 staff working in 30 countries on education, wellbeing, and economic opportunity -- and held significant roles with the Brookings Institution, ODI Global, the World Bank in Vietnam and the Asia Foundation in Indonesia. She was educated at the Universities of Antwerp, East Anglia and the London School of Economics and holds a MSc in Quantitative Economics and a PhD in Development Economics.
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Katharina Stenholm
Chief Sustainability Officer
dsm-firmenich
Katharina Stenholm
Chief Sustainability Officer
dsm-firmenich
Where do I participate?
- The First 1,000 Days: How Child Nutrition Shapes a Lifetime
Biography
Katharina Stenholm is Chief Sustainability Officer at dsm-firmenich, a global leader in health, nutrition and beauty, combining the essential, desirable and sustainable. She envisions a future where sustainable practices are the norm, not the exception. Her approach to sustainability centers around the crucial link between solid business performance and positive impact on people and planet. Katharina has worked in the entire food value chain for many years and has been keenly focused on the transition to a more sustainable food system. Katharina was formerly SVP Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo Europe, SVP Chief Cycles & Procurement Officer responsible for Global Procurement and the Nature Sustainability team at Danone and Global CPO at SABMiller. She has a strong background in research, business development, marketing & sales and leadership including previous roles as Commercial Director for Viking Malt Ltd and Group CEO of Polttimo Group Ltd. Katharina Stenholm has also worked as an Executive Coach, focusing on personal growth and nurturing resilient, responsible leadership. Through this work in helping others unlock their true potential, she finds energy, personal fulfillment and reward. Originally from Finland, Katharina holds a Doctorate of Technology in Biotechnology and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology.
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Bryony Steyn
Economist
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA)
Bryony Steyn
Economist
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA)
Where do I participate?
- The Inequality Solutions Lab: A Multilateral Vision
Biography
Bryony Steyn is an economist at ESCWA, where she leads regional work on multidimensional inequality. She coordinates ESCWA's flagship inequality programme and works with governments and development partners across the Arab region to advance evidence-based policies that promote inclusion, social justice, and sustainable development.
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Abid Qaiyum Suleri
Executive Director
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
Abid Qaiyum Suleri
Executive Director
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
Where do I participate?
- Beyond 2030: Forging Alliances for the Future of Global Sustainability
Biography
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). He serves on leading international and national policy forums and has represented Pakistan in numerous official and civil society delegations worldwide. He sits on the Advisory Council of the Asian Development Bank Institute; chairs the Board of Directors of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and serves on the Pakistan Climate Change Council, and the Board of Governors of the National School of Public Policy. In 2024, he worked with UNFCCC COP29 President as a member of the International Advisory Committee of COP29. Previously, he served three terms (2013–2022) on the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council/National Economic Advisory Council, two terms (2013–2022) on the National Advisory Council of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, and as Coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Transformation Plan (2021–2022). He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Dr Suleri has represented Pakistan in major international platforms and multilateral conferences. A sought-after speaker, he regularly delivers lectures on sustainable development to career civil servants, military officers, and parliamentarians. An accomplished writer, he contributes to academic journals and mainstream media. He is Editor-in-Chief of SDPI’s peer-reviewed Journal and Series Editor of Springer’s South Asia Economic and Policy Studies. Dr Suleri holds a PhD in Food Security from the University of Greenwich, UK.
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Timothy Sung
Project Associate
Ban Ki-moon Foundation
Timothy Sung
Project Associate
Ban Ki-moon Foundation
Where do I participate?
- Timothy Sung, Ban Ki-moon Foundation tbd
Biography
Timothy Sung is a Project Associate at Ban Ki-moon Foundation working on the Foundation’s Elevating Agricultural Adaptation portfolio. His work lies in driving forward the sustainable development agenda in the climate and agricultural arenas, with a specific focus on supporting young changemakers involved in smallholder agriculture to harness their innovations and efforts in adapting to climate change. In building partnerships with those in civil society, the private sector, governments, and international organisations, Timothy underscores the importance of connecting people and experiences to tackle today’s most pressing challenges and in advancing Agenda 2030 as a global community.
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Marlehn Thieme
President
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe
Marlehn Thieme
President
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe
Where do I participate?
- International Development Cooperation and Economic Partnerships
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Chacko Thomas
Group CSO
Tata Sons
Chacko Thomas
Group CSO
Tata Sons
Where do I participate?
- Water–Growth Nexus: Sustaining Industrial Development in a Thirsty World
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Francis Thoya
Deputy Governor
County Government of Mombasa, Kenya
Francis Thoya
Deputy Governor
County Government of Mombasa, Kenya
Where do I participate?
- Forging City–Industry Alliances for Climate Neutrality Markets
Biography
H.E. Francis Thoya, the Deputy Governor of Mombasa County is the principal assistant to H.E. the Governor. In the past three (3) years, the DG had served as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment & Solid Waste Management (SWM). Then, he was responsible for reviewing county-specific waste management policies, strategies, standards, guidelines and regulations. He also kept track of data on County Waste Management Information and spearheaded public awareness education on ethical waste management methods. A Moi University graduate in communication and public relations, he packs over 20 years of experience in urban development, governance, public service administration and delivery. He is a seasoned, committed and revolutionary public servant with a passion for solid waste management. Prior to his current appointment, he worked for the British High Commissioner (2020 – 2022) as a project manager for development projects in six (6) counties in the Kenyan Coastal Region. He held the position of County Secretary (2016 – 2019) where he was the Head of County Public Service and the Secretary to the County Executive Committee. During his stint as the County Secretary, he offered transformative leadership in service delivery. He also served as a CECM for Lands and Urban Planning in Mombasa County (2013 – 2015) during which he oversaw the development of Mombasa gateway master plan. Before joining the public service, the Deputy Governor has a long-term career as a journalist. He worked with the leading media house, the Nation Media Group as a court and investigative reporter from 1993 to 2003. As the Deputy Governor of Mombasa, he is committed to delivering effective and efficient services to the people of Mombasa by coordinating result based best management practices across the Executive arm of the County government.
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Nathalie Tocci
Director
Instituto Affari Internazionali
Nathalie Tocci
Director
Instituto Affari Internazionali
Where do I participate?
- Reimagining Global Cooperation: Inclusive Development in a Reordered World
Biography
Nathalie Tocci is Professor of Practice at the John Hopkins University SAIS, Senior Fellow at the Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University (IEP@BU) and independent non-executive director of the multi utility company Acea. She has been Special Advisor to EU High Representatives Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell. In that capacity, she wrote the European Global Strategy and worked on its implementation. She is part-time professor at the School of Transnational Governance (European University Institute). She was Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, Europe’s Futures fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen, IWM), Pierre Keller Visiting Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Honorary Professor at the University of Tübingen. Prior to joining Acea, she was independent board member first of Edison and then of Eni.
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Elisa Tonda
Chief of Branch, Industry and Economy Division (IED)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Elisa Tonda
Chief of Branch, Industry and Economy Division (IED)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Where do I participate?
- Circular Textiles: Europe’s Contribution to a Global Transformation
Biography
Elisa Tonda is the Chief of the Industry Innovation Branch in the Industry and Economy Division of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). Elisa has more than 25 years of experience in the field of environmental management, business sustainability, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and production, circular economy and sustainable development. She has started her career in the private sector as environmental expert and then held several positions in UN organizations. From 2002 she worked as industrial development officer at the UN Industrial Development Organization in the areas of cleaner production and sound chemicals management. In 2009 she joined UNEP as regional officer for resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production in the Regional Office of Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2012 she joined the Industry and Economy Division where she led a growing team working on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy, sustainable finance, sustainable value chains across several industrial sectors.
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Simon Tribelhorn
CEO
Banking Association of Liechtenstein
Simon Tribelhorn
CEO
Banking Association of Liechtenstein
Where do I participate?
- Transforming Innovative Finance and Youth Livelihoods into SDG Action
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Esra Turk
Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable Finance for the Investment Bank
Deutsche Bank
Esra Turk
Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable Finance for the Investment Bank
Deutsche Bank
Where do I participate?
- The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): A Paradigm Shift in Nature Finance
Biography
Esra Turk is Global Head of Sustainable Finance and ESG Solutions at the Investment Bank. She is also Chair of the Investment Bank for Middle East & Africa. Previously, Esra ran CEEMEA FIC Coverage (2021–2025) and LATAM FIC Coverage (2022–2024) and was the Senior Executive Officer for Deutsche Bank’s ADGM branch. Esra represents Deutsche Bank on the International Swaps and Derivatives Association Board and is a member of ISDA’s Management Committee. Before joining DB, Esra worked for 12 years at Barclays and was Head of Emerging Markets Sales and Origination in EMEA and Americas and Chairman of Middle East and North Africa. She was also a member of the Markets Client Exco, Diversity Champion for Markets, WIN Gender Network Executive Sponsor in the UK and member of Barclays Bank Development Council. Esra also held other senior roles across Structuring, Financial Resource Management, Risk Solutions Group as well as Barclays Non-Core (BNC) where she led the client management team which developed client-centric solutions that accelerated BNC’s derivative and asset divestments. Esra started her banking career at Bankers Trust (now Deutsche Bank) in Leveraged Buyouts and Corporate Finance and went on to work in Derivatives Marketing for Eastern Europe, Turkey and Portugal. Esra has also worked in EM Structuring within Emerging Markets Proprietary Trading at Credit Suisse and was an Executive Director and Co-Head of CEEMEA Debt Capital Markets Origination and Liability Management at UBS before becoming Turkey Country Head at Dresdner Kleinwort. Esra holds an MBA in Finance from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BA in Business Administration from Bogazici University, Istanbul. She was a Trustee and Board Member of Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership (2016–2021).
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Heike Vesper
CEO Transformation, Politics & Economy
WWF Germany
Heike Vesper
CEO Transformation, Politics & Economy
WWF Germany
Where do I participate?
- Crimes That Affect the Environment: Threats to a Sustainable Future
Biography
Heike Vesper, Vorständin Transformation Politik und Wirtschaft beim WWF Deutschland. Heike Vesper ist seit November 2023 Vorstandsmitglied des WWF Deutschlands und ist für den Bereich Transformation Politik & Wirtschaft zuständig. Sie verantwortet die Positionierung sowie die Umsetzung und Weiterentwicklung der WWF-Strategien in Politik und Wirtschaft, insbesondere der Natur- und Umweltpolitik und der Transformation der Wirtschaft im Rahmen planetarer Grenzen. Zum Vorstandsbereich gehören die Themen Klimaschutz & Energiepolitik, Wirtschaft & Märkte sowie Politik & Biodiversität. Sie hat die politische Gesamtvertretung für den WWF Deutschland. Zuvor hatte sie die Position als Interim Geschäftsleitung für Transformation & Politik beim WWF Deutschland inne. Sie ist seit 25 Jahren für den WWF Deutschland tätig und leitete den Fachbereich Meeresschutz, dabei lagen die Arbeitsschwerpunkte in den Bereichen Fischereipolitik, Konsum & Zertifizierungen, Oceans Governance und Zusammenarbeit mit Küstengemeinschaften. Vesper studierte Biologie in Bremen und Amsterdam mit den Schwerpunkten Ökologie & Meeresbiologie.
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Monique Vledder
Head of the Global Health, Nutrition and Population Department
World Bank Group
Monique Vledder
Head of the Global Health, Nutrition and Population Department
World Bank Group
Where do I participate?
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships as a Catalyst of North-South Innovation
Biography
Dr. Monique Vledder is the World Bank Group Health Director and Director of the Global Financing Facility, where she leads the WBG health agenda and oversees teams across the World Bank, IFC, the GFF and the Pandemic Fund, focusing on health access, pandemic preparedness and response, and growing the health value chain. Monique brings over 25 years of global health leadership, having shaped health financing strategies, led institutional reforms, and built multi-stakeholder partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As Head of the Global Health unit, she designed the Health Target Implementation Plan for the WBG's first corporate target on health and repositioned the unit to align technical expertise with strategic priorities. She transformed the institution's approach to knowledge and learning through the WBG Health Academy and Impact program. From 2016 to 2022, Monique headed the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescent Health, where she led the design of the partnership business model and forged a coalition of over 20 donors that mobilized $2.5 billion. She pioneered innovative private sector engagement approaches and built a country-driven portfolio across 38 countries that delivered measurable improvements in maternal and child health outcomes. Dr. Vledder holds a medical degree from the University of Amsterdam, a Master of International Health from Harvard, and a diploma in Health Economics from York University.
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Tetiana Vodotyka
Academic Director
Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)
Tetiana Vodotyka
Academic Director
Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)
Where do I participate?
- From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence
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Melanie Vogelbach
Managing Director for International Economic Policy
German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Melanie Vogelbach
Managing Director for International Economic Policy
German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Where do I participate?
- New Global Realities: How Geopolitical Shifts Are Repositioning European Businesses
Biography
Melanie Vogelbach is Managing Director for International Economic Policy and Foreign Trade Law at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). She joined DIHK in 2014, and has since held various key positions. Before assuming her current role in 2019, she served as CEO of Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland, Germany’s largest network of young entrepreneurs. She studied International Relations in Dresden and Valparaíso, and holds a graduate degree from New York University. Besides representing Germany’s diverse private sector, her professional background includes positions at the German Federal Foreign Office, international organizations, and civil society institutions.
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Eckart von Hirschhausen
CEO
Healthy Planet – Healthy People Foundation
Eckart von Hirschhausen
CEO
Healthy Planet – Healthy People Foundation
Where do I participate?
- The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): A Paradigm Shift in Nature Finance
Biography
Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen studied medicine and science journalism. His specialty is communicating medical topics with humor and lasting impact — on television, as an author, and as a keynote speaker. For him, “planetary health” means giving top priority to protecting the natural foundations of life and creating a future fit for coming generations. In 2020, he founded the Healthy Earth – Healthy People Foundation. His latest book, "The Penguin Who Learned to Fly", also reached #1 on the Spiegel bestseller list. For German public broadcaster ARD, he hosts "Wissen vor 8 – Erde" and various documentaries. Hirschhausen is an honorary member of the Charité medical faculty, a member of the Sustainability Advisory Board of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Club of Rome, and an honorary professor in Marburg.
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Jes Weigelt
Head of Programmes
TMG Think Tank for Sustainability
Jes Weigelt
Head of Programmes
TMG Think Tank for Sustainability
Where do I participate?
- Community as an Enabler of Inclusive and Responsible Carbon Markets
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Gordon Wilmsmeier
Director
Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL)
Gordon Wilmsmeier
Director
Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL)
Where do I participate?
- Greener Reefers: A Sustainable Business Case for Shipping
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Gloria Womitso
Head of Humanitarian Insurance Solutions
African Risk Capacity Limited
Gloria Womitso
Head of Humanitarian Insurance Solutions
African Risk Capacity Limited
Where do I participate?
- Hamburg Call to Action on Internal Displacement
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Cristan Dave Zablan
Science Student & ESRI Youth Representative
University of Jaume I
Cristan Dave Zablan
Science Student & ESRI Youth Representative
University of Jaume I
Where do I participate?
- From Pilots to Platforms: Scaling Collaborative Urban Intelligence
Biography
Cristan Dave C. Zablan is a geospatial data scientist from the Philippines taking the GeoTech Erasmus Mundus Master's program. His work focuses on applying spatial data, AI, and community collaboration to address climate and urban challenges. He has contributed to projects on environmental monitoring and AI-driven mapping, working with government and community partners. He shares a Global South and youth perspective on how spatial intelligence and cross-sector collaboration can help scale innovative pilots into resilient, data-driven urban systems.
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Deborah Zandstra
Partner in Capital Markets
Clifford Chance
Deborah Zandstra
Partner in Capital Markets
Clifford Chance
Where do I participate?
- Debt in the Daylight: Transparency for Trust and Sustainability