All Speakers

Carly COWELL

Head of Conservation Policy and Practice

IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management 2021-2025

A qualified and experienced botanical horticulturalist and a plant conservation scientist with a PhD. Having worked in different sectors including research, operations and policy, my experience spans…

Aziz Abdukhakimov

Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change

Uzbekistan

Aziz Abdukhakimov currently serves as the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a position he has held since December 30, 2022. Born in 1974…

Guilherme OLIVEIRA

Scientific Director

Vale Institute of Technology

Dr. Oliveira’s current work focuses on describing the biodiversity of the amazon, from a molecular perspective, with the use of DNA barcoding, genomics, and proteomics approaches. Extensive use of…

Salwa AL MAFLAHI

Laura SONTER

Technical Director - Science & Policy

The Biodiversity Consultancy

Dr Laura Sonter is Technical Director for Science and Policy at The Biodiversity Consultancy and an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of Queensland. With over 15 years’ experience at the…

Neovitus SIANGA

Director of Community Conservation and Environment

Tanzania People & Wildlife

Neovitus is an esteemed Director of Community Conservation and Environment for African People & Wildlife, known for his unwavering commitment to preserving our natural world and empowering local…

Maria Cristina WEYLAND VIEIRA

Presidenta

Associação de RPPNs e Outras Reservas Privadas de Minas Gerais

Since embarking on my academic and professional career, I have devoted myself to projects on Brazilian Natural Ecosystems Research and Conservation, as well as on Sustainable Development. In 1990, I…

Yose CORMIER

IUCN #NatureForAll Coordinator

Parks Canada

I work for Parks Canada and as our commitment to international conservation and the IUCN , I manage the day-to-day operations of the IUCN #NatureForAll initiative, focusing on partner engagement and…

Pascale BONZOM

Global Head, Food and Agricultural Systems

IUCN Secretariat

I lead the Agriculture Team at IUCN to promote sustainable agriculture for conservation and sustainable development outcomes. I am a sustainable development practitioner with 20 years of experience…

Noor BADER

Student

Ecoherence New York University Abu Dhabi

Nour Bader is a biology undergraduate at New York University Abu Dhabi, specializing in Brain and Cognitive Sciences with minors in Psychology and Anthropology. Passionate about neuroscience and…

Francisco Estremadoyro de la Puente

Director Ejecutivo

ProPurus

Conservation professional with over 35 years of experience designing and implementing sustainable development initiatives and regenerative design, primarily in the Peruvian Amazon. Brings extensive…

Nessrine ALZAHLAWI

Expert Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

Nessrine Alzahlawi is an aquatic ecologist and environmental policy professional , currently leading the set up and implementation of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative within the Environment Agency…

Melissa LEACH

Executive Director

Cambridge Conservation Initiative

Melissa Leach is Executive Director of the Cambridge Conservation initiative (CCI), a collaboration between ten world-leading nature and biodiversity organisations with the University of Cambridge,…

Sheherazade SHEHERAZADE

Co-Executive Director

PROGRES

I am the Co-Director of PROGRES, a conservation NGO based on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, my home. We combine knowledge-based and people-centered approaches to build a network of empowered…

Abigael SUM

Communications & Outreach Specialist

IUCN Commission on Education and Communication 2021-2025

Lizzy BAKKER

Head of Presentation

Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Tammy DAVIES

BirdLife International

Dr Tammy Davies is the Marine Science Coordinator at BirdLife International - a global Partnership of over 120 national conservation organisations. Tammy oversees the science work that underpins…

Sione 'Akau'ola

CEO

Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications (MEIDECC)

Mr. ‘Akauola is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change, Communication, and Cybersecurity…

Anssi MIKOLA

CEO

Riverrecycle Oy

With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and a background in engineering, Anssi Mikola has emerged as a pioneer in turning waste management into a circular economy opportunity in emerging…

Ada NATOLI

PhD

UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, Zayed University

Ada Natoli is assistant professor at Zayed University, founder and current director of the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative. Ada’s research focuses on whales and dolphins, species indicators of the…

Naomi KINGSTON

VP Global Resource Mobilization Strategy

Conservation International

Naomi Kingston is a strategic leader in global conservation, currently serving as Chair of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Partnership and Vice President of Global Resource Mobilization with…

Frédéric CASTELL

Senior Natural Resources Officer

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Frédéric Castell is a Senior Natural Resources Officer at the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) within the Food and Agriculture Organization (…

Sawyer KUHLKEN

Youth Humboldt Scientist

Families in Nature

Sawyer Kuhlken is a youth leader, diver, artist and conservationist. He has collaboratively contributed to research projects in Tela, Honduras aimed at discovering the biotic and abiotic factors…

James ALLEN

Executive Director

IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management 2021-2025

James Allen is director and co-founder of Olab, a Brazilian organization seeking to address climate challenges linked to forests and food systems. Olab has been leading the facilitation of multi…

ARBY PAULYN RAE DUERO

Advocacy Officer (PCP4NbS)

Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation / Forest Foundation Philippines/Forest Foundation Philippines

Arby Duero is an environmental advocate and aspiring environmental scientist, with a focus on waste management, climate change, resource management, nature-based solutions, communications, and…

Marina MELANIDIS

Abdulrahman ABDULLA ALZAABI

Patricia OYEDIRAN

Agente en administration

Éducation Internationale

I am Patricia OYEDIRAN, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Public Law and a Master’s degree in Public Affairs – International Public Management. My background has enabled me to develop expertise in…