All Speakers
Ying LI
Ministry of Natural Resources of China
Hessa AL-QAHTANI
Conservation Programs Unit Head
Al Ain Zoo
Working as Conservation Programs Unit Head
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…
Jean-Christophe VIE
Directeur Général
Fondation Franklinia
Dr Jean-Christophe Vié is Director General of Fondation Franklinia, a Swiss foundation dedicated to the conservation of globally threatened tree species. He was recruited to develop the foundation in…
Olivier LANGRAND
Executive Director, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
For the past ten years, Olivier Langrand has been the executive director of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a multi-donor fund dedicated to protecting biodiversity hotspots through…
Prisca MUGABE
Associate Professor
PREZODE
Name: Prisca Hazvinei MUGABEPosition: Associate ProfessorInstitution: University of Zimbabwe , ZimbabweEducationDPhil: 1996, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Texas…
Hayfe Chamkhi
Field biologist
NAWT
As a wildlife ecologist, I am dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity and strengthening the link between nature and local communities. I hold a Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution…
Dolf DEJONG
CEO
Toronto Zoo
Dolf DeJong is the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Zoo, where he has served since 2018. Under his leadership, the Zoo has advanced its mission of connecting people, animals, conservation…
Francesca VITALI
Wildlife veterinarian
Smithsonian Institution
Dr. Francesca Vitali, a wildlife veterinarian and research associate at the Smithsonian's Global Health Program in Kenya, is dedicated to advancing wildlife medicine within the conservation and One…
Gaetan Quesne
Consultant
Baastel
I’m passionate about the intersection of conservation, forests, and sustainable development. For over 15 years, I’ve worked across Africa, the Mediterranean, and Latin and Central America, leading…
Ana NUNES
Senior Programme Officer (Invasive Species)
IUCN
I am a biologist with over 17 years of experience working on invasive alien species, mainly in freshwater ecosystems. At IUCN I work on policy support and implementation, primarily in projects…
SANJOG THAKALI
Master in Environment Science and management
Teen Gaule Thakali Community
My name is Sanjog Thakali, and I am an indigenous youth from Gharapjhong-5, Mustang, Nepal. I hold a Master of Science in Environmental Management. I have been actively engaged in conservation…
Adolfo Ottoniel MONTERROSO RIVAS
National Project Coordinator
IUCN
I am a Guatemalan professional specialized in environmental and natural resource economics. I work at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN-Guatemala) coordinating the Project…
SENYACEN RAMIREZ
Coral Biologist
Families in Nature, Tela Marine
Senyacen Ramírez is a Honduran biologist who graduated from the National Autonomous University of Honduras. She served as the Marine Aquarium Manager at Tela Marine, gaining experience in the care of…
Rachel BOERE
Finance Director
Youth4Nature
Rachel Boere (she/her) is a settler based in Canada who leads at the intersection of climate, nature/biodiversity, and social justice. With over a decade of experience spanning communications,…
Astrid SCHOMAKER
Executive Secretary
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
In April 2024, the United Nations Secretary-General appointed Astrid Schomaker Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).Prior to her appointment as Executive Secretary of…
Barbara GOETTSCH
Independent Consultant
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2021-2025
Barbara Goettsch is a Dr in Ecology graduated from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Through academic institutions, non-government organizations and the Mexican Federal Government, she has…
Timon MCPHEARSON
Director and Professor
New York University
Dr. Timon McPhearson is the founding director of the Urban Systems Lab, professor at NYU Environmental Studies, and author of Nature-based Solutions for Cities. Drawing on his mixed Native…
Tamir SANSAR
Analyst
Office of the COP17 National Committee
Aymeric SALAMONE
Regional Law Enforcement Expert
UNODC
Mr Aymeric Salamone is the Regional Law Enforcement Expert at the UNODC Regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region (OGCCR) based in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
Pragyan Raj POKHREL
Senior Programme Officer
IUCN
Pragyan Raj Pokhrel is an ecosystem restoration and socio-economics expert with over a decade of experience at the intersection of community-based conservation, land degradation, and sustainable…
Mosese Bulitavu
Honourable Minister
Fiji Department of Environment
Helge Mahne
Director of Innovative Nature Finance
African Parks
Helge is the Director of Innovative Nature Finance for African Parks, leading the development of new income streams from nature-based solutions. Prior to African Parks, Helge was a Director and…
SONAM TOBGAY
Chief Forestry Officer
Divisional Forest Office, Trashigang, DoFPS, Bhutan
Forestry professional with over 13 years of experience in natural resource management, protected area governance, and wildlife conservation in Bhutan. Currently serving as Chief Forestry Officer of…
Steven Brumby
CEO and Co-Founder
Impact Observatory
Steve Brumby is the Co-Founder and CEO of Impact Observatory, a mission-driven technology company bringing geospatial AI for environmental, climate, and sustainability risk analysis. Impact…
Cymie PAYNE
Professor
Rutgers University
Professor Cymie R. Payne is on the faculty of Rutgers University. She has appeared as counsel before the Internationall Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and as expert before the International Court of…
Erwin AMAVASSEE
Programme Officer, BESTLIFE2030
IUCN EU Representative Office
Erwin Jayson Amavassee is Programme Officer for BESTLIFE2030 at the IUCN European Regional Office in Brussels, where he supports EU-funded grants that strengthen biodiversity conservation and climate…
Shamsa AL HAMELI
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Shamsa Al Hameli, PhD researcher and Specialist in Marine Vessel Management at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, focusing on the biodiversity and conservation of sharks and rays in the Arabian Gulf.