All Speakers

Andrew PLUMPTRE

Head KBA Secretariat

KBA Secretariat

Andrew Plumptre, PhD, is head of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Secretariat, based at BirdLife International in Cambridge, UK. The KBA Secretariat supports the implementation of the KBA Programme…

Jayant SARNAIK

Joint Director

Applied Environmental Research Foundation(AERF)

A conservation and sustainability practitioner working on innovative solutions for biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems conservation in the Western Ghats of India. I am conservation entrepreneur…

Bandana SHAKYA

Lead, Landscape

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Bandana Shakya leads ICIMOD’s Landscapes portfolio, driving the Centre’s interventions on Springshed Management, Rangelands and Wetlands, Incentives for Biodiversity and Landscapes, and Human–…

Sophie LE CLUE

CEO

ADM Capital Foundation

Sophie is the CEO of ADMCF, overseeing work spanning environmental conservation, sustainable finance and impact investing since she joined the Foundation in 2007 as the environmental Programme…

Daanish QAMAR

Projects Coordinator

The Waste Lab

Daanish Qamar is a sustainability and projects specialist based in Dubai, with extensive experience in driving environmental initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and climate education across the MENA…

Zilong SU

Deputy division director

Chinese Academy of Natural Resources Economics

Nizar HANI

Minister of Agriculture

Lebanon

Dr. Nizar Hani has been serving as Minister of Agriculture in the Republic of Lebanon since February 8, 2025. He brings extensive experience in the fields of environmental protection, protected areas…

Abdelmenam MOHAMED

Head, Dugong MOU Secretariat

CMS Office Abu Dhabi

Dr. Abdelmenam Mohamed is the Coordinator of the CMS Dugong MoU Secretariat in Abu Dhabi, leading efforts to advance the conservation and sustainable management of dugongs and their…

Elsburgh 'Tres' CLARKE

Director of Animal Health and Welfare

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center

Dr. Elsburgh “Tres” Octavius Clarke III is the Director of Animal Health and Welfare at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and a diplomat of the American College of Zoological Medicine. He…

Daniele BAISERO

Data Scientist

KBA Secretariat

Daniele Baisero is a Data Scientist at the Key Biodiversity Areas Secretariat, specialising in systematic spatial approaches and habitat modelling. He developed the “Scoping Tool,” a scalable…

FELIPE REZENDE

Environment Analist

Icmbio

He holds a Law degree from the Faculdade de Direito de Curitiba (2001) and a Master’s degree in Law from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (2003). He is currently a PhD candidate in…

Marian Helen DA SILVA GOMES RODRIGUES

Chefe de Unidade de Conservação

Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade - ICMBio

Marian Helen da Silva Gomes Rodrigues holds a PhD in Quaternary, Materials and Cultures and a Master’s degree in Prehistoric Archaeology and Rock Art from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto…

Charlotte SMITH

Conservation Education Director

Chester Zoo (North of England Zoological Society)

Charlotte has extensive experience in conservation and nature based education, behaviour change and community engagement. As Director of Conservation Education she is responsible for the Chester Zoo'…

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…

David NDEEREH

Deputy Director Research, Wildlife Research & Training Institute

Wildlife Research and Training Institute

I am a veterinary surgeon with more than 25 years successful background in wildlife veterinary practice and research. My goal is to accept new challenges as an avenue of enhancing my career and…

Shelly EMIA

Artist and healer

WHAIA

Whaia is a Māori sound artist who specializes in "sonic weaving," using her voice, traditional instruments like the taonga puoro, and other sounds to create works with a profound cultural and…

VAN MANH LAI

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Economics

ISPAE

Dr. Lai Van Manh is the Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and and Environment (ISPAE).He has several research…

Jacob PARK

Visiting Professor

University of Johannesburg

Theme on Economics and Regenerative FinanceJacob Park is Associate Professor in Vermont State University (Castleton) https://www.castleton.edu/directory/faculty-staff-directory/details/jacob-park and…

Emily SWENSON

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…

Mrinalini Rai

Director

Women4Biodiversity

Mrinalini is a passionate advocate for women's rights and environmental justice. She specializes in policy, advocacy, and research that addresses the intersectionality of human rights, gender…

Aspa D. CHATZIEFTHIMIOU

Chief Scientific Officer

Earthna, Qatar Foundation

Dr. Aspa D. Chatziefthimiou is a researcher and consultant on nature conservation and restoration, and on the environmental impacts of development in hot desert climates. Dr. Aspa received her Ph.D.…

Arielle ROMENTEAU

Chargée de mission "Pays en développement & Biodiversité"

Comité national de l’UICN, France

Ángela MARTÍNEZ

Administradora Fundación Malpelo

Fundación Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas Marinos

Industrial Engineer and specialist in Human Talent Management, with more than 17 years of experience in administrative and financial management, strategic project planning, and process control. Since…

Leonardo Simon CRISOSTOMO LONCOPAN

President

Asociación de Comunidades Mapuche Winkulmapu

Mapuche. A geographer by profession, he is President of the Winkulmapu Mapuche Communities Association in Curarrehue and Territorial Planning Coordinator for the Füta Mawiza Inclusive Conservation…

Caitlin BRANT

IUCN Commission on Education and Communication 2021-2025

Boripat Siriaroonrat

Researcher

IUCN Species Survival Commission 2021-2025

Boripat received his veterinary degree from Chulalongkorn University in 1994 and Master of Science in Zoology in 1998. He has been interested in the wildlife research and conservation since he was a…

Louise HOBIN

Programme Officer - GAA Coordinator for Africa, Europe and Asia

IUCN Species Survival Commission 2021-2025

I am coordinating the global amphibian Red List efforts for Africa, Europe and Asia for the third Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA3). I have been involved in GAA work since 2015, where I led on the…