Luís Veiga Martins has a degree in Economics from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and an MBA in Management with a specialization in Marketing, from the same University. He is the Executive Director of CIFAL Cascais and is also the Director of Sustainability at Nova School of Business and Economics, Chair of the PRME Chapter Iberia. He also carries out consultancy activities at the national and international levels. He was the General Director of CELPA – Paper Industry Association, General Director of Sociedade Ponto Verde, and President of PRO Europe, the European Association of Packaging Management Entities. Previously, he was sales director for the Portucel Soporcel group (currently The Navigator Company). His professional experience has allowed him to develop a set of skills in different fields such as sustainable development, corporate governance, business development and activities, and Public Affairs, among others.

In his research pursuits, Dr. Switzer explores into critical areas such as catastrophic marine inundation events (like tsunamis or large storms), sea level changes, and the evolution of coral reefs and tropical coastal systems. He acquired his BSc and PhD in Geosciences from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and furthered his research through an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong fellowship at The University of Hong Kong. Adam is widely recognized as an expert in coastal science, particularly in the study of coastal hazards and Quaternary geology, where he applies diverse geophysical and geological techniques to study and reconstruct environmental changes in coastal systems across various Asian countries. His ultimate aim is to contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable communities in Asia through his research program at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, engaging in collaborations with individuals from ten Asian nations.

Dr. Voravate is a key figure in capacity building programs for public sector organizations in developing countries. He leads teams in training and development across various critical areas. With a strong history of collaboration with multinational and international organizations, as well as non-governmental entities, he offers valuable advisory services.

Previously, Dr. Voravate directed impactful projects, including evaluating a physical education initiative for children with disabilities, funded by the IKEA Foundation and Special Olympic International. Dr. Voravate’s expertise extends to World Bank projects and human resource development in Laos. He maintains extensive partnerships with governmental and organizational bodies, providing advisory support to diverse entities. Holding degrees in Soil Science and Regional and Rural Development Planning, he is well-versed in this field.

He holds a B.Sc. in Soil Science fromKing’s Mongkut Institute of Technology Lad Krabang (KMITL) and an M.Sc. in Regional and Rural Development Planning from AIT School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD).

Ms. Vashakidze has consulted on various sustainable development issues governments, non-governmental organizations, the World Bank Group, UNDP in South-East Asia, UNICEF in NYC and Bolivia. She has chaired and been active on various public and non-profit boards, among them chairpersonship of GEF that promotes philanthropic work in Eastern Europe, and of the EFN that unites ten partner foundations and data-tanks from the US, Europe, and Eurasia.

Ms. Vashakidze holds advanced degrees in Social and Economic Geography, Environmental Management, and International Development from Columbia, Edinburgh, and Tbilisi State Universities. She obtained an EMBA in Global Management jointly issued by LSE, NYU, and HEC Paris and is currently pursuing an Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellowship at Harvard University.

James has over 25 years of dedicated experience and expertise in global business services, sustainability, impact investment and finance. He co-founded and is currently the CEO of global business services company, ADEC Innovations, focused on Sustainability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Resiliency, Adaptability and Impact. Under his strategic guidance, ADEC Innovations has grown to encompass 4000 employees across 6 continents. Committed to promoting sustainable development and ensuring a meaningful impact on a global scale, he consistently demonstrates the harmonious balance between achieving business success and upholding environmental responsibility in both his professional and personal endeavours.

As a sustainable development advocate, he works closely with different United Nations (UN) agencies, including the United Nations South-South Cooperation and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on various programs, initiatives and publications, focusing on ESG, sustainability and climate change. He was awarded the 2014 United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation Visionary Award. He is the Coordinating Lead Author of the Data and Knowledge Chapter of UNEP’s 6th edition of the Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6).

Mr. Rafael Santos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Municipal Management and Administrative Law from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. He also holds a Diploma in International Cooperation, accredited by the Training Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a Diploma in City Management and Administration from Xiangxi University Vocational College of Foreign Studies in China.

With over 10 years of experience in academic and training fields, Mr. Santos has served as a facilitator and coordinator of training programs at the National Cooperative School (ENECOOP) since 2014. He has a strong background in international relations, having managed the Dominican Municipal League’s international relations for over three years and served as Deputy Director of Training and Education for Local Governments at the LMD.

Mr. Santos was Director of Cooperation with Local Governments under the Administrative Ministry of the Presidency from 2020 to 2023. He is currently the President of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative of Employees of the National Palace.

In addition to his public service career, Mr. Santos has over a decade of experience in insurance brokerage, with in-depth knowledge of the General Insurance Law 146-02, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law 155-17, and Social Security Law 87-01. He holds licenses from the Superintendence of Insurance and the Superintendence of Health and Occupational Risks. Fluent in English, Mr. Santos is recognized f or his expertise across multiple sectors and his dedication to local governance and development.