Plenary Speakers
Prof. Elida Mataj
Institute of Public Health
Albania
Prof. Elida Mataj
Institute of Public HealthAlbania
Biography
Dr. Elida Mataj gained her PhD at the University of Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Department in Milano Italy (2008–2012), and is currently a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Albanian University Tirana, Albania. Epidemiologist Doctor at the Institute of Public Health, at the Department of Health and Environment since 1999. Has supervised one MSc student was a supervisor in the implementation of national infectious disease information system (ALERT), organised by the WHO, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Institute 2000. Supervised a national project on the “Evaluation of vaccine coverage in the population” organised by WHO, Ministry of Health and the Public Health Institute. Supervised in the application of measles and rubella vaccine in the 0–15 year age group, organised by UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Institute. Coordinator of the project supported by the Ministry of Education and Science entitled: Indoor air pollution and health impact in Albanian schools (2007–2009). Was the coordinator of the project supported by Regional Environmental Agency (REC) entitled: “Health risks associated with the use of swimming pools” (2009–2010) and was coordinator and project manager of the study entitled: “Assessment of exposure to indoor air pollutants in schools – WHO pilot survey in Albania”, organised by the WHO Office, Bonn, Germany (2011–2013). Author and co-author of many publications.
Speech Title
Assessment of lead and CO2 emissions from vehicles in urban air and the impact on health in exposed populations in Albania (2021-2024)
Dr. Maria Meirelles
University of the Azores
Portugal
Dr. Maria Meirelles
University of the AzoresPortugal
Biography
Maria Gabriela Meirelles has a Diploma in Physics from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil in 1992, a Geophysics Master in the field of Meteorology from University of Lisbon (Faculty of Sciences), Portugal in 1997 and got her PhD in Physics from the Azores University (UAC), Portugal in 2009, in the field of Geophysical Sciences. Her teaching activities include topics on meteorology/atmosphere/climatology, general physics, physics for biology and geophysics, among others, for undergraduate and master studies. She has participated in several scientific conferences and she has published several research articles.
Speech Title
Will be Updated Soon
Dr. Elena Maria Abraham
CONICET
Argentina
Dr. Elena Maria Abraham
CONICETArgentina
Biography
Elena Maria Abraham is a principal investigator emeritus at CONICET. She has worked as a university professor in Environmental Planning at the Universidad de Congreso (of which she is currently Emeritus Professor), as Director of IADIZA (Argentine Institute for Research in Arid Zones) and as Director of the Conicet Scientific and Technological
Center (CCT CONICET Mendoza). She has been Secretary of the Environment of the Government of Mendoza. She leads an interdisciplinary group for research, planning and management of drylands affected by desertification. She works in the development of integrated, participatory and multi-scale approaches and methodologies for the evaluation of desertification / land degradation and in the
generation of local development strategies to combat desertification and facilitate adaptation to climate change in populations of the Monte desert. She applies this knowledge in territorial ordering processes, having participated in the formulation of different OT and Land Use laws for the Province of Mendoza. She has published over 200 contributions to dryland knowledge. She has been a member of the SPI (Science &
Policy Interface) of the UNCCD, a group in which she participates as an international expert. She is Co-Chair of Desertnet International and a member of the Board of Directors and Scientific Coordinator of the National Observatory of Land Degradation and Desertification. Among the awards received from her, the recognition of the Government of Brazil through its Ministry of Environment stands out, for her relevant contributions to the development of scientific knowledge on desertification in Latin America. She has recently been incorporated as a member of the Argentine Academy of Environmental Sciences.
Speech Title
Desertification and Climate Change in Argentina: Causes and Consequences
Mr. Mohd Fadzli Mohamed
Certified HSE Sustainability
Malaysia
Mr. Mohd Fadzli Mohamed
Certified HSE SustainabilityMalaysia
Biography
Certified HSE Sustainability Consultant and Accredited Trainer with over 15 years of experience advising organizations on sustainability strategy, HSE compliance, and ESG integration. Proven success in guiding multinational clients across sectors such as waste management, landfill operations, and water treatment toward regulatory compliance and improved sustainability performance
Speech Title
Effective Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Data Collection & Analysis
Mr. Waseem ur Rahman
Arid Agriculture University
China
Mr. Waseem ur Rahman
Arid Agriculture UniversityChina
Biography
Waseem ur Rahman is an agricultural and environmental scientist based in China, specializing in soil science and environmental management. His research focuses on land suitability assessment, soil fertility, soil management, environmental monitoring, and sustainable agriculture. With expertise in soil conservation, erosion control, land-use planning, and biochar applications, he contributes to advancing sustainable solutions for agriculture and environmental protection.
Speech Title
Will Be Updated Soon!
Mr. Hock Aun Khoo
Global Sustainability Summits and Dialogues
Malaysia
Mr. Hock Aun Khoo
Global Sustainability Summits and DialoguesMalaysia
Biography
Mr Khoo Hock Aun provides sustainability related advisory services for
agriculture project development and management and incorporating remote sensing
applications for precision agriculture utilising Drones (UAVs) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into
standard plantation/farm operations.
He has been involved in establishing integrated oil palm and other crop plantations/farms,
downstream processing and agriculture trading activities; promoting use of biomass for
biofertiliser, biofuels and biogas as well as development of organic/natural farms, cultural,
rural eco-agro tourism enterprises. He also provides advisory for environmental management
of conservation projects.
He is also involved with implementing community waste management programmes,
promoting agricultural waste and municipal solid waste conversion technologies. Khoo Hock
Aun graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Agribusiness) from Universiti Putra Malaysia
(previously University of Agriculture Malaysia). He is currently a Assembly Delegate to the
Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials and a Flying Labs Network Council Member
representing the Asia Pacific.
Speech Title
Impact of Global Voluntary Sustainability Standards and Digital
Agriculture on Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change and Planetary Warming
Dr. Mohd. Shkir Shfi Ahmad
King Khalid University
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Mohd. Shkir Shfi Ahmad
King Khalid UniversitySaudi Arabia
Biography
Dr. Mohd. Shkir is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at King Khalid University, Abha, with over 9 years of research and teaching experience in nanosynthesis, thin film fabrication, and advanced materials characterization. His expertise spans multiple deposition techniques, including Close Space Sublimation (CSS), Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD), Thermal Evaporation, Sol-Gel Spin Coating, and Spray Pyrolysis.
He is proficient in handling advanced analytical systems such as SEM/EDX, DRS, and FT-Raman, with a strong focus on device design, crystal polishing, and sample preparation for optoelectronic and functional device applications.
Dr. Mohd. Shkir has been honored with the Gold Medal for highest citations in 2022 and the award for highest number of publications in 2023 by the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, recognizing his impactful contributions to scientific research.
Speech Title
Will be Updated Soon
Dr. Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen
Finnish Meteorological Institute
Finland
Dr. Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen
Finnish Meteorological InstituteFinland
Biography
Dr. Eeva Kuntsi-Reunanen works as a senior researcher in the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit at Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and is acting as a head of Climate Change and Innovation Research group at FMI. She works on issues related to economics and impacts of climate change. Kuntsi-Reunanen has authored peer-reviewed articles on the environmental impact on energy use and future climate policy and has written 50+ publications and working papers on energy efficiency and climate policy issues. She is acting as a referee in several scientific journals. She and her group have conducted several research projects on climate related issues funded by domestic, EU and international organizations. She is currently involved in EU Horizon VALORADA (FMI PI), OceanNets (co-WP1 leader) and PIISA (member of Executive Board, consortium’s management team and risk manager) projects, EAKR funded Carbon Busters project (FMI PI and member of Steering Group), Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland funded Specialisation programme in climate expertise (FMI PI and member of Executive Board). She has supervised several master theses and is currently supervising PhD theses on environmental economics postgraduate studies.
Speech Title
Economic evaluation of climate change impacts
Dr. Tomas Hajek
The Economic and Social Council of the Most Region
Czech Republic
Dr. Tomas Hajek
The Economic and Social Council of the Most RegionCzech Republic
Biography
Tomas Hajek is a member of Association of Writers of the CR, Sexological Society of J.E.P. Czech Medical Society, International Association of Landscape Archaeology, Associazione internazionale mosaicisti contemporanei, Economic and Social Council of the Most Region, and the Czech Glass Society. His author theatre work is represented by the Dilia agency. He is a Founding member of the Moravian and Silesian Christian Academy and in 2019, he received the certificate of conversion to modern orthodox Judaism (State of Israel). During 1996–1997, he was a commentator of the Lidové noviny newspaper, and during 1995–2001 an external commentator of the Radio Free Europe. He was a Organizational secretary of the Literary Newspaper. From 1998 to 2005, he worked at the Ministry of Environment of the CR; during 2000-2003 as the head of a separate department of ecology of urbanised areas and tourism, during 2004-2005 as an advisor to the Minister for the environment and cultural heritage. In 2003, he was appointed a member of the Czech Commission for UNESCO in the ad personam category. In 2006, he was the General Director of the National Institute for the Protection and Conservation of Monuments and Sites. During 2009-2011, he was the chairman of the central cultural committee of the Czech Social Democratic Party. In theatre, he was actively involved in Alfréd Radok Prize (2009-2013) and as a jury member in Czech Theatre, a festival of professional theatres outside Prague (2006-2013).
Speech Title
Development of Renewable Energy and Monument Care Principles; Synergies and Conflict
Dr. Qihong Deng
Zhengzhou University
China
Dr. Qihong Deng
Zhengzhou UniversityChina
Biography
Dr Qihong Deng is a chair professor in Zhengzhou University School of Public Health and vice president for the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). He has mainly focused on the health risk of air pollution and global warming, with the objectives to design comfortable and healthy buildings/cities. Before moving to Zhengzhou, Dr Deng was a distinguished professor (2007-2021) in Central South University, Changsha, China. He obtained BSc from Wuhan University of Science & Technology in 1991, and then MSc and PhD degrees in civil engineering from Hunan University in 1998 and 2003.
Speech Title
Will be Updated Soon
Invited Speakers
Prof. Zhongsheng Guo
Northwestern A & F University
China
Prof. Zhongsheng Guo
Northwestern A & F UniversityChina
Biography
Zhongsheng Guo got his doctor degree in the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, now, he is a professor in Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, China. He put forward the theory of resources use limit by plants, the theory of vegetation carrying capacity, the theory of critical period of regulation of plant resource relations and the new theory of soil and water conservation. This is the theoretical basis for high-quality development of forest, grass, agriculture and soil and water conservation. Since June 2022, he is Head of "innovation China" Agricultural high-quality production and industry Service Group.
Speech Title
Climate change and Agriculture high quality development
Dr. Shonak Bansal
Chandigarh University
Gharuan
Dr. Shonak Bansal
Chandigarh UniversityGharuan
Biography
Dr. Shonak Bansal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Chandigarh University, Mohali. He holds a Ph.D. in Graphene-based Photodetectors from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, and has over 15 years of teaching and research experience. His research interests include nanophotonics, photodetector modeling, optical communication, nanomaterials, and AI-driven optimization techniques. Dr. Bansal serves as an editor and reviewer for several reputed journals, including PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, and Micromachines (MDPI). He has been recognized with awards from Elsevier, IOP Publishing, and was listed among the Top 2% Scientists globally by Stanford University in 2022.
Speech Title
Will Be Updated Soon
Dr. Ouafa Messaoudi
University of Copenhagen
Denmark
Dr. Ouafa Messaoudi
University of CopenhagenDenmark
Biography
Ouafa Messaoudi International student with extensive professional
and academic experience in civil engineering and climate change. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Climate Change at the University of Copenhagen and completing an internship with BoConcept, focusing on Scope 3 emissions calculation and sustainability strategies. Passionate
about sustainable infrastructure, emissions reduction, and climate adaptation projects.
Speech Title
Climate Resilient Infrastructure: An Example from Morocco
Dr. C. Valatheeswaran
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Brunei
Dr. C. Valatheeswaran
Universiti Brunei DarussalamBrunei
Biography
Dr Valatheeswaran is a Lecturer in Labour Economics at the Centre for Advanced Research (CARe), Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Prior to this role, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute (MUSSI) in Ireland, where he contributed to the PANIWATER research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. He earned his PhD in Economics from the Centre for Development Studies, Kerala, affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, with a dissertation focusing on the impact of international migration on human capital investments in India. His research interests span labour economics, migration and refugee studies, population ageing, climate change adaptation, and impact evaluation. He has published papers on these topics in renowned scholarly journals dedicated to migration research.
Speech Title
Natural Disasters, Migration Status and Health-Related Quality of Life of Older Adults in India
Mr. Yaovi Ricardo Kpognon
University of Lomé
Togo
Mr. Yaovi Ricardo Kpognon
University of LoméTogo
Biography
Ricardo Yaovi KPOGNON is an environmental engineer from Togo with expertise in forests, climate change, and sustainable land management. He holds a master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Lomé and currently serves as National Coordinator of the Francophone Youth Climate Network (RCJF-Togo) and Project Manager at APPE-Togo. Ricardo’s work focuses on indigenous knowledge, forest landscape restoration, eco-friendly charcoal production, and climate resilience. A 2024 laureate of the Amnesty Youth Squad, he actively promotes youth leadership and community-driven solutions to address environmental and climate challenges in Africa.
Speech Title
Indigenous Practices and Land Restoration: Local Pathways Against Deforestation and Climate Change in Northern Togo
Prof. Amal Hayati Ishak
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Malaysia
Prof. Amal Hayati Ishak
Universiti Teknologi MARAMalaysia
Biography
Amal Hayati Ishak is an Associate Professor at the Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. Her academic expertise lies in the field of muamalat and Islamic banking and finance, and she teaches various subjects in the area for more than 15 years, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She also has led and completed various research grants including FRGS and industrial funded grants. Her current research involves Islamic social finance, particularly waqf, sustainability, integrity, well-being of gig workers and halal governance. Dr. Amal has published extensively in indexed journals and has been actively involved in reviewing journal articles for Scopus and WoS indexed journals.
Speech Title
Critical Success Factors for Sustainable and Productive Waqf Land Development
Muneeb Shakeel
ADAM Cresco LLP
United States
Muneeb Shakeel
ADAM Cresco LLPUnited States
Biography
We Will Update Soon
Speech Title
Mr. Ulil Amri
IPB University
Indonesia
Mr. Ulil Amri
IPB UniversityIndonesia
Biography
Speech Title
Seafloor Morphology and Sediment Dynamics as Climate Resilience Indicators: Evidence from Northern Haruku Strait
Dr. Mustapha El Janati
Agronomic and Veterinary Institute
Morocco
Dr. Mustapha El Janati
Agronomic and Veterinary InstituteMorocco
Biography
Dr. Mustapha El Janati is a Professor of Crop Physiology and Agronomy at the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV Hassan II), Morocco. His research focuses on sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid environments, with particular expertise in nutrient management, composting, and circular agriculture. He has published extensively on soil fertility, organic waste recycling, and climate change adaptation strategies in oasis agroecosystems. Dr. El Janati has supervised numerous graduate and doctoral students, and has collaborated with international research institutions on projects related to water use efficiency, salinity mitigation, and sustainable crop production. Beyond academia, he actively engages with farmers, cooperatives, and policymakers to promote the adoption of climate-smart practices that enhance resilience and reduce environmental impacts.
Speech Title
Circular agriculture and climate resilience: lessons from Oasis agroecosystems
Ms. Grace Lotoom Ewoi
Climate Change Officer and Social Safeguards Focal Person
Kenya
Ms. Grace Lotoom Ewoi
Climate Change Officer and Social Safeguards Focal PersonKenya
Biography
Grace Lotoom Ewoi is a humanitarian and development professional with over 15 years of experience in climate change, social safeguards, and sustainable development. She currently serves as Climate Change Officer and Social Safeguards Focal Person at the Ministry of Tourism, Natural Resources, and Climate Change in Turkana, Kenya, where she leads initiatives on resilience, inclusive adaptation, and social safeguards.
Her expertise spans climate adaptation and mitigation, carbon taxation, greenhouse gas accounting, environmental and social impact assessment, and anticipatory action planning. She has worked with institutions such as the World Bank, GIZ, IOM, OXFAM, and Save the Children, contributing to projects on disaster risk reduction, food security, and humanitarian relief.
Grace holds a Master’s in Climate Change Engineering and International Climate Cooperation from Incheon National University, South Korea, and a BA from the University of Nairobi. She is a strong advocate for climate justice, inclusive governance, and community-driven solutions across Africa and beyond.
Speech Title
Climate Justice
Ms. Paola Bettelli
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
United States
Ms. Paola Bettelli
New Jersey Department of Environmental ProtectionUnited States
Biography
Paola Bettelli is an attorney admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, and Colombia. She holds an LL.M. in International Trade and Business Law from Fordham Law School and a J.D. (cum laude) from Pace Law School. With over 20 years of experience in international law, environmental law, and sustainable development, she has served as Colombia’s lead negotiator in multilateral climate change and biodiversity negotiations, headed the Climate Change Office at the Colombian Ministry of Environment, and worked as Senior Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations. She has also contributed to the private sector in environmental markets and consulting, taught International Environmental Law, and published on sustainable development. Currently, she is a Regulatory Officer at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Speech Title
Climate-Water-Health Nexus
Phd. Nzabirinda Etienne
University of Rwanda
Africa
Phd. Nzabirinda Etienne
University of RwandaAfrica
Biography
Nzabirinda Etienne is an African economist from Rwanda pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Rwanda and the University of Gothenburg. He holds a B.A. and M.Sc. in Economics, with additional training from UoN, UCC, and UniGe.
Speech Title
Climate change and political economy effects on the agricultural sector
Mr. Seid Ahmed
Hawassa University
Ethiopia
Mr. Seid Ahmed
Hawassa UniversityEthiopia
Biography
Seid Ahmed is an accomplished climate researcher with nearly 10 years of expertise in resilience building, livelihood-based climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, food security, and sustainable development. His work spans climate action policy analysis, indigenous knowledge systems, and integrated multi-sectoral community-based programs.
He has contributed significantly to international and national NGOs, including Ayuda en Acción, Vita Impact, Save the Children International, IDE, and Agri-Service Ethiopia, where he led project teams in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Ahmed holds a BA in Sociology and Social Work and an MA in Sociology from Hawassa University, Ethiopia. His professional expertise covers climate-smart agriculture, social protection, climate finance, green economy development, and public-private partnerships, with a strong focus on operational planning, leadership, and management in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Speech Title
Impact of Livelihood-Based Social Protection on Climate Change Adaptation: Evidence from Rural Ethiopia
Mr. Michael Kakande
The Resilient40
Uganda
Mr. Michael Kakande
The Resilient40Uganda
Biography
Michael Kakande is the Founder and Chairperson of Resilient40, a pan-African youth-led network uniting climate leaders across Africa to champion resilience, economic justice, and sustainable development. Through this platform, he has elevated the voices of African youth in shaping climate policy and decision-making at national, regional, and global levels, bridging grassroots realities with international climate negotiations.
With a strong background in leadership and policy engagement, Michael works to ensure climate solutions are inclusive, justice-driven, and aligned with Africa-led priorities. His efforts focus on innovation, resilience, and empowering youth to drive sustainable growth and climate action across the continent.
Recognized among the Top 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine and by the COP29/30 Presidencies and UNFCCC as an Impact Maker, Michael has co-led a landmark initiative with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on state obligations for climate action. He is a member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Now Generation Network and an Advisor at the Climate Counsel, passionately advocating for fair climate finance, economic justice, and youth leadership toward a just and resilient Africa.
Speech Title
Not Just a Transition - A Transformation: African Youth Demands for Climate Equity
Mr. Marne Ramadan
AGRO-PRODUCT
Chad
Mr. Marne Ramadan
AGRO-PRODUCTChad
Biography
Ramadan Marne is the Founder of AGO-PRODUCT in Chad, an organization dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture and climate-smart solutions. With over five years of experience in climate adaptation, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, he also brings extensive expertise in the WASH sector, having worked with international organizations such as International Committee of the Red Cross as Water and Habitat Emergency Project Officer and Concern Worldwide as WASH Program Assistant, supporting Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad. Ramadan Marne has contributed to projects focused on resilient farming systems, solar-powered irrigation, climate adaptation and community-based water and sanitation solutions. Passionate about translating scientific insights into practical strategies, he works to empower communities, guide policymakers and support industry stakeholders in building a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Speech Title
Integrated Climate-Resilient Agriculture and WASH Solutions for Vulnerable Communities
Dr. Mushtaq Hussain Khan
Cardiff Metropolitan University
United Kingdom
Dr. Mushtaq Hussain Khan
Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityUnited Kingdom
Biography
Dr. Khan is a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University. His research focuses on the intersection of corporate governance, sustainable finance, and data science. His work has been published in leading international journals, including Corporate Governance: An International Review, Finance Research Letters, Business Strategy and the Environment, International Journal of Finance and Economics, and the Journal of Environmental Management.
Dr. Khan’s current research leverages advanced computational techniques, such as machine learning, deep learning, and textual analysis, to model climate-related financial risks and evaluate the efficacy of corporate governance mechanisms in mitigating them. He has been awarded prestigious research grants, including a British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant (2024/25).
Speech Title
Corporate Governance-Climate Change Risk Nexus
