WSDS 2026 Theme

Dr. Bentley Bertram Allan
Co-Director,
Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab, Johns Hopkins

Dr. Bentley Allan has extensive experience working with government, industry, and experts of all kinds to advance solutions for a net-zero world. Dr. Allan has led strategic roadmapping exercises with multiple industry associations and governments, and has projects on steel, sustainable aviation fuel, battery metals, wind, and solar supply chains. He has also conducted detailed analyses of hydrogen, carbon capture, heat pumps, and mass timber and their role in the net-zero economy. His research brings together geopolitics, supply chain analysis, and policy development.

Prof. Frank Biermann
Professor,
Utrecht University

Frank Biermann is a political scientist and professor of Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He is the founder and inaugural chair of the Earth System Governance Project, a global, transdisciplinary research network of over 600 scholars. Biermann recently completed a 2.5 million EUR project on the impacts of the Sustainable Development Goals, funded by the European Research Council. His current work focuses on establishing the International Panel on Earth System Governance, a new science assessment network. Biermann is the author or editor of 22 books and over 200 journal articles and book chapters. His contributions have been recognized among others with the Volvo Environment Prize, for “defining new pathways for international environmental governance in a period of global change”, and the Distinguished Scholar Award in Environmental Studies from the International Studies Association.

Dr. Norbert Csizmadia
Former President of Board of Trustees,
John Von Neumann University - Hungary

Dr Norbert Csizmadia is a Geographer, his field of study including economic strategy, geostrategy, geoeconomics, and sustainable geopolitics. He is former State Secretary at the Ministry for National Economy, and former executive director of the Central Bank of Hungary. He is member of International Advisory Board of Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance, and former independent director of Bank of China Hungary. Former President of the Board of Trustees of the John Von Neumann University Foundation. Now he is a Goodwill Ambassador at AUAP (Association Universities of Asia and Pacific) Co-chair of the Geopolitical Department of the Hungarian Geographical Society.   Author of the book titled: Geofusion 1.0, Geofusion 2.0, Geovison, Geofuture and the latest book is: Future is turquoise - the geograhy of turquoise zones. 

Dr. Vibha Dhawan
Director General,
The Energy and Resources Institute

Dr. Vibha Dhawan

Dr. Vibha Dhawan is the Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Chancellor of the TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS). A distinguished academician and researcher, she is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Consul General South Asia Partnership, Michigan State University. Driven by a passion for advancing scientific knowledge, Dr. Dhawan has authored six books and over 70 publications, significantly contributing to research and innovation.

Recognized for her thought leadership, Dr. Dhawan has made notable contributions to both research and policy development at national and international levels. She is a member of key national committees under the Department of Biotechnology, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, and Biotech Consortium India. She also serves on the Networks Strategy Council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a global initiative for the United Nations, and was the Co-Chair of the T20 Task Force 4 on "Refueling Growth: Clean Energy and Green Transitions."

Under her visionary leadership, TERI established the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. She also played a crucial role in founding the DBT-TERI Centre on Advanced Biofuels, fostering cutting-edge research in sustainable energy solutions.

Dr. Dhawan's extensive career includes serving as Coordinator of the Asia Pacific Consortium on Agriculture Biotechnology (APCoAB), Advisor to the Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and Deputy Director for Research Partnerships and Coordination with the Borlaug Institute for South Asia. She has been a board member of several prestigious institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ambedkar University, Agriliv Research Foundation, and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).

One of her significant achievements includes establishing the Micropropagation Technology Park at TERI, a successful initiative in plant biotechnology. She has also contributed to the development of e-learning content for postgraduate biotechnology programs under the University Grants Commission.

Dr. Dhawan's recent research focuses on biofuels, further cementing her commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. Her work continues to inspire and shape transformative change in science, policy, and education. Dr Dhawan has joined the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Energy Technology Frontiers for the 2025-2026 term as a council member. Dr Dhawan has also joined the Governing Council of the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI) in September 2025.

Mr. Mattias Frumerie
Climate Ambassador,
Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise

Mattias Frumerie is Sweden's Climate Ambassador and Head of Delegation to the UNFCCC. Previous roles in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs include Head of Strategic communications, Head of EU single market, Head of EU policy as well as postings in Budapest and Brussels. Ambassador Frumerie has also served as EU advisor in the Prime Minister's Office. 

Ms. Patricia Fuller
President & CEO,
International Institute for Sustainable Development

Patricia Fuller became President and CEO of IISD in 2024.  She has more than 30 years of experience in public policy and diplomacy, with a focus on climate change, energy, and trade policy.  She was Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change from 2018 to 2022, and her diplomatic career has also included representing Canada as Ambassador to Chile and to Uruguay. In Ottawa, she headed the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada and was Director General of Economic Development and Chief Economist at Global Affairs Canada. Earlier in her career, she managed trade policy disputes under the NAFTA and World Trade Organization agreements. Patricia was a Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa from 2022 to 2024 and holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. 

Mr. Srivatsan Iyer
Global CEO,
Hero Future Energies

Srivatsan Iyer is the Global CEO of HFE. He last worked for Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in the Americas, based in São Paulo, Brazil, as their Vice President of Strategy & Planning and Innovation & Technology. He joined Braskem in 2010 and worked in various roles from Strategy, M&A, R&D, Finance, Planning, Procurement, and IT. Previously, he was the CEO and General Manager of Braskem Europe, where he managed Braskem's European business, based in Frankfurt, Germany. Prior to joining Braskem, he spent 5 years with McKinsey & Company, where he served a variety of clients in the Energy and Chemicals sector, on a range of topics including Strategy and Operations. Before that, Srivatsan spent 8 years working with ExxonMobil Chemical in several roles, starting his career in R&D and Technology Development. Srivatsan holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Madras, MS in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Ms. Neelima Jain
Director of Policy,
India Energy and Climate Center, UC Berkeley

Neelima Jain is a senior energy professional with over two decades of experience at the intersection of clean energy, industrial strategy, and public policy across India, the UK, and internationally. At UC Berkeley’s India Energy & Climate Center, she works on green steel, clean tech trade, and power sector policy research, with a focus on turning technically viable solutions into competitive, scalable strategies.

Her perspective is grounded in hands-on delivery. She helped design and implement some of the world’s largest energy efficiency programs, including India’s UJALA initiative, which replaced conventional bulbs with LEDs in over 200 million households. She later established and led the UK subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), serving on its board after the Ministry of Power’s first-ever overseas acquisition, where she built partnerships with governments, investors, and industry.

Her work has also spanned climate finance, smart meter deployments, and demand-side management regulations. She has served on IEA’s Energy Efficiency Industry Advisory Board and represented India at COP21 in Paris. She has been quoted by the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and other leading outlets, and was recognized among the 100 Most Influential in UK–India relations.

Mr. Amitabh Kant
Chancellor,
NIIT University

Amitabh Kant is a governance reformer and a public policy change agent. He was recently G20 Sherpa to the Prime Minister of India. As India's Sherpa to the G20 during India's Presidency of G20 in 2022-23, he navigated the challenging geopolitical waters, steering the G20 towards a consensus on a decisive and action-oriented New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, an essential document that outlined a clear path for addressing pressing global issues. Beyond his G20 role, Amitabh Kant's illustrious career spans key senior positions in the Government of India, where he spearheaded initiatives that reshaped the nation's economic landscape. His journey in public service includes serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) with Prime Minister of India as its Chairman. His tenure also saw him at the helm of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in India and CEO of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) and Secretary, Tourism Government of Kerala. In these capacities, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pursuing reforms, driving economic growth and innovation in India.

Amitabh Kant is a true thought leader and has been a driving force behind numerous reforms and initiatives that have revolutionized India's landscape. Initiatives like Startup India, Make in India, Incredible India, Ease of Doing Business reforms and the Aspirational Districts Program and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) have left an indelible mark on the nation. His books, including "Made in India," "Incredible India 2.0," and "Branding India - An Incredible Story," have helped shape India's narrative. He has edited The Path Ahead: Transformative Ideas for India. Beyond India's borders, Amitabh Kant has been a member of the Steering Board of the "Shaping the Future of Production Systems" initiative at the World Economic Forum (WEF). He's also a Champion of the EDISON Alliance of the WEF, which focuses on deepening digital inclusion in areas such as health, education, and finance for developing nations worldwide. His contributions extended to the Management Board of the International Transport Forum (ITF), a unique inter-governmental agency for global transport. He received the prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship, conferred by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, is a Chevening Scholar and recipient of One Globe Award for leadership in Transforming Governance for the 21st Century. In the dynamic and ever-changing realm of global governance, Amitabh Kant stands as an unwavering beacon of leadership, innovation, and transformative change, not only for India but for the world. His journey is a testament to the power of visionary leadership and public policy in shaping the future of nations and the global community.

Mr. Bob Keefe
Executive Director,
E2 (Economy+Environment)

Bob Keefe is executive director of E2, a US-based organization of more than 11,000 business leaders who advocate for policies that are good for our economy and good for our environment. Named by TIME Magazine as one of the world's most influential climate leaders, Bob speaks regularly about the economic costs of climate change and the economic benefits of clean energy and climate action. He has testified before the US Congress and numerous state legislatures and is regularly quoted in media outlets globally. Bob is the author of two books on the economics of climate change, "Climatenomics: Washington Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save our Planet" (2022) and "Clean Economy NOW: Stories From the Front Lines of an American Business Revolution (2024). Before joining E2 in 2011, Bob spent more than 20 years as a journalist, covering business, politics, technology and environmental news.

Mr. Ashish Khanna
Director General,
International Solar Alliance

Mr Ashish Khanna has over twenty-six years of experience leading energy sector development in the private and public sectors in more than fifteen developing countries in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. He has unique experience working in the solar sector across the entire value chain, ranging from project conceptualisation to resource mobilisation, financing, bid process management, and project implementation.

As the former Head of the World Bank’s West and Central Africa Program, he led the Mission 300 for energy access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. He has also worked as the Program Leader in the Middle East and North Africa, leading the program that enabled private sector investment of USD 20 billion in the energy sector for the first time in Egypt. In India, as the Lead Energy Specialist at the World Bank, he worked with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy on policy and regulatory reforms to enable private sector engagement in solar. Born and raised in India, he has experienced first-hand the basic human need for energy access and the constraints of developing countries in achieving the same. He believes that the success of the International Solar Alliance requires a strengthened organisation with the right skills and accountability framework to earn the respect and trust of countries and their agencies in designing and implementing solar pathways for energy access and transition.

Mr Khanna has dual post-graduate degrees in Management and Public Administration. While pursuing his master's in public administration, he was recognised as a Littauer Fellow for Global Leadership Potential at Harvard Kennedy School.

Dr. Yoshinori Kodama
Principal Fellow,
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan

Yoshinori KODAMA (Mr)

Education:

Bachelor of Law (Tokyo 1990).

Master of Laws (Cambridge 1992).

Doctor of Philosophy (Legal Studies, London 1999).

Professional Careers:

1990- Entered the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1990- GATT Division.

1991- Treaties Division.

1993- Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan to the United Kingdom.

1995- UN Law of the Sea Convention Ratification Office.

1996- OECD Division. Vice-Chair, OECD Trade/Environment Expert Group (1997-98).

1998- Head of Legal Unit, Foreign Minister’s Secretariat.

2002- First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the OECD, Paris.

IEA Energy Emergency Inspector to the UK & Portugal.

2005- Counsellor, Embassy of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Co-chair of the Inter-governmental Support Group for the Khmer Rouge Trials.

Chief Coordinator of the 2007 Cambodia Election International Observer Mission.

2007- Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office.

2009- Director, Japan/Korea Economic Affairs Division.

Senior Policy Coordinator for the Korean Peninsula.

2011- Director, European Union Division.

2012- Director, Pacific Region Division.

2014- Minister, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan to Malaysia.

Co-chair of the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Counter Radicalisation (March 2015).

2017- Minister, Embassy of Japan to the Kingdom of Belgium.

2018- Minister, Mission of Japan to NATO, Brussels.

2020- Minister, Deputy Head of Mission, Mission of Japan to ASEAN, Jakarta

     Coordinator for the ASEAN/QUAD Disaster Relief Experts Group. (2022-23)

2023- Consul General in Honolulu.

     Visiting Research Scholar at the William S Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa (2023-2026).

     Co-coordinator for the Friends of Japan/Hawaii Maritime Sector Cooperation (2025-).

2025- Principal Fellow, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Kanagawa, Japan.

Honourary Adviser, The Energy and Resources Institute, India.

Principal Publications:

- Local Governments: Non-Tariff Impediments or Cooperative Counterparts? Asian Law and Policy Journal (TBC, 2026).

- Judicialisation in and around the South China Sea, Indonesian Journal of International Law (October 2023).

- Tackling Non-Tariff Measures through International Arrangements: The Development of Free Movement of Persons in the European Union and Response to its Trade/Investment Distorting Effects (Japanese language), Tokyo Review of International Law (2022).

- The Implications of International Rescue and Relief Operations for Domestic Regulatory Regimes, Lessons from the 2011 East Japan Earthquake, Journal of International Humanitarian Action (2021).

- The Use of Military Units and Personnel for International Rescue and Relief Operations: Pertinent Issues Related to the 2011 East Japan Earthquake, Asia Pacific Journal of International Humanitarian Law (2021).

- For Judicial Justice and Reconciliation in Cambodia, Reflections upon the Establishment of the Khmer Rouge Trials and the Trials’ Procedural Rules 2007, Law and Practice of International Courts and Tribunals (2010).

- Asia Pacific Economic Integration and the GATT/WTO Regime (Kluwar 2000).

- Dispute Settlement Procedures of the Draft OECD Multilateral Investment Agreement, Journal of World Trade (1999).

- A Multilateral Investment Agreement and Newly Developing Economies, Journal of World Trade (1998).

- Development of Inter-State Cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region, Consideration for Regional Trade Compacts, NAFTA Law and Business Review (1996).

- Asia-Pacific Region: APEC and ASEAN, International Lawyer (1996).

Ms. Amina Mohammed
Deputy Secretary-General,
United Nations

Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Mohammed served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered the country’s efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment.

Ms. Mohammed first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the responsibility for post-2015 development planning. She led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.  

Ms. Mohammed began her career working on the design of schools and hospitals in Nigeria. She served as an advocate focused on increasing access to education and other social services, before moving into the public sector, where she rose to the position of adviser to four successive Presidents on poverty, public sector reform, and sustainable development.

Ms. Mohammed has been conferred several honorary doctorates and has served as an adjunct professor, lecturing on international development. The recipient of various global awards, Ms. Mohammed has served on numerous international advisory boards and panels. She is the mother of six children and has six grandchildren.

Dr. Ash Pachauri
Director,
POP Movement

Dr. Ash Pachauri is a globally recognized behavioral scientist, author, and sustainable development strategist with 20+ years of experience advancing climate action, youth leadership, and public health worldwide. He is Co-Founder and Director of the POP Movement and Treasurer of the World Sustainable Development Forum. Dr. Pachauri has led major programs with the UN, WHO, and the Gates Foundation across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and has authored over 60 international publications. Honored with awards including the Oxford Union Society’s Mind Health Global Ambassador Award, the GlobalMindEd Inclusive Leader Award, the Presidential Service Award, the Humanitarian Plantinum Leadership Award, and recognition as a Top International Speaker 2025, he is committed to empowering youth and integrating behavioral science into climate action for a sustainable future. 

Mr. Amit Patjoshi
CEO,
Palladium India

Mr. Amit Patjoshi, a distinguished leader contributing to India's journey towards social and economic transformation. With a robust career in renowned firms such as E&Y, KPMG, and PwC, Amit brings over two decades of invaluable experience in government advisory roles, collaborating with prestigious entities like FCDO, IFC, UNDP, World Bank, ADB, USAID, and multiple State Governments in India. As the CEO of Palladium India, Amit envisions positioning Palladium as the most impactful firm globally, leveraging their unique space in designing, developing, and implementing their projects. His approach prioritizes impact-driven projects, emphasizing the need for hands-on implementation and showcasing tangible results on the ground. With a focus on key sectors including Agriculture, Economic Growth, Climate, Health, and Disaster Risk Management, Amit's aim is to bring about substantial and meaningful changes that are crucial for India. 

Prof. Anand Patwardhan
Professor,
University of Maryland, College Park

Anand Patwardhan is Professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. Anand has a BTech (Electrical Engineering) from IIT-Bombay and a MS (Civil Engineering) and PhD (Engineering and Public Policy), both from Carnegie Mellon University. Anand’s research focuses on mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change in the context of sustainable development, and science, technology and innovation policy. He has been a coordinating lead author for the IPCC, and a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility. He currently serves as co-chair of the Science Committee of the World Adaptation Science Program (WASP), co-chair of the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) and co-lead of the Methodology Advisory Group of the Race to Resilience.

Ms. Seema Paul
Program Director,
Sequoia Climate Foundation

Seema Paul is a Program Director at Sequoia Climate Foundation, where she leads the India grantmaking portfolio. Prior to joining Sequoia, she led the launch of two environmental organizations in India: Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. She has also worked with philanthropic start-ups focused on climate change, including the United Nations Foundation and ClimateWorks Foundation, and with international organizations such as UNAIDS. Seema is a Lead International Fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation and an Alfred Friendly Press Fellow. She completed the International Executive Program at INSEAD and holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Delhi. Her writing has appeared in global and Indian media, including Time, The Dallas Morning News, and The Times of India, as well as in peer-reviewed journals.

Prof. Deo Prasad
Scientia Professor,
University of New South Wales, Sydney

  Scientia Professor Deo Prasad AO FTSE

Professor Deo Prasad is among the internationally recognised Australian experts in the field of environment and sustainability with a focus on net zero carbon innovations. His experience covers practice as a consultant, long standing experience as a thought leader and a distinguished academic, significant leadership and governance expertise, all with notable recognition from all levels of government and professions.  His expertise is very much in science and evidence-based approaches with a very high level of understanding of the innovation processes, the energy and carbon ecosystem with a high level of understanding of the human behaviour and social change dimensions.   These all influence not only technologies and design elements of driving net zero economy but also the people side including attracting talent and education and capability issues.

Mr. Amit Prothi
Director General,
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Amit Prothi is the Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a global partnership headquartered in Delhi that brings together over 50 countries and international organisations to advance climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure. Under his leadership, CDRI has significantly expanded its global membership, scaled up technical assistance and capacity-building programs, and strengthened advocacy to address the growing risks communities face from natural hazards and climate change. Prior to CDRI, Mr. Prothi held leadership roles at AECOM in the United States, consulted with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and collaborated with global think tanks and philanthropic organizations, including the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities initiative. He has worked in over 15 countries—including the USA, China, India, Greece, Mongolia, and Mauritania—bringing deep internati

Mr. Tom Rivett Carnac
Founding Partner,
Global Optimism

Tom Rivett-Carnac is a political strategist, author and podcaster. He has spent more than 20 years working to address the climate and ecological crises. Tom co-founded Global Optimism with Christiana Figueres after they left the UN in 2016. The organisation inspires individuals and builds transformative partnerships that tackle the climate crisis with the conviction, scale and speed that science demands.  His responsibilities at Global Optimism include strategic roles across the philanthropic, non-profit and private sectors. ‍Tom is also the co-author of the international bestseller The Future We Choose and co-host of the award-winning weekly podcast Outrage and Optimism. Tom was Senior Political Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change Convention from 2013-2016, a position from which he helped co-develop the strategy that led to the landmark Paris Climate Agreement.

Ms. Frauke Roeser
Managing Director,
NewClimate Institute

Frauke Roeser has over two decades of experience in climate policy, energy transitions and sustainable development. Her work focuses in particular on the just and clean transition agenda, international cooperation and diplomacy and climate finance. She has extensive experience directing and supporting projects in many parts of the world, collaborating with government and non-government stakeholders, civil society, business and research partners. Frauke co-founded NewClimate Institute in 2014 and in that function assumes various management roles in the organisation. Prior to NewClimate she worked for many years for international consultancies, and in the private and public sectors in Germany, the UK and Argentina. Frauke holds an MA in Literature and Political Science and an MSc in Environmental Strategy. 

Ms. Luisa Salgueiro
Mayor,
Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos

Luisa Salgueiro holds a Law degree and a postgraduate qualification in Environmental Law. Before being elected Mayor in 2017, she practiced law, namely as a Legal Consultant. She was elected Councilor at Matosinhos City Council for three terms, from 1997 to 2009, served as a Member of the National Parliament for four terms, and was Vice‑President of NATO’s Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Environmental Security. She has chaired the Board of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities from 2021 to 2025 and presently she is the Chair of the General Council. She is currently President of the Assembly of the Eixo Atlântico Association; Vice‑President of the Board of the Association for the Collaboration of Ports and Port Cities; Vice‑President of RETE – Association for Ports and Port Cities, President of the Coordinating Council of Cities for Climate; Vice‑President of the Regional Executive Committee of ICLEI

Ms. Dechen Tsering
Regional Director,
United Nations Environment Programme

Dechen Tsering | UNEP - UN Environment Programme

Ms. Katherine Urbáez
Executive Director,
Health Diplomacy Alliance

Founder and Executive Director of the Health Diplomacy Alliance, she guides the strategic work to link health with foreign policy and governance. She sets the organisation’s direction, leads core programmes, and oversees the Diplomatic Task Force to advance health priorities in international cooperation.

A former diplomat of the Dominican Republic, her public service career began at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, followed by the Ministry of Agriculture, and later senior roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her postings included the WTO Mission, the Commercial Office in Hong Kong, the UN Mission in Geneva, and the Embassy to Switzerland.

She also served as focal point for key trade and regulatory commissions, chaired the 2016 CELAC presidency in Geneva, and coordinated her country’s membership in the WHO Executive Board.

Dr. Annapurna Vancheswaran
Senior Advisor,
The Nature Conservancy India

Dr Annapurna Vancheswaran is a sustainable development practitioner with over three and half decades of experience in the environment and education domain.  The focus of her work has primarily being in the area of global sustainable development. This covers activities  spanning interactions with international and Indian organizations’, government departments, NGOs, education and the private sector with particular application to the diverse problems of India and emerging economies. Her principal focus has been to mainstream sustainable development and practices among varied stakeholders. Among others, some of the significant work in this regard is with the Business sector for creating synergy and encouraging businesses to drive sustainability across all their operations. Addressing climate vulnerability of emerging economies, she supported the creation of a thought-leadership platform in 2001 at TERI, overseeing it for two decades. This platform continues to provide value additions to governments, business communities and societies at large. In 2023, the Government of India (GoI) nominated a four-member team that included Annapurna to the Inter-governmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Nomination_letter_GOI_IPCC.pdf - A PhD from the Indian Institute of Delhi, she dedicated over three decades to The Energy and Resources Institute until 2021 post which, she was the Manging Director of The Nature Conservancy (TNC)India from 2021 -2024. Currently, she resides in Coimbatore consulting with TNC India as a Senior Advisor.

Dr. Kira Vinke
Deputy Research Director,
German Council on Foreign Relations

Dr. Kira Vinke is Deputy Research Director at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Head of DGAP’s Center for Climate and Foreign Policy. She is also a member of the Advisory Board to the Federal Government for Civilian Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding, which she co-chaired from 2018 to January 2025. From 2014-2022, she worked at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Before joining DGAP, she headed the East Africa Peru India Climate Capacities (EPICC) project there.

Until 2018, Vinke was a research analyst to the director of PIK. In this capacity, she worked from 2014 to 2016 as an analyst for the German Advisory Council on Global Change to the Federal Government (WBGU). She provided her expertise as a consultant for the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Asian Development Bank. She has extensive field research experience in South Asia, the Pacific, and the Sahel.

Vinke completed her doctoral dissertation (summa cum laude) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on the subject of climate change and migration; her studies were funded by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes. For her dissertation, she received the “Potsdamer Nachwuchswissenschaftler-Preis,” a prize for young scientists, from the city of Potsdam.

Vinke has been a member of the advisory board of Germany’s Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS) since 2022. She is also a member of the board of trustees of the German Climate Foundation (Deutsche KlimaStiftung) and of the World Vision Deutschland e.V. In addition, Vinke is a member of the German section of “Aktion gegen den Hunger” (Action Against Hunger), and the Development Service and Humanitarian Aid Committee of “Brot für die Welt” (bread for the world).

Mr. Arne Walther
Ambassador (r),
Walther International Consulting

Ambassador Arne Walther is currently an independent adviser on government relations, geopolitics and international energy affairs. A former Norwegian diplomat, he has served as Ambassador to India, Japan, Austria and the UN Organizations in Vienna.  He has been Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency (Paris) and was the founding Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (Riyadh). He has served as Special Adviser on International Affairs for former Norwegian Prime Minister Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland.