ASPAC 2026 – Day 1 – PFD

As a good governance practitioner, Ina has spent the past six years cultivating her career in local government, policy innovation, and social impact — building bridges between institutions and communities, and helping shape programs that make governance more responsive, inclusive, and people-centered.

Currently serving in the City Government of Pasig at the Mayor’s Office, Ina connects stakeholders from the public and private sectors to support Pasig’s strides in good governance and service delivery. She focuses on translating these collaborations into policy and planning frameworks that strengthen institutional capacity, advance evidence-based decision-making, and embed innovation in local governance. For the past two years, she has steered Pasig City’s Local Circular Economy Action Team in implementing the EU-funded EU Green Economy Partnership (EU-GEPP) Green LGUs Project to help localize and institutionalize the circular economy in Pasig.

Mr. Ghana Shyam Giri has been serving as the Mayor of Chandragiri Municipality since 2017 A.D. and was re-elected in May 2022. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography (B.A.), and a Bachelor’s degree in Administration and Supervision (B.Ed.), and a Master’s degree in Nepali Language (M.Ed.), alongside Bachelor’s in English language carried out from the American Language Institute, American Embassy. With more than 36 years of experience as the founding Principal of Shree Chundevi Higher Secondary School, Mr. Giri made significant contributions to the field of education and Social Development. His political journey with the Nepali Congress party began in 1979 A.D., during which he served in several leadership roles, active participants in the mass movement of 2005. He has also contributed to the Nepal Teacher’s Association. Mr. Giri remains strongly committed to community development, good governance, and public service.

EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership

Executive Director, Fiji Council of Social Services

A celebrated speaker, trainer, consultant and though-leader, Usha Menon brings hands-on experience and unique insights she has gained from the inside-out, through 40-years of volunteering, working and consulting in the social impact space. She is the founder of Usha Menon Management Consultancy (Asia) and serves on the Global Board and a Trustee of the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR). She brings practical insight on how governance, accountability and inclusive participation can ensure that climate finance truly reaches and empowers at-risk populations. In her role at GNDR, she contributes to strategic oversight of the world’s largest civil society network dedicated to disaster risk reduction, amplifying frontline community voices into global climate and resilience policy processes. Her expertise in mobilising resources for social purpose organisations positions her as a key bridge between civil society, philanthropy and institutional climate finance, helping align funding architectures with locally led

Ms. Tiene Tooki Kanoua holds a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in Management and Public Administration, with more than 10 years of experience serving as an Administration Officer across various government ministries in Kiribati. She was appointed Executive Officer of the Kiribati Local Government Association (KiLGA) while also serving as Project Coordinator for the Blue Green Development Project. Known for her strong leadership and collaborative approach, Ms. Kanoua has played a key role in strengthening partnerships between KiLGA and the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (MCIA). In 2025, she successfully led the launch of the Maneaba COP initiative in collaboration with key partners including OB, MCIA, CLGF, and ICLEI. The event, opened by President Taneti Maamau, brought together government leaders, diplomats, NGOs, and communities, resulting in the “Ikarekebai Declaration” on climate survival and local action. She remains passionate about empowering local governments and advancing sustainable community development across Kiribati.

Thibaut Portevin is an experienced professional in the field of international cooperation, with expertise in promoting sustainable development and the green transition. He is currently Team Leader in charge of regional cooperation with ASEAN at DG International Partnerships, European Commission. Between 2021 and 2025, he served as Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to ASEAN and the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. He previously already worked at the European Commission in Brussels, dealing with international cooperation on forests and on circular economy. Prior to the European Commission, he worked with civil society organisations in the Balkans, Latin America, Central Africa and Indonesia.

Sukhreet Bajwa has spent over a decade in the development sector, bringing people, ideas, and resources together to create meaningful change. She leads the GROW program at EdelGive Foundation, where she works closely with grassroots organisations to build partnerships rooted in collaboration, resilience, and shared purpose. Passionate about sustainability, disaster risk management, and community resilience, she’s always thinking about how to make systems stronger and kinder. When she’s not working, you’ll probably find her experimenting with paints and needlecrafts, or enjoying some books, inspired by everyday life.

Sujiro SEAM is a distinguished French career diplomat with more than two decades of international experience in diplomacy, European affairs, development cooperation, and global public policy. Since 2023, he has served as Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he oversees relations between the EU and Southeast Asian nations. Prior to this appointment, he was Ambassador of the European Union for the Pacific, based in Suva, Fiji, with accreditation to numerous Pacific island countries including Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Earlier in his career, he served as Ambassador of France to Fiji and several Pacific nations, as well as Consul General of France in Houston, United States, with responsibility for Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. He also held senior positions within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris, specialising in development, food security, economic affairs, and legal policy, and worked with both the European Commission and the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union in Brussels. Educated at ENA, Sciences Po Paris, and ESCP Business School, he is also a Colonel in the French Army Citizen Reserve and a dedicated practitioner of Aikido, Karate, and Jodo.

Shivangi Chavda is the Head of Programmes at Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction, a global network of over 1,900 civil society organisations working across more than 130 countries to strengthen disaster resilience. With more than 25 years of experience in the humanitarian and development sectors, including 18 years in senior leadership roles, she specialises in disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation, anticipatory action, and locally led resilience-building. She has led global programmes focused on integrating DRR and climate resilience into development planning, strengthening institutional capacities, and advancing risk-informed development. At GNDR, she works with governments, regional networks, and international partners to strengthen early warning systems, anticipatory action, and the localisation of disaster risk governance. Shivangi holds an MBA in Project Management from CNAM, Paris, and a Master’s degree in Banking and Industry.

Sarah Torres is the Coordinator of Reality of Aid – Asia Pacific, a network of civil society organizations providing research and does lobbying on aid and development cooperation. As Coordinator, she seats in other civil society platforms such as the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness and the DAC-CSO Reference Group, forwarding CSO positions for a more effective and efficient development cooperation toward poverty reduction.

Rey Asis is the deputy general manager of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, a regional organisation supporting through their programs the empowerment and movement building of migrants in Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. He is currently one of the focal points of the Stakeholder Advisory Group, a multi-stakeholder platform working with the UN Network on Migration on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. He is a member of the Advisory Group for the Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism, a broad, independent CSO-led regional platform that engages in the monitoring of the 2030 Agenda implementation in the region. Rey Asis is a strong supporter of migrant empowerment and their movement building while continually pushing for and realising meaningful migrant participation in norm-setting spaces.

Dr. Rekson Silaban is an economist, labor policy expert, and international labor movement leader with more than 20 years of experience in governance, social security, and labor advocacy. He has held key leadership positions in Indonesia and globally, including Supervisory Board Member of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and member of the International Labour Organization Governing Body. Currently, he serves as Chief Expert for Social Security Law Reform at DPD RI. Dr. Silaban earned his Doctorate from the University of Indonesia and completed executive programs at the University of Toronto, New York University, and University of Cambridge. He is also an author of several books on labor rights, social justice, and industrial relations, with extensive experience in international policy dialogue and organizational leadership.

Mr. Ravi Guru is a seasoned urban development professional with over two decades of experience in urban governance, climate resilience, and sustainable development. As Deputy Director General at All India Institute of Local Self-Government, he leads high-impact initiatives in partnership with government bodies, multilateral organisations, and local authorities across South Asia. His work has contributed significantly to flagship national programmes including the Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, and Jal Jeevan Mission.

Mr. Guru has collaborated extensively with institutions such as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, NITI Aayog, the World Bank, and international networks including UCLG ASPAC, CITYNET, and WeGO. His expertise spans climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, environmental management, and policy advocacy. He also plays a key leadership role in regional and global urban forums, serving on several international boards and committees focused on sustainable and inclusive city development.

Minister of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Indonesia

Pefi is a Daughter of the Pacific from the coral atoll of Niue. Born and raised in Niue, educated in Niue, Aotearoa New Zealand, USA and currently, still a learner residing permanently in Australia. Pefi is passionate about the Pacific, Pacific Civil Society developments for Climate Adaptation and Climate Mobility, with special attention on marginalised communities. She has leadership and management experience from across education (secondary school teacher, teacher development trainer/lecturer, educational inspector); and also, mental health, public health, and civil society sectors. As the current Pacific Regional Focal Point on Migration, she navigates for Pacific representation, visibility and collective Pacific priorities in indigenous rights, climate change, climate impacted mobility, climate finance/loss and damages, development effectiveness and the implementation of various universal instruments. She is inspired by transformative options, possibilities and the potential power of People to be best stewards of our shared Blue Oceans, Mother Earth and Her Peoples.

Monalisa Kashyap is the Program Coordinator & Advocacy Officer at the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), a member-based organization representing 122 members across 29 countries in Asia and the Pacific. She leads the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) Phase II in Asia-Pacific region and also serves as the Secretary of the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation. Monalisa previously worked as Programs Head at Access Livelihoods and with Friends of Women’s World Banking, where she focused on strengthening Producer Collectives through capacity building and strategic policy initiatives. Her professional interests center on promoting equality—particularly gender and income equality—and advancing women & youth empowerment. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about travel blogging and photography. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Management and a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honors in Accountancy.

Director Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa, New Zealand

Ms Michela TOMASELLA is an economist serving as Team Leader in DG INTPA and in charge of the Policy Dialogue with the CSOs and of Foundations. She oversees the consultations under the Policy Forum on Development, the Global Gateways CSOs and Local Authorities (LAs) Platform and the relations with Foundations. Until August 2025 she wasHead of Cooperation of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Republic of Rwandawhere she was in charge of all cooperation portfolio in the country including mainly Education, Agriculture, Climate Change, Urbanisation, Economic and political governance. In 2013, she joined the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnership when she was appointed to work at EU Delegation to Central Africa Republic. Previously, she participated in projects in Benin and in Togo to actively promoteentrepreneurship, women empowerment and education. In 2006 she started working in private sector and as consultant. At the beginning of her career, she was an economic analyst at University of Venice and of Udine (IT). Her educational background includes a Master degree in European studies at the Institute of European Studies in Louvain-La-Neuve (Belgium), a Master Degree in Economics at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice (Italy) as well as a Diploma in International Cooperation. She speaks Italian (mother tongue), English, French and Spanish.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif (born 1961) is a trailblazing Malaysian urban planner and civil servant who served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the first Asian woman to serve as Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) from 2018 to 2024. During her UN tenure, she championed global sustainable urban development, climate action, and crisis prevention. Before her international leadership, she served as Mayor of Penang Island and later made history in Malaysia as the 15th and first female Mayor of Kuala Lumpur. Her early career includes managing the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site and pioneering gender-responsive participatory budgeting in local government. Trained in town planning at the University of Wales, she currently advises global organisations on urban resilience, including the COP29 Urbanisation Advisory Group and PETRONAS. Her impactful career has earned her numerous honours, including Malaysia’s Planner of the Year.

Chair, SME Entrepreneurship Capacity Building & Inclusive Economy, APINDO

Lazeena Rahman is a Senior Climate Finance Specialist and an Energy Transition Policy Reform lead for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Indonesia energy sector operations, based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Prior to assuming this role in 2022, Lazeena was as an Investment Specialist with ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) (2011-2016), as well as an Investment Officer for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Blended Finance and East Asia Pacific Infrastructure teams (2016-2022). Across her roles at ADB and IFC, Lazeena has led and supported the structuring of commercial debt, equity and concessional finance with a strong transaction focus on the energy sector (geothermal, gas, solar, wind, storage) alongside work in the logistics, forestry, water supply and wastewater sectors. Lazeena holds a Joint Masters in Business Administration and Public Policy from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Harvard College.

Julia Puno is the General Secretary of the Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN), a regional network for research NGOs in the Asia Pacific. Before leading the secretariat, she served as the Network’s Policy and Research Officer and Program Assistant in its Pro-People Economy and Trade and Climate Justice and Natural Resources Programs. She has years of experience in capacity-building as one of the trainers of APRN’s training programs on advocacy and engagement, research, and development effectiveness for CSOs and Producers’ OrganisationsA. She has facilitated the participation of organizations in various intergovernmental dialogues and engagement spaces. Her research interests include geopolitical issues, climate concerns, among others. She is also part of the Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM) advisory group and served as the platform’s previous co-chair, secretariat, and Southeast Asia focal point. She is part of the PFD’s task team committee and the platform’s CSO lead for Asia Pacific.

Jodel Dacara is the Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific at WINGS, the global network of over 250 philanthropy networks, support organisations, and foundations across 60 countries. He facilitates the network’s initiatives to strengthen and grow philanthropy support ecosystems, ensure membership engagement around the network’s areas of work, and foster relations between WINGS and philanthropic actors in the AP region. Before joining WINGS, Jodel was the Network Manager of the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness, the global civil society platform on aid and development cooperation. At CPDE, he worked on CSO enabling environment, development effectiveness advocacy, and multistakeholder partnerships. He also worked for the Reality of Aid and the Asia Pacific Research Network. He graduated from the University of the Philippines and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Jodel is based in Manila, Philippines.

Hemanthi Goonasekera started her career as a development practitioner and has worked with many national and international organizations, including German Technical Cooperation, The Asia Foundation/USAID, DHV BV, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Dutch Municipal Association, and The Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre Thailand. Her main expertise includes local governance, such as policy analysis, research and development, disaster management, training, and capacity building. Hemanthi holds a B.A. in Social Science and an MA in Development Studies and Public Policy from the University of Colombo. She is a visiting academic in the Social Science department at the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance, the Open University of Sri Lanka, and the University of Ruhuna. Hemanthi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Govt. The national local government association of Sri Lanka.

Gineng Sakti is a Senior Investment Structuring Officer at Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Indonesia working on energy, infrastructure, and sustainable finance. He has extensive experience working for international development agencies such as JICA, ADB, and UNESCAP as a private sector and investment specialist. Gineng holds a master’s degree in development management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), United Kingdom.

Faaris Pranawa is Director of Public Financing and Project Development at PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur, a state-owned development finance institution under Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance.

With over 25 years of experience across Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency, State Asset Management Company, and PT SMI, he oversees a sub-national lending portfolio of approximately USD 1.6 billion, ten active PPP projects — including Nusantara Capital City infrastructure — and USD 800 million in donor-managed funds. He has led structuring of landmark PPP transactions across urban transit, healthcare, and energy transition, and has been instrumental in shaping Indonesia’s blended finance and municipal financing frameworks. He holds a law degree from Universitas Indonesia and is a certified Risk Management professional.

Team Leader, TALD Facility EU-GIZ

Emeline Siale (preferred name is Siale) is a Tongan civil society leader, women’s advocate and activist, working and base in Suva, Fiji as the Executive Director of PIANGO since 2019. Prior to her life in Civil Society, she was a public servant for 15 years with the Tonga Civil Aviation Ministry. She has brought 12 years experiences from her previous role as Executive Director of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga to the region in the area of coalition building on issues as diverse as ethical leadership, women’s access to finance, women’s leadership and political participation, Seabed Mining, Climate Change, humanitarian localisation and locally led development. She represents the interests of Pacific civil society in a range of regional and international fora specifically in areas of human rights-based approach, governance, Public Finance Management and institutional building, effective and informed participation of citizens in decision making to ensure that interest and wellbeing of Pacific peoples are safeguarded. Siale believes that accountability can only be exercised when resources are invested in building of Civil Society Institutions, mechanisms and processes as accountability is about how we managed relationship in contradicting dynamics. Siale was awarded an inaugural Jose Edgardo Campos Collaborative Leadership Award in Washington DC in 2016 in recognition of her contributions to local leadership efforts in Tonga.

Elenita San Roque, known as Leni, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions, a regional network representing more than 50 million members from over 35,000 credit unions across 23 countries. As CEO, Leni provides strategic leadership and drives organizational development, advocacy, member engagement, education, innovation, global partnerships, and financial stewardship. Her work is central to advancing ACCU’s mission and ensuring the growth and sustainability of Asian credit unions. Among her achievements is the 37 Credit Union Business Solutions, designed to help credit unions serve members more effectively while staying true to their cooperative mission. These pioneering tools include the Guide for Credit Unions on Climate Action and the Assessment Tool for Green Cooperatives. Leni serves on the Board of Directors of the International Raiffeisen Union, is a Raiffeisen Ambassador, a Certified Public Accountant, and a graduate of UC Berkeley’s Women’s Executive Leadership Program.

CEO, CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative, Philippines

Dhiraj Katari is a sustainability professional with 10 years of work experience in sustainable development, green building certification, and stakeholder engagement. He currently leads the Green Homes certification portfolio and stakeholder engagement initiatives at the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). With extensive experience in green building certification, policy engagement, and sustainable development, he has played a key role in driving certification processes, conducting technical reviews, and supporting the development and enhancement of rating frameworks. Dhiraj actively works with developers, government bodies, industry stakeholders, and institutions to promote sustainable built environments through training programs, technical capacity building, and collaborative initiatives. He has successfully supported the certification of numerous green building projects and is passionate about advancing climate-responsive, scalable, and impactful sustainability solutions.

Ms Claire Frost is Head of Programmes at the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF). She is based at CLGF Headquarters in London (UK) and works extensively with CLGF’s regional teams in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Pacific. She leads on the coordination of CLGF’s portfolio of projects and has extensive experience in supporting local governments in inter-governmental relations, local economic development, climate resilience, SDGs, social inclusion and addressing inequalities. She supports the coordination of theCommonwealth Women in Local Government Network (ComWLG) and the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network (CSCN). She is CLGF’s operational lead on the relationship with the European Union both in the coordination and implementation of the CLGF Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) and as the representative to the Policy Forum for Development (PFD) and PLATFORMA.

She has a Masters degree in urban planning and a BA in communications. Prior to joining CLGF she worked as a Programme Officer with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) in Barcelona. She has 20 years of experience working with local government at the local, national and international level.

Cécile Leroy is Cooperation Programme manager for green and inclusive economy in the Cooperation section of the European Union Delegation to the Lao PDR. In Lao PDR since September 2021, she is working on green growth, natural resources, biodiversity, environment, circular economy and climate change and overviewing the Global Gateway flagship programme “Trade, Investment and Connectivity for Agriculture and Forestry (TICAF)”. Her job is to support sector and policy analysis, development, implementation and monitoring of projects, including coordination with Government partners, Civil Society Organisations, Private Sector representatives and other Development Partners. Cécile has spent almost 25 years in the South-East Asia region, in Vietnam and Indonesia, in different positions, including for regional cooperation with ASEAN. She also has private sector experience. Cécile holds a Master of Sciences in development economics and environment economic valuation.

Deputy Director French Development Agency (AFD), Jakarta

Betty joined the Business and Human Rights Centre in February 2019 as its first Asia Regional Manager and was appointed, in December 2021, as Director of Regional Programmes to lead the Centre’s teams of experts in Asia and Pacific, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe and Central Asia. Betty came to the Centre from 5 years at FORUM-ASIA, and prior to that at the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative. Betty started her human rights work at the Institute for Policy Research & Advocacy, where she spent 8 years developing and strengthening its research and international advocacy work.

A Chevening scholar, Betty holds an LL.M in international human rights law from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. She has a bachelor’s degree in international law from the Catholic University of Atma Jaya, Jakarta.

Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi is the first woman to serve as Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), the largest regional section of the global UCLG network. With over two decades of experience in urban development, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and local governance, she is a respected leader in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Her career includes roles at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), CITYNET in Yokohama, and visiting professorships in Japan. Dr. Bernadia holds a PhD in Urban Engineering from the University of Tokyo and master’s degrees in Atmospheric Physics and Public Policy. She is a member of the UN-Habitat Advisory Group on Gender Issues and the Expert Group on Climate and SDGs Synergy. Her leadership at UCLG ASPAC has led to major milestones, including ASEAN recognition of the ASEAN Mayors Forum and the formation of the Asia-Pacific Local Government Coordinating Body. She has been instrumental in supporting cities with SDG localisation and Voluntary Local Reviews. Her work has earned multiple accolades, including a UN-Habitat citation in 2023. As Secretary General, she oversees strategy, operations, and advocacy for sustainable urban development across the Asia-Pacific.

Ms. Assel Kurmantayeva has six years of experience in the development sector. Assel is an international consultant who collaborates with academia, government, business and civil society organizations across Central Asia, Europe and beyond. She currently serves as a project analyst and has worked as a consultant for the Innovation for Change Central Asia hub within ARGO. She has designed and delivered complex projects for the European Union, US State Department, World Bank, CRDF Global, CEEMAN and multiple NGOs, overseeing budgets, monitoring & evaluation, stakeholder outreach and consortium management. Previously, she led Strategic and International Development at a university and has worked as an expert for national research institutes and companies. Her research interests include social innovation, NGO management, strategic management and project management. Assel holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the University of Essex (UK) and an MSc in Management from Almaty Management University (Kazakhstan).

Altantuya Tseden-Ish serves as the President of the National Association of Mongolian Agricultural Cooperatives (NAMAC), where she champions rural development and the economic empowerment of thousands of Mongolian herders and farmers. With extensive leadership experience, she also chairs the Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and sits on the Global Council for the International Land Coalition. Tseden-Ish played a central role in revising Mongolia’s Law on Cooperatives, securing a modern legal and tax framework for rural enterprises. She spearheaded the “Master Plan for Herder Cooperatives’ Development” and adapted the International Labour Organization’s “My.Coop” training model to the Mongolian context. Through global platforms like the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), she drives capacity-building projects, ensures fair market access for nomadic producers, and strengthens civil society partnerships across the agricultural sector.

Christian Burgsmüller assumed the position of Head of the Americas.1 Division (Regional Affairs) at the European External Action Service (EEAS) on 1 September 2024. His diplomatic career includes serving as Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Canada between 2020 and 2024, and heading the Global Issues Section at the EU Delegation to the United States in Washington, D.C. (2010–2014). He also led the Political and Press Section in Brazil (2006–2010) and was an attaché at the German Embassy in Argentina in 1999. A lawyer by training, Christian studied in Freiburg, Geneva, and Cologne, and holds a PhD in Constitutional Law.

Gabriel Mato Adrover is a Spanish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2009, re-elected for the 2014-2019, 2019-2024 and 2024-2029 terms. A member of the European People’s Party (Partido Popular de España), he currently serves as European Co-President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) and Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to EuroLat. He is also a member of the Conference of Delegation Chairs (CPDE), the Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Delegation to the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee (D-CL). As a substitute, he sits on the Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and Fisheries (PECH). Mr Mato holds a degree in Law and previously served in senior legal and political roles in Spain’s Canary Islands.

Daniel Caggiani is a Uruguayan Senator, re-elected in 2024 for the 2025-2030 term, representing the Frente Amplio. He currently serves as President of the Mercosur Parliament (Parlasur) for the 2019-2029 period and as Latin American Co-President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat). A long-standing social and political activist within the Movimiento de Participación Popular (MPP) and the Frente Amplio’s Espacio 609, he has held parliamentary office since 2011. Mr Caggiani previously served as Vice-President of Parlasur, has chaired several Senate Committees – including Labour (2023) and Transport and Public Works (2024) – and is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He currently coordinates the Frente Amplio caucus in the Uruguayan Senate.

Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy is a Colombian economist and diplomat, serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs since July 2025. Born in Bogotá and shaped by her social leadership experience as a migrant in Spain, she has defended the rights of migrant communities and promoted integration and equality through civil society organisations. Her background in migration, international cooperation, and human rights positions her as a voice that connects territories and people. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she drives a citizen-led, feminist, and inclusive diplomacy that presents Colombia as a country of solidarity, equity, and commitment to life.

Hadja Lahbib is the European Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management. She is responsible for promoting equality and inclusion across the European Union, upholding the rights of minorities with the aim of creating a fairer society and social model for everyone. She also leads the EU’s work on preparedness and crisis management, ensuring a more robust and proactive approach to European crisis management and civil preparedness, both within our borders and on the global stage. In this capacity, she plays a central role in shaping and overseeing the EU’s humanitarian action worldwide. Working closely with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), she sets the strategic direction for the Union’s humanitarian policy and ensures that EU assistance is principled, needs-based and in full respect of international humanitarian law. Before joining the European Commission, Ms Lahbib served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium (2022–2024). She previously had a long career at Belgium’s French-speaking public broadcaster RTBF (1993–2022) as a journalist, news anchor and documentary filmmaker. Ms Lahbib co-led Brussels 2030, preparing the city’s candidacy for the European Capital of Culture. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communication from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and completed executive training in Change Management and Digital Leadership at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management.

Juan Sebastián Rodríguezián Fernández, a young leader from Barranquilla, has an outstanding trajectory in social, educational, and youth political leadership. He is a member of the Youth Sounding Board of the European Union, delegate for outreach to and engagement with youth in the EU external action, District Youth Councillor of Barranquilla, and has represented the country in global forums such as One Young World in the United Kingdom and Global Gateway Youth in Brussels. Former Ambassador of the SoyBilingüe strategy, through which the first public policy on bilingualism in Colombia was developed, he believes in youth leadership as the key to major transformations.

María Paula Castro Rodríguez is a Social Communicator and Journalist, born in Arauca (Arauca). She has complementary studies in marketing and live event production, and a solid track record in digital, internal, and corporate communications for public and private entities. Her experience includes the creation of communication strategies, content writing, and management of institutional social media. She has also served as a master of ceremonies at events of the Government of Arauca and the Special Registry of Arauca, standing out for her stage presence and ability to connect with the audience — and currently at official events of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Andrés Rodríguez Cárdenas, a 20-year-old Colombian youth, has made sustainability and social justice his life’s purpose. Through the Luces de Paz initiative, he brings electric light to communities without access, combining innovation, empathy, and environmental action. A youth councilor and social leader, he has represented Colombia at international forums in Washington, New York, Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil. He participated in FAO’s World Food Forum, amplifying youth voices for sustainable food systems. His leadership inspires thousands of young people to believe in their transformative power and to build a fairer, greener future.

Nelson Javier Restrepo Arango is Director of the Directorate of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. A lawyer, researcher, educator, and human rights defender, he has over 35 years of experience researching political violence, parapolítica, and historical memory. He served as Director of Human Rights at the Instituto Popular de Capacitación (1996–2000) and has worked as an advisor in public institutions in Spain. He is the author and co-author of several studies and books, including Nos matan y no es noticia, and is responsible for inter-institutional coordination and follow-up on international human rights recommendations.

Marlene Holzner is Head of Unit for Civil Society, Local Authorities and Foundations in the DG INTPA (EU Commission) since 2020. She is responsible for designing and implementing the CSO Programme 2021-2027 with a team of 20. Before this, she worked for 10 years for Commissioner Guenter H. Oettinger as Spokesperson and Cabinet Member. A graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Marlene has worked many years as a journalist (WirtschaftsWoche, Berlin) before joining the European Commission.

Claudia Paz y Paz is a lawyer and Director of the Mexico and Central America Program at the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL). Before joining CEJIL, Claudia was the first woman to serve as Attorney General of Guatemala, where she believed in the rule of law as a force capable of strengthening society through the pillars of peace, justice, and equality. Under her leadership, Guatemala’s Attorney General’s Office became the first law enforcement body in the country to prosecute high-ranking civil war combatants for war crimes, achieving the conviction of senior military officers and former head of state Ríos Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Claudia was a member of the Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, tasked with investigating the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students in Mexico, as well as a second iteration of the GIEI that investigated the violence that took place in Nicaragua following the April 18 protests. From 2017 to 2018, she served as Secretary for Multidimensional Security at the Organization of American States (OAS).

Journalist by training, he has been working for a decade in civil society in the areas of cooperation for development and international relations with the aim of contributing to the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, a group to which he also belongs. He has postgraduate training in institutional communication, design of social projects and implementation of international development cooperation interventions. For eight years, his work has been focused on the Latin American and Caribbean region, where he has interacted with governments, international organizations, the private sector and other civil society actors.

Venezuelan grassroot activist, advocate for dismantling systems of oppression through meaningful youth civic engagement and inclusion. Background in National Student Movement Leadership for over 3 years. Founder of “Juventud Cívica”, a Venezuelan youth program to increase youth civic engagement, through socio-political dialogue spaces, and skill sharing hubs. Member of the European Union Youth Sounding Board, Global Peacebuilders Network, Co-creator of Peace Direct’s Global Peace Campaign, Kofi Annan Changemaker. Current Youth Engagement Coordinator at CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, leading a network of over 4000 youth activists from +150 countries who collaborate to strengthen youth action in civil society through youth- centric innovative approaches.

Magdalena Bordagorry is a lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and holds a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies from KU Leuven. She has served as Policy and Membership Development Officer at the European network Eurodiaconia, where she worked on issues related to poverty reduction and social inclusion. Previously, she worked with migrant women as well as women survivors of gender-based violence in Chile. She is currently the Policy and Networks Coordinator at the EU-LAT Network, a coalition of more than 40 European organizations promoting solidarity between the peoples of Latin America and Europe, advocating for participatory European policies with a gender perspective that advance human rights and democracy in Latin America.

Lucy Garrido is a journalist, editor, and creative producer. She is part of Cotidiano Mujer, the Articulación Feminista Marcosur, and the Civil Society Organizations CELAC/EU Working Group. She coordinates Diálogos Consonantes, the Isoquito ranking, the Regional Alert System on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Causa Abierta, the campaign “Tu boca, fundamental contra los fundamentalismos”, and the Regional Fund for Supporting Feminist Organizations. She has produced for the movement the pieces “Mujeres migrantes. Mujeres con derechos” and “El mundo al revés es posible”; and for ECLAC, “La seguridad ciudadana empieza por casa”, “Qué Estado para qué Igualdad”, and “Hacia la sociedad de los cuidados”, among others.

Sergio Chaparro Hernández is International Coordinator at Dejusticia and in charge of international advocacy and policy at the Tax Justice Network. He is an economist and philosopher, holding master’s degrees in Law from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and in Inequalities and Social Science from the London School of Economics. Sergio is an Economic and Social Equality Fellow at the Atlantic Institute.

Marie L’Hostis is Advocacy Coordinator at Forus, a global network that brings together 72 national platforms and 7 regional coalitions, representing over 24,000 civil society organizations worldwide. She leads Forus’ advocacy strategy under the “Influence” pillar, focusing on strengthening the enabling environment for civil society, promoting inclusive governance, and fostering its participation in global political processes. Her work focuses on amplifying the collective voice of member organizations and strengthening their joint advocacy efforts at national, regional, and global levels.

Inma Alonso Delgado is responsible for EU–Latin America and Caribbean relations and development financing at the Coordinadora de Organizaciones para el Desarrollo (Spain). She holds a degree in Communication Sciences – Journalism, a Master’s in Political Action (with a specialization in gender equality and gender-based violence), a postgraduate diploma as a Specialist in International Information, and is a PhD candidate in Communication, focusing on public policy and communication. She has over 15 years of professional experience in civil society organizations — in Spain and 12 countries across Africa and Latin America — leading public affairs, political and social advocacy, communication, awareness-raising, and mobilization strategies.

Luciana Torchiaro is the Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Secretariat of Transparency International (TI). With over 15 years of experience in civil society, Luciana is responsible for coordinating TI’s network of chapters in the region and leading regional initiatives. She is also a member of TI’s global working group on gender and inclusion. Previously, she worked as Project Coordinator at Nueva Sociedad, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and as Technical Advisor at the Secretariat for International Affairs of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Luciana was a Ford Foundation fellow, holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Buenos Aires, and a Master’s in International Studies from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.

João Figueiredo is the Regional Lead for Latin America and the Caribbean at GNDR, with extensive experience in urban development, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation. He is an architect and urban planner with a master’s degree in International Cooperation for Urban Development from TU-Darmstadt University (Germany) and UIC Barcelona (Spain). João has also led projects in countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. His work focuses on strengthening resilient infrastructure and communities through innovative, locally adapted strategies. He is committed to community empowerment and promotes cross-sector collaboration for sustainable and inclusive development.

Carla Álvarez González is a lawyer specialized in governance, sustainability, and social impact. She represents the Consejo de la Juventud de España (CJE) before the European Youth Forum (YFJ), where she works to strengthen youth participation and the role of civil society in bi-regional cooperation and international dialogue spaces. With experience in diplomacy, human rights, and sustainable development, she fosters alliances that connect young people, institutions, and communities to build more inclusive and sustainable policies.

Pedro P. Bocca holds a degree in International Relations and a master’s in Political Science. He has over 15 years of experience in political advocacy and defense of national and international civil society organizations, covering topics such as civic space and democracy, human rights, climate justice, sustainable development, and development financing. He is currently the Coordinator for International Relations and Public Policy at GIFE, a platform that brings together 170 Brazilian philanthropic institutes and foundations.

Susana Eróstegui is the Executive Director of the Red Boliviana de Cooperación Internacional (REBCI) and the representative of the Mesa de Articulación de Asociaciones Nacionales y Redes Regionales de ONGs de América Latina y el Caribe at the European Union’s Policy Forum on Development. She holds a degree in Communication Sciences and postgraduate studies in Human Rights, Communication for Sustainable Development, and Development Projects. She has experience in institutional management and organizational development, fundraising, public and policy advocacy, strategic communication, transparency and accountability, enabling environment, and multi-stakeholder political dialogue on CSO effectiveness and development effectiveness.

Tania Sánchez Montaño is the Director of Coordinadora de la Mujer, a network of feminist institutions working for women’s rights in Bolivia. She is a member of the CELAC–EU Civil Society Forum of AOED LAC, the Articulación Feminista del Marcosur (AFM), and the Red Trenzando Cuidados. A Bolivian activist and feminist, she has experience in the development of public policies and budgets with a gender perspective, as well as in the planning and implementation of programs that promote equity. She holds a degree in sociology and has specialized in gender, public planning, and budgeting.

José Ramón Ávila is a lawyer who has worked on social projects with vulnerable groups, promoting respect for human rights in Honduras. He has extensive experience in gender, inclusion, land defense, migration, food security, risk management, governance, and citizen participation. Since 2008, he has served as Executive Director of the Asociación de Organismos no Gubernamentales de Honduras (ASONOG) and currently holds the position of Executive Secretary of the Concertación Regional para la Gestión de Riesgo de Centroamérica. In addition, he represents several regional and global networks such as the Alianza de Organizaciones para la Ayuda al Desarrollo, the Foro Ciudadano de las Américas, FORUS, and the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR).

Jared Ortiz González is a public policy and organizational development professional with a strong background in the nonprofit sector in the Dominican Republic. As Executive Director of Alianza ONG, he leads a multisectoral network dedicated to strengthening the social sector. He has held key roles at Aldeas Infantiles SOS and World Vision, developing expertise in fundraising, communications, program management, and strategic partnerships. Academically, he holds a Specialization in Organizational Development from Tecnológico de Monterrey and a Postgraduate Degree in Senior Business Management. He is currently completing a specialization in International Cooperation Management at FLACSO.

Francisco Mantilaro, based in Patagonia, Argentina, has been a member of Fundación Otras Voces for 25 years and currently serves as its President. He is also a board member of the Red Encuentro de Entidades No Gubernamentales para el Desarrollo, a network with over 40 years of work in Argentina that brings together 40 civil society organizations with representation across the country, addressing issues such as education, youth, gender, human rights, Indigenous peoples, health, and housing, among others. He is also a co-founder of Liquen Consultora, an organization with a regenerative purpose. Francisco is a Psychological Consultant who works from a holistic perspective grounded in non-violent communication, focusing on healing and transformation processes with purpose and impact, supporting communities, companies, governments, and diverse social organizations.

Jessica Vidales Ferro is the Coordinator of the LAC RMD Coalition, an alliance of international NGOs working for the rights of refugees, migrants, and displaced persons in Latin America and the Caribbean. With over 10 years of experience in advocacy, strategic partnerships, and communications in humanitarian and development contexts, she has worked with NRC, Geneva Call, and WFP, as well as serving as a consultant for other organizations. Throughout her career, including in Brussels, she has led advocacy initiatives with governments, the European Union, and UN agencies. A psychologist from Universidad de los Andes and holder of a Master’s in Development from Université Catholique de Louvain, Jessica brings a strategic, multilingual, and collaborative perspective to dialogue and policy-making spaces.

Bibiana Aido Almagro joined UN Women as Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean in September 2025. Previously, she served as UN Women Representative in Colombia since 2021, Country Representative in Ecuador (2017–2021), Programme Adviser for the Americas and the Caribbean (2013–2017), and Special Adviser to the Executive Director (2011–2013) in New York. She served in the Government of Spain as the first Minister of Equality (2008–2010) and later as Secretary of State for Equality (2010–2011). She worked in the Andalusian Regional Government’s Department of Culture, first as Provincial Delegate for Culture in Cádiz (2003–2006) and later as Director of the Andalusian Agency for the Development of Flamenco (2006–2008). She holds a PhD in Business Administration and Management (2012–2016) from the University of Cádiz, Spain, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the same university (1994–1999). She has received several recognitions for her work in advancing gender equality and women’s rights, including an Honorary Doctorate from Northumbria University (United Kingdom) and the Social Engagement Award from the University of Cádiz (Spain).

Pelayo Castro Zuzuárregui (Valencia, April 14, 1976) is currently Acting Managing Director for the Americas at the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels. He previously served as Adviser in the Cabinet of High Representative Josep Borrell and as Head of Division for Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan in the EEAS. From 2019 to 2021, he was Ambassador of the European Union to Nicaragua, and from 2015 to 2019, Ambassador to Costa Rica. He was also member of the Cabinet of High Representative Catherine Ashton and Head of the Division for Relations with the European Parliament and National Parliaments at the EEAS.

Josefina Sánchez is a prominent national and provincial cooperative leader. She serves as President and General Coordinator of the Soltrecha Workers’ Cooperative (Solidaridad Trento Chaqueña Ltda.), an innovative social enterprise in the field of home care, focused on assisting the elderly, people with disabilities, the sick, and children. She is also President of the Federation of Comprehensive Care Workers’ Cooperatives of Argentina (FECOOP CUIDAR); President of the Members’ Committee of Banco Credicoop, Branch 375; and Board Member of the Federation of Workers’ Cooperatives of Argentina (FECOOTRA). She is part of the board of the former INAES Cooperative and Mutual Care Incubator. She holds a diploma in Care Services for the Elderly and their Cooperative Organization, as well as a postgraduate degree in Social Economy and Nonprofit Entities.

Ximena Torres is the Country Representative of Fundación Avina in Colombia and Program Manager for the Water Program. With more than two decades of experience, she leads multi-stakeholder collaboration initiatives focused on sustainable development, democratic governance, and socio-environmental justice in Latin America. Her work centers on promoting democratic water management, strengthening local capacities, and building alliances that drive transitions toward more equitable and sustainable societies.

Medical doctor, Master in Social Research in Health, and PhD in Bioethics and Collective Health. Researcher, lecturer, and international expert in the fields of the right to health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality. Her most significant contributions to equality have taken place in the field of the right to health, as well as in reflections on care, including an expert opinion presented before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 2023. She has served as an international consultant for UNFPA, WHO, UN Women, and ECLAC, and was the National Director of Public Health in Colombia. She is co-founder of the Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres, the organization from which the Causa Justa movement emerged—leading Colombia to adopt the most progressive abortion regulation in Latin America and the Caribbean. She is also a member of the Articulación Feminista Marcosur. Her most recent publication, “Conversaciones fuera de la Catedral: una historia del aborto en Colombia”, co-authored with Laila Abu Shihab and Cristina Villareal (Penguin, 2024), explores the history of abortion in Colombia.

Day 1 Agenda

Day 2
03 June 2026

Day 1 Agenda

Day 2 03 June 2026

Day 2
03 June 2026