The Major Groups Facilitating Committee (MGFC) facilitates Major Groups and Stakeholders engagement with UNEP. It is not a decision-making body but provides guidance and coordinates the engagement of Major Groups with UNEP. The MGFC is composed of 18 elected Major Groups representatives from the nine Major Groups, supported by 12 Regional Facilitators from the six UNEP regions who have observer status. The MGFC also elects two co-chairs to coordinate the overall engagement of the committee.
The scope of work and responsibilities of the members of the MGFC are detailed in the Terms of Reference of the Major Groups Facilitating Committee and in the UNEP’s Stakeholder Engagement Handbook
It is expected that their interventions and actions are based on regular and extensive interaction with their constituencies (their respective Major Group or UNEP region). UNEP is not able to provide any form of remuneration but facilitates their participation to relevant meetings.
Work of the MGFC
The co-chairs of the MGFC organize, with the support of UNEP’s Civil Society Unit, regular teleconferences that bring together members of the MGFC, UNEP’s Civil society unit and others as deemed necessary. These teleconferences take place at least once every six weeks. The draft agenda and meeting minutes are prepared by the chairpersons of the MGFC. Minutes are distributed by the Civil Society Unit among accredited Major Groups and Stakeholders.
MGFC members are encouraged to actively participate in various consultations related to UNEP’s work programmes, reports, Medium Term Strategy planning, and relevant environmental assessments. They are also urged to regularly engage with their constituencies to ensure that regional and diverse major group perspectives are represented and taken into consideration.
Major groups representatives
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Business and Industry
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Ms Diane B. Holdorf is Executive Vice President (EVP) and a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Diane joined WBCSD in December 2018 as Managing Director of Food and Nature where she led business efforts to accelerate the system transformation in the areas of food, nature and water. In October 2021, Diane took the role of EVP for Pathways.
In her role as EVP, Diane focuses on the Pathways as part of WBCSD’s strategy, leading business efforts to accelerate collaborative solutions in Food and Agriculture, Energy, Products & Materials, Mobility and Built Environment, and Health and Wellbeing – working in partnership to deliver business solutions for the Imperatives and Redefining Value Program pillars. Before joining WBCSD, Diane was Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Kellogg. Prior to joining Kellogg, Diane served as Vice President for Delta Consultants (now Antea), a global environment, health and safety and sustainability consulting firm. During her 17 years with Delta Consultants, she served in numerous management and consulting roles, based in the US and in the UK, where she worked with many consumer-packaged goods, forest products and manufacturing companies in development and implementation of global programs for sustainability, environmental management and risk management.
In 2022 Diane was selected as one of the 25 Badass Women shaping climate action by GreenBiz. In 2015, Diane was recognized as a Maize and Wheat Super Woman by CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) as part of the United Nation’s International Women’s Day. She is also recognized as an Oxfam Sisters on the Planet Ambassador. Diane received a Bachelor’s degrees in Public Communications and in German from Syracuse University. She also completed the Executive MBA Program at the University of St Thomas. Diane is an active Twitter user and cancan be found tweeting at @DianeBHoldorf and on LinkedIn.
Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF)
Faisal ALFADL, Secretary-General/ Chief Representative to UN ECOSOC Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) in Consultative Status with the United Nations associated with UNDGC accredited by UNFCCC, UNEP, UNDRR and UNCCD
Faisal ALFADL is an award-winning architect, dedicated volunteer, and community builder, known for his profound contributions to sustainable development. As the Secretary-General of the Saudi Green Building Forum, an influential figure in the architectural community, Faisal's work centers around creating a sustainable future for our planet.
Faisal serves as the Chief Representative to The United Nations ECOSOC on behalf of the Saudi Green Building Forum in Consultative Status with the United Nations. He is an architect and sustainability expert, recognized as an observer by UNDGC, UNEP, and UNFCCC. As the principal of Faisal ALFADL Engineering Consultants based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he collaborates with global partners to provide architectural, engineering, and planning consultancy services. Over his 18-year career, Faisal has designed, supervised, and planned buildings with a construction cost exceeding $8 billion USD. His advocacy for green building and environmental architecture is evident in his extensive portfolio and professional endeavors.
Mr Alfadl's work focuses on promoting green practices and advocating for environmental sustainability. Through his expertise in architecture and his passion for sustainability, Faisal strives to create a positive impact on the global community.
Faisal ALFADL's dedication to sustainable development and his impressive career achievements make him a leading figure in the global architectural community, championing a future where architecture harmonizes with nature for the benefit of all.
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Children and Youth
Partnerships for Change
Clive Donnley holds a bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies with a specialization in Environmental Governance and is certified in International Protocol and Diplomacy. As a Climate Policy Advisor, Clive has a rich background in environmental governance, policy integration, and multilateral cooperation.
In his role with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Initiative (1 Million Youth Action Challenge), Clive has leveraged his expertise to navigate complex international negotiations and foster collaboration across sectors with a focus on SDGs .In his line of work, He has excelled in analyzing and shaping forward-thinking policies that address climate change and promote sustainable resource management, with a central focus on engaging young people in these processes.
He has also been representing the Children and Youth Major Group as a Thematic Policy Advisor in UNEP's Committee of Permanent Representatives by providing CYMG inputs in CPR meetings and other forums including the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme. Previously, Clive has also served as a Youth Climate and Peace Advisor at the Global Peace Building Network Russia, Human Rights Educator at Atlas Movement, and a Rapporteur to the Global Convention of Mayors.
Clive’s career roadmap is dedicated to bridging the gap between environmental science, policy and environmental peacebuilding as he is strongly committed to advancing multilateral cooperation on environmental governance and diplomacy, linked to approaches that support the MEAs and sustainability.
AEGEE European Student Forum
Natalia is a youth advocate from Poland with experience advancing effective, systemic and intergenerationally just solutions to the environmental crises, with a focus on sustainable resource management and just transition.
She has extensive experience in environmental and climate advocacy, having held leadership roles across multiple organizations including as a Board Member at ReGeneration 2030. Prior to being elected as Global Coordinator of the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP, she served on the Global Steering Committee as the Green Economy Thematic Facilitator, where she coordinated youth inputs into the International Resource Panel.
Natalia's professional background is in climate and energy transition policy analysis, climate finance, and organizational strategy. She has worked with public sector institutions, the private sector and nonprofit organizations to develop sustainability strategies in areas including the energy transition, biodiversity and conservation, and emissions reduction pathways.
Natalia holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the London School of Economics and a master’s in development studies from the University of Cambridge.
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Farmers
Global Farming Network
Paul Temple is a third generation tenant farmer on a mixed arable and beef farm in the north of England. Wheat is grown for seed, barley for feed alongside break crops of Oilseed Rape, Spring Beans and grass leys. The livestock enterprise is based on 240 suckler cows (cow/calf) grazing environmental grasses with half the offspring fattened and half sold as stores. The farm works to Conservation Agriculture principles and is now into the sixth year of No-till drilling and using livestock manures to enhance soil fertility, sustainability and resilience to weather extremes.
He is currently an active member of the Global Farming Network seeking to promote the farmers voice across the world for access to modern science and trade. In addition he is a member of the cross industry UK think tank, Science for Sustainable Agriculture. In the past he has been a Vice President of the National Farmers Union, Chairman of the AHDB UK Cereals & Oilseeds levy sector and Chairman of the EU COPA COGECA Cereals, Oilseeds & Protein sector.
Solutions from the Land
A.G. Kawamura is a third generation produce grower and shipper from Orange County, California. From 2003 to 2010 he served as the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He is founding co-chair of Solutions from the Land (solutionsfromtheland.org), a nationally recognized non-profit that is developing innovative and sustainable climate smart collaborations for 21st century agriculture. He serves on multiple boards and advisory committees including the Farm Foundation Board; Western Growers Board and former Chair; Ag Advisory Committee for the Chicago Council; Bipartisan Policy Center, Ag & Forestry task force; Southern California Water Coalition, Executive Committee.
For over 40 years Mr. Kawamura has pursued a lifelong goal to work towards an end to hunger and malnutrition. Locally, he is founding chair of Solutions For Urban Ag (SFUA.org). He has worked closely with Regional Food Banks and stakeholders to create exciting urban ag projects that focus on nutrition, hunger, education and advanced food systems. As a progressive farmer, Mr. Kawamura has a lifetime of experience working within the shrinking rural and urban boundaries of Southern California. A.G. graduated with a BA from UC Berkeley and was a member of Class XX of the Calif. Ag Leadership Program.
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Indigenous Peoples and their Communities
Society of Native Nations, USA
Frankie Orona is Tongva, Chumash from his mother's family, and Borrado from his father's family. He is a Husband and father of 23 Years. Frankie is the Executive Director of the Society of Native Nations, an intertribal nonprofit NGO dedicated to preserving Indigenous spirituality, culture, and way of life. As an environmental liaison for his Tribal Chief, Anthony Morales of the Gabrielino Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, he tirelessly advocates for environmental justice and the rights of Indigenous peoples. Frankie serves on numerous environmental coalition steering committees and organizational boards nationally and globally. As a member of The Indigenous Peoples Major Group with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a member of the
Indigenous Peoples Caucus, and the Break Free From Plastic U.S. Environmental Justice Delegation, he has been actively working in spaces with the Global Plastics Treaty, Nature Based Solutions, Chemicals of Concern, UNESCO, GE07 and other U.N. frameworks addressing environmental concerns and the Rights of Indigenous People. His mission is to help remind those who have forgotten that we are not separate from the environment but rather an integral part of it and that our health is inextricably linked.
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Nepal
Mr. Prem Singh Tharu is a Tharu Indigenous person from Nepal, has been working with Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) as Environment Programme Officer. He has been continuously engaging in the UNEP & UNEA process since the UN Environment Assembly 3 held in 2017. He has already completed a tenure of regional facilitator of the Asia Pacific to the UNEP. He has been following UNEP process including the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. he is one of the active members of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus to the INC process. He is familiar with the role of the MGFC and has previously served as co-facilitator for the Indigenous Peoples and their communities Major Group and coordinated Indigenous Peoples Organizations accredited to the UNEP’s engagement for the UNEA.
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Local Authorities
United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Citizen of France, alumnus of the College of Europe, Jean-Baptiste Buffet has a longstanding experience in urban governance and the implementation of the global development agendas at local level. Since 2009, Jean-Baptiste Buffet coordinates Global Policy and Advocacy at United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the largest world network organisation of cities and regions in the world.
Jean-Baptiste is a graduate of the College of Europe in Bruges, the Institut d’Etudes Politiques of Lille, the University of Kent and the Freie Universität Berlin.
Passionate about urban life, he advocates for a “positive urbanization” and has published number of articles, including on city services delivery and public-private partnerships. He contributed to the book “La Cité des Hommes” with Dominique de Villepin
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Dr. Naidoo is responsible for the strategic direction of ICLEI’s Circular Development work, overseeing key projects, and fostering strategic relationships to bring about sustainable systemic change. Previously, he spent 14 years with the eThekwini Municipality, South Africa, in multiple Departments such as the Energy Office, where he worked on thematic areas such as the Green Economy. He holds a Doctorate of Business from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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Non-Governmental Organizations
WELFARE Togo
She is the President and founder of WELFARE Togo. Journalist by profession (youngest female journalist entrepreneur), she is the owner and Director of Media Company ECO CONSCIENCE TV in Togo (thematic media focusing on environment and gender).
Human Right activist, Djatougbe Aziaka holds a Professional Bachelor Degree in Journalism at Institute of Information Sciences, Communication and Arts (ISICA), University of Lomé and a BA in Languages. She has more than 8 years’ experience on social, environmental, gender and cultural, issues working as a journalist (print, radio, TV and social media).
She is also a regular participant in the UNFCCC, UNCCD negotiations and other negotiations under SAICM and BRS Conventions. She served as representative of Africa region in CSO panel of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) for the biennial term 2018-2019.
The organization that she leads, WELFARE is involved in capacity building projects in rural communities in which rural people are trained on how to utilize forest and wildlife resources in a sustainable manner. The organization works also for Peace and Good Governance, capacity building of youth, young women, involvement of youth in sustainable development process, decision making.
The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE)
Christopher Chin is a SCUBA Master Instructor and technical diver whose passion for the ocean stems back to childhood. He is an accomplished underwater videographer and writer whose footage and work have been featured on the Discovery Channel and Shark Week. In 2006, Christopher co-founded The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE), and and he continues to serve as its Executive Director.
Christopher is an internationally recognized expert in ocean policy and conservation issues, and has authored, supported, and defended a multitude of laws affecting ocean health and resources. He is considered one of North America's foremost experts in shark fin policy, and is a global leader in the fight against plastic pollution. Christopher is an avid advocate for Environmental Justice and co-authored the report "Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution", published by UNEP in 2021.
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Scientific and Technological Community
Central European University
Stephen Stec is a representative of the Science and Technology Major Group. He teaches at Central European University and co-directs the Guta Environmental Law Association. Formerly, Mr. Stec headed the Environmental Law Programme of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe, where he helped negotiate and implement several multilateral environmental agreements. With degrees from The Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland School of Law, and CEU, he frequently publishes in the fields of international law and sustainability, environment and security, and corporate accountability, and is the author of UNEP's guide to the Bali Guidelines on Rio Principle 10.
Mohamed Abdelraouf - co-chairs
Environment Research, Gulf Research Center (GRC)
Dr. Mohammed Abdelraouf leads the Gulf Research Center research program on Sustainability and Environmental Issues. He is also a non-resident environmental researcher working with many think tanks in the MENA region and Europe. He was the lead author for UNEP’s GEO-5 and 6 Reports, West Asia chapter on Environmental Governance section. He has published various policy papers on environmental issues in the MENA region and authored five books. Dr. Raouf is a certified trainer in “Water Diplomacy” and “Water footprint Assessment”. He is chair of the Major Groups Facilitating Committee (MGFC) at UNEP representing Science and Tech. Major Group.
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Women
Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) Kenya
Teresia is an environmental scientist by training, and Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) Kenya's communications officer in charge of strategizing and leading public relations, branding, communications, and social media. She is a freelance faith-environmental journalist who uses her networks to spotlight the importance of faith perspectives in the environmental discourse across mainstream and social media globally. She is a member of MESHA - Media for Environment Science, Health and Agriculture. In her spare time, she is a part time environment editor for Page IX magazine. In the past, she has worked as an English news Anchor and Radio presenter.
CEO / Founder, Juventud Unida en Acción
Dalia Fernanda Márquez Añez is a lawyer from Venezuela. She is passionate about defending Human Rights, promoting gender equality, peacebuilding, and is an environmentalist passionate about raising her voice for the defense of the environment. She was a university professor for 7 years at the Faculty of Law of the Universidad Católica del Táchira. She is the founder of the NGO “Juventud Unida en Acción”, an institution in which for 9 years she has been developing education and training programs to empower people as agents of change in their community, empower women, promote the culture of peacebuilding, and developed social programs in vulnerable communities. As activist she has been Regional Facilitator of the Major Groups for Latin America and the Caribbean UNEP, was also Youth Advisor of the TUNZA strategy of the United Nations Environment Program. Dalia is CO-Founder of the Latin American and Caribbean platform LACEMOS a network that seeks to involve civil society in the different global decision-making spaces. In his academic field, she has been part of research groups on Human Rights, gender, environment, and peace, is specialist in commercial law, Human Rights Protection Specialist in the EU, and has a Master degree in Human Rights.
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Workers and Trade Unions
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Africa.
An advocate for climate action, social justice, and sustainable development, Ms Rebecca Okello works as a Programs coordinator at the Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya under the Climate Change and Just Transition program, COTU-Kenya as a representative of ITUC, focusing on Social justice, Labour rights, Climate Change and Just Transition. Her work emphasizes research, training, and capacity building on climate-related issues, policy advocacy, and the design and implementation of impactful campaigns addressing environmental challenges. Ms Rebecca with nine years’ experience working with the trade union, has actively represented workers and trade unions on various platforms, engaging in policy discussions at both regional and global levels to champion the rights and interests of workers in critical areas, including Just Transition, Green Jobs, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) implementation, and workplace greening initiatives. COTU-Kenya, affiliated with ITUC, plays a vital role in representing millions of workers across the continent. Rebecca holds a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science and is deeply committed to empowering workers' movements and youth in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Bert De Wel is an ecological economist who has been working on the nexus between social and environmental issues for more than 25 years. He spend 4 years working for an NGO in Chile, worked for the Flemish Environment administration and at the cabinet of environment ministers in Belgium. During nearly ten years he was environment and energy advisor for the Belgian union ACV-CSC. After a short stay with the Just Transition Centre, he became the climate policy officer at the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in 2018. In this function, he is the head of the union delegation at the UNFCCC climate negotiations and the focal point for the workers and unions group at UNFCCC, UNEP and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). He participated in the negotiations on the ILO Just Transition Guidelines in 2015 and is member of the International Technical Group at the ILO for the Climate Action for Jobs initiative.
Regional Facilitators
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Africa
REFACOF
Ms. Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye is an active member of the Women Major Group (WMG) working in the environmental field since 2008. She is a chemical waste manager, very passionate about gender issues. For over 15 years, Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye have been involved in impact of hazardous chemical waste/air pollution on Women and Youth. Many of her interventions in the environmental field relate making the Women/ Youth lives more secure despite many challenges. As a WMG Focal Point on UNEA-6 resolution on air quality improvement, Ndeye Fatou followed up this resolution in all contact groups and informal meetings, identified the main priorities of the WMG regarding the resolution until adoption. As the current National Coordinator for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering cross-sectoral collaborations and implementing initiatives aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants. This experience has equipped her with the necessary expertise to engage with diverse stakeholders, from government bodies to international partners, in advancing Africa’s environmental agenda. Her ability to navigate complex regional issues, including air quality, climate resilience, and sustainable development, will be instrumental in her role as a Regional Facilitator. Furthermore, her strong communication skills, fluency in both English and French, and familiarity with UNEP’s frameworks and goals position her as a bridge-builder between African nations and global environmental bodies. Ms. Ndiaye’s proven track record, coupled with her dedication to improving climate resilience and environmental sustainability across Africa, will enable facilitate UNEP’s work and ensure the region’s priorities are well represented on the global stage.
Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA)
David N. Munene is the Programs Manager at the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA), a regional network that offers a platform for young people of faith in Africa to respond to the twin challenges of environmental degradation and climate change from a faith perspective through networking and advocacy, formation and awareness creation, and support for local grassroots action. He currently sits at the Board of the Southern African Faith Communities' Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and is an advisor to the UNEP Faith4Earth Youth Council. David is a YALI (Young African Leaders' Initiative) fellow and served as the first National President of Kenya's Ecosystems-based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA) Chapter. He has been involved in the UNEP and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) processes since 2014 and continues to support the engagement and amplification of the voice of African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and particularly that of African youth.
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Asia Pacific
EcoWaste Coalition (EWC – Philippines)
Chinkie Peliño Golle works with the EcoWaste Coalition as regional coordinator of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) for Southeast and East Asia. EcoWaste Coalition is a Philippine-based national network of public interest groups pursuing sustainable solutions to waste and chemical issues. International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) is a global network of public interest and non-profit organizations in 131 countries working to strengthen global and national chemicals and waste policies, contribute to ground-breaking research, and build an international movement for a toxics-free society and future for all.
Chinkie has over 20 years of experience in environmental protection and policy advocacy work at the local, national, and international levels. She has worked with various civil society organizations in advocating for policies and actions on environmental and public health protection and CSOs’ participation in policy development and implementation. She has also been initiating CSOs’ capacity-building and learning sessions as well as regional and global collaborations and partnerships.
Before joining EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN, Chinkie served as executive director of the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), an environmental non-government organization based in Davao City, Philippines, and contributed to the development and implementation of local landmark ordinances and programs promoting environmental protection and restoration by recognizing the role and contribution of local communities and various stakeholders and prioritizing sustainable and long-term solutions.
Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (CECOEDECON), India
Ajay K Jha is the director of CECOEDECON (Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society, India) and has more than 18 years’ experience in the development sector. A lawyer by education and training he is also associated with PAIRVI & MAUSAM (India), Asia Pacific Research Network (Manila) and Asia Pacific Regional CSOs Engagement Mechanism. He has been following and contributing to national and global issues, policies and practices on climate change, SDGs, environment sustainable agriculture and food and human rights.
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Europe
European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Belgium
Patrizia has been working as an advocate for global justice at the intersection of environment, human rights and development for 15 years mainly with NGOs in Europe and Asia. As Director for Global Policies and Sustainability at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), she leads the organisation’s work on sustainable development and follows intergovernmental processes at regional and international level. She is part of the Steering Group of SDG Watch Europe and closely follows the implementation of the SDGs in and by the EU. She supervises projects on environmental justice and fighting environmental racism, on the economic transition and on EU enlargement policies. Patrizia holds M.A. in Comparative Literature and Political Science and an LL.M in International Human Rights Law.
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Center for Environmental Consulting and Auditing, National Ecological Center of Ukraine
Ms. Oksana Volosko-Demkiv is a leading environmental consultant in Ukraine and the region, with over 25 years of experience in E&S risk identification and management, monitoring and reporting, and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues. She has served as an EBRD Regional Environmental & Social Consultant, as well as a Due Diligence EHS Consultant for the IFC/Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) - CCAVP. Her key competencies include Due Diligence EHS Assessments, defining effective management measures, ensuring public engagement, and designing action plans.
She holds a master’s degree in Geography from Lviv University (1988) and a Master of Environmental Sciences and Policy from Central European University, Budapest (1996). As Environmental Policy Advisor for UNDP Ukraine, she facilitated cross-sectoral dialogues and organized the 2003 Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" in Kyiv. She also advised Ukraine's Ministers of Ecology (2006–2009, 2014). A graduate of the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program (UC Berkeley, 2002) and Stanford's Leadership Academy for Development (2017), she has collaborated with the National Ecological Center of Ukraine since 2013 and completed a Collective Leadership Institute workshop in 2024.
Since 2005, she has successfully managed the company Center for Environmental Consulting and Auditing (www.ceca.org.ua). She conducts strategic planning and monitors the effectiveness of international assistance projects, providing advisory services to NGOs, investors, financial institutions, and both public and private companies. She is currently engaged as a Review Editor in the preparation of UNEP GEO-7.
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Latin America and the Caribbean
Xiomara is a prominent Colombian environmentalist, born in Barranquilla. She is the founder and general director of the NGO Barranquilla+20, established in 2012, which focuses on climate activism and environmental education for youth and children in Colombia and other Latin American countries. This organization works on issues related to climate change, biodiversity, and water, engaging more than 7000 youth in its projects.
Xiomara also co-founded the project El Orinoco se adapta in 2014, an initiative that addresses climate change in the Orinoquía region with a gender-based approach. Additionally, she has worked with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) The government of Nariño, the Swedish government, and Colombia's National Government, on climate change, education, gender equality, and human rights policies.
Internationally, she has participated in various of the United Nations Environmental Conventions such as Climate Change, Desertification, Rio+10 & Rio+20, and Biodiversity Convention, where coordinates the Global Youth Biodiversity Network in Colombia, among other conventions. She is an ambassador for One Young World, the Rockefeller Foundation, and more. She also leads the Women for Climate Justice project, focusing on the climate leadership of young women in Colombia. Xiomara holds a degree in international relations from the Universidad del Norte, has studied climate finance at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, and accomplished a master’s degree in leadership and conservation at Cambridge University.
Alejandro Luque is an environmental consultant, advocate and visual communicator, currently studying Environmental Law at Universidad Espíritu Santo. He began his environmental journey at 16, focusing on regional governance, climate change impact, biodiversity challenges, and pollution solutions. He has co-founded and coordinated grassroots movements like "Compromiso Q’umir," "Movimiento de Organizaciones Ambientalistas del Ecuador" (MOAE), and "Fridays for Future Ecuador”, "Ecuador Jóven", "Siembratón & Reciclatón Ecuador", among others.
Since 2019, Alejandro has been involved with the UN system, at the local then regional level. In 2020, he started serving as the Regional LAC Facilitator for the Children and Youth Major Group. His work centres on four pillars: regional governance, youth and civil society participation, science-based environmental policies, and communication.
Alejandro's efforts focus on encouraging people, especially young people, to live more environmentally conscious lives. He also advocates for stronger environmental policies from governments to improve environmental governance and action in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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North America
Prof. Medani P. Bhandari, Ph.D., is an International Program Director at the Atlantic States Legal Foundation Inc. (ASLF) in New York, USA. has a multidisciplinary background and specializes in climate resilience and adaptation. Nonprofit management, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, inequality, etc. He is a well-known humanitarian, professor, author, editor, and co-editor of several books and authors of hundreds of scholarly papers on social and environmental sciences, a poet, essayist, environment, social activist, and so on. His field experiences span Asia, Africa, North America, Western Europe, Australia, Japan, and the Middle East. His most recent books are Green Web-II Standards and Perspectives from the IUCN (2018), 2nd Edition 2020, Getting the Climate Science Facts Right The Role of the IPCC; Reducing Inequalities Towards Sustainable Development Goals Multilevel Approach; Educational Transformation, Economic Inequality – Trends, Traps, and Trade-offs; Social Inequality as a Global Challenge; the Unbeatable Challenges of Inequality; Perspectives on Sociological Theories; Methodological Debates and Organizational Sociology; Women and Society; Social Inequality Past, Present, and Future and Live and Let Others Live, in References to Sustainability and Environment, Transforming Future-Community, Governance and Environment, Climate Change and Land Use Change Nexus, etc. In addition to his service at ASLF, he is also remotely serving as a Professor at Akamai University, USA, Sumy State University, Ukraine, and Gandaki University, Nepal. https://www.akamai.university/dr-medani-bhandari-phd.html (Prof. Bhandari is also a Lead Author for Chapter 21, COP 7, Global Environment Outlook Project of UNEP and a member of the taskforces Climate Resilience and Adaptation and Behavior and Social Sciences).
U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)
Kelly Sheridan serves as the Vice President of Environmental Affairs at the U.S. Dairy Export Council, where she manages engagements with multilateral organizations regarding U.S. dairy’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Prior to joining in 2022, Kelly worked at Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) as the Vice President of Environmental Stewardship. During this time, she was responsible for the overall operations and project management of environmental initiatives, including the U.S. dairy industry’s pursuit of its 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals and its Net Zero Initiative.Kelly was the Chief of Staff to the EVP for External Affairs at Corteva Agriscience (a spinoff of the DowDuPont merger). She spent eight years with DuPont, working in a variety of roles within their government affairs department. Kelly previously worked as a U.S. Congressional aide to the House Majority Whip.
Kelly is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems from Arizona State University with an expected completion of 2024. Kelly holds a B.S. in Government with a minor in Economics from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. She currently resides in Connecticut.
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West Asia
AlMortaqa Foundation for Development (MFD)
Professor Dr. Eng. Mohammed Alzuhairi is a distinguished academic in materials engineering at the University of Technology, holding a PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on petrochemicals. His research spans the recycling of plastic waste, employing catalyst nanotechnology to enhance materials such as asphalt, coatings, and adhesives. He holds patents in corrosion prevention for oil installations and innovative recycling techniques for plastic waste aimed at safeguarding oil equipment and building materials. Dr. Alzuhairi has extensively published in petrochemicals and environmental science, contributing significantly to sustainable practices. As an academic mentor, he supervises numerous MSc and PhD students globally. His expertise is recognized internationally, serving as a reviewer for patents worldwide and recently participating in the GEO-7 review for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Notably, he is an accredited observer for both the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and UNEP, reflecting his influence in global environmental governance. His awards include Saddam's First Prize for academic excellence in chemical engineering, and honors from the League of Arab States and the Arab Council of Excellence for his contributions to training and human development. Dr. Alzuhairi’s work exemplifies leadership in innovation, sustainability, and capacity-building, making him a prominent figure in his field, partner with the University of Granada, Spain in sharing PhD students’ supervisor in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering especially in Environmental issues.
Engineer, Architect, and Advocate for Climate Action
Marie-Therese Merhej Seif, is an architect by profession and a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and climate action. Since 2009, She has served as the Chairman and Executive Director of the Human Environmental Association for Development (HEAD), a role deeply aligned with her commitment to promoting sustainable practices and environmental protection.
Throughout her career, She has been dedicated to advancing environmental policies, advocating for women’s representation in environmental decision-making, and fostering collaboration between civil society and governmental bodies. She began her advocacy journey well before assuming formal roles in various organizations. In 1984, she earned her Master's degree and Postgraduate studies in Architecture from the Lebanese University, driven by a vision to integrate sustainability into urban and architectural planning. Over the years, She further specialized in Green Building, Green Cities, Social Responsibility, Disaster Management, and the Green Economy.
As a leading voice on climate change mitigation and adaptation, She has been a strong advocate for global chemical management and green development across the Arab region, West Asia, and the EU-Mediterranean region. Her leadership and advocacy have been shaped through roles such as UNEP Regional Facilitator for Major Groups & Stakeholders for West Asia (2016-2020), Political Member of the Green Party of Lebanon (GPL), and representing women in the Asia Pacific Green Federation (APGFWN). She has also served as a representative for the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE).
With over 35 years of experience in both political and civil society spheres, Marie-Therese advocated for safe, sustainable, and resilient economic development pathways. She has played an active role as an observer in key international platforms, including the UNFCCC, UNCCD, GNDR, CANAW, RAED, MIO-ECSDE, and IPEN. Her work spans human rights, gender, and youth empowerment, with numerous programs designed to support, mainstream, and empower marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, in addressing climate change challenges.
Marie-Therese remains steadfast in her belief that advocacy and collaborative action are key to creating a better, more sustainable world for future generations.
