Rinaldo Mancin is an engineer with a master's in sustainable development from the University of Brasilia (UnB) and an MBA in economics, management and government relations from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). He has extensive experience in environment and sustainability topics, having collaborated with the federal government, international organisations and the private sector. He currently represents IBRAM at the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), based in London, where he sits on the board of directors.
Etienne Kechichian has over a decade of experience advancing the circular economy, bioeconomy and eco-industrial parks (EIPs) globally. He has played a key role in developing and promoting sustainable, climate-friendly industrial policies that enhance competitiveness while minimising environmental impact. A co-author of the internationally recognised "International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks," Kechichian has collaborated with UNIDO and GIZ to establish performance criteria for EIPs. He has also helped develop the World Bank’s approach to the bioeconomy and circular economy. Prior to this, he focused on special economic zones at the International Finance Corporation, advising on regulatory frameworks to attract private investment.
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Jamie Fergusson
Global Director, Climate Business
International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group)
Jamie is responsible for IFC’s climate strategy and policies, targetting to make all investments Paris-aligned and 45% of its investments climate positive. Jamie joined the corporation in 2005 and has led and contributed to innovation and new business growth across IFC’s investment, advisory and support operations. Prior roles include chief investment officer leading IFC’s global renewable energy investment practice, director of environmental and social risk and policy, and director of strategic business development. Jamie has a BA and MA in zoology from Cambridge University, UK, and an MBA and a master’s in environmental economics and policy from Yale University, USA.
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Bernard Crabbé
Head of Sector Environment & Circular economy
European Commission
Bernard Crabbé leads the work on circular economy, environment mainstreaming and natural resources at the Directorate General for International Partnerships. A bio-engineer by training, with a specialisation in tropical agronomy and environment, Bernard has worked for more than 25 years on international cooperation, including 17 years as project manager in Mali, Laos, Madagascar, Ecuador and Uganda. He has worked successively for the United Nations, as an adviser for the Belgian secretary of state for development cooperation, as counsellor for the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, since 2008, for the European Commission.
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Pedro Henrique Giocondo Guerra
Chief of Staff for the Vice-President of Brazil
Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil (MDIC)
Pedro Giocondo Guerra holds multiple degrees in law and public administration and has specialised training in administrative law, public-private partnerships and international investments. Experienced in legal consulting, academic research and public management, he has worked in law firms; as a researcher on government control, public policies and decisions of Brazil’s Supreme Court; and in the São Paulo public sector. Pedro has extensive experience on the fiscal councils of state-owned and environmental companies. Since 2023, he has held positions of high trust in the Federal Government and is also Chairman of the Fiscal Council of Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES).
Chen Xiaoting brings a wealth of expertise to the UK-based foundation’s Beijing office, where she leads their plastic initiative as well as policy and climate work in China. With a PhD in sustainability economy from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Chen has over 17 years’ invaluable experience across the public and private sectors, specialising in public policy, international environmental and climate governance as well as cross-sector collaboration.
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Eric Ruzigamanzi
Program Manager, Circular Food Systems
World Resources Insitute (WRI)
Eric is the country representative for the WRI in Rwanda and leads the country’s circular food systems initiative. He has over a decade of experience in climate finance, sustainable development and policy engagement across Rwanda and beyond. In his current role, he leads strategic partnerships and supports national efforts to integrate climate and circular economy approaches into development planning. He also works with MSMEs to embed circular economy principles into their business models. Eric holds a master’s in sustainability and circular bioeconomy and is passionate about inclusive, systems-based solutions for climate resilience and green growth.
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Chris Whyte
Business Development Advisor
African Circular Economy Network (ACEN)
Chris’ vision is to drive a just transition to a circular economy for Africa, addressing sustainable impacts and outcomes in energy, water, agriculture, infrastructure, mining, manufacturing and tourism that result in positive benefits for the environment and social upliftment. He founded USE-IT (2009-2020), resulting in thousands of jobs created and 18 national and global awards. Chris was previously executive director of ACEN and is co-founder of the ACEN Foundation (rebranded to Africa Circular) based in Europe. He is also a director of several commercial companies across Africa developing profitable circular economy projects.
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Vong Sok
Assistant Director and Head of Environment Division
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat
Vong Sok is a passionate and dedicated environmental professional with over 20 years’ environmental compliance and governance experience, including in-depth knowledge of strategic environmental planning, diplomacy and management systems. At ASEAN’s sustainable development directorate’s socio-cultural community department, he works extensively on environmental management in Southeast Asia, in close collaboration with government agencies, international organisations, development partners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and communities. This has empowered him with the necessary resources to oversee strategic initiatives, resulting in significant impacts and contributions to this region and beyond.
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Luiz Fernando Krieger Merico
Economic Affairs Officer
UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Luiz is a geologist with a master’s in environmental analysis and a PhD in geography. He was a researcher and teacher of resource economics for more than 10 years in southern Brazil. Luiz has 12 years’ experience in Brazilian public environmental management, from local to national level. He was coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for Brazil and senior adviser in climate change and biodiversity of the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden. At the UN since 2016, he has been coordinating international cooperation activities in many countries on a circular and low carbon economy and nature-based solutions.
