Luca is an architect and a sustainable urban development practitioner. He works as a Senior Expert in resilience and climate adaptation at ICLEI Europe, leading the company's engagement in the EU Adaptation Mission. Luca also worked in sustainability research and as an architect, focusing on the co-design of urban spaces.

Engaged in development and management of EU projects on urban development, climate and environment, energy efficiency, mobility management and sustainable housing. Professional experience includes a carrier of over 10 years at the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia followed by a challenging career at the City of Riga.

Dr. Eleni Myrivili is Global Chief Heat Officer for the Atlantic Council’s Arsht-Rock Resilience Center and the UN-Habitat. She is dedicated to fostering heat resilience in cities worldwide and was recognized among Nature’s 10 people who helped shape science in 2023 and Earth.Org Women Leading the Fight Against Climate Change.

Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering and Public Policy and founder of the Climate Resilient Societies through Equitable Transformations (ReSET) Lab at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Her focus lies in bridging between engineering and social sciences, economic sciences, policy and decision analysis, and other diverse forms of knowledge to improve entry points for equitable climate adaptation and mitigation.

Dr Nalau is an adaptation scientist who is profoundly curious about the human nature and its ability to adapt as we navigate often through challenging decisions. She specialises in uncovering specific rules of thumb, or what are called heuristics, that we have often developed over time to guide us in making decisions. This work is currently looking at global level heuristics through work on the Global Goal on Adaptation Indicators Technical Expert Group.

Virginie Duvat is professor of Geography at La Rochelle University, and researcher in geomorphology at the LIENSs laboratory and at Cawthron Institute. Her research extends to the study of the impacts of climate change on tropical coastlines and the management of the coastal environment.

Valerie Kapos is Principal Specialist in Nature-based Solutions at UNEP-WCMC. She helps to provide strategic direction for the Centre’s work on the role of ecosystems in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and in health and well-being, and leads its programme of work on ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA).

Nava joined NIWA in 2014 as a climate scientist, focusing on climate cycles and projections. She later trained in operational meteorology with the UK Met Office, working on forecasts and new products. Passionate about science communication, she engages with the public, media, and businesses on weather and climate.

Luca is an architect and a sustainable urban development practitioner. He works as a Senior Expert in resilience and climate adaptation at ICLEI Europe, leading the company's engagement in the EU Adaptation Mission. Luca also worked in sustainability research and as an architect, focusing on the co-design of urban spaces.

A/Prof Nalau is an adaptation scientist who is curious about human nature and its ability to adapt as we navigate challenging decisions. She specialises in uncovering specific rules of thumb that we have developed in making decisions. She currently engages with global level heuristics on the Global Goal on Adaptation

Valerie Kapos is Principal Specialist in Nature-based Solutions at UNEP-WCMC. She helps to provide strategic direction for the Centre’s work on the role of ecosystems in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and in health and well-being, and leads its programme of work on ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). Virginie Duvat is professor of Geography at La Rochelle University, and researcher in geomorphology at the LIENSs laboratory and at Cawthron Institute. Her research extends to the study of the impacts of climate change on tropical coastlines and the management of the coastal environment. Drs Kapos and Duvat will attend AF2025 in person. Other speakers are yet to be confirmed subject to their plans to attend AF, and it is likely that speaker(s) from the Caribbean will participate online