SPEAKERS AND MODERATORS 2025
Claudia A. R. De Meulemeester
Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.
Financial Journalist | Sustainable Finance & Corporate Governance Specialist | Former FT Senior Correspondent
PANEL 1
“The Role of Emerging Technologies in Sustainable Economic Development” – Followed by Q&A.
Juan Dávila y Verdin, FRSA,
Academic | Philantropist | Leader
PANEL 2
“Advancing the Blue Economy: Science, Policy and Emerging Opportunities” – Followed by Q&A.
HM. Luis Vayas Valdivies
Ambassador of Ecuador to the United Kingdom / Chair of the INC to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
Natasha Brown
Head, Outreach and Communications Office at International Maritime Organization
PANEL 3
“From Vision to Impact: Driving Sustainable Tech in a Complex International Landscape” – Followed by Q&A.
Lara Tyrrell
Strategic Growth Leader | Sustainable Business & ESG Executive | Scaling Purpose-Driven Technologies | Former PE-Backed Partner
Dr. Issamary Sánchez Ortega
Lawyer and Compliance Specialist / PhD / Former Ambassador and Consul of Panama in France (2020–2024)"
PANEL 4
“‘Synergies for Sustainability: Public–Private Cooperation in Technology Development” – Followed by Q&A.
Dr. Issamary Sánchez Ortega
Lawyer and Compliance Specialist / PhD / Former Ambassador and Consul of Panama in France (2020–2024)"
Juan Dávila y Verdin, FRSA,
Academic | Philantropist | Leader
SPEAKERS 2025
MODERATOR
Claudia A. R. De Meulemeester
Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.
Claudia is a multilingual, financial journalist based in London, UK. She previously also spent time reporting from Hong Kong and New York. Most recently, Claudia worked as a senior correspondent for the Financial Times Group. Over the last decade, she has written extensively about sustainable finance, corporate governance and climate litigation. Her expertise also includes covering the contested regulations around deep-sea mining, the decarbonisation of the shipping sector, as well as plastic and chemical pollution. Claudia was raised bilingually in Dutch and Italian, and holds a master’s degree in Linguistics from Ghent University, and a joint master’s degree in business and financial journalism from Aarhus University and City University London.
PANEL 1:
“The Role of Emerging Technologies in Sustainable Economic Development” – Followed by Q&A.
Juan Dávila y Verdin, FRSA,
Academic | Philantropist | Leader
Juan Dávila y Verdin, FRSA, is the Founder and Managing Director of The FuturED Institute, CEO of the International Trade and Commerce Association (IGTCA), and Secretary-General of the British San Martín Institute. With over fifteen years of international experience across education, diplomacy, and business development, he has led initiatives with the United Nations and represented UPEACE at COP26–COP29.
He holds an MBA from the International University of Monaco, a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from UPEACE–UNITAR, and is currently a Doctoral Researcher (DBA – HEM) at the University of Bath. Fluent in five languages, Juan is recognised for his leadership, reliability, and results-driven approach in building global partnerships.
PANEL 2:
“Advancing the Blue Economy: Science, Policy and Emerging Opportunities” – Followed by Q&A.
Hm. Luis Vayas Valdivies
Ambassador of Ecuador to the United Kingdom
Klisman Murati stands as a visionary in global forecasting, revolutionizing the understanding of global development through his pioneering approach. With a focus on Globalisation, Geopolitics, Transformative Technology, and Societal Change (the Global 4), Murati’s groundbreaking tool, the Global Power Index, forecasts nations’ trajectories by dissecting core elements of power. As the founder and CEO of Pareto Economics, he equips global leaders with strategic foresight, empowering them to craft successful strategies in business, investment, and policy. Murati’s influence spans diverse audiences globally, from investment houses to governments, characterized by his expertise in leadership transformation, emerging markets, and changing power dynamics. Rooted in a robust academic background spanning Social Anthropology & Human Rights, Security Studies, Financial Crime Risk, and Outer Space Studies, Murati emerges not just as a speaker but as a transformative force at the nexus of knowledge and action, shaping the future of global strategy.
Natasha Brown is Head of Outreach and Communications at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where she has led global engagement efforts since 2022. With a background in international journalism and over two decades at IMO, she brings deep expertise in maritime policy and strategic communications. Natasha holds a BA (Hons) in Applied Language Studies and an MA in Media, Campaigning and Social Change.
PANEL 3:
From Vision to Impact: Driving Sustainable Tech in a Complex International Landscape” – Followed by Q&A.
Lara Tyrell
Strategic Growth Leader | Sustainable Business & ESG Executive | Scaling Purpose-Driven Technologies | Former PE-Backed Partner
Lara Tyrrell is the Interim Chief Commercial Officer at Cambridge Cleantech and Climate Tech SuperCluster, leading commercial strategy for one of Europe’s main sustainability innovation hubs. She has over ten years of experience in ESG strategy, sustainable value creation, and corporate transformation across Asia and Europe. Previously a Partner at Xynteo, she designed sustainability programmes for global banks, PE firms, and energy companies. As Head of Group Sustainable Business at John Swire & Sons, she managed innovation and reforestation funds. A recognised thought leader, she has represented organisations at events such as New York Climate Week. Educated at Oxford, Cambridge, and INSEAD, Lara combines academic excellence with global leadership in sustainability.
Dr. Issamary Sánchez Ortega
Lawyer and Compliance Specialist / PhD / Former Ambassador and Consul of Panama in France (2020–2024)
Issamary Sánchez Ortega holds a Doctorate in Law and is a distinguished lawyer and consultant specialising in anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CTF), prevention of the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (PFADM), and corporate governance. She served as Panama’s Ambassador to France, Liechtenstein, and Monaco, as well as Consul General in Marseille (2020–2024). Notably, she was the first Panamanian to co-chair both the OECD Development Centre and the SIGI, President of the Network of Latin American Women Diplomats in France, and a member of Panama’s delegation responsible for the country’s removal from the FATF grey list.
PANEL 4:
“Synergies for Sustainability: Public–Private Cooperation in Technology Development” – Followed by Q&A.
Juan Dávila y Verdin, FRSA,
Academic | Philantropist | Leader
Juan Dávila y Verdin, FRSA, is the Founder and Managing Director of The FuturED Institute, CEO of the International Trade and Commerce Association (IGTCA), and Secretary-General of the British San Martín Institute. With over fifteen years of international experience across education, diplomacy, and business development, he has led initiatives with the United Nations and represented UPEACE at COP26–COP29.
He holds an MBA from the International University of Monaco, a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from UPEACE–UNITAR, and a DBA (HEM) from the University of Bath. Fluent in five languages, Juan is recognised for his leadership, reliability, and results-driven approach in building global partnerships.
Dr. Issamary Sánchez Ortega
Lawyer and Compliance Specialist / PhD / Former Ambassador and Consul of Panama in France (2020–2024)
Issamary Sánchez Ortega holds a Doctorate in Law and is a distinguished lawyer and consultant specialising in anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CTF), prevention of the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (PFADM), and corporate governance. She served as Panama’s Ambassador to France, Liechtenstein, and Monaco, as well as Consul General in Marseille (2020–2024). Notably, she was the first Panamanian to co-chair both the OECD Development Centre and the SIGI, President of the Network of Latin American Women Diplomats in France, and a member of Panama’s delegation responsible for the country’s removal from the FATF grey list.