Driving resilience: mobilizing finance for climate and biodiversity amid geopolitical tensions

The escalating triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are making the upcoming years crucial for paving a way to planning and mobilizing investments for building sustainable economies and improving people’s health, well-being and security. Every year, as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent biodiversity loss fall short, the gap between required actions and the implementation of effective policies continues to grow. Despite the urgency, rising international conflicts complicate the achievement of global agreements. Due to geopolitical tensions in the region, a focus on Central-Eastern Europe and the EU Eastern Partnership countries is essential, particularly in understanding how to uphold ambitious green initiatives amidst ongoing challenges.  

The mobilization of finance emerges as a critical lever to speed up responses to interconnected climate and biodiversity risks, ensuring progress toward sustainability goals during periods of geopolitical tension. Countries must commit to investments in nature, fostering a transformative approach that addresses the interlinked challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss synergistically. 

Agenda

About the speakers:

Arnold Kreilhuber is the Regional Director of the UN Environment Programme’s Europe Office in Geneva since 1 May 2023.  He is a national of Austria and has over 15 years of professional experience in the fields of environmental diplomacy, policy and law. He began his professional career at the regional and national levels and joined UNEP in 2005, fulfilling growing responsibilities for the organization. Most recently, he was deputy director and acting director (2019 – 2021) of UNEP’s Law Division.  Among his key professional achievements are the repositioning of the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme, his work on improving governance of natural resources, human rights and the environment, or his support to the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), among others. In 2012, he led the planning and organization of the first World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability, as part of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).  Earlier in his career, Arnold worked in the governmental, non-governmental and private sectors. He holds a doctorate degree in international law from the University of Vienna as well as a master’s degree in advanced international studies from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Helena Braun is currently leading the political team at the European Commission Representation in Estonia. Between May 2017 and August 2023, Helena was a Member of the Cabinet of Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice-President (EVP) of the European Commission leading the work on the European Green Deal, and for one year until September 2024 a Member of the Cabinet of EVP Maroš Šefčovič who succeeded EVP Timmermans. Under the Green Deal, Helena was responsible for biodiversity, forest, circular economy and chemicals policy, and the climate mitigation and adaptation dimension of these Green Deal pillars. Before that, Helena was the sustainable development advisor of the First Vice-President Timmermans in the Juncker Commission. Prior to joining the European Commission, Helena held different positions in the Estonian Government. She was a diplomat working for the Estonian Agent before the Court of Justice of the EU and helped develop the Estonian Better Regulation system in the Justice Ministry. Helena has also advised OECD on regulatory policy and good governance in several countries, and has been a lecturer of EU Law at Tartu University.

Keit Pentus-Rosimannus is a member of the European Court of Auditors, where she belongs to a chamber responsible for natural resources and climate. Before joining the ECA last year, she held a number of cabinet positions in Estonia, including the posts of finance, foreign affairs and environment minister. She has been elected four times to the national parliament and has served on the European affairs, foreign affairs and finance committees. She holds a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy at the Tufts University.

Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov is the Executive Director of Public Association EcoContact in the Republic of Moldova since July 2024. With an extensive background, Mrs. Iordanov is an Associate Professor at the State University of Moldova’s Law Faculty, specializing in teaching Environmental Law and European Environmental Law since 1998. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Law from the Academy of Science of Moldova and possesses over 25 years of experience in the field. Having held the position of Secretary of State since August 2021, and previously serving as the Minister of Environment from November 2022 to March 2024, Mrs, Iordanov is highly regarded as an expert in various aspects of Environmental Law.  Additionally, Mrs. Iordanov chairs the Task Force on Access to Information under the Aarhus Convention Secretariat and is a member of the PRTR Compliance Committee. Furthermore, she is the co-chair of the OECD Task Force on Green Economy. During her career as an environmental lawyer, including her tenure as Minister of Environment, Mrs. Iordanov played a crucial role in the process of integrating the Republic of Moldova into the European Union, specifically in terms of environmental protection and sustainable nature management.