Radu Tatucu is a Senior Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank in the Finance, Competitiveness and Investment Global Department for the East Asia and Pacific Region, currently based in Manila. He leads the World Bank’s financial sector engagement in the Philippines, focusing on areas such as sustainable and disaster risk finance, fintech, financial stability, MSME finance, and housing finance. Since joining the World Bank through the Young Professionals Program in 2015, he has worked across multiple countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Prior to this, he held roles at Amazon and consulting firms including Booz & Company and FTI Consulting. He holds degrees from Harvard University and London Business School.

Vinod Thomas is a distinguished leader in development, evaluation, and sustainability, with a career spanning global institutions. His work centers on excellence in teaching, research, and outreach, highlighted by his 2024 book Risk and Resilience in the Era of Climate Change. He pioneered the Risk and Resilience program at the National University of Singapore, earning the NUS Teaching Excellence Award in 2022. Formerly, he held senior leadership roles at the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Group, where he advanced development effectiveness and environmental sustainability. He also contributed to global policy through influential evaluations and reports, shaping strategies on climate change, trade, and economic development across regions.

Kathryn “Kate” Milliken is a senior climate change specialist with the Asian Development Bank’s climate change adaptation team. She focuses on designing climate adaptation solutions across human development, social sectors, and finance to strengthen the resilience of communities and systems. Her work includes advising on measures to address extreme heat and advancing regional cooperation and trade for climate adaptation. Prior to joining ADB, she had a 20-year career with the United Nations, working across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean on policies and programs that promote climate resilience and food security. She is committed to developing scalable, systems-level solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.

John Adrian M. Narag is a government official currently serving as Director III (and Officer-in-Charge Director IV) at the Department of Finance of the Philippines. He has been involved in key public financial management and climate-related initiatives, contributing to inter-agency efforts on fiscal policy and development planning. He previously served as a Project Evaluation Officer under the International Finance Group of the Department of Finance, supporting project assessment and financing initiatives.

Secretary Robert E.A. Borje is a career diplomat with nearly two decades of government service and currently serves as Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission, the Philippines’ lead policy-making body on climate change. As National Focal Point to the UNFCCC and the IPCC, he leads Philippine negotiations on adaptation, mitigation, and climate finance. In 2023, the UNFCCC Secretariat appointed him to the Adaptation Committee, making him the first Filipino to join the body in its 14-year history. He also serves as Co-Chair of the OECD Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches. His foreign service postings include the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Angelo Kairos dela Cruz is the Executive Director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), an organization that advances climate and energy science and solutions to support fair and climate-resilient development in the Philippines, Asia, and globally. He has over a decade of experience in climate policy, advocating for improved access to and accountability in climate finance at the local, national, and international levels. He currently serves as the Active Observer for civil society in developing countries at the UN Green Climate Fund and as an observer for Asia and the Pacific to the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund. Kairos is a social science graduate of the University of the Philippines Baguio and holds an Executive Master’s degree in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management from the Asian Institute of Management.

As Director of the Sustainability Office, Joyce is deeply involved in the development, monitoring, and implementation of the strategic initiatives of BSP’s inclusive sustainability agenda. She leads the team in developing policies and programs to promote a culture of sustainability in the BSP and to support the growth of a green finance market that meets the country’s climate resilience and adaptation financing needs, particularly of the vulnerable sectors. Prior to her current assignment, Joyce held a leadership role in financial inclusion working on policy development, data, and advocacy programs for inclusive digital finance and MSME and agriculture finance. Joyce joined the BSP 24 years ago as a bank examiner before moving to corporate planning where she was involved in the BSP’s enterprise strategy and project management. Joyce is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA degree.

Hon. Jose Manuel “Joeman” F. Alba serves as the District Representative for the 1st District of Bukidnon. As a legislator, he is committed to advancing inclusive and sustainable development in his constituency, with a strong focus on agriculture, rural livelihoods, and community resilience. He actively supports policies and programs that strengthen disaster preparedness, improve access to essential services, and empower local communities. Known for his responsive and people-centered leadership, Rep. Alba works closely with stakeholders to address the needs of farmers, fisherfolk, and underserved sectors. His efforts continue to contribute to building a more resilient and progressive Bukidnon.

Ina is a Partner in the Climate Change and Sustainability practice of SGV with over 10 years of experience in sustainability and climate change advisory and assurance. She holds degrees in Applied Economics and Accountancy from De La Salle University and a Master in Management from the Asian Institute of Management. A Certified Public Accountant with 15 years of financial statement assurance experience across various industries, Ina is also a Towards Sustainable Mining Verifier and Certified BERDE Professional. She has supported and is currently supporting the Philippine government in relation to carbon markets, sustainable finance and climate change capacity building. Ina also advises the private sector on sustainable transformation, including policy, reporting, strategy, ESG, environmental due diligence, impact assessments, and sustainable finance.

Augustus Caesar “Ace” Esmeralda is a security, risk, and resilience professional with expertise spanning physical security, cybersecurity, crisis management, and organizational resilience. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and a veteran of the Philippine Army, he holds double master’s degrees from the Asian Institute of Management. Multi-certified and certificated, Ace serves as President of Ace And Associates Risk Management, Inc. and Arslan SRS PH, Co-Founder of The Resilient.PH, Inc., and Founder of SecurityMatters Publications. He consults across virtually all industries — advising organizations on disaster recovery, holistic risk assessment, and crisis preparedness. As Chief Convenor of the i4C.PH 2026 Summit, he leads a landmark cross-sector resilience conference integrating physical security and safety, disaster risk and crisis management, and cybersecurity. Ace is a committed advocate for building more resilient communities through vigilance, understanding, collaboration, and action.

Dr. Roehlano Briones is a Senior Research Fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), where he specializes in agricultural economics, rural development, and policy analysis. His work focuses on improving food security, enhancing agricultural productivity, and strengthening climate resilience in the Philippines. He has contributed extensively to research and policy discussions on trade, value chains, and sustainable development. Through his work, he supports evidence-based policymaking and advocates for strategies that promote inclusive growth and resilience in the agriculture sector.

General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. is the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, leading the country’s military in safeguarding national security and supporting disaster response operations. He has held various key command and staff positions throughout his military career, with extensive experience in operations, leadership, and strategic planning. Under his leadership, the Armed Forces continue to strengthen their role in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and resilience-building efforts, contributing to national preparedness and security in the face of evolving threats, including climate-related risks.

Hon. Alfredo Matugas Coro II is the Municipal Mayor of Del Carmen, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, recognized for championing environmentally balanced and community-based development. He previously served the municipality for nine years as mayor and three years as vice mayor, leading initiatives that strengthened environmental protection, sustainable tourism, and local livelihoods. Under his leadership, Del Carmen and the surrounding areas of Siargao Island gained recognition from national and international organizations for innovative and sustainable governance practices. Mayor Coro has received several distinctions, including the 2024 Asian Institute of Management Bridging Leadership Award and the 2018 Galing Pook Award for Public Service Innovation. He is also a recipient of the Seal of Good Local Governance. Above all, he proudly identifies as a father first and a dedicated public servant.

Helen Biangalen-Magata is a member of the Kadaclan Indigenous peoples from Paracelis, Mountain Province. She serves as Communications Officer of Tebtebba, an NGO dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples. Over the past decade, she has worked in research, education, and communications focusing on Indigenous peoples’ rights, climate change, community development, and climate finance. Her work includes supporting advocacy efforts that elevate Indigenous perspectives in climate policy and development initiatives. Helen holds a master’s degree in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines Open University. She is currently part of an Indigenous peoples’ team advocating for stronger recognition of Indigenous rights within global climate finance mechanisms, particularly in engagement with the Green Climate Fund.

Katherine Custodio has served as Executive Director of WWF-Philippines since 2020, bringing over a decade of experience within the WWF Network. Prior to this role, she led the WWF Asia Pacific Growth Strategy (APGS), a regional program focused on expanding WWF’s reach and investments across Asia Pacific. During her tenure, she secured new partnerships and significantly increased funding for conservation programs across the region. Custodio first joined WWF-Philippines in 2008, making her current role a meaningful return to her roots. As Executive Director, she is committed to scaling WWF-Philippines’ impact by engaging millions of Filipinos in conservation efforts and advancing solutions that enable people to work with nature, helping set the country’s natural environment on a path toward recovery.

Hon. Trina Alejandra Que Firmalo-Fabic is a Filipino politician serving as Governor of Romblon since June 30, 2025, and the first woman elected to the post. She previously served three consecutive terms as Mayor of Odiongan from 2016 to 2025. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of the Philippines, graduating magna cum laude, and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University, specializing in International Development. A PRC-licensed environmental planner, she has held key government roles, including chief of staff in the Romblon provincial government and political affairs officer in the House of Representatives. Her work focuses on local development, governance, and public service.