Meet global business leaders, sustainability experts and catalytic changemakers during this interactive session as we discover how companies are leading the charge towards a resilient, net zero future, while unlocking new investment opportunities and prioritizing climate solutions for all.

From tangible success stories across geographies to new initiatives in value chain management and supplier engagement, this session will showcase practical solutions with game-changing impact.

In this conversation we will invite you to share your insights as we explore effective ways to drive innovation at speed and scale.

Opening Statement by Nigar Arpadarai

Nigar Arpadarai is the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan. Ms. Arpadarai is a member of Azerbaijan’s National Assembly where she serves on the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations and Committee on Family, Women and Children. She has represented Azerbaijan in different international organizations. Ms. Arpadarai studied international law and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Baku State University.

Panellists

Cedric Demeeus, Vice President at Group Public Affairs and Social Impact at Holcim

Ian Simms, Founder & CEO at Impax

Dr. Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of EIT Climate-KIC

Professor Mateus Simões, Vice Governor, Governorate of Minas Gerais, Brasil

Melanie Jamieson, Co-CEO of Leaders’ Quest

Closing Statement by Mateus Simões

Mateus Simões de Almeida is currently Vice Governor of the State. He was Secretary General of the State of Minas Gerais 2020 – 2023. He was a councilor in Belo Horizonte, elected in 2016 by the NOVO party. He is a lawyer, professor of governance at Fundação Dom Cabral and career attorney (licensed) at the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais.