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SPEAKERS: HIGH LEVEL OPENING
Tariye Gbadegesin
Chief Executive Officer
Climate Investment Funds
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Tariye joined CIF in March 2024 as Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to this appointment she was CEO of ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investments a leading Pan-African infrastructure fund investing in energy transition and climate resilient infrastructure. As well as the Co-Chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), an international organization enabling end-to-end high-integrity voluntary carbon markets for climate action.
Tariye has global experience from the International Monetary Fund’s Western Hemisphere Department, the Boston Consulting Group, and Price Waterhouse Coopers. She has served in multiple climate and economic development organizations including as a member of the Climate Policy Initiative’s Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, member of the Infrastructure Advisory Committee for the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI); Member of the African Advisory Board of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ); member of the Board of Advisors - Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy and member of the Advisory Council of the Millenium Challenge Corporation.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Amherst College, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Hon. Matthew Samuda
Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation
Government of Jamaica
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The Honourable Matthew Samuda, M.P. is a dedicated public servant, policymaker, and advocate for sustainable development, currently serving as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation. With a deep commitment to environmental preservation, climate resilience, and economic sustainability, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Jamaica’s policies under his portfolio responsibilities of water, climate change, environment, and the blue and green economy.
His political career is marked by a steadfast dedication to youth empowerment and governance. As a former President of Generation 2000 (G2K), the youth affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party, he championed policies aimed at creating opportunities for young people. His extensive service within the Jamaica Labour Party’s Standing Committee, Central Executive, and Public Relations Committee reflects his deep-rooted commitment to national progress.
Minister Samuda’s expertise in public policy and governance was recognized with his appointment to the Senate, followed by his elevation to the Cabinet of Jamaica, where he continues to shape policies that drive sustainable growth and resilience. In October 2024, Minister Samuda was elected as Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann following a by-election in September, a testament to the people’s confidence in his leadership and vision. Since his election, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to community development, spearheading initiatives in sports, water infrastructure, road rehabilitation, and public works.
Minister Samuda has been a trailblazer in environmental advocacy, championing policies that protect Jamaica’s natural resources. As a founding partner of One Jamaica Recycling, the country’s first full-service recycling company, he spearheaded initiatives that advanced waste management and conservation. His commitment to sustainability was further exemplified in 2016, when he successfully tabled a Private Members’ Motion in Parliament, leading to Jamaica’s historic ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam in 2019.
Despite his busy schedule, this Campionite is currently pursuing his Master of Philosophy in environmental management at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
Dr. Max Puig
Executive Vice-President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (CNCCMDL)
Government of the Dominican Republic
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Dr. Max Puig, sociologist and lawyer, is a prominent figure in Dominican Republic politics and public service. Born in 1946, he earned degrees in Public Law and Sociology (1968), and a PhD in Public Law and Political Science (1970) from the University of Paris. Since 1971, he has been a professor at UASD and has served as Senator (1990–1994), Secretary of State for the European Development Funds (1996–2000), Minister of Environment (2004–2007), and Minister of Labor (2008–2011). Since 2020, he has served as the Executive Vice President of the National Council for Climate Change.
Mark Berman
High Commissioner of Canada
Jamaica and the Bahamas
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Mark Berman was appointed High Commissioner of Canada in Jamaica and the Bahamas in July 2024 with a 3-year mandate. He is also Consul General (with responsibility for trade and consular affairs) for the Turks & Caicos and Cayman Islands. Most recently he served in Georgetown, Guyana, 2021-2024 as the High Commissioner of Canada in Guyana and Ambassador of Canada to Suriname and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Mark joined the Government of Canada in 1990 as adviser to the minister of the environment; he then served as executive assistant to the deputy minister of the environment. In 1993, he joined the UN Environment Program in Nairobi as a legal officer. After 6 years in Nairobi and Geneva, he returned to Canada as a director in the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. He then joined the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 2000 as deputy director for human security and peacebuilding. In 2005, he returned to Environment Canada as director for climate change negotiations. In 2008, he was seconded to CIDA’s Multilateral Branch as acting director general for environmental sustainability and economic growth. In 2009, Mr. Berman joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as executive director for Climate and Energy and Canada’s representative on the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol. He served as executive director for international crime and terrorism in 2012 and was appointed director general for consular policy in 2017.
He has a B.A. (Political Science and International Relations (1982)), and an LLB (1986) from the University of Saskatchewan and an LLM (1989) from the London School of Economics.
Anton Edmunds
General Manager, Caribbean Country Department (CCB)
Inter-American Development Bank
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To his role, Anton Edmunds brings over 25 years of experience, devising solutions to complex challenges and has a track record of success, creating and managing cross-cutting teams in a wide range of areas.
From 2016 to 2021, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of St. Lucia to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). He was also Saint Lucia’s (non-resident) High Commissioner to Canada and (non-resident) Ambassador to Mexico. Ambassador Edmunds was the Chair of the Caribbean Caucus of Ambassadors Congressional and Administration Committee - leading the effort to secure the 2020 renewal of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act.
Prior to taking up his appointments, Anton worked in the private sector, providing advisory services to governments, businesses, and associations with interests in the Caribbean Basin region. Areas of focus included energy, competitiveness, maritime security, trade facilitation, financial services, business continuity/disaster responsiveness, and tourism. From 1998 – 2009, Anton worked with Caribbean Central American Action (C-CAA), an independent corporation that promoted private sector-led economic development in the Caribbean & Central America. While at CCAA he was Chief of Party for a successful public/private sector program to protect over US $1billion in trade with Haiti.
Anton has a Bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America and a Master’s Degree from the American University.
Benoît Bosquet (virtual)
Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
World Bank
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Benoît Bosquet is the Regional Practice Director for the Planet Department of the Latin America and Caribbean Region at the World Bank. He previously served in the same capacity for the East Asia and Pacific Region. Prior to this he was Director for the Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice and Practice Manager for Environment and Natural Resources in West and Central Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. He has also led global partnerships for climate change mitigation, including the Prototype Carbon Fund, BioCarbon Fund and Forest Carbon Partnership Facility.
He has lived and worked in Russia and Madagascar, and has 30 years of experience working on natural resources management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and humanitarian relief in developing countries and emerging economies (in Africa, Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America).
Benoît Bosquet is Belgian. He holds an M.A. in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Maryland.
Agenda
Jun 23
Financing Resilience and Nature for the LAC Region
08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Participant Registration
09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
High-Level Opening
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Coffee Break
11:00 AM - 12:30 AM
Learning from over 15 Years of Investing in Resilience and Forests: Evidence from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience and Forest Investment Program
12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch
01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Catalyzing Private Investment for Adaptation, Sustainable Forest Management, and Nature-based Solutions in LAC
03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Coffee Break
03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Lightning Talks: Introduction to the Knowledge Booths
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Knowledge Fair: Showcasing Transformational Work in the Latin America & Caribbean Region
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Jun 24
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Field Visits
Jun 25
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Taking Stock from Country, MDB, and CIF Experience in the LAC Region
Jun 26
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Scaling Action in Resilience, Sustainable Forestry, and Nature-Based-Solutions for the LAC Region
SEE ALSO