Climate Crossroads - From Forests and Food Systems to Finance and Carbon Markets
Join global experts, policymakers, and innovators on September 22, 2025, for a dynamic, full-day in-person event at NYU Wagner, exploring how smallholder empowerment, regenerative agriculture, and circular economy solutions can drive climate resilience and sustainable development. Hosted by O Mundo Que Queremos, ECCON Soluções Ambientais, and NYU Wagner SI3, the program will feature six thought-provoking panels tackling critical issues like agri-finance innovation, forest-friendly economies, and perennial carbon solutions. With voices from the Global South and a strong focus on policy and practice, this event offers actionable insights for a regenerative, equitable future. Speakers to be announced soon.
Registration is required. Non-NYU guests will need to present a valid ID for building entry
PROGRAM
Opening remarks
8:40 - 8:50 - Alexandre Mansur - Project Director at OMQQ
8:50 - 9:00 - Yuri Rugai Marinho- CEO of ECCON Soluções Ambientais
Panel 1: Smallholders and Food Systems at the Core: Policy Pathways for Adaptation and Resilient Agriculture
How public policies can drive the transformation toward resilient food systems by empowering smallholder and family farmers. It will highlight the role of climate-smart innovations, regenerative practices such as agroecology and agroforestry, and strategies for sustainable soil and biodiversity management.
Time: 9h - 10h30
Speakers:
- Rodrigo Kiko Afonso - Ação da Cidadania
- Dane McQueen - Special Advisor of Gates Foundation
- Asma Lateef - Chief of Policy and Advocacy Impact no SDG2 Advocacy Hub
Moderator:
- Natalie Hoover - Program Director at Climate Policy Initiative
Panel 2: Funding mechanisms and innovative financial instruments to accelerate sustainable transitions
Discussing funding mechanisms, investment flows, and innovative financial instruments to accelerate sustainable transitions in emerging economies.
Time: 10h40 - 12h00
Speakers:
- Cristina Fróes de Borja Reis - Deputy Secretary for Sustainable Economic Development at the Ministry of Finance
- André Rodrigues de Aquino - Head of the Special Economic Advisory Office at the Ministry of the Environment
- Rodrigo Lauria - Director of Climate Change and Carbon at Vale
- Bruno Laskowsky - Partner and Managing Director of Yvy Capital
Moderator:
- Maria Netto - iCS
Panel 3 - How tropical countries can lead the transition to regenerative agriculture worldwide
A view of how regenerative tropical agriculture can transform production systems, enhance climate resilience, and create new opportunities for Global South countries to lead in shaping a sustainable and equitable global agri-food economy.
Time: 12h10 - 13h20
Speakers:
- Carolle Alarcon - Executive Manager at the Brazilian Coalition on Climate, Forests and Agriculture
- Eduardo Bastos - CEO of Instituto Equilíbrio
- Marcelo Morandi - Head of International Relations Office of Embrapa
Moderator:
- Thais Ferraz - iCS
*Lunch boxes will be served to registered participants.
13h30 - 14h - Opening remarks for afternoon session
Shirin Pakfar-Friborg - Chief of Section, Private Partnerships and Philanthropy at UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
Panel 4 – Opportunities to decarbonize the economy through adequate waste and resources management
By transforming waste into a valuable resource through circular economy strategies, efficient recycling systems, and innovative resource management, we can unlock significant emissions reductions, conserve natural resources, and foster new green economic opportunities.
Time: 14h - 15h20
Speakers:
- Fabricio Soler - Partner of S2F Partners
- Fernando Bernardes - Operation Director of Central de Custódia
- Dione Manetti - CEO of Pragma Soluções Sustentáveis
Moderator:
- Carlos Silva Filho - UN Advisory Board on ZeroWaste
Panel 5 – Brazil’s Climate and Nature Solutions
This event aims to explore how consolidated and scalable nature and climate solutions can serve as levers to advance the global climate agenda. The discussion will focus on how these solutions—ranging from agriculture and forests to carbon markets and critical minerals—can highlight the political and strategic value of bringing concrete solutions to the forefront of climate debates.
Time: 15h30 - 16h50
Speakers:
- Rafaela Guedes - Senior Fellow at the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Marcelo Furtado - Executive Director of Itaúsa Institute and Head of Sustainability at Itaúsa.
- Denis Minev, COP30 Envoy on the Amazonian Private Sector
- Marcelo Behar - COP30 Special Envoy for Bioeconomy
- Surabi Menon - Vice President, Global Insights & Action, ClimateWorks Foundation
Moderator: Renata Piazzon - Arapyaú Institute
Panel 6 – How to harvest perennial carbon from perennial crops?
The panel will explore the technical, scientific, and market-related experiences of the companies and speakers involving agriculture, Payment for Environmental Services (PES), and Citrosuco’s practical application of the PSA Carbon Agro Perennial methodology for generating carbon credits.
Time: 17h - 18h20
Speakers:
- Mario Melo - Carbon Business Coordinator
- David Canassa - CEO of Reservas Votorantin
- Rubens Filho - Executive Manager of Environment, UN Global Compact Network Brazil
Moderator: Marcelo Stabile - Carbon Manager and Partner, ECCON Soluções Ambientais