AmCham Slovakia

Welcome to ESG Day at our Policy Festival, where we explore how emerging megatrends are shaping our sustainable future. Today’s agenda is designed to align with the overarching themes of the festival, diving deep into the intersection of environmental, social, and governance issues. From groundbreaking green strategies and the latest in sustainable finance to the transformative power of space technology, our sessions are crafted to inspire innovative solutions and actionable insights.

Engage with experts, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and brainstorm new ideas as we collectively navigate the challenges and opportunities of our evolving world. 

Let’s chart a course toward a more sustainable and resilient future together! 

AGENDA

9:30 – Registration and Networking / Connecting Minds, Forging Futures

10:00 – Opening of the ESG Day / Pioneering Pathways in Sustainable Future

10:20 – Balancing Act: Advancing the Green Deal alongside Industrial Development /Panel Discussion: Navigating Sustainability and Industry in Harmony

11:00 – Future of Finance: Green Strategies from CITI and Wolf Theiss /Conversation: Innovative Finance for a Sustainable Tomorrow

11:30 – Lunch Break

12:15 - Keynote Speech

13:00 – Data in Orbit: Advancing Sustainability through Space Technology and AI /Expert Talk: Reaching New Heights with Space Tech and software solutions

13:30 – Ideation Sessions: Thematic Brainstorming Workshops /Workshops: Collaborative Innovation for Practical ESG Solutions

• Power Purchase Agreement Contracts
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Supply Chain
• Reporting 
• Real Estate 
• ESG Communication 

The ESG Conference will be moderated by:

14:30 – Coffee Break  /We invite you to take a coffee break now. This isn't just a pause—it's a prelude to something special.

After the break, join us for the Slovak premiere of the acclaimed documentary Beyond Zero, followed by an intriguing panel discussion. It’s an inspiring exploration of sustainability you won't want to miss.

Find out more and register also to the “BEYOND ZERO” movie screening and Panel Discussion

SPEAKERS BIOs (in alphabetical order)

SEVIM AKTAS - Sevim Aktas is a policy officer at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action. She founded EU Green Deal Brief, an Instagram account with 29k followers, to provide accessible and engaging briefings on EU energy and climate topics, as well as career tips for aspiring sustainability professionals. Sevim holds a degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Twente and the University of Oxford. She was born in the Netherlands, grew up in Germany, and is of Turkish descent.

JASON CHANNELL - Jason Channell is the Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance at Citi Global Insights, offering thought leadership across Citi's client base. Since joining Citi in 2011, he built and led the globally top-ranked ESG team. With a career spanning over 30 years, Jason has advised CEOs and national policymakers on sustainability and finance, presenting to organizations like the IMF, World Bank, and UN. His publications cover the UN Sustainable Development Goals and technical aspects of sustainability, and he frequently delivers guest lectures at academic institutions. Jason holds a degree in Engineering Science and Management from the University of Durham.

LAWRENCE M. KRAUSS - Lawrence Krauss is an internationally renowned theoretical physicist, bestselling author, and acclaimed lecturer. He has contributed significantly to both science and public understanding of science through his numerous books, including "The Physics of Star Trek" and "A Universe from Nothing," and his role in proposing that most of the universe's energy resides in empty space, a prediction confirmed and awarded the Nobel Prize in 2011. Krauss has held prestigious academic positions, notably as Ambrose Swasey Professor at Case Western Reserve University and Inaugural Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University. He is currently President of The Origins Project Foundation and hosts The Origins Podcast, engaging with prominent figures from various fields.

RUDOLF PFEFFER - Rudolf Pfeffer leads the Banking and Finance practice at Wolf Theiss Bratislava, specializing in banking, finance, and capital markets. Renowned for his expertise, Rudolf provides comprehensive counsel on regulatory and transactional matters, including ESG-linked financings and bond issuances. His track record includes successful mandates in leveraged finance, real estate finance, project finance, acquisition finance, and corporate lending. Additionally, he has advised on loan portfolio disposals, aircraft finance, and restructuring, and possesses significant experience in the (re)insurance sector's regulatory and compliance matters.

LUKE THOMPSON - Luke Thompson leads the Regional Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) Hub Office at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, coordinating ESTH initiatives across 24 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. Before this role, he headed the Forests and Genetic Resources Division at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Oceans, Environmental and Scientific Affairs, managing global initiatives on forest and natural resource management. With over a decade of experience in the State Department’s OES bureau, he has expertise in environmental policy, conservation, remote sensing, climate change, and international health. Luke holds dual master’s degrees in International Relations and Environmental Policy from Boston University.