Protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity are central to the sustainable future of port cities. This session will present strategies, partnerships, and innovations aimed at safeguarding ecosystems while enabling responsible economic activity.
Irina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Philology and Literature by Latvian State University; and M.D. in Translation & Interpretation, Faculty of Humanities, by University of Vigo, Spain. Since 1998, she has been working for the Freeport of Riga Authority (Latvia) in the same position as today being responsible for maintaining and fostering corporate long term relationships with international governmental state and municipal entities, port of Riga sister ports, international port organizations, foreign embassies located in Latvia.
She is also in charge of receiving foreign business commercial delegations and port trade promoting and cultural events organization. She serves for many years as an Alternative Director for Latvia in International Association of Ports and harbours (IAPH) and as a member of General Assembly for Latvia in European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO).
A member of the Inspectorate General of Finance (IGF) since 2004, Mr Ghanimi has contributed to the development of numerous ambitious regional planning projects combining housing, sustainable tourism, education and health. Under his leadership, Marchica Med launched calls for projects in 2025, mobilising 1.4 billion dirhams (around 130 million euros) to transform the region. A strategist for regional development and a fervent advocate of local innovation, he actively contributes to the development of the Marchica model, including internationally via the Marchica Med Africa subsidiary.
Mr. Sylvestre BADOU holds a PhD from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, specializing in Genetics and Molecular Biology, with honors in genetic diversity of populations, community ecology, and detection of zoonotic pathogens in invasive and native micromammals at the port of Cotonou. Dr. BADOU's expertise enables him to contribute to issues related to invasion and population biology, the ecology of invasive alien species communities, and their pathogens with high zoonotic potential that may impact biodiversity (food security). Since December 2021, Mr. BADOU has been a postdoctoral researcher at the Port of Cotonou Environmental Monitoring Platform, where he is responsible for monitoring the introduction of new invasive exotic rodents by sea and managing rodents that are already established. He is also involved in supporting control campaigns (deratization) and assessing resistance linked to the use of chemical anticoagulants.
Vincent Lee, PE, LEED AP, ENV SP is a Principal at Arup with over 25 years of experience in coastal resilience, green infrastructure, and integrated water management. Vincent is also a faculty member at Cooper Union where he teaches Resilience Civil Infrastructure and Green Sustainable Cities. A recognized leader in resilient design, Vincent has applied his civil engineering expertise across a wide spectrum of projects, from policy development to construction, addressing climate hazards and translating them into actionable resilience and adaptation strategies. His portfolio or work includes high-impact resilience implementation in the New York metropolitan area in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Beyond New York, Vincent is delivering waterfront resilience planning and implementation in cities including Boston, Cleveland, Providence, Miami Beach, San Francisco and Vancouver. Whether advancing nature-based solutions for water management in New York City or leading a community-driven initiative in Cleveland that uses dredged material to create up to 150 acres of new parkland along the East Side lakefront, Vincent continues to champion innovative, equitable, and climate-resilient infrastructure across urban landscapes.
