Financing the City Port ecosystem: new approaches, new challenges.

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November 21, 2025 • 09h00 - 10h00

This plenary session will explore financing mechanisms and strategies that support innovative projects in port cities, highlighting successful models and challenges in mobilizing resources for sustainable development.

Alberto CAPPATO

Direttore Innovazione Sviluppo e Sostenibilità
PORTO ANTICO DI GENOVA SPA.

Alberto Cappato is Director of Innovation, Development and Sustainability in Porto Antico of Genoa (Italy). He holds a PhD in Transport Engineering & Economics and a Degree in Economics and Management.  He is also Vice-President of the IIC-International Institute of Communications and board member of several organisation connected to urban development and tourism. President of the Tourism Committee of Confindustria from 2013 to 2020, mr Cappato has previously worked as a consultant for a number of international organisations, including the OECD and Plan Bleu. He is an expert in Territorial Planning and Development, regional economics, and transport economics. For several year Professor (contractual) at the University of Genoa. He is currently President and CEO of Progetto Santa Margherita, the company that manages the waterfront of Santa Margherita Ligure together with the prestigious Villa Durazzo.

 

Jason H. GIFFEN

Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer
PORT OF SAN DIEGO

Rafal RYBACKI

EIB Representative to the United Nations
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK

EIB Representative to the United Nations

 

Jérôme DE BONTIN

Partner
CAPRICORN INVESTMENT GROUP

Jérôme de Bontin is a Partner and member of the Client Solutions Team. He joined the firm in 2020. Prior to joining the firm full-time, he served as a strategic consultant to Capricorn.

Experience

Previously, Jérôme was President and Chief Executive Officer of Mékar Financial Services, an Asset Management and Investment Advisory firm and its subsidiary Sustainability Investments, L.L.C (SILLC) focusing on ESG investing. Prior to Mékar, Jérôme was President and CEO of Crédit Agricole Futures in Chicago. He started his career with Drexel Burnham Lambert in Chicago. Parallel to his career in finance, Jérôme de Bontin served on the Board of the U.S. Soccer Federation Foundation, was President of AS Monaco FC and General Manager of the New York Red Bulls, and presently serves on the Board of the United Soccer Coaches Foundation and the U.S. Chapter of the Prince Albert II Foundation.

Education

Jérôme graduated from Amherst College in 1981 with a degree in Economics.

Moderator

Géraldine ANDRIEUX

CEO
BLUMORPHO

Location: New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
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