Programme | 2026 | Session 1

Financing climate resilience at scale: leadership, partnership, action

09:00 – 10:00
in
The Porter Tun
Plenary
Opening address
A high-level opening plenary setting the summit agenda on how public and private leaders can unlock resilience finance, align incentives and mobilise investment at scale.
Head and shoulders photo of Baroness Chapman.
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Minister of State for Development
UK
Head and shoulders photo of Gedion Timothewos.
H.E. Gedion Timothewos
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Head and shoulders photo of Mehmet Simsek.
H.E. Mehmet Şimşek
Minister of Finance and Treasury
Republic of Türkiye
Head and shoulders photo of Tom Mitchell.
Tom Mitchell
Executive director
International Institute for Environment and Development
Head and shoulders photo of Melinda Bohannan.
Melinda Bohannan
Director general, global issues
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Head and shoulders photo of Faith Ward.
Faith Ward
Chief responsible investment officer
Brunel Pension Partnership
Head and shoulders photo of Linda Freiner.
Linda Freiner
Group chief sustainability officer
Zurich Insurance Group
Head and shoulders photo of Michael Hugman.
Michael Hugman
Managing director
Quadrature Climate Foundation
Head and shoulders photo of Leslie Maasdorp.
Leslie Maasdorp
Chief executive officer
British International Investment

Setting the scene for this year's summit, this high-level plenary will bring together UK and French ministers with leaders from investment, insurance and sub-national governments to set the tone for the day ahead.

Climate resilience is an urgent economic imperative – but also a major investment opportunity. This session will highlight the need to unlock resilience finance by getting incentives right and strengthening partnerships across the financial ecosystem.

Speakers will explore how resilience investment can protect and drive growth, and how public and private actors can work together to mobilise capital at scale.

The plenary will also frame the Presidencies Dialogue, engaging senior technical leaders to advance practical, collaborative solutions.

Session hosts

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)