Empowering the future: Clean energy innovations, regional cooperation and integration, and financing solutions.
2 – 6 June 2025 | ADB Headquarters, Manila
Speakers
ALL SPEAKERS
Madhurima Swaisgood
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Madhurima Swaisgood
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Bio
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Madonna M. Naling
Department of Energy
Madonna M. Naling
Department of Energy
Bio
Ms. Madonna M. Naling has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. She has been with the Philippines Department of Energy since November 1996, initially involved in the tasks concerning the provision of financial benefits to hosts communities of power generating facilities. Currently, she is assigned as the Chief Science Research Specialist of the Power Planning and Development Division of the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau. Her division is in-charge of the preparation of the Power Development Plan, Distribution Development Plan and the Missionary Electrification Development Plan. Further, her division also reviews the Transmission Development Plan prepared by the Transmission Network Provider. Another major deliverables of her division is the issuance of relevant policies and studies relating to ensuring the provision of reliable, stable and affordable supply of electricity in the country and the daily monitoring of the power supply situation in the Philippines.
Margalita Arabidze
Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
Margalita Arabidze
Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
Bio
Margalita Arabidze is a distinguished leader in the energy sector, currently serving as the Head of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policy and Sustainable Development Department at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MoESD). With over two decades of experience in the field, she has been a driving force behind impactful projects and initiatives contributing to the advancement of energy and climate goals.As an associate professor at the Georgian Technical University, Ms. Arabidze combines academic expertise with practical experience. Her current focus includes spearheading efforts on secondary legislation for energy efficiency and renewable energy, contributing to the National Energy Policy, and actively participating in the development of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (NECP). Additionally, she is deeply engaged in Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) initiatives.Ms. Arabidze has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration with local and international stakeholders, including donors, investors, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and various international organizations. Her commitment to international cooperation is evident through her role as the focal person for Georgia in organizations such as IRENA, EnC (Chair of RE Coordination Group), UNECE (vice-chair of EE, RE Working Group), IAEA, and others.Under her leadership, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policy and Sustainable Development Department has achieved significant milestones. Notably, she has overseen the development and adoption of crucial legislation, including Renewable Energy (RE), Energy Efficiency (EE), and Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) laws. Ms. Arabidze has also played a key role in the formulation of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) for 2019-2020.Ms. Arabidze’s influence extends beyond national borders, contributing to Georgia’s integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Her efforts align with the directives outlined in the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union. She actively directs the development and implementation of short, medium, and long-term programs, adhering to international standards and promoting the preferential utilization and development of renewable energies.Moreover, Ms. Arabidze coordinates the Ministry’s actions related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing sustainable development, fossil heating, energy efficiency, climate change, and renewable energies. She plays a crucial role in the preparation of sustainable development strategies, state programs, and supporting legislation, demonstrating her commitment to a green economy.
Maria Carmela Abadeza
Asian Development Bank
Maria Carmela Abadeza
Asian Development Bank
Bio
Carmela has 11 years of private sector experience and transitioned to development work with the World Health Organization. She joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in November 2011 and has supported sovereign operations in South Asia and Southeast Asia for 14 years. Currently, she is with the Energy Sector Office, contributing to policy development, strategy implementation, knowledge management, budget management, project quality assurance, sector analysis, and the administration of loans and technical assistance.
Maria Dona D. Aliboso
Asian Development Bank
Maria Dona D. Aliboso
Asian Development Bank
Bio
Dona is currently an Associate Project Officer in the Energy Sector Office, Sectors Group (SG-ENE) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where she oversees a wide range of responsibilities. Dona provides overall operational backstopping in the form of technical guidance on the application of ADB's operational policies, standards, regulations, and procedures in the processing, administration, and implementation of SG-ENE's various technical assistance (TA) projects. She contributes to the preparation of monitoring and evaluation reports and other project documentation, and serves as a member of mission teams for TA projects or consultative missions. She is the Budget Management focal for SG-ENE, where she is responsible for consolidating sector work plans, determining financial resource requirements, and allocating financial resources to facilitate the efficient operation of SG-ENE activities. Dona is a key member of the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility (CEFPF) Secretariat. The CEFPF is a financial resource to assist developing member countries in enhancing energy security and transitioning to low-carbon solutions through cost-effective investments, particularly in technologies that contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation. Dona serves as the SG-ENE Partnerships focal, supporting partnership engagement with international partner agencies and individual donors. She also functions as the SG-ENE Knowledge Management focal, supporting knowledge programming initiatives through the organization and conduct of various capacity building and knowledge sharing activities at ADB Headquarters and internationally, and contributes to the preparation and development of SG-ENE knowledge products. Before joining ADB, Dona had experience in the private sector, particularly in commercial banking and international trade. Dona holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Development Economics (cum laude) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management (cum laude). Dona also has a Master's degree in Applied Business Economics (with distinction) and has taken Master's level courses in Community Development.
Mark Howells
Imperial College, Loughborough University, Climate Compatible Growth
Mark Howells
Imperial College, Loughborough University, Climate Compatible Growth
Bio
Mark Howells is Professor of Systems Analysis for Sustainable Development at Loughborough University and Principal Research Fellow at Imperial College London, internationally acclaimed for significant contributions to sustainable energy systems analysis, policy development, and strategic planning. With over 167 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 59, he collaborates with prestigious institutions including NASA, Google, the European Commission, the World Bank, United Nations, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, and IIASA. Mark co-developed the groundbreaking Data-to-Deal (D2D) framework, which effectively mobilizes internal capacity to secure substantial climate-transition funding, demonstrated by mobilizing approximately US\$10 billion globally, including US\$2.4 billion for Costa Rica. He champions open-source modeling tools and extensive capacity-building, producing resources downloaded hundreds of thousands of times worldwide. Mark currently directs the UK's £95 million Climate Compatible Growth programme, jointly-directs the £150 million STEER Centre, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Energy Strategy Reviews. His career includes leadership roles at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Recognized through numerous awards and commendations from global leaders, Mark's innovative approaches significantly advance international sustainable development and energy policy implementation.
Mark Lister
Asia Clean Energy Partners
Mark Lister
Asia Clean Energy Partners
Bio
After starting out in corporate finance, Mark specialized in energy efficiency over 20 years ago and has become a leading advocate for expanded energy efficiency deployment. During that time he has been involved with ESCO industry advocacy in Australia, worked on grassroots projects in sub-Saharan Africa, and lectured in postgraduate sustainable energy courses. After a stint with ADB in the Philippines working to facilitate and scale up climate technology investments in Asia-Pacific, Mark led the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency, the global energy efficiency hub of Sustainable Energy for All that aims to double the rate of global energy efficiency improvement by 2030. In 2018 he co-founded Asia Clean Energy Partners, a respected boutique consultancy and advisory business working across Southeast and South Asia, through which he has overseen and contributed to a range of public and private sector initiatives aimed at speeding the energy transition. In January 2020, Mark was appointed Chair of the Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO). Mark has a Master’s Degree in Social Science (Environmental Policy) from RMIT University. He is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Mark W. Menezes
United States Energy Association
Mark W. Menezes
United States Energy Association
Bio
The Honorable Mark W. Menezes is the President and CEO of the United States Energy Association (USEA), representing over 150 members from across the U.S. energy sector. A nationally recognized energy attorney and strategic advisor, Mr. Menezes has held senior roles in both government and industry. He served as Deputy Secretary and previously as Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy, overseeing a $34 billion budget, 120,000 personnel, 17 national laboratories, and major nuclear and environmental programs. He also founded Global Sustainable Energy Advisors LLC and teaches energy law and policy at Georgetown University Law Center. His private-sector experience includes executive roles at Berkshire Hathaway Energy and American Electric Power, and over a decade as partner at Hunton & Williams LLP. On Capitol Hill, he was Chief Counsel for Energy and Environment for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, contributing to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Recognized with numerous honors, including the Secretary of Energy’s Schlesinger Award, he is widely published and admitted to practice law in D.C., Texas, Louisiana, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Menezes holds both undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University.
Martinius Kostveit Hars
Fred. Olsen 1848
Martinius Kostveit Hars
Fred. Olsen 1848
Bio
Martinius joined Fred. Olsen 1848 in November 2022, and are now leading the efforts to commercialize Fred. Olsen 1848's floating solar technology, Brizo. Before joining Fred. Olsen 1848, he held various positions in subsea oil and gas in Aker Solution. Martinius holds a Master´s degree in Finance from BI Norwegian Business School.
Mathieu Geze
HDF Energy
Mathieu Geze
HDF Energy
Bio
Passionate about accelerating the energy transition across Asia-Pacific through green hydrogen and sustainable infrastructure. Leading HDF Energy’s (a developer and investor into infra and power plants) development in APAC, I’ve initiated pioneering projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—supporting policy, infrastructure, and team empowerment across 8 countries.Deeply involved in regional energy strategy, I contribute to global forum, international organizations (ISA, GHIC, Enlit) and collaborate with key stakeholders to shape a net-zero future.
Mats de Ronde
DNV
Mats de Ronde
DNV
Bio
Mats de Ronde is a principal consultant, project manager and team lead with experience across the energy system. His focus area is on the cross-section between technology, economics and policy where he is actively involved in techno-economic analysis, decarbonization roadmapping, feasibility studies and due diligence throughout Europe and Asia. His scope includes assessing the role of wide array of technologies that can support decarbonization, including renewables, hydrogen, storage & CCS in a holistic energy system, combined with a solid understanding of power grids and gas networks to ensure solutions can be implemented. As a consultant and project manager he has been active in supporting developments on the ASEAN Power Grid, including supporting EMA in the technical, commercial and techno-economic evaluation of electrical interconnectors, authoring DNV’s ASEAN Interconnector Study: Taking a regional approach to decarbonization and leading DNV’s work supporting Phase 3 of the ASEAN Interconnector Masterplan Study, with a focus on grid code harmonization and integrated resource & resilience planning. As a manager he heads up the Energy Markets & Strategies team, who deliver services related to market design, future proof energy markets, price forecasting and decarbonization.
Maximilian Heil
CASE, GIZ GmbH
Maximilian Heil
CASE, GIZ GmbH
Bio
Mr. Maximilian Heil is a Project Coordinator at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in the project “Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia” (CASE). Within CASE, he leads coordination of regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid Advancement Programme (APG-AP) and the Southeast Asia Information Platform for the Energy Transition (SIPET). His work focuses on strengthening multilateral energy cooperation, promoting clean energy narratives, and enabling policy dialogue across Southeast Asia.Mr. Heil joined GIZ in 2018 as a liaison officer for Africa–EU Energy Partnership, supporting high-level engagement with the African Union and the European Commission. Before joining GIZ, he worked as a public affairs consultant on EU policy in the fields of energy, climate, and transport.He holds a master’s degree in business economics and development studies with international academic experience in Denmark, Mexico, and Germany. His professional background combines expertise in international energy policy, strategic communication, and project management in multilateral environments.