Gilbert F. Houngbo became the sixth President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on 1 April 2017. He was reappointed for a second term in February 2021. Born and raised in rural Togo, Houngbo has spent more than 30 years working to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people, with extensive experience in political affairs, international development, diplomacy and financial management.

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) since 2009. As Special Advocate, she is a leading global voice on advancing universal access to and responsible usage of affordable, effective and safe financial services for positive outcomes. The UNSGSA raises awareness, serves as a convener, encourages leaders and supports actions to expand financial inclusion at a global and country level, all in close collaboration with partners from the public and private sector.

His Excellency Iván Duque Márquez was born in Bogotá on 1 August 1976. He holds a Law degree from Sergio Arboleda University with a major in Philosophy and Humanities. As a Senator, he successfully brought forward five National Acts: the Orange Law, the Law on Severance Funds, the Law on Defibrillators, the Law on “B-Corporations”, and co-authored the Law that extended maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks. He drafted, submitted and defended the lawsuit against the Legislative Act for Peace, which limited the fast track procedure and allowed Congress to make changes in the implementation of the peace agreements with the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]. On 17 June 2018, Iván Duque was elected President of Colombia for the 2018-2022 constitutional term.

A leading entrepreneur in the Indian Ocean region, President Andry Rajoelina took office as Mayor of Antananarivo in 2007 and headed the Malagasy Government from 2009 to 2014. In 2019, at the age of 44, he was elected President of the Republic and committed to the Emerging Madagascar plan, making sustainable food systems and the preservation of biodiversity national priorities. In 2020, the African Development Bank and the African Union granted him the title of Champion in the fight against malnutrition. In 2021, at COP26 in Glasgow, he advocated strongly for an energy transition in Africa, raising awareness around the effects of climate change on the continent.

Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is the Fijian Attorney-General and Minister Responsible for Climate Change. Since joining the Fijian Government in 2007, Sayed-Khaiyum has spearheaded efforts to modernize Fiji's laws on domestic violence, corporate governance, and the criminal code. Hon Sayed-Khaiyum oversaw the finalization of the Fijian Constitution. He is also a leading advocate for innovative and concessional climate finance for vulnerable countries on the frontline of the climate crisis.

Daniele Franco is the Italian Minister of Economy and Finance since February 2021. He was previously Deputy Governor and Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Italy, State Accountant General at Italy’s Ministry of Economy, and Economic Advisor at the European Commission's Directorate General for Economic Affairs. He holds a Master of Science in Economics, obtained in 1979 from the University of York.

Jeffrey D. Sachs is University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Chair of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission among other roles. Sachs has been Special Advisor to three United Nations Secretaries-General and is an SDG Advocate under Secretary-General António Guterres. Sachs was twice named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential world leaders and has received 38 honorary doctorates. He received the Legion of Honor from France and the Order of the Cross from Estonia.