ICAT Secretariat

Dr. Wuester leads ICAT and directs its day-to-day work based on the Initiative's strategic plan. He manages ICAT’s secretariat and acts as the public face of the Initiative.

Dr. Wuester comes with a rich and longstanding experience in climate change and sustainable development. Prior to joining ICAT, he worked in the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) overseeing the Agency’s work on knowledge, policy, and finance. Previously, Dr. Wuester served the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as Senior Manager at the Interim Secretariat. He also worked in several positions within the United Nations system, as Special Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in several roles in the secretariat of the Convention on Transboundary Air Pollution.

Dr. Wuester holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Munich, where he started his career as assistant professor.

Oleg is Senior Programme Officer and coordinates the development and implementation of  ICAT’s strategies and regional and country projects.

Oleg brings to ICAT hands-on experience in climate finance, MRV, and carbon markets. Prior to ICAT, he managed climate finance accounting and reporting at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Previously Oleg developed the carbon markets regulatory framework at the UNFCCC secretariat and provided climate change consultancy services in Ukraine.

Oleg holds a degree in nuclear engineering from the Ukrainian National Technical University. He is based in ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Celeste is Programme Officer, providing support to ICAT’s country/regional engagement and the ICAT toolbox.

Prior to joining UNOPS, she worked as a Climate Policy Analyst focusing on Latin American countries at Climate Analytics Berlin. Before relocating to Germany, Celeste worked as a coordinator for Paraguay's national GHG inventory with the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme, where her role involved providing support and advice on topics such as transparency negotiations, national communications and BURs, climate policies, and project development.

Celeste holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Asuncion, as well as a master's degree in Environmental Management with a major in Sustainable Development from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Celeste is based in ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Lucia supports the regional climate action transparency hub’s work programme in Central Africa, as well as country projects and the ICAT toolbox.  

Lucia brings to ICAT experience in energy, climate change mitigation, and climate policy. Previously, she managed the UK Embassy’s portfolio of sustainable energy projects in Mexico. She also supported UNDP’s climate change and energy agenda for the Latin America and Caribbean region and contributed with the Inter-American Development Bank’s Energy Division.  

Lucia holds a degree in chemical engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico and a Master’s in environmental engineering from the University of Queensland in Australia.

She is based in ICAT’s office in Bonn, Germany.

Hannah is a Climate Change Expert and manages ICAT’s training and capacity development activities, including coordinating the development of the ICAT toolbox.

Before joining ICAT, she worked for UNOPS where she was responsible for coordinating and managing global capacity building and training programmes. She has also worked in academic institutions as a lecturer in climate change and disaster risk reduction, and has worked in various locations in the Asia-Pacific region on climate change, disaster risk reduction and adaptation programmes.

Hannah holds a PhD in Development Studies and is based out of ICAT’s Copenhagen office in Denmark.

Sarah is a Project Officer of ICAT, managing grant and procurement operations as well as ICAT's M&E framework.

Prior to ICAT, Sarah has worked with project and information management, coordination and logistics in the humanitarian/development sector.

Sarah is based in UNOPS offices in the UNCity in Copenhagen.

Lauren is ICAT's Project Support Officer and supports grant operations as well as managing ICAT’s M&E framework.

Prior to ICAT, Lauren worked as a teaching assistant at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, where she completed her Master of Environmental and Sustainability Science.

Lauren is based out of the UN City, Copenhagen.

Teresa has joined ICAT to support in the areas of grant administration, procurement and general administration.

Prior to joining ICAT, Teresa has worked as an Administrative and Operations Coordinator in two different UN Peacekeeping missions, where she was responsible for monitoring and reporting on operational processes and targets related to Supply Chain and Performance Management. She further has worked on projects focused on facilitating cooperation between private and public stakeholders.

Teresa holds Bachelor’s degrees in Geography and Anthropology and in Business Administration. She is based in the ICAT office in Bonn.

Mario is ICAT’s Project Management Support Associate,  providing administrative, logistical, office management and research support to the ICAT secretariat. He liaises with internal and external stakeholders and coordinates ICAT meetings, working groups and networks.

Mario holds an MSc in Climate Change, Development and Policy. Prior to joining ICAT, Mario worked as a Senior Institutional Funding Advisor in the NGO sector where he was responsible for business development and strategic partnership building to advance inclusive international collaboration projects.

Mario is based out of ICAT's office in Bonn, Germany.

Sammy Mwiti brings a rich blend of journalism, strategic communications, and international development experience to his role as Senior Adviser for Climate Transparency and Communications. A former feature writer and Sunday columnist for The Standard newspaper in Kenya, he has since worked extensively with the United Nations in Timor-Leste, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Sammy has also led national advocacy efforts as Kenya Country Campaign Manager for Power for All, and has supported climate policy work as a consultant with the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP CCC). He holds a graduate degree from the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.

Sammy is currently based at ICAT’s office in Bonn, Germany.

Eleni is Communications Officer, supporting ICAT's communications and outreach activities.

Prior to joining ICAT, Eleni worked in project support and communications roles for UNOPS and the European Parliament.

Eleni holds Masters degrees in International Law and Development Studies. She is based out of ICAT’s Bonn office in Germany.

Emilia is a Climate Change Intern in the ICAT Secretariat, providing support to ICAT's country and regional engagement. 

Prior to joining ICAT, Emilia contributed to the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean in Kingston, Jamaica, where she supported projects in the culture sector aimed at fostering economic, human, and social development across the region. She has also gained experience with a non-profit policy organization and the State Chancellery of Saxony in Germany. 

Emilia holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Social Sciences from the University of Erfurt. 

She is based out of ICAT's offices in Bonn, Germany.

Chiara Galioto is a Project Management Intern, providing support to ICAT's Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Uptake (MELU) framework.

Chiara has experience in supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation projects and research specifically in the urban sector. She has supported municipalities and regions, as well as the European Commission, providing scientific support to track the advancement of climate action.

Chiara holds an MSc in Engineering in Urban, Energy and Environmental Planning, with a specialisation in Cities and Sustainability from Aalborg University (Denmark). She is based at UNOPS offices in the UNCity in Copenhagen.