Andrea Zanon
Bio
Andrea Zanon is an international sustainable development and empowerment specialist who has dedicated his life to reducing poverty, promoting sustainability and empowering ambitious people
Stories (183/0)
What Is the Climate Summit COP28? Why does it matter? And what is the United Arab Emirates objective?
The Climate Conference of the Parties (COP) is the most prominent annual summit which is organized by the United Nations under the leadership of a rotating selected country. Last year it was organized by Egypt, and the previous by the UK. The conference has been held annually since the first United National climate agreement in 1992. This summit is used by governments and other key stakeholders to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts caused by climate change and variability. One of the most important recent COP summits was the COP15 that was held in Paris in 2015 and which resulted in the Paris Climate Agreements. This is a legally binding agreement with the overarching goal to limit the increase in the global average temperature to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and promote investment to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This general movement is now captured by a relatively new trend called Net-Zero.
By Andrea Zanon10 months ago in Earth
The Powerful GCC Country of Qatar continues to dominate the markets
Slightly smaller than Connecticut, the Qatar peninsula is a member of the 6 countries Gulf Cooperation Council and is about 100 miles (160 km) from north to south, 50 miles (80 km) from east to west. It shares a border with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It has a population of 2.8 million, 88% of which is foreign workers. Islam is the official religion, and Qataris are largely Sunni Muslims (Wahabi). Qataris are known for practicing a softer form of Wahhabism as compared to Saudi Arabia. Qatar controls 14 % of global gas reserves and its offshore North Field is one of the largest gas fields in the world. In 2021, Qatar was the third-largest natural gas exporter and the second-largest exporter of LNG in the world. Qatar is ruled by a hereditary Emir from the Al Thani Members of the ruling family who controls almost all the major ministerial posts, which are appointed by the emir. The main investment body is Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) which is a Sovereign Wealth Fund with $475 billion AUM. The 10th largest in the world.
By Andrea Zanon11 months ago in Motivation
Arab Women entrepreneurs on the rise: Follow the money
As I started working on women entrepreneurship in 2011, I was fortunate to work with formidable Arab women entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It was thanks to these women who met between Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon, Djibouti, and Egypt that I was able to bring different partners together and launch the first MENA women entrepreneur investment program. I did that as the World Bank resilience regional coordinator. The program was challenged in Washington as it moved away from the traditional analytical and lending operational work that the World Bank promoted. However, by 2014 it had become a multi-million-dollar women focused investment program and an institutional example of how Public Private Partnership (PPP) can empower women entrepreneurs, create jobs, and economic resilience.
By Andrea Zanon11 months ago in Motivation
The Largest Development Bank selects Wall Street CEO to address climate and sustainable development
As Ajay Banga, a former Wall Street CEO, was chosen as the World Bank’s new President, it will be interesting to learn more about the implications for such a bold move and what it means for climate finance moving forward. Banga begins his five-year term on June 2, 2023.
By Andrea Zanon11 months ago in Earth
The World Bank choses a Wallstreet CEO to address climate and development challenges
As we learn that Ajay Banga, the former CEO of Mastercard was chosen as the World Bank new President, it will be interesting to learn more about the process for this selection as well as the positive implications for such a bold move. The Bank’s President (this is what practitioners call the Bretton Woods Organization) is chosen by the United States which is the Bretton Woods largest shareholder, while the Bank’s sister organization, the IMF is normally led by a European Managing Director. The second largest shareholder is Europe followed by China.
By Andrea Zanon11 months ago in Earth
Lessons From Berkshire Warren Buffett 2023 Shareholder's Meeting: Do What You Are Good At, Remove Toxic People And Be Kind
As I arrived in Omaha on May 4th to attend Warren Buffett Berkshire & Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) shareholders' meeting, my 7th attendance, I realized something was different this year. The crowd was larger as the travelling restriction from Covid disappeared. There was also a generally positive atmosphere all around. Thousands of newcomers joined the meeting as they believe we are approaching the end of the Warren Buffett and Charlie Monger era. The two billionaire investors are respectively 92 and 99 years old.
By Andrea Zanon12 months ago in Motivation
Warren Buffett shareholders meetings: More economic and financial pain ahead
Over 40000 people gathered in Omaha, Nebraska between May 4-6 for the Berkshire and Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting. This summit is also known as the Woodstock of capitalism. Investors, family offices, hedge funds leaders gather at this event and host private meetings to share insights on investments and the future of the economy. Warren Buffett, and Charlie Monger the leaders of Berkshire are respectively 92 and 99 years old are two of the wealthiest men in the world worth over $100 billion each. Among the corporate celebrities attending this year's shareholder's meeting were Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, as well as Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple.
By Andrea Zanon12 months ago in Motivation
Empowering Global Communities to Make Better Decisions for Success and More Impactful Living
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Magazine, Andrea shared his professional journey, the mission and vision behind Confidente, inspiration behind starting We Empower Cities (WEC) acceleration program, personal role model, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
By Andrea Zanon12 months ago in Interview
Saudi Arabia continues to use the ongoing market turmoil to its advantage
Saudi Arabia was one of the fastest growing economies in 2022 breaking the GDP $1 trillion dollars record. According to Saudi’s statistics the Kingdom’s economy rose at 8,7% in 2022, faster than any G7 or G20 countries. Oil and gas activities remained the biggest sector contributing to 33% of GDP, while government services followed at 14.2%. Saudi Aramco, the Kingdom controlled oil company, registered a profit of USD 48.4 billion (up 90% from 2021) for the second quarter of 2022. Bloomberg reported that this was “the biggest quarterly adjusted profit of any listed company.”
By Andrea Zanonabout a year ago in Trader
Fund-Raising for Startups Just Became Tougher. Time For Entrepreneurs to Shift Gear!
With 25 years of entrepreneurship, operations, sustainability and technology experience, Andrea brings a hands-on approach to partnering with investors, corporate boards, management, to create accelerated returns, resilient investment, and market leadership. Andrea specializes in Resilience, Investment Promotion, and Women Entrepreneurship. Andrea was the Risk Management Coordinator for the World Bank in the Middle East for 8 years. Andrea continues to advise International Financial Institutions, and entrepreneurs on clean tech, sustainability, impact investments. Andrea is a Science and Foreign Policy Graduate from Georgetown University and has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Foreign Languages from Bologna University.
By Andrea Zanonabout a year ago in Motivation