Dr George Carter is a Research Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University (ANU). He is also the Director for the ANU Pacific Institute a large network hub of scholars in the university - connecting and promoting Pacific research, teaching and training at the university.
The broad focus of George’s research interest explores Pacific island peoples’ and states influence and agency in international and regional politics. His research interests explore international politics of (negotiations, security, gender, finance, justice, science and traditional knowledge) climate change, geopolitics and regionalism(s), as well as the foreign policy and diplomacies of small island states in the Pacific. Furthermore, he is interested in indigenous philosophy and non-western international relations that focus on the longstanding history, practices, protocols and principles of Pacific political communities, contributing to Oceanic Diplomacy.
He has undertaken research in multilateral forums including climate change, security, ocean, sustainable development negotiations, as well as in regional organisations and national governments across the Pacific. George teaches university and executive courses in international relations, diplomacy, security, environment and climate change, policy, cultural communication, and Pacific studies.
His research and teaching interests are informed by his education, work experience in the Pacific and upbringing through his proud Samoan Tuvaluan, i-Kiribati, Chinese, British ancestry. He serves his family and communities in Samoa, where he holds the matai/chiefly title of Salā.
Krishneil Narayan is a sustainable development professional with an economic, environmental and social change experience of 15 years. He is the Executive Director at Sustainable Future Consultancy specializing in sustainable development, climate change, security, youth development, education, disaster risk management, gender, social, economic and environmental project design, preparation, implementation and evaluation.
Krishneil is an experienced climate change negotiator at the United Nations where he has championed the priorities of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) for over a decade, contributed to the adoption of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage in 2013, the Paris Agreement in 2015, supported Fiji's COP23 Presidency and was an advisor to the UK Government's COP26 Presidency for the climate adaptation workstream.
He also works as an advisor to the Governments, development agencies, diplomatic missions, NGOs and the private sector to formulate development action plans. Having worked in the public sector, development organizations like the United Nations; and civil society he has extensive knowledge of international, regional and national policy analysis.
Joe is an experienced policy advisor and strategist who has worked on climate issues in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Indo-Pacific since 206. He is currently working on the NZ Emissions Reduction Plan, National Adaptation Plan and advising on mitigation, Article 6 and International Carbon Markets for NZ's Climate Directorate.
His previous work includes providing diplomatic, strategic and technical advice for Pacific leaders at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), providing advice and designing campaign strategies for regional and international civil society organisations (incl. Greenpeace, Caritas, BOGA, Fossil Fuel Treaty), and helping clients achieve their strategic objectives through cross-sector engagement and partnerships.
Joe is a Samoan and has sound understanding of the cultural nuances required to engage with Pacific leaders and communities and has an extensive professional network among Climate professionals, civil society and community groups which enables him to work collaboratively throughout the region to achieve the objectives of his clients and Government partners.