Ellen Stofan

Lidia Brito is the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO, where she leads global initiatives promoting scientific collaboration, environmental sustainability, and the integration of science in policy. Ensuring the implementation of the UNESCO’s Policy on Engaging with Indigenous Peoples is part of her mandate. With a background in forestry and a PhD in Forest Sciences from Colorado State University, Brito has a notable history of contributing to science policy and sustainable development. She has held numerous influential roles, including Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Technology in Mozambique, and director of both the UNESCO’s Regional Office for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean and the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa. A strong advocate for youth engagement and the use of science for social inclusion, she has been instrumental in advancing knowledge and policies to address global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.