3rd MCAP Annual Convening
Los Angeles, California, April 14-17, 2026
On April 14-17, 2026, the Government of California, led by the California Natural Resources Agency, and the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership (MCAP) Secretariat host the third annual convening of fellow subnational government leaders in Los Angeles, California to showcase achievements through engaging discussions and compelling tours, bringing solutions to life and turning urgency into action. The Partnership’s annual in person gatherings have repeatedly proved essential for the work member regions do together by allowing global leaders to come together in person to showcase progress, advance pathways for collective climate action across Mediterranean regions, and increase the Partnership’s momentum in the face of intensifying climate impacts.
About the 2026 Annual Convening
-
The 2026 Annual Convening will take place in Los Angeles and is co-hosted by the California Natural Resources Agency.
See below to learn more about California, Los Angeles, and relevant background to know before the meeting.
-
MCAP as a Global Leader: MCAP is emerging as a model for regional climate collaboration— to advance real tangible projects on the ground and offer a conducive platform for cross regional collaboration.
Concrete Projects, Real Impact: Member-driven sprint projects are delivering results, building resilience, and unlocking pathways for scale and replication.
United Membership, Stronger Together: Trusted relationships and cross-regional collaboration are powering a shared voice and joint action across diverse geographies.
Compelling Stories that Attract Investment: Tangible success stories—framed through community impact— can help MCAP regions mobilize climate finance. MCAP will uplift at the center of its work - equity, economic impact, and opportunity, helping resonate with funders, policymakers, and the public.
Year-Round Visibility & Engagement: MCAP is prioritizing global events like COP30 and digital platforms for continuous storytelling, amplifying the voice of regions and local leaders, and articulating the needs of mediterranean regions.
Tools and Support for All Members: Investments in shared communication tools, branding, and capacity support will ensure all regions—especially under-resourced ones—can fully participate.
Community-Centered Outcomes: MCAP will work to integrate and elevate local voices, champions civil society and youth, and demonstrates climate resilience where it matters most—on the ground.
-
MCAP member regions seek to speak with a common voice and collaborate on joint projects, demonstrating concrete examples of successful, cross-regional initiatives.
Success will look like the development of a true Community of Practice where members share and co-create solutions, building trusted relationships for collaboration and response.
Ultimately, MCAP strives to become a globally recognized thought leader and model network, valued by other governments, and external stakeholders, including governments, and international funders, understand and promote MCAP’s approach.
The takeaways from MCAP’s second Annual Convening reflect a vision where MCAP is not just a network but a globally respected, community-grounded engine for regional climate solutions — driven by collaboration, visibility, shared values, and tangible impact.
-
In the final year of MCAP’s first 2024-2026 Action Plan, member regions reflected on challenges and opportunities over the course of the Partnership’s first cycle and highlighted several key takeaways for consideration in planning for the next phase of the work.
In order to distinguish itself, MCAP must remain action-driven by also uplifting practical implementation and delivering tangible results, rather than solely on policy discussion, to strengthen its negotiating position with multilateral organizations.
Build on lessons learned from the Partnership’s first project acceleration effort (the Mini-Sprint) to ensure future collaborations allow for a longer runway, focus on cross-cutting projects, and leverage existing commitments to formulate multi-government projects.
However, it is important to acknowledge that regional governments continue to face significant technical capacity constraints, with saturated teams lacking time for international participation and a general need for increased climate expertise. The primary barrier to implementation continues to be the fragmentation of responsibilities across national, regional, and municipal levels, leading to extensive administrative processes and multiple regulatory hurdles that slow down projects.
The Secretariat should continue to evolve the MCAP Action Index toward the development of a Solutions Bank, building inventory of flagship policies/strategies around MCAP’s three core areas (wildfires, extreme heat, droughts), in order to enable more rapid policy adaptation across regions looking to address common challenges, and easy continuity during political transitions.
The successful transition of the MCAP funding base from exclusively philanthropic sources to include member contributions within two years, signaled investment in the Partnership’s value and impact from member regions.
The Secretariat should also explore collaborations focused topic and geographic approaches designed to leverage existing funding networks and synergistic affiliations.
Convening Agenda
Tuesday, April 14th
Registration & Welcome
Lunch & Welcome Reception
SLS Beverly Hills
Living Labs Site Visit
Extreme Heat
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
Exposition Park
Programming
Extreme Heat Debrief
Welcome Reception
Natural History Museum
Wednesday, April 15th
Living Labs Site Visits
Wildfire
Altadena
Eaton Canyon
Jackson Elementary Green School Program
Member Dinner
SLS Beverly Hills
Thursday, April 16th
Living Labs Site Visits
Drought
Destination Crenshaw
SoFi Stadium Mediterranean Gardens
Hyperion Water Reclamation Center
Lunch
Dulan’s Soulfood
Living Labs Site Visits
Drought
Hyperion Water Reclamation Center
Programming
Opening Plenary
Community Lunch
Alta Loma Park, Altadena
Programming
Wildfire Debrief
Leadership Council Meeting
Programming
Drought Debrief
Closing Dinner & Reception
Friday, April 17th
Programming
Visioning for the Future of MCAP
Breakout Sessions
Project Collaboration + Acceleration
Closing Member Lunch
Programming
Closing Plenary, Reflections & Commitments
Departures
Attendees
Member Regions
-
Governor, Regional Government of Biobío, Chile
-
Director, Division of Regional Planning and Development, Regional Government of BioBio
-
Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency
Wade Crowfoot was appointed California Secretary for Natural Resources by Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2019. Secretary Crowfoot oversees an agency of 19,000 employees charged with protecting and managing California’s diverse resources. As a member of the Governor’s cabinet, he advises the Governor on natural resources and environmental issues.
Crowfoot brings over two decades of public policy and environmental leadership to the office, with expertise in water, fisheries, climate and sustainability issues. He most recently served as chief executive officer of the Water Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropy that builds shared water solutions for communities, economy, and the environment across the American West.
Prior to joining the foundation, Crowfoot served in Governor Jerry Brown’s Administration as deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to the Governor. In that role he led the administration’s drought response efforts and spearheaded several of the Governor’s priority initiatives to build California’s resilience to climate change.
Crowfoot received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996 and earned a master’s degree in public policy from the London School of Economics in 2004, where he graduated with honors.
-
Jenn Phillips serves as Assistant Secretary for Climate Change at the California Natural Resources Agency. She helps lead the Agency’s work on climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and international engagement. She was formerly a senior policy advisor with the U.S. Climate Alliance, where she supported a bipartisan coalition of U.S. states on their resilience and natural and working lands policy priorities. Prior to that, Jenn worked in the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) as a senior scientist on climate and at the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and led OPC’s work on sea level rise. Before moving to California, Jenn was a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow and key staff to the NOAA Administrator in Washington, D.C. She received her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
-
Sonsoles Letang is Director General for Climate Change and Environmental Quality for the Government of Catalonia. She has worked many years in the fight against climate change and for environmental sustainability, in both government institutions and the higher education and academic field. She also co-owns a large horse farm called La Corona Residencia Equina and is an advocate for rural areas and is proud to be part of the agroforestry community.
-
Minister of European Union and Foreign Action of Catalonia
-
Head of the Technical Bureau, Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, Government of Catalonia
-
Head of Planning and Environmental Restoration at the Catalan Water Agency
-
Officer of European Projects, Ministry of Interior's GRAF Wildfire Unit
-
Regional Councilor of the Region of Central Greece
-
Director of the Environment and Spatial Planning Directorate, Region of Central Greece Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning
I am the Head of the General Directorate for Development Plan Environment & Infrastructure of the Region of Central Greece.
-
Governor’s Advisor, EU Programs & International Relations, Regional Government of Central Greece
-
Senior Expert in Ecological Transition and Climate Change, President's Cabinet
Delegate for the Emilia-Romagna region for ecological transition and integrated climate change policies, she is a senior expert with extensive experience in managing projects and programs focused on sustainable development and climate change at international, national, and regional levels. With over 30 years of professional experience, she has actively promoted local economies and facilitated territorial cooperation while implementing and coordinating research activities related to climate change. She has supported numerous public institutions beyond the Emilia-Romagna region, including the Italian Ministry of Environment, the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the National Research Centre, and various private companies. Additionally, she collaborates as a lecturer in several specialized courses and master’s programs organized by universities and environmental agencies. Previously, she performed as the Technical Director at the Regional Development Agency of the Marche Region in Italy.
-
Governor’s Advisor, President's Cabinet
-
Vice President of the Oriental Regional Council, Morocco
-
Vice President, Oriental Regional Council
-
Head of the Department of Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Action, Metropolitan Government of Santiago de Chile
-
Head of the Department of Modernization, Strategic Planning and Management Control, Metropolitan Government of Santiago de Chile
-
Director, Climate Change, Flood Risk and Coast, Department for Environment and Water
Mary-Anne Healy is currently the Director of the Climate Change, Flood Risk & Coast Branch with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) in South Australia. The branch is responsible for leading the South Australian government’s policy and programs to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including supporting the Premier’s Climate Change Council, an independent advisory board.
The branch also coordinates DEW’s role as South Australia’s flood hazard disaster risk reduction leader, and coordinates the State's approach to prevent,prepare for and recover from flood events. The branch leads coastal policy and management, working closely with local governments across the state and supporting the Coast Protection Board in their role assessing development and advising government on planning policy inrelation to coastal management. Previously Mary-Anne worked in National Parks, leading partnerships with non-government and government organizations and connecting people to nature through volunteering, citizen science, and activities in parks. She has led significant environmental strategy and policy projects including the South Australian Nature Conservation Directions Statement. Prior to that Mary-Anne was the Regional Director of the Alinytjara Wilurara (north west) region of South Australia, working with First Nations communities managing natural resources across nearly a quarter of the state. In addition to her professional life, Mary-Anne has a strong background in social and community outcomes, having volunteered for several boards across sport, art, environmental and social enterprise organisations. Mary-Anne is a skilled facilitator and communicator, with extensive experience in strategy and policy, governance and engagement. She also enjoys being in nature and spending time with family and friends (usually involving food and wine!).
-
General Director of Services, Regional Council of Tangier Tetouan Al Hoceima
-
Mission Head, Environment and Sustainable Development/Decentralized Cooperation and Partnerships
Ms. Aya Misbah is an accomplished professional currently serving as Head of Mission at the Regional Council of Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceïma. Based in Tangier, Morocco, Ms. Misbah plays a pivotal role in advancing environmental sustainability, sustainable development, and climate action initiatives within the region.
Ms. Misbah holds a Master's degree in Political Science, specializing in Governance and International Intelligence, from the University of Kehl of Applied Sciences in Germany and the International University of Rabat in Morocco. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations from Mohamed V University in Rabat.
In her current role, Ms. Misbah works closely with the Services of Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as Decentralized Cooperation and Partnership. Her responsibilities include coordinating key projects and initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring the successful implementation of sustainability policies and strategies on the regional level. Her work is crucial in promoting climate action, enhancing regional cooperation, and driving sustainable growth in the region.
Ms. Misbah has made significant contributions to several high-profile projects, including MEDCOP Climate 2023, MENA Climate Week, and preparations for COP28 through the coordination of a series of projetcs and events within the Mediterranean Coalition. Her involvement in these initiatives demonstrates her commitment to addressing climate challenges and promoting sustainable practices on both regional and international stages.
Ms. Misbah's professional background is marked by extensive experience in international cooperation and research. She has previously worked as a Researcher at the Kehl Institute for Applied Research (KIAF) in Germany, contributing to important research on migrant vulnerability in the Mediterranean region. She also gained valuable experience at the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) in Sweden, where she collaborated with international researchers and contributed to scientific publications.
Ms. Misbah's expertise in project management, international relations, and climate policy, combined with her strong academic background, positions her as a key figure in promoting sustainable development and climate action in the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceïma region. Her leadership and vision continue to drive significant contributions to the organizations she serves and the broader community.
-
Head of Department, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
-
Manager, Disaster Risk Reduction
-
Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, Provincial Disaster Management Centre
-
Chief Director, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Partners and Subject Matter Experts
-
Program Director, Wildfire Resilience Initiative and Special Projects
As program director for wildfire and special projects, Genny leads the Wildfire Resilience Initiative and the foundation’s special opportunity grantmaking, to advance outcomes across the foundation's programs. Genny has more than 25 years of experience in the philanthropic and non-profit sectors. She joined the Moore Foundation in 2001. From 2005-2008, she earned master’s degrees in environmental management and international relations from Yale University, with a concentration on integrated conservation and development. Genny returned to Moore in 2008, having served during the intervening years as a summer associate in the David & Lucile Packard Foundation’s Conservation and Science Program and as a research fellow for the Environmental Grantmakers Association. Previously, Genny worked for National Geographic Magazine. She earned her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, with honors.
-
Executive Director, Climate Resolve
Before founding Climate Resolve, Jonathan Parfrey served as a commissioner at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (2008-2013). Jonathan is a member of the LA28 Olympics and Paralympic Games Sustainability Working Group. He is a founder and board member of CicLAvia, the popular street event, as well as a founder of the statewide Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation. He served as director of the GREEN LA Coalition (2007-2011) and as the Los Angeles director of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Physicians for Social Responsibility (1994 to 2007). Prior to that, Jonathan founded and directed the Orange County Catholic Worker (1987-1993).
In 1992, Jonathan received the Paul S. Delp Award for Outstanding Service, Peace, and Social Justice. He was awarded a Durfee Foundation Fellowship (2002), and a Durfee Stanton Fellowship (2010). He is a gubernatorial appointee to the State of California Climate Adaptation Technical Advisory Council (from 2016 to present); an advisory board member to the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation; and an advisory board member to Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL).
In 2003, Jonathan was appointed to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Environmental Policy Team in 2003. In April 2016, he received the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair’s Green Leadership Award.
To see more partners and experts engaged, visit the Living Labs page.
Secretariat
-
Associate Director
Johanna Sutton is an Associate Director at Resilient Cities Catalyst, leading RCC’s work with partner cities on neighborhood-scale climate resilience, extreme heat adaptation, and innovative financing strategies for local governments. She brings over a decade of experience working with city and regional governments across Europe and Australia to address climate risk, economic development, and urban regeneration. Johanna specializes in translating policy into on-the-ground action and building coalitions to deliver climate solutions.
Prior to RCC, Johanna served at the Greater London Authority, where she led key programs in climate adaptation, net zero, and economic development. She designed and launched Future Neighbourhoods 2030, a major initiative supporting communities to address environmental challenges and create good local jobs. She also helped deliver the Mayor’s Business Climate Challenge and supported the development of the London Climate Finance Facility. As advisor to London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Johanna worked on the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone and led policy coordination around the city’s response to the 2022 extreme heat event. She was also lead author of the London Climate Resilience Review (2024), which assessed the city’s readiness for climate impacts and issued 50 recommendations. Following publication, she led work with City Hall and functional bodies to begin implementation, including new budgeting and emergency preparedness efforts.
Johanna holds an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science from Monash University, where she received the Rufus Davis Memorial Prize for Best Honours Thesis in Politics.
-
Senior Advisor to RCC Europe
Konstantina Karydi is an impact oriented professional with international policy and technical experience on urban resilience, climate transformation and change management focusing on solutions to address 21st century risks and challenges. She currently works as Senior Advisor to RCC Europe and serves as advisor and high-level expert for multilateral entities and organisations such as the European Commission, the European Urban Initiative and UNDRR Making Cities Resilient 2030 Campaign Europe and Central Asia.
Previously, she has held positions as Associate Director EME and Climate Transformation Lead for the global 100 Resilient Cities Initiative of the Rockefeller Foundation, Special Advisor on Resilience and Social Security to the Minister of State, at the Greek Prime Minister’s office Alexis Tsipras and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Athens, Giorgos Kaminis, with a focus on the EU Urban Agenda, Strategic Initiatives and City Diplomacy.
Prior, she worked for 10 years in the areas of civic engagement and civil society growth in the Balkans and the Black Sea. She is co-founder of the regional organisation Balkans Beyond Borders (BBB) focusing on Balkan integration and peace-building through culture and more recently of the Climate Change Hub Greece in the context of the regional initiative ‘Resilience and Recovery in Greece and SE Europe’ co-led by RCC. For her work she has been co-recipient of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) civil society prize promoting "Identities, European values and cultural heritage in Europe" and the European Youth Charlemagne Award.
She is an active citizen and volunteer currently helping young leaders to grow and new organisations to increase their impact as advisor and member of the Alumni Board of the European Fund of the Balkans. In her various capacities she has had the opportunity to teach as a guest lecturer in leading global universities such as EPFL, Harvard, LSE, the University of Athens and the University of Jerusalem and to oversee or contribute to the development of key strategic and urban policy initiatives, documents and publications.
Konstantina lives in Athens, Greece speaks Greek, English, French and Spanish and is holder of the Global Executive Masters Degree “Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems” from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the MSc European Public Policy from University College London (UCL) and the BA on European Social and Political Studies undertaken in UCL and Sorbonne Paris IV.
-
Associate Director
Laura Barron is Associate Director with Resilient Cities Catalyst, where she works on the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership (MCAP) program and the California Resilience Project (CRP).
Prior to joining RCC, she was Deputy Director for Climate Resilience & Sustainability for the Clinton Global Initiative where she oversaw their oceans, water and sanitation, urban decarbonization, and disaster preparedness portfolio, working closely with global cross-sector climate actors. Over the last 12 years she has worked in academia and with non-profits on intersectional climate justice and health equity issues, particularly in urban places. Prior to joining the Clinton Foundation, Laura worked on the research and practice side of sustainability at the University of Pennsylvania with their Sustainability Department and the Penn Institute for Urban Research. She also worked for a variety of non-profit organizations addressing urban health and environmental justice issues, including the Reinvestment Fund and Greener Partners in Philadelphia, and The Pratt Center for Community Development, Mobile Kitchen Classroom, and others in New York City.
Laura holds a dual master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology and Spanish from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
-
Program Associate
Mohamed Oday is a Program Associate at Resilient Cities Catalyst, where he supports climate and resilience initiatives through coordination, data management, and stakeholder engagement.
Before joining RCC, Mohamed gained experience across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors at the intersection of climate, energy, and environmental justice. As a Program Officer at Inclusiv, a national nonprofit supporting community development financial institutions, he managed grants, technical deliverables, and training curricula tied to federal clean energy investments. In the private sector, he supported business development for international forest conservation initiatives at Everland LLC. He also served as Operations Manager for the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center, overseeing budgets and conducting research to inform legislative advocacy. In the public sector, Mohamed worked as a Paralegal in the Energy and Environment Bureau of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, leading recruitment and interviews for division staff, streamlining case tracking systems in Excel to improve reporting, and supporting case preparation through court coordination, witness interviews, and record documentation.
Mohamed holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Government and Legal Studies from Bowdoin College. He has also completed specialized training in the Green and Solar Lending Program through the University of New Hampshire's Carsey School of Public Policy.
-
Founding Principal
Sam Carter is a Founding Principal of Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC). In this role, he serves as RCC's lead on climate and urban transformation, and leads several strategic partnerships, including the California Resilience Partnership, through which he also led the San Diego Coastal Exchange and related regional activities. Sam holds an MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management from the Robert F. Wagner School for Public Service at NYU and a BA in Media Ecology from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU.
For questions, please reach out to secrtariat@medclimate.org