Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation
This session uncovers fascinating lessons learned from four young pioneers in the ecological world. From indigenous wetlands, polar expeditions, ocean cleanliness and water wastage in restaurants in a major city, a new generation is rewriting what climate action can look like, and crucially, who leads it. This intimate dialogue will explore not just how they achieved this, but how we can build the framework, community and ambition to continue this work for generations to come.
Speakers
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Thamires PontesFounder & CEOThamires Pontes
Founder & CEO
Thamires Pontes is the Founder & CEO of Phycolabs, a pioneering Brazilian startup developing seaweed-based textile fibers to decarbonize and transform the fashion industry. Born and raised in Brazil’s Northeast, her connection to the ocean shaped her academic and professional path. With over a decade of experience in the textile sector (fabric importation, trend research, and material innovation), she majored in Fashion Design and has a Master's Degree in Textile and Fashion. Her research revealed the untapped potential of seaweed as a sustainable fiber. This insight became the foundation of Phycolabs in 2022 and redirected her career toward biotechnology and ocean-based climate solutions. Under her leadership, Phycolabs advances regenerative materials derived from seaweed biodiversity and collaborates with coastal communities to build ethical, traceable supply chains. Her work has gained international recognition, including the Global Change Award from the H&M Foundation (2023), the Unlock Her Future Prize from The Bicester Collection (2024), and the Women of the Year in Science Award from Glamour Magazine (2024). She has been nominated four times for the Earthshot Prize (2025), and was one of the winners of the 929 Challenge in Macau (2025). She is an Ecopreneur at Sustainable Ocean Alliance and a fellow of the Women in Ocean Food program, reinforcing her commitment to ocean-positive innovation.
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Dayana Blanco QuirogaIndigenous regeneration leader and founder of the Uru Uru TeamDayana Blanco Quiroga
Indigenous regeneration leader and founder of the Uru Uru Team
Dayana Blanco Quiroga is an Indigenous regeneration leader from Bolivia and founder of the Uru Uru Team, a community-led initiative restoring Lake Uru Uru through ancestral wetland knowledge combined with science-based ecosystem repair. Raised in the Vito community, she learned from her grandparents that water, land, and identity are inseparable parts of a living system. This worldview guides her work to regenerate contaminated high-altitude wetlands using native aquatic plants, particularly Totoras, as a nature-based solution for climate resilience. Under her leadership, the Uru Uru Team has achieved measurable impact, documenting up to 30% reduction in water pollution levels in pilot restoration zones through phytoremediation and community-led monitoring. She mobilizes seven Indigenous communities, training women and youth in ecological restoration, water-quality data collection, and intergenerational environmental education rooted in culture. Her work bridges scientific evidence with ancestral knowledge, demonstrating that effective sustainability solutions must be both ecological and cultural. By restoring wetlands while strengthening Indigenous identity, language, and stewardship, she represents a new generation of Indigenous climate leaders committed to scalable regeneration and global collaboration.