Miguel van der Velden is a sustainability lecturer at the University of Aruba and a programme development specialist and researcher with extensive experience in international environmental governance. His work focuses on advancing innovative solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, with a particular emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Miguel holds a MSc in Cultural Geography with a specialization in Climate Adaptation Governance from the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) and a BA in Sustainability-Society and Journalism from the University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia). He has worked with organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Conservation International, and the Global Environment Facility, where he has led and supported the design and implementation of large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects. These include a multi-million dollar initiative promoting circularity in fashion and construction, and key components of the ISLANDS programme addressing waste management and pollution across 33 SIDS. His work bridges governance, cultural geography, and sustainable development, with a strong record of building partnerships among governments, the private sector, and civil society. Miguel has published widely on issues ranging from sustainable tourism and blue economy transitions to chemical pollution and climate resilience, and has been invited to lecture and speak at international forums including the Global Environment Facility Assembly and UNFCCC COP conferences.