Carlos M. Duarte is the Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor of Marine Science at KAUST and the 2025 Japan Prize Laureate. A leading marine ecologist, he pioneered the concept of Blue Carbon as a nature-based solution to climate change. He serves as Executive Director of the Global Coral R&D Accelerator Platform and Chief Scientist of multiple global ocean initiatives. Ranked as the world’s top marine biologist and among the most influential climate scientists, he has authored over 1,000 scientific papers and shaped global strategies to restore marine life by 2050.

Tinotenda A. Mhiko is the Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) in Zimbabwe and the 2024 African Food Prize Laureate. An agricultural technocrat and transformative leader with over 15 years of experience, he has led large-scale innovations across Africa’s food systems from farm to fork. He has been recognized with more than 40 national and international awards for his work in agribusiness, food security, and rural development. Mhiko is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Robotics, focusing on Agri-food applications of AI and machine learning.