Future green business conference |

“Future GREEN Business” – an initiative in the form of a conference organized by the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) is held with the primary goal of educating, informing, raising awareness and networking the business community and the financial sector in order to achieve the fastest possible transition to a low-carbon sustainable economy.

By sharing knowledge, practices, ideas and projects, we enable a significant increase in the level of social and personal responsibility in the direction of sustainability and help companies introduce new work and management models to ensure stable future growth.

This year’s “Future GREEN Business” international conference organized by the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) entitled “HUMAN REVOLUTION” is dedicated to the business and financial sector, and the theme of the conference is a reflection on the previous implementation of ESG in business and financial sector operations as well as its connection with artificial intelligence (AI) and provides concrete instructions on how climate action can contribute to building a sustainable economy – the economy of the future.

Innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change are tightly connected, on several levels, from solving climate problems such as more accurate weather forecasts and extreme events, optimizing energy consumption, the operation of wind farms and solar systems, all the way to reducing traffic congestion and emissions, and timely detection of fires and deforestation. In other words, climate change drives innovation, with climate change pressure accelerating development in the context of renewable energy sources, batteries and energy storage, electric vehicles, new building materials and carbon capture technologies.

Large AI models as such consume large amounts of electricity and water for cooling data centers and computing resources, which is why they have a large impact on the climate – Footprint. For this reason, today there is more and more talk about “green AI” — the development of more efficient models and data centers on renewable energy, for which innovation is not only technology, but also any new business model that includes ESG criteria.

All of the above represents the HUMAN REVOLUTION.

The EU and the Republic of Croatia remain committed to their goals of achieving climate neutrality and by increasing our ambition by 2040, we further confirm our commitment to the green transition of our economy – an economy for future generations. To achieve these goals, all EU countries must work together to promote shared values, which include peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. This is why this Conference represents an opportunity to connect key stakeholders in the economy and consolidate our leadership in responding to the urgent global challenge that the climate crisis poses for the economy, which we can only solve together.

Therefore, more than ever, we need strong unity and support from both the business and financial sectors, which can find their place and role in this Initiative in a powerful change of society and economy towards a “Green Economy” and “Green AI”.

Given the importance of this topic, it is our great honor to present this year’s Keynote Speaker of the conference, Mr. Dr. Tariq Qureishy- Chairman & CEO of the Future Readiness Forum and Xponential.

In addition, this conference is worthy of attention from the business and financial sectors because the Women Green Leaders Club (WGLC) will present its initiative to reward new future Green Transition Leaders with education in the field of ESG, namely students who have qualified through a competition to apply for an internationally recognized award in the field of ESG.

The purpose of this initiative is to encourage and motivate new generations from the Republic of Croatia to continuously invest efforts and improve and act towards sustainable business in order to ultimately be recognized and acknowledged not only in the Republic of Croatia but also on a global level.

INTRODUCTORY SPEECH LECTURERS

Marija Pujo Tadić

President of the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) and main organizer of the Future Green Business Conference

Marija Pujo Tadić is a climate leader and ambassador of the EU Climate Pact. As an international expert in climate change law and policy, she has spent over 25 years dedicated to environmental issues, with a focus on climate change law and policy for the past decade. With extensive knowledge of national and international institutions involved in climate change, she has become a sought-after speaker and lecturer, sharing her expertise at conferences and summits worldwide. As the founder of the International Institute for the Climate Action (IICA), which has become a key player in climate change and CO2 issues in Croatia, she was a member of the official negotiating team of Croatia on the negotiations to he Paris Agreement in Paris (COP21) and each COP’s until last in Dubai (COP28). In 2020 she took the role of coordinating the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU’s Climate Change Team, while in 2024 she was appointed as a Board Member of the Scientific Council of COP29 Presidency – Azerbaijan. In addition, in the same year, the Government of the Republic of Croatia appointed her as a Special Advisor/Envoy for Climate Action of the Republic of Croatia.

Zrinka Ujević

Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia

During her 30 years of service in Croatian diplomacy, Zrinka Ujević acquired advanced diplomatic and negotiation skills as well as advocacy skills. She systematically dealt with issues related to the EU and thus gained a true understanding of various areas of EU policies and the work of institutions. Since 2016, she has been the director of the Directorate for Europe in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. From 2000 to 2014, she played an important role in the mission of the Republic of Croatia to the EU. She was in charge of political issues, and then during the Croatian presidency of the EU, she was the head of the Office of the Chief Negotiator. After that, she was the deputy head of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Croatia to the EU, and at the same time the representative of Croatia in the Political and Security Committee. Previously, she was the deputy head of the Department for the United Nations in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In that position, she dealt with numerous international issues, including the area of security and peacekeeping. Zrinka Ujević attended the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and has been an ambassador since 2014.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, Future GREEN Business, 2026

Dr. Tariq Qureishy

Dr. Tariq Qureishy is a futurist, transformation advisor, and Chairman & CEO of the Future Readiness Forum and Xponential, where he works at the intersection of AI, leadership, trust, sustainability, and exponential change.

With over 25 years of experience across finance, media, technology, and strategic transformation, he advises boards, CEOs, governments, and institutions on how to navigate disruption while building organizations that are more resilient, responsible, and future-ready.

A former senior leader at Dow Jones Markets, The Times & Sunday Times, and Bloomberg Media, Tariq brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience across global markets, economic shifts, and technological transformation. His career has given him direct exposure to the evolving relationship between finance, innovation, governance, and long-term societal impact, particularly during periods of uncertainty and rapid change. Today, much of his work focuses on helping organizations rethink leadership, strategy, and value creation in an age increasingly defined by AI, sustainability pressures, climate risk, and shifting stakeholder expectations.

Through the Future Readiness Forum and the Future Readiness Institute, Tariq leads initiatives focused on future readiness, AI governance, trust frameworks, responsible transformation, and executive capability building. His work emphasizes the idea that organizations must move beyond short-term thinking and become more adaptive, human-centered, and purpose-driven to remain competitive in the coming decade.

Tariq has delivered keynote presentations and strategic sessions for organizations and conferences across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, including engagements related to the future of finance, ESG, leadership transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth. His approach combines big-picture foresight with practical business realities, helping leaders translate complex global shifts into clear and actionable strategies.

He is also the author of Voices of the Future, a global thought-leadership platform exploring the ideas, technologies, and human stories shaping the future of business and society. Known for his candid and human-centered style, Tariq challenges audiences to think differently about the future — not simply as a technological transition, but as a broader transformation in how we lead, govern, innovate, and create long-term value for both business and humanity.

“Future GREEN Business” panel moderator