Maximiliano Bello is an international ocean policy expert who has worked in the environmental arena for over two decades to advance marine conservation priorities. He has worked for international non-governmental organizations including Minderoo Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Oceana, World Wildlife Fund, the Blue Whale Center, Mission Blue and Island Conservation and advises institutions and companies including, Patagonia. Bello has worked with a wide array of international fora including the United Nations and UN conventions and bodies serving as the COP25 Presidential Committee Ocean Representative in 2019. Additionally, Bello has worked directly with governments in Latin America and around the world to establish marine protected areas. Of note, Bello was instrumental in securing protections for over 2 million squared kms of countries’ territorial waters. Bello serves on the board of MIGRAMAR and has advanced degrees and diplomas in natural resources management and economics.