Joana Vieira da Silva is an experienced international affairs and climate change expert with high level of responsibility and commitment.
Former Head of Delegation for Portugal (2017-2023), Joana participated in the negotiations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement as a core member of the Portuguese negotiation team and member of the EU negotiation team and expert groups since 2013.
While her primary fields of work are focused on mitigation, ambition, and reporting, Joana also has extensive understanding of climate finance, adaptation, and climate resilience.
Having coordinated the climate change team of the Portuguese Presidency 2021 and having led a team of 9 experts working in inventories, in reporting (including climate finance under the Governance Regulation and national communications/biennial reports under the UNFCCC), in environmental impact assessment (mitigation and adaptation), the Portuguese registry in the ETS, and in international affairs, Joana is a team leader, results driven, solution-oriented professional, skilled in communication, negotiation and public speaking.
When working at the European Commission, Joana was the co-manager of the European communication campaign for the European Year of Citizens 2013 and Programme manager of the Europe for Citizens Programme.
Joana also has a strong background on gender equality, starting off her international affairs career at the Portuguese Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality. She was a Member of the Portuguese delegation and negotiation team to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (2025-2009) and represented Portugal in the COE Steering Committee for Equality between Women and Men (2006-2007).
Joana has a postgraduate degree in European studies and is fluent in Portuguese, English, and French.