Eugene Simonov

In 2022, Eugene started PhD research in International and Political Studies at UNSW Canberra to explore the evolution of nature conservation policies and practices at international finance institutions in the course of new globalization processes and the role of civil society actors in this process.

Eugene is an international environmental advocacy expert and researcher and coordinator of the Rivers without Boundaries International Coalition (RwB), focusing on freshwater ecosystem conservation, globalization impacts on natural systems and enhancing capacity of civil society to assess solutions in climate mitigation and adaptation. Eugene holds a Master of Environmental Studies degree from Yale School of Environment (1993, New Haven, USA) and professional Doctorate in Nature Conservation from Northeast Forestry University (2010, Harbin, China). 

His life and work experiences stretch across Russia (citizen), Estonia, USA, China, Mongolia, Israel (citizen), Australia and he has professional exposure to 30 more countries. He has collaborated on conservation projects, environmental planning, or advocacy with the World Bank, AIIB, UNECE, UNESCO, USAID, WMO, IUCN, International Aral Sea Fund, GEF, WWF, and state agencies in Russia, China, USA, Australia, and Mongolia.

Since 2007 Eugene has also held the position of researcher at the trilateral "Dauria" International Protected Area and participated in Sino-Russian Expert Committee on Biodiversity and Protected Areas. 

In 2016 Eugene initiated the Green Silk Road Coalition focusing on accountability and environmental sustainability of the China's Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative (part of the BRI) and other new geopolitically driven development schemes in energy and infrastructure connectivity. 

In 2013 he received the Whitley Environmental Award, in 2015 the Misha Jones Conservation Award, in 2020 was named an “Exemplary nature protection worker” by Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.

Since May 2022 Eugene has served as expert coordinator of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group (UWEC) exploring environmental impact resulting from the war and changes in national, regional and global environmental policy agendas. See: https://uwecworkgroup.info/about/