Illari Aragon

Illari Aragon was a senior researcher in IIED's Climate Change research group until May 2023

Languages: English, Spanish

Illari, a lawyer, is a specialist in the UN climate negotiations and provides technical advice to the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group. working with LDC lead negotiators with a focus on transparency and climate finance. Illari specialises in capacity development activities seeking to implement Paris Agreement commitments in LDCs.

Expertise

UN climate governance and national implementation. Strong experience designing and managing international development and technical assistance projects working with partners from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Before IIED

Prior to joining IIED, Illari worked at CAFOD where she managed a diverse portfolio of project partnerships focused on water protection in areas affected by extractive industries, urban development and women’s economic empowerment in shanty towns. She also set up CAFOD’s new climate change programme in Peru.

Previously, she worked on UN climate negotiations for the Legal Response Initiative (LRI) supporting the deployment of technical assistance for developing countries.

In 2012, Illari worked at the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (Bar Council) where she managed the implementation of capacity building projects in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, working in partnership with UNICEF and senior barristers to train grassroots organisations in international human rights standards. She also co-ordinated high profile trial observations in the Maldives (trial of ex-president Mohamed Nasheed), fact-finding reports (Mexico and Sri-Lanka) and worked with UK MPs and senior lawyers on joint events.

Before coming to the UK, Illari worked on transitional justice as a member of the legal team for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Peru. She also worked at the Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Development (MIMDES) and trained as a lawyer working in human rights litigation with cases before national and international courts. Illari has a master's degree in international environmental law from SOAS.