Valentina supports UN-Habitat’s normative and governance work and country technical projects on thematic issues such as environment and climate action, urban law, governance, and public participation. She has professional experience in a variety of fields, including advisory services in legislative processes, legal drafting, capacity building and research. Her areas of expertise include urban, environmental and climate law and governance, human rights, particularly of indigenous people, and gender issues.

Prior to joining UN-Habitat, she served for the FAO Representation in Peru on issues related to Indigenous People, Gender, and Climate Change in the Amazon Rainforest, and she worked as an International Cooperation Assistant at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as a researcher on various international legal and political issues. She holds a Master’s Degree in Law from Roma Tre University (Italy), with a specialization in International Public Law; a Master in International Relations from the CEU-San Pablo University of Madrid (Spain), and a Master’s Degree in International Development Cooperation, from Roma Tre University (Italy), with a specialization in Development Policies and, in particular, on forced migration and urban development. Valentina is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, and has a working knowledge of French.