Hugo Shally leads SLYCAN Trust’s EU Programme and has extensive experience in international environmental governance. He joined the European Commission in 1998, serving as Head of Unit in the Directorates General for External Relations, Development, and Environment, working on multilateral environmental agreements, global conferences, and trade-environment linkages. He led the EU team for the Nagoya Protocol in 2010, headed a DG Environment unit on circular economy initiatives including the EU Plastics Strategy, and since 2019 has focused on EU collaboration with international organizations, deforestation, wildlife trade, and genetic resources. Since March 2022, he has served as the EU lead negotiator for the Global Biodiversity Framework at CBD COP 15 and the Global Agreement against Plastic Pollution.

He holds a law degree from the University of Graz, Austria, and completed postgraduate studies in international relations at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy. He also practiced law in Austria and worked on sustainable development with UNDP, the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Vienna.