Elizabeth B. Hessami, J.D., LL.M.

Elizabeth B. Hessami, J.D., LL.M. (Environmental Law) is a Faculty Lecturer for The Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs of International Environmental Policy and a frequent author of pieces on Afghanistan, natural resources, and armed conflict.

She is an Environmental Attorney licensed to practice by the Washington, D.C. and United States Supreme Court Bars. Ms. Hessami is a Visiting Attorney for the Environmental Law Institute researching post-conflict natural resources management and armed conflict and the environment. She has received certificates of appreciation from the World Bank Group for her research contributions on Afghanistan and the Business of Agriculture and has worked on several projects with United Nations Environment.

Ms. Hessami was a founding member of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association for which she is has produced content such as webinars on hydro-diplomacy, hydro-governance, and the emerald trade in Afghanistan. She was recently nominated to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) - World Commission on Environmental Law, Specialty Group on Peace, Security, and Conflict.

She has a strong interests in Afghan Mining Law and Governance particularly in relation to the gemstone industry and transboundary water issues in Central Asia. Ms. Hessami has lectured on the revisions to the Afghan Minerals Law, environmental security, renewable energy, and other topics related to armed conflict, conflict financing, climate change, and natural resources in Afghanistan. She is studying Dari (Afghan Farsi) in her free time.