Thematic Solution Forum 5

Mr. Jamil Ahmad is director of Intergovernmental Affairs of United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) New York Office. He leads work on sustainable development and the environment in support of the organization’s policies and programmes.

As an advocate of sustainability, he regularly engages with think thanks, universities, and research institutes, speaks to civil society groups, official delegations, students and other stakeholders about environment, climate change and sustainable development. He has been representing the UN Environment in international events.

He joined UN Environment in 2008 as the Secretary for the Governing Bodies based in Nairobi, Kenya (2008-14). He directed, managed and coordinated the Secretariat, led the organization of the sessions of the Governing Bodies and served as the focal point of UN Environment’s external relations.

Professor Latif holds a PhD in Economics from Chiekh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal. He is currently a professor of Economics at University of Thies in Senegal. He is concurrently the Coordinator of the Center for Research in Economy and Applied Finance (CREFAT) and Coordinator of the Regional Excellence Center for Research in Generational Economy (CREG). He is affiliated with research centers from several universities, including University. of Manchester, Unversity. of Berkeley, University. of Parakou. University. of Cape Town, and University. of Hawaii in Manoa. Professor Latif conducts research in the following fields: Sustainable Development through the prism of Demographic Dividend and General Economy, Poverty Dynamics, Domestic Work (Paid and Unpaid), Women’s Contribution to GDP and the National Integration of Economies.

MASHAV is responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the State of Israel’s development cooperation programs, promoting the centrality of human resource and capacity building. MASHAV has trained close to 270,000 course participants from approximately 132 countries in Israel and abroad. Ambassador Fuchs served previously as Ambassador of the State of Israel to Georgia, Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow and in various postings in Prague, Berlin and in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem.

Wambui Kahara has served as Kenya’s Youth Representative to the United Nations appointed by the Kenya Government. She established the United Nations Youth Delegates programme in Kenya and was one of the coordinators of the UN Joint Programme on Youth. She also has professional experience in programme management at United Nations Development Programme, UN Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Devolution and Planning. Wambui has been part of the Kenya government delegation to the 67th-72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York (2012-2018), where her speeches have been endorsed by numerous standing ovations.

Ashwani K. Muthoo, a national of India, has extensive experience in international cooperation, agriculture and rural development, management and development evaluation. He currently holds the position of Director of the Global Engagement and Multilateral Relations Division in IFAD. Prior to his current position, he was Deputy Director of the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (Independent Office of Evaluation). Mr Muthoo has experience of working in more than 50 developing countries in all regions, and is fluent in English, Hindi, Italian and Portuguese, and understands French and Spanish.