Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization　　

　　Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella is the Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). With over 20 years experience in international development cooperation, he has provided leadership for various initiatives and promoted increased international cooperation in the field of sustainable industrial development, trade capacity building, UN-business partnerships, renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. Dr. Yumkella currently serves as Chairman of the UN-Energy, a UN system coordination body dealing with energy-related issues. Dr Yumkella has authored and co-authored several publications.

　　Education

　　· Ph.D. Agricultural Economics, University of Illinois, USA 1991

　　· M.Sc. Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, USA 1986

　　· B.Sc. General Agriculture, Njala University College, Sierra Leone 1982

　　Experience

　　In December 2005 Dr. Yumkella was appointed as Director-General of UNIDO, having previously

　　worked in various high-level policy positions in UNIDO, including as Special Adviser to two previous Directors-General and Director of the Africa and LDCs Regional Bureau and as Representative and Director of the first UNIDO Regional Office in Nigeria. Prior to working for UNIDO, from 1994-1995, he was the Minister for Trade, Industry and State Enterprises, Republic of Sierra Leone. Between 1987 and 1996, whilst furthering his studies, he held various academic positions at Michigan State University and the University of Illinois.

　　Awards and Honours

　　Dr. Yumkella is the recipient of numerous awards and honours in recognition of his work in international development. These include:

　　· Honorary Doctorate University of Madras, India

　　· 2008 Champion of Youth Award, 4th World Youth Congress in Quebec City, Canada

　　· Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 

　　　　  (UIUC)

　　· The Prix de la Fondation of the Crans Montana Forum

　　· Honorary Distinguished Visiting Professor, Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade

　　Date of Birth 5 July 1959