Naoko Ishii has served as the CEO and Chairperson for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) since August 2012. In October 2015, the GEF Council unanimously agreed to extend her tenure for a second term until August 2020.
Ms. Ishii has led the development and implementation of the GEF’s first-ever long-term strategy. It positioned the GEF to address the underlying drivers of environmental degradation and aims to catalyze systems transformation in energy, cities and food systems while protecting critical ecosystems. Throughout GEF operations, she has promoted integrated approaches for greater results and actively pursues opportunities for the GEF to create and participate in multi-stakeholder platforms. She successfully concluded two international replenishment negotiations, both of which mobilized more than 4 billion US dollars for the GEF.
Before joining the GEF, Ms. Ishii was the Deputy Vice Minister of Finance of Japan, and represented the Japanese Government during the design of the Green Climate Fund.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Ishii worked as a Country Director for the World Bank, and has held positions with the International Monetary Fund, and the Harvard Institute for International Development.
Ms. Ishii is a member of the World Economic Forum’s System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Environment and Natural Resource Security, a Special Advisor to the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, member of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and of the Advisory Committee of Future Earth. She also serves on the Global Advisory Board of the University of Tokyo.
Ms. Ishii has published numerous papers and several books, two of which were awarded the Suntory Prize (1990) and Okita Memorial Prize for International Development Research (2004). She is the inaugural recipient of the 2006 Enjoji Jiro Memorial Prize. She holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo.
IN THE NEWS
- FAO Video: CEO Naoko Ishii on collaboration between GEF and the FAO, YouTube
- In the driver’s seat: Women leaders propel sustainability, UN Foundation
- It's time for the circular economy to go global - and you can help, WEF
- CPIC releases new blueprints to boost investment in nature conservation, Press Release
- New GEF projects to fight climate change, Social News
- New campaign in Seychelles will raise awareness on the world’s first sovereign blue bond, Seychelles News Agency
- Leading by example, The Stanley Foundation
- Ghana Government Pursues Specialised Funds to Resolve Illegal Mining Canker, GNA
- Fast-tracking a zero waste economy: more governments and business leaders commit to circular economy action, WEF
- UN Environment energy initiative lauded as best partnership at major summit, UN Environment
- Global Leaders Call for Urgent Acceleration of Climate Adaptation Solutions, Global Center on Adaptation
- Women climate champions to raise ambition for climate action, Philippine EnviroNews
- Feeding a growing world as it faces climate change, Devex
- CVF press conference at Global Climate Action Summit, GCAS
- Johan Rockström Joins Conservation International as Chief Scientist, CI
- GCF and GEF harmonise steps to follow developing country lead in climate finance, Green Climate Fund
- WRI Receives $2 Million Grant from GEF to Accelerate Building Efficiency, World Resources Institute
- Womens empowerment can deliver green outcomes: Marshall Islands President, IANS
- GEF countries pledge 4.1 billionUS$ to protect global environment, Da Nang Today
- GEF pledges $4.1b to protect environment, Viet Nam News
- Sixth GEF Assembly: USD 4.1 billion committed to global environment, VietnamNet
- GCF, GEF harmonise steps to follow developing country lead in climate finance, EnviroNews Nigeria
- Canada pledges $228.79m to advance climate action, IANS
- Climate talks end with focus on multi-stakeholder coalitions, IANS
- Move to circular economy to restore ecosystems: GEF chief, IANS
- Viet Nam and partners to join hands in dealing with climate change, Viet Nam News
- GCF and GEF launch joint effort to improve flow of climate finance, Climate Home News
- Green bodies pledge to improve climate funding for developing world, IANS
- Move to circular economy to restore ecosystems: GEF chief, India Forums
- India increases grants to $15 million to handle global environmental crises, IANS
- GEF eyes on implementation of proposal projects, Viet Nam News
- GEF 6 appealing for raising ambition on environment, Da Nang Today
- Globe needs action to reverse climate impact: GEF chief, IANS
- Heads of UN agencies, Governments set to meet at 6th GEF Assembly on environment, Devdiscourse
- World gathers in Vietnam to tackle climate change challenges, IANS
- Da Nang to host Global Environment Facility Assembly, Viet Nam News
- PM receives CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, Nhan Dan (Vietnam)
- Cities from across the globe focus on the challenge of sustainable urban development, Cision
- PM receives CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, Nhan Dan (Vietnam)
- African Development Bank takes landmark lead on formation of Africa Financial Alliance for Climate Change, African Development Bank
- WRI receives $2 million grant from GEF to accelerate building efficiency, World Resources Institute
- In cities, climate action gathers pace, Suomen Kuvalehti (Finnish)
- Why Women Will Save the Planet, Friends of the Earth and C40 Cities
- OECD Centre on Green Finance and Investment: Green private investment (video)
- Adaptation Fund: 10 Years of Innovation, Action & Learning, Adaptation Fund
- Belgium provides extra 7 million EUR for Least Developed Countries Fund, Government of Belgium
- More Coordinated and More Impactful: What a Common Sustainable Urban Development Strategy among IFIs is Leading to from Global Platform for Sustainable Cities
- Defining moment, UN Environment, "Our Planet" Magazine
- Future visions: The talks of TEDGlobalNYC, TED
- Mainstreaming the Circular Economy Model - panel discussion, World Economic Forum
- Only Green Growth can bring prosperity, The Guardian
- New convention calls time on mercury poisoning, UN Environment
- Women's Crucial Role in Combating Climate Change, The New York Times
- Adaptation Fund Board Greenlights Record 13 Project Submissions, Appoints New Leadership at 29th Meeting, Adaptation Fund
- Meet 9 badass women fighting climate change in cities, GreenBiz
- The Many Benefits of Industrial Energy Efficiency: Interactive UNFCCC Dialogue Explored Policies for Reaping Benefits, UNFCCC Newsroom
- C40 Financing Sustainable Cities Forum, Government of London
- Cities must lure private dollars fast to meet climate goals, Eco-Business
- EBRD President concludes visit to the United States, The Financial
- How can we avoid a climate change catastrophe? Al Gore and Davos leaders respond, World Economic Forum
- $400 Million Fund Launched in Davos to Stop Tropical Deforestation and Boost Farming, World Economic Forum
- Interview with Naoko Ishii at CBD COP 13, UN News Centre
- Naoko Ishii: Social norms and the barriers to progression, Thomson Reuters