Ibrahim Thiaw

Ibrahim Thiaw is a Mauritianian public servant who has been serving as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) since 2019.

[1] Born in 1957 in Tékane, Mauritania, Thiaw holds an advanced degree in forestry and forest product techniques.

He was appointed to this position by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 2 August 2013.

[5] In this capacity, he played a key role in shaping the organization's strategic vision, mid-term strategy and programme of work, and strengthened collaborations with Governments and other environmental governing bodies, including the United Nations Environmental Assembly.

[6] He also served the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as its interim head after Patricia Espinosa stepped down, and started his term on 17 July 2022.