Achim Steiner became UNDP Administrator on 19 June 2017. The United Nations General Assembly confirmed his appointment following his nomination by Secretary-General António Guterres. In April 2021, the General Assembly confirmed his appointment to a second four-year term beginning in June 2021. Mr. Steiner is also the Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, which unites 40 entities of the UN system that work to support sustainable development. Over nearly three decades, Achim Steiner has been a global leader on sustainable development, climate resilience and international cooperation. He has worked tirelessly to champion sustainability, economic growth and equality for the vulnerable, and has been a vocal advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to joining UNDP, he was Director of the Oxford Martin School and Professorial Fellow of Balliol College, University of Oxford. Mr Steiner has served across the United Nations system, looking at global challenges from both a humanitarian and a development perspective. He led the United Nations Environment Programme (2006-2016), helping governments invest in clean technologies and renewable energy. He was also Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Achim Steiner previously held other notable positions including Director General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and Secretary General of the World Commission on Dams. Achim Steiner has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the United States. He graduated in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (MA) from Worcester College, Oxford University and holds an MA from the University of London/School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
International organisation
Safeguarding principled humanitarian action from the unintended negative impact of sanctions and counter-terrorism
Studio
This session will build upon developments in 2022 by addressing the unintended negative impact of sanctions and counter-terrorism, and present potential solutions to tackle practical challenges.
The session will incorporate voices from the field with the express purpose of highlighting the challenges under which humanitarian operators deliver humanitarian aid under sanctions or CT regimes. In this context, the session will discuss risk management by analysing the impact of humanitarian exemptions/derogations on increasing or lowering the risk of circumvention of sanction regimes. Finally, the session will debate the legal framework by narrowing in on the question of whether humanitarian exemptions/derogations facilitate an efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and mitigate any potential unintended negative impact of sanctions regimes. Specifically, the session seeks to evaluate whether the harmonization of exceptions in sanctions regimes and their language facilitates the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid.
Safeguarding principled humanitarian action from the unintended negative impact of sanctions and counter-terrorism
Studio
This session will build upon developments in 2022 by addressing the unintended negative impact of sanctions and counter-terrorism, and present potential solutions to tackle practical challenges.
The session will incorporate voices from the field with the express purpose of highlighting the challenges under which humanitarian operators deliver humanitarian aid under sanctions or CT regimes. In this context, the session will discuss risk management by analysing the impact of humanitarian exemptions/derogations on increasing or lowering the risk of circumvention of sanction regimes. Finally, the session will debate the legal framework by narrowing in on the question of whether humanitarian exemptions/derogations facilitate an efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and mitigate any potential unintended negative impact of sanctions regimes. Specifically, the session seeks to evaluate whether the harmonization of exceptions in sanctions regimes and their language facilitates the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid.
Alain Délétroz has been Geneva Call’s General Director since January 2018. He has an experience of
more than twenty years of work in conflict areas or in countries under strong political tensions.
His areas of expertise include EU external action, Russia, North/South Caucasus and Central Asia; Brazil
and the Andean countries; West Africa; conflict assessment and conflict resolution; democratic
reforms, humanitarian assistance.
His professional background includes: Fellow, Geneva Center for Security Policy, Vice-President at the
International Crisis Group (2002-2013); Director, Open Society Institute, Tashkent, 1998–2002;
Delegate, International Committee of the Red Cross, Moscow, 1994–1998; Adult literacy and capacity
building, Peru, 1986–1991.
Safeguarding principled humanitarian action from the unintended negative impact of sanctions and counter-terrorism
Studio
This session will build upon developments in 2022 by addressing the unintended negative impact of sanctions and counter-terrorism, and present potential solutions to tackle practical challenges.
The session will incorporate voices from the field with the express purpose of highlighting the challenges under which humanitarian operators deliver humanitarian aid under sanctions or CT regimes. In this context, the session will discuss risk management by analysing the impact of humanitarian exemptions/derogations on increasing or lowering the risk of circumvention of sanction regimes. Finally, the session will debate the legal framework by narrowing in on the question of whether humanitarian exemptions/derogations facilitate an efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and mitigate any potential unintended negative impact of sanctions regimes. Specifically, the session seeks to evaluate whether the harmonization of exceptions in sanctions regimes and their language facilitates the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid.