Mr. Riad Meddeb

Riad Meddeb is the Director of the UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub, leading UNDP’s work on sustainable energy for development at both policy and programmatic levels across 130 countries. Representing UNDP, he has played a key role in shaping global energy discussions, contributing to the G7, G20, and COPs, while driving the organization’s energy agenda to maximize impact at the country level. With extensive experience in sustainable energy and development, Riad provides strategic guidance to governments, international institutions, and the private sector on integrating sustainable energy with broader development priorities—such as education, healthcare, digitalization, and socio-economic empowerment—ensuring energy serves as a catalyst for inclusive growth and resilience.

Previously, he served as Senior Principal Advisor on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Interim Director of the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development in Singapore, where he led initiatives on innovation, smart cities, and digital transformation to accelerate sustainable development. He also spearheaded the Climate Investment Platform, a joint initiative with IRENA, SE4ALL, and the Green Climate Fund, unlocking finance for clean energy projects worldwide.

Before joining UNDP, Riad worked as an Economist at UNCTAD and ILO, held roles in the private sector, and was a lecturer at the University of Paris V. He holds degrees in Economics and Finance from the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne.