Dr Kandeh Yumkella Confirmed as Keynote Speaker

Kandeh K. Yumkella is Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer for the Sustainable Energy For All (SE4All).

In this role, Dr Yumkella is responsible for planning and implementation of the initiative as well as engaging with the leadership of relevant stakeholders in government, businesses, academia and civil society at the highest level to advocate for and promote sustainable energy for all. From 2005 to 2013 Dr Yumkella was the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Prior to assuming the mantle of leadership at UNIDO, Dr Yumkella worked in different high-level policy positions, including as Special Adviser to two previous Director-Generals and as Representative and Director of the UNIDO Regional Office in Nigeria.

From 1994 to 1995 Dr Yumkella was Minister for Trade, Industry and State Enterprises of Sierra Leone. Dr Yumkella holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois, a M.Sc. Agricultural Economics, Cornell University; and a B.Sc. in General Agriculture, from Njala University College, Sierra Leone. www.sustainableenergyforall.org.