Joyce Msuya

Former Deputy Executive Director for the United Nations Environment Programme and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations

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Biography

Joyce Msuya was the Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. She was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in August 2018 and served until February 2022.

Between November 2018 and June 2019, Ms. Msuya served as interim Executive Director, overseeing UNEP’s portfolio around the world and administering its 15 Multilateral Environmental Agreements on critical environment issues.

Ms. Msuya has more than 20 years of extensive experience in international development strategy, operations, knowledge management and partnerships, across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Prior to joining UNEP, Ms. Msuya served as Adviser to the World Bank’s Vice President, East Asia and Pacific Region in Washington, D.C.

From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Msuya served as the inaugural World Bank Special Representative and Head of the World Bank Group Office in the Republic of Korea, where she established and developed office operations and deepened the Bank’s partnership with the country.

She has held a series of high-level positions at the World Bank Group, including the World Bank Institute’s East Asia and Pacific Regional Coordinator in China, Principal Strategy Officer at the International Finance Corporation (Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services) and Special Adviser to Lord Nicholas Stern, World Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. Ms. Msuya has worked across the public and private sectors within the World Bank Group.  

A microbiologist from Tanzania, Ms. Msuya began her career at the World Bank as a public health specialist for Africa in 1998.

Ms. Msuya holds a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Immunology from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. She has an Executive General Management Certificate from Harvard Business School (USA) and a Public Health Certificate from Johns Hopkins University (USA).

Ms. Msuya was named University of Strathclyde’s Alumna of the Year for 2019.  

She is married with two children.

Joyce Msuya

The Latest

Speech
Time for Climate Action is Now! EU’s leadership as inspiration for action around the world

I’d like to begin with a big thank you to the ENVI committee for hosting this meeting, and for opening a space where we can share our reflections on COP26 and discuss some of next year’s key environmental milestones. More

Speech
How can developing countries promote a green recovery in the context of low-carbon policy and economic growth?

I am very honoured to join you at this 14th Seoul ODA International Conference for the session on achieving a greener economy. More

Opinion
Time for action beyond Twitter hashtags as poor rains threaten food production

For two years now, scrolling through Twitter has become an unnerving experience. More