Dr. Naoko Ishii

Professor and Director - Center for Global Commons (CGC) - University of Tokyo

Dr. Naoko Ishii is Professor and Director of the Center for Global Commons (CGC) at the University of Tokyo. Before joining UTokyo, she was the CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) from 2012 to 2020. She is a vocal advocate for catalyzing systems change for sustainable development within planetary boundaries. She brings her expertise to global discourse by joining the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance, Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW), Food System Economics Commission, High-Level Independent Panel on Financing Pandemic Preparedness, among others. Her earlier roles include Deputy Vice Minister of Finance in Japan, senior positions at the World Bank and IMF.