Local Econocast: Episode 5
Introduction to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. Created in 1948, it has provided public, private and non-governmental organizations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Their projects and expertise mainly focus on species survival, environmental law, protected areas, social and economic policy, ecosystem management, and education and communication.
This episode features Mark Smith, Director, IUCN Global Water Programme.
Dr. Mark Smith leads IUCN’s work on water, environment and development at global level and provides strategic leadership for IUCN on water policy and development. He steers the work and knowledge on Water and Climate Change, Food Security, Governance, and Resilience at IUCN Headquarters as well as through collaboration with IUCN offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. Prior to joining IUCN, Dr. Smith was a scientist with areas of specialization in agriculture, forestry and hydrology, primarily in Africa.
In the second part of this episode, Dmitry Pozhidaev, Regional Technical Advisor, Local Development Finance, UNCDF, will share his stories and perspectives in the development field.
Mr. Pozhidaev is in charge of UNCDF programming in East Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia. He participated in the design and launch of the Local Finance Initiative in Uganda and Tanzania. Having joined the UN since 1998, he has led local government and local development programmes in Afghanistan and Yemen, and worked as an international municipal administrator under the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. Prior to that, he worked with the World Bank, Council of Europe, UN Relief and Works Agency, and Adam Smith International in Albania, Kazakhstan, Palestine and Serbia.
About the Local Econocast
Welcome to the Local Econocast produced by Local Development Finance Team at the United Nations Capital Development Fund! We are a centre of excellence and innovative fund for local government finance and local economic development finance in the world’s 47 least developed countries. In this podcast series, we share and broadcast cutting-edge knowledge, ideas and insights from experts and practitioners on various topics related to local economic development and the role of local government. There are two parts in each episode – an interview with a guest who has a fresh perspective on local development, and a conversation with a staff member who will share their stories, experiences and passion in the development field.
