Ibrahim Thiaw is the under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, with over 40 years of experience in sustainable development, environmental governance, and natural resource management. Previously, he served as special adviser to the secretary-general for the Sahel, where he played a key role in recalibrating the U.N. Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and developing the U.N. Support Plan for the Sahel. As assistant secretary-general and deputy executive director at the U.N. Environment Programme, Thiaw was instrumental in shaping strategic visions, strengthening governmental collaborations, and directing environmental policy implementation.