Global Green Growth Institute Appoints Country Program Lead

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Green Growth has appointed Per Bertilsson, International Project Manager at the United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh, as Assistant Director-General to head the organization's Green Growth Planning & Implementation Division.

Mr. Bertilsson will be based in GGGI's Seoul headquarters and formally assume his duties on April 1, 2015.

"At a time when the world is faced with intense pressure and challenges with regards to climate, energy, poverty reduction, water, and urbanization, green growth development policies represent the best way forward to face such challenges while still growing economies," said Mr. Bertilsson. "I am excited by this opportunity to lead GGGI's efforts to support green growth policies and projects in developing and emerging countries."

At UNDP, Mr. Bertilsson has been leading a team of over 400 people focusing on urban poverty reduction in Bangladesh in conjunction with local government partners. The project takes a multi-component approach, including social mobilization and community banking, to empower communities and improve livelihoods though skills development, small business support, and initiatives in education, health, and nutrition.

Prior to his post at UNDP, he served as Deputy Executive Director of the Stockholm International Water Institute where he was responsible for applied research, advisory services, and capacity development, as well as for strategic planning for all of the Institute's activities. Mr. Bertilsson has also held management positions at the Global Water Partnership, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Labour Organisation.

"We are very happy to have Per Bertilsson on board to lead our in-country green growth planning initiatives," said Yvo de Boer, Director-General of GGGI.

"He brings to us a wealth of experience from other international organizations and has an outstanding track record of leadership. With GGGI's new strategic priorities that focus on GGGI members and least developed countries and a re-aligned organizational structure, I am confident Mr. Bertilsson is the right person to lead our green growth planning efforts and help integrate GGGI's work streams so we can more effectively deliver our in-country service offerings," Mr. de Boer said.

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SOURCE Global Green Growth Institute