Yoko Watanabe

Yoko Watanabe has over 25 years of professional experience working on biodiversity, natural resources management, and international development. She directs the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) at UN Development Programme (UNDP) as its Global Manager. SGP is one of the largest global funds dedicated to supporting innovative community actions that address global environmental issues with civil societies and communities-based organizations. With a total budget of more than US$1 billion, the program is currently operational in over 126 countries with more 220 staff managing over total 25000 projects. 

Prior to joining the SGP, Yoko worked at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and held various key positions, including Coordinators of Asia Program and Gender/Social Inclusion Team. She also served as Program Manager on biodiversity, and passionate about saving endangered species and places with local communities. Before that Yoko worked at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), as its Conservation Director at the Mongolia Country Office and later as a Senior Advisor on Multilateral Relations at the US Office. I started my international development and environment career in 1995 at the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and later at UNDP as Environment Program Officer at Nepal and Mongolia Offices. 

Yoko Watanabe holds a master's degree in International Development with a focus on Environment and Natural Resources Management. For undergraduate, she studied Environmental Studies and Development Economics.