Yoko Watanabe
Yoko Watanabe has over 20 years of professional experience working on biodiversity, natural resources management, and community development. She directs the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) at UN Development Programme (UNDP) as its Global Manager. SGP is one of the largest funds dedicated to supporting community-based actions globally that address global environmental issues with civil societies and communities, including women, indigenous peoples, and youth groups. With a total budget of more than US$1 billion, the program is operational in over 125 countries with more than 24000 projects.
Prior to joining the SGP in 2017, Yoko worked at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and held various key positions as Head of its 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.
Yoko also worked at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), as Conservation Director at the Mongolia Country Office and later as a Senior Advisor on Multilateral Relations at the US Office. She started her development and environment career in 1995 at UNDP as Environment Program Officer at Nepal and Mongolia Offices.
Yoko is a Japanese citizen and holds a master's degree in International Development with a focus on Environment and Natural Resources Management. For her undergraduate, she studied Environmental Studies and Development Economics in Tokyo. She is married, with two children.
Prior to joining the SGP in 2017, Yoko worked at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and held various key positions as Head of its 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.
Yoko also worked at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), as Conservation Director at the Mongolia Country Office and later as a Senior Advisor on Multilateral Relations at the US Office. She started her development and environment career in 1995 at UNDP as Environment Program Officer at Nepal and Mongolia Offices.
Yoko is a Japanese citizen and holds a master's degree in International Development with a focus on Environment and Natural Resources Management. For her undergraduate, she studied Environmental Studies and Development Economics in Tokyo. She is married, with two children.
