Louise Baker

Managing Director of the Global Mechanism - United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Ms. Baker joined the UNCCD secretariat in March 2011 and served as Coordinator of the External Relations and Policy Unit of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat. In this role, Louise led work on policy development, communications, advocacy and partnerships.

Originally from a rural farming community in the United Kingdom, in August 2020, Executive Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw appointed Ms. Louise Baker, as the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The Global Mechanism supports country level implementation and resource mobilization.

Previous United Nations assignments include high-profile public health campaigns on immunization, tuberculosis and tobacco control for the World Health Organization.  She has lived and worked extensively in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia.