Achim Steiner is a globally-recognised leader in sustainable development, climate policy, and digital innovation. As former UNDP Administrator and UN Vice-Chair for Sustainable Development, he has shaped global agendas on finance, green transition strategies and emerging technologies. A geopolitical strategist with deep experience across continents, Achim draws on decades of leadership in international institutions to offer unique insights into the nexus of environment, development and global security in international relations.... Read more
UNDP Administrator’s Farewell Interview
2025 HDR Launch Achim Steiner Speech
HSC Speech - Achim Steiner
Achim Steiner delivers keynote message at the IDF Summit 2023
Achim Steiner is a recognised leader in sustainable development and climate policy. He has led many international organisations, including several UN agencies, and was the third most senior official in the United Nations between 2017 and 2025. His expertise covers many fields, including international relations, geopolitics, world leadership, the digital economy, AI, global finance, international cooperation and green transition strategies.
In 2025, Achim left the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) after eight years as Administrator – the equivalent of CEO – where he was responsible for an annual turnover of $5 billion, and 23,000 staff spread across 170 countries. He is returning to Oxford University’s Oxford Martin School (OMS) where he previously served as director, to focus on futures and scenarios in relation to global risks and security strategies, at both national and international level.
Achim Steiner’s many roles have included Managing Director of the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Volunteer Programme (UNV) and Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group. Earlier leadership positions include the World Commission on Dams (WCD), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He has lived and worked in almost every continent, and is a regular contributor to print and online media.
Achim has worked widely with international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, as well as the G7 and G20 processes, where for eight years he represented the UN in the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Track. He pioneered a move towards sustainable finance, advancing the greening of financial systems and innovative access to capital markets.
As co-chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Task Force on Digital Finance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Achim championed leveraging digital innovation for more affordable and inclusive finance, while reshaping public and private sector approaches to finance and insurance. He introduced a network of Accelerator Labs in over 90 countries and was key to helping the organisation transform from analogue to ‘digital by default’. This supported countries in the development of their own digital ecosystems, such as regulatory frameworks and cybersecurity, an invaluable tool during and after Covid-19.
A Brazilian and German national, Achim currently serves on a number of boards and international advisory panels. These include International Vice-Chair of the China Council on International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), the Hamburg Sustainability Conference Advisory Council (HSC), the AGORA think tank on mobility transition and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). Achim has also worked in the private sector, serving as co-chair of the Insurance Development Sector (IDS).
Achim is the recipient of several awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from the International University in Geneva and an Honorary Professorship at Tongji University in Shanghai, and has studied at Oxford University, London University SOAS and the German Development Institute.
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You can book Achim Steiner through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Achim's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Achim Steiner's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Achim tailored to your event.
Achim Steiner speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Business & Management, Cities & Environment, Climate, Digital. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Achim to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Achim Steiner for events worldwide, subject to Achim's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Achim Steiner is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Achim can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Achim Steiner on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Achim can offer.
Achim Steiner delivers keynotes in English, German, Portuguese. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Achim Steiner's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Business & Management, Cities & Environment, Climate, Digital. To get a clear sense of Achim's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Achim Steiner can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Business & Management, Cities & Environment, Climate, Digital is relevant. Details of Achim's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Achim Steiner is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Achim Steiner, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Achim's current availability for your dates.