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Keynote SpeakerSir David Nabarro

Strategic Director of 4SD, Chair of Global Health at Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, Winner of the 2018 World Food Prize

Since gaining his medical qualification in 1974, David Nabarro has worked tirelessly – in communities and hospitals, within governments, civil society organisations and universities, and in United Nations programmes – to galvanise action to address complex challenges facing humanity. In his early career he worked on child health and nutrition... Read more

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Watch Sir David Nabarro in action

  • #LIVE COP28 World Climate Action Summit - Transforming Food Systems in the face of Climate Change

  • In Conversation - Magdalena Skipper & Professor David Nabarro

  • COVID-19: Professor David Nabarro says 'let's beat the virus in 2022'

Popular Talks by Sir David Nabarro

  • Forming Global Responses to Crises

    In global health, crises often strike unexpectedly, demanding swift and effective responses. Since 2002, David Nabarro has worked within the WorldHealth Organization and the United Nations in tackling these pressingchallenges head-on. From navigating the complexities of the currentfood-energy-finance polycrisis to past ongoing challenges like ebola virus disease and malaria,each situation…

  • Food Systems Transformation

    Food systems are intricate webs influenced by various factors, making their transformation challenging. Single-issue solutions have limited impact as changes in one area affect the entire system. Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for meaningful change, recognizing diverse contexts. Beyond our plates, food weaves between our culture, economy, and the environment. Climate…

  • Embracing the Sustainable Development Goals

    The SDGs were agreed by all world leaders in 2015 after 3 years of intense negotiation. They are the compass for the sustainable development of people and the planet. They are interconnected, universal and call for integrated responses involving multiple partners. An appreciation of the SDGs, gives people the key…

  • Pandemic Preparedness and Response

    During health crises, the World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role as the UN’s health agency. Its staff prioritise swift analysis ofearly signals, ensuring outbreaks are accurately assessed. While manysignals are false alarms, it’s vital not to overreact. Thus, the focus is on confirming the outbreak’s severity through early…

  • Systems Leadership for Sustainable Development

    Complex challenges are intricately linked within dynamic systems. Unpacking just one symptom can reveal a cascade of underlying causes. Making change happen calls for people-centered “living” systems approaches, as the essential processes of life are interconnected. But many practitioners find it hard to think and work with systems because initially…

Biography

Since gaining his medical qualification in 1974, David Nabarro has worked tirelessly – in communities and hospitals, within governments, civil society organisations and universities, and in United Nations programmes – to galvanise action to address complex challenges facing humanity. In his early career he worked on child health and nutrition programmes in Iraq, South Asia and East Africa. He taught at the London and Liverpool Schools of Tropical Medicine and then served as Chief Health and Population Adviser to the British Government’s Overseas Development Administration and as Director for Human Development in the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

David Nabarro joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999. His responsibilities covered Malaria, AIDS and TB, and responses to crises. He then moved to the office of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in 2005 as Assistant Secretary-General. Initially he was responsible for coordinating UN system responses to avian and pandemic influenza but from 2008, this expanded to include the coordination of UN system action as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Food Security and Nutrition. From 2010 he coordinated the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, and from 2014, he served as the former UN Secretary-General’s Envoy for the West Africa Ebola outbreak. From 2016-2017, Sir David Nabarro worked as Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Cholera in Haiti.

In 2018, Sir David Nabarro co-founded 4SD – Skills, Systems and Synergies for Sustainable Development (now known as 4SD Foundation) with Florence Lasbennes in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation supports the development of capacities for systems change and accompanies global processes of change.

David has co-led the UN Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance (GCRG) in 2022-23 and has been Special Envoy of the WHO Director-General on COVID-19 in 2020-23. Sir David Nabarro also serves as Co-Director and Chair of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London where his focus is on people’s health and wellbeing in the climate emergency.

His work on food security and childhood malnutrition garnered him the World Food Prize in 2018. For his services to global health more broadly, Dr. Nabarro was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 2023 King Charles III’s first New Year’s Honours list.

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What clients say about Sir David Nabarro

"Your overall guidance in conducting the Food System Dialogue 2023 was truly inspiring and your presence and involvement were indeed engaging. Your expertise and enthusiasm added immense value to the event, leaving a lasting impression on all the participants. Thank you for joining us and sharing your knowledge and insights, contributing to the success of FSD 2023. Personally, it was bliss for me, to spend two days with you hearing you off and on." Country Coordinator, The Food and Land Use Coalition, India Country Platform
“You are in the perfect position to have an overview of the world's responses to COVID and you did it with thoughtfulness and consideration for the historic position of WHO and for the many challenges it faces. I especially liked the way you just talked - reflecting on past challenges and future ones. You will know from the evaluations how much the participants appreciated your presentation.” Emeritus Professor, University of Alberta

How to book Sir David Nabarro as a keynote speaker

How do I book Sir David Nabarro for a keynote speech?

You can book Sir David Nabarro through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Sir David's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Sir David Nabarro's speaking fees?

Sir David Nabarro'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 Sir David tailored to your event.

What topics does Sir David Nabarro speak about?

Sir David Nabarro speaks on Change, Climate, Facilitators & Moderators, Government & Politics, Health. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Sir David to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Sir David Nabarro available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Sir David Nabarro for events worldwide, subject to Sir David's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Sir David Nabarro deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Sir David Nabarro is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Sir David Nabarro?

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 Sir David can accommodate.

Can Sir David Nabarro tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Sir David Nabarro 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 Sir David can offer.

What languages does Sir David Nabarro present in?

Sir David Nabarro delivers keynotes in English. 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.

What makes Sir David Nabarro a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Sir David Nabarro's areas of expertise include Change, Climate, Facilitators & Moderators, Government & Politics, Health. To get a clear sense of Sir David'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.

What kind of events can Sir David Nabarro speak at?

Sir David Nabarro can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Change, Climate, Facilitators & Moderators, Government & Politics, Health is relevant. Details of Sir David'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.

Does Sir David Nabarro offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

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 Sir David Nabarro is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Sir David Nabarro?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Sir David Nabarro, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Sir David's current availability for your dates.