Pradeep Kumar Monga is Deputy Executive Secretary at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). He provides strategic support to the convention that links environment and development to sustainable land management, and contributes to the global efforts to reverse and prevent desertification and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought in affected countries in order to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. Prior to joining UNCCD, he worked in senior positions in UNIDO (Director of Energy and Climate Change), UNDP (Sustainable Development Advisor and the GEF Coordinator) and the Government of India (Indian Administrative Service), and undertook several international assignments with FAO, World Bank and other multi/bi-lateral organizations and resource institutions including WRI and TERI.