Mafalda Duarte

Mafalda Duarte is the executive director of the Green Climate Fund, the largest multilateral climate fund in the world. Duarte previously worked at the African Development Bank and World Bank, and as the third most powerful woman in business in Portugal in 2023 by Forbes Portugal. She emphasizes the importance of investing in developing nations and including women in decision-making.

Early life and education Duarte was born in Covilhã, Portugal. She attended the University of Minho, completing a degree in international relations in 1998. Duarte then went to the University of Bradford in England, where she completed a Master's degree in international development studies and economics in 2000. In 2007, she earned a Master's degree in economic policy management at Columbia University, specializing in sustainable development and climate change.

Career Duarte joined the World Bank in 2003, where she worked in a variety of roles. Among her activities, she led the Poverty Reduction Economic Management (PREM) Climate Change Work Program and was involved in developing policy and analyzing climate resilience. Duarte joined the African Development Bank in 2010, serving as a Principal Climate Change Specialist and later as Climate Finance Manager.

As of 2014, Duarte became CEO of the Climate Investment Funds, with an $8.3 billion portfolio of investments involving clean energy, sustainability, land management, and resilience. She worked with over 70 middle and low-income countries, many of which are experiencing the impacts of climate change, to encourage climate-smart and resilient economic policies. Duarte worked to direct public finance in ways that would support transition to low-carbon economies.

As of August 1, 2023, Duarte became the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, succeeding Yannick Glemarec and interim director Henry Gonzalez. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is associated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is the main instrument for climate finance under the Paris Agreement. The GCF is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate finance institution. As Executive Director, Duarte is responsible for a portfolio of more than 200 projects, estimated at . Duarte aims to expand the GCF's climate investments in developing countries that are most affected by climate change, and states the link between social inclusion and climate justice.

Personal life Duarte is married and has three daughters, including twins.