Sumeeta Banerji (India) is an international development specialist with 25+ years helping governments reform policies and institutions, reduce poverty, and share solutions with one another. She has delivered results across India and Bangladesh and, through global policy and coordination roles, supported countries in Asia, Africa, the Arab States, and Latin America.

At the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India, Sumeeta directed the governance portfolio, advising national and sub-national government partners across 26 states. Her work spanned government reform, digital services, access to justice, election management, decentralisation, and employment. She secured significant co-financing from both the private sector and government and established three innovation funds. She coordinated support to national and state planning departments on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) planning and monitoring. She produced human development reports across 15 states and 80 districts that informed health, education, and employment policy.

In Bangladesh, Sumeeta led UNDP's governance strategies during the Rohingya refugee crisis, managing projects and budgets while coordinating with the government, UN, and humanitarian partners. She mobilized USD 20 million in funding and authored UNDP's governance strategy.

At the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), Sumeeta coordinated the formulation of the first UN System Strategy on South-South Cooperation with 40+ UN agencies, incorporating these modalities into their strategic plans and programmes. She managed a USD 150 million South-South trust fund that delivered grants to 60+ developing countries to achieve the SDGs. She pioneered pilots with UN teams in 26 countries that led to national cooperation strategies and platforms. She produced eight reports of the UN Secretary-General that shaped global South-South cooperation policies and advised diplomats during UN negotiations. She strengthened partnerships and financing for Small Island Developing States.

Throughout her career, Sumeeta established Communities of Practice that enabled social innovators and practitioners to share best practices and development solutions to address poverty.

Sumeeta brings hands-on expertise in governance reform, employment, digital innovation, crisis response, and funding across government, UN, and bilateral contexts.