Usha Kuppu Rao, Ph.D. (India), is a seasoned climate and energy expert with over 25 years of leadership experience across multilateral development institutions, government advisory roles, and international cooperation agencies. Her work has shaped climate change mitigation, energy access, and sustainable development policies and programs across the Asia-Pacific, including in fragile and crisis-affected contexts such as Afghanistan and the Pacific Island nations.

Usha has held senior roles at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in both regional and country leadership capacities, most recently as Team Leader for Resilience and Climate Change at the UNDP Pacific Multi-Country Office. In this role, she directed a multi-country climate and energy portfolio exceeding $70 million, driving strategic programming, resource mobilization, and policy engagement with national governments. She successfully mobilized $50 million in under a year and led the development of transformational clean energy projects in Vanuatu, as well as sustainable finance innovations, including green bonds.

Her technical expertise spans climate finance (GEF, GCF, ADB, KfW), just energy transitions, renewable energy, low-emission transport, disaster risk reduction, and environmental governance. She has served in pivotal roles influencing national policy, including spearheading Afghanistan’s climate programming through crisis response initiatives such as the ABADEI strategy and Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan. She has also contributed to regional energy and transport strategies at KfW Development Bank, where she led the design of urban mobility and energy efficiency investments totaling over EUR 1 billion.

Usha’s academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Renewable Energy Technology Diffusion from TERI University, a Master’s in Project and Consultancy Management from BITS Pilani, and an MBA in Marketing. She is a published researcher and policy analyst, contributing to peer-reviewed journals and global energy reports. She has represented India and the UN at high-level forums including SE4ALL, IRENA, and the International Solar Alliance.

A strategic thinker, mentor, and skilled negotiator, Usha integrates policy innovation, technical depth, and partnership acumen to advance inclusive, resilient, and low-carbon development.