WINNIPEG, Canada, May 2, 2016 – The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is pleased to welcome Greg Radford as Director of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF).
Radford brings more than 20 years of experience helping governments and businesses adopt and apply environmental and social standards. He has worked in over 50 countries on projects involving mining, manufacturing, oil and gas extraction, infrastructure, the financial sector, and energy systems such as hydro, thermal and wind power.
“Greg brings a wealth of experience and a deep knowledge of the mining industry and its challenges to the IGF,” said Scott Vaughan, president of IISD. “Greg has a strong commitment to sustainability and a proven track record of achieving results. We are counting on him to expand IGF’s advisory and technical support services, strengthen IGF’s management structure and advocate for optimizing the sustainable development benefits of mining.”
IISD was appointed to a five-year term as Secretariat for the IGF in October 2015. The IGF is a centre of excellence on mining and sustainable development and serves as a unique global venue for dialogue between its 55 member-country governments, mining companies, civil society and other stakeholders. Funding is provided by the Government of Canada.
The IGF provides capacity-building programs, tailored technical assistance and assessment services framed by its flagship policy tool, the Mining Policy Framework.
“The IGF represents a remarkable opportunity for systemic change,” Radford said. “I look forward to working with member governments who are committed to reshaping how they manage natural resources in order to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive growth, social development and environmental stewardship.”
Prior to taking the helm of the IGF, Radford was a managing partner and director of international operations for ESSA Technologies, an environmental and social sustainability consulting firm. He recently completed a three-year term as president of the International Association for Impact Assessment. He is the former director of the Environment, Social and Governance Department at the International Finance Corporation and also worked as chief corporate social responsibility advisor at Export Development Canada.
Radford brings extensive experience in policy development, training and capacity building, natural resource management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. He has also worked to assist corporations and governments manage outreach work to engage locally affected communities and civil society.