Helen Clark wasPrime Minister of New Zealand for three successive terms from 1999–2008.  

Throughout hertenure as Prime Minister and as a Member of Parliament over 27 years, HelenClark engaged widely in policy development and advocacy across theinternational, economic, social, environmental, and cultural spheres. She advocatedstrongly for New Zealand’s comprehensive programme on sustainability and fortackling the problems of climate change. She was an active leader of hercountry’s foreign relations, engaging in a wide range of international issues.

In April 2009, HelenClark became Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).She was the first woman to lead the organisation, and served two terms there. Atthe same time, she was also Chair of the United Nations Development Group, acommittee consisting of all UN funds, programmes, agencies, and departmentsworking on development issues. As Administrator, she led UNDP to be ranked themost transparent global development organisation. She completed her tenure in2017.

Helen Clarkcame to the role of Prime Minister after an extensive parliamentary andministerial career. Prior to being elected to the New Zealand Parliament in1981, Helen Clark taught in the Political Studies Department of the Universityof Auckland, from which she earlier graduated with her BA and MA (Hons)degrees.

Helen continuesto be a strong voice for sustainable development, climate action, genderequality and women’s leadership, peace and justice, and action on pressingglobal health issues. In July 2020, she was appointed by the Director-Generalof the World Health Organisation as a Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for PandemicPreparedness and Response, called for by the World Health Assembly, which willreport in May this year.

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