Helen Clark served as Prime Minister of New Zealand for three successive terms from 1999 to 2008. Throughout her 27-year tenure as Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, she was deeply involved in policy development and advocacy across international, economic, social, environmental, and cultural spheres. She strongly advocated for New Zealand’s comprehensive sustainability program and efforts to address climate change. Helen was also an active leader in her country’s foreign relations, engaging in a wide range of international issues.
In April 2009, Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the first woman to lead the organization, serving two terms. Concurrently, she chaired the United Nations Development Group, a committee of all UN funds, programs, agencies, and departments working on development issues. Under her leadership, UNDP was ranked the most transparent global development organization. She completed her tenure in 2017.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Helen had an extensive parliamentary and ministerial career. She was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1981 after teaching in the Political Studies Department at the University of Auckland, where she earned her BA and MA (Hons) degrees.
Helen continues to be a strong advocate for sustainable development, climate action, gender equality, women’s leadership, peace and justice, and global health issues. In July 2020, she was appointed by the Director-General of the World Health Organization as a Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, which was called for by the World Health Assembly and will report in May this year.
Helen Clark served as Prime Minister of New Zealand for three successive terms from 1999 to 2008. Throughout her 27-year tenure as Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, she was deeply involved in policy development and advocacy across international, economic, social, environmental, and cultural spheres. She strongly advocated for New Zealand’s comprehensive sustainability program and efforts to address climate change. Helen was also an active leader in her country’s foreign relations, engaging in a wide range of international issues.
In April 2009, Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the first woman to lead the organization, serving two terms. Concurrently, she chaired the United Nations Development Group, a committee of all UN funds, programs, agencies, and departments working on development issues. Under her leadership, UNDP was ranked the most transparent global development organization. She completed her tenure in 2017.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Helen had an extensive parliamentary and ministerial career. She was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1981 after teaching in the Political Studies Department at the University of Auckland, where she earned her BA and MA (Hons) degrees.
Helen continues to be a strong advocate for sustainable development, climate action, gender equality, women’s leadership, peace and justice, and global health issues. In July 2020, she was appointed by the Director-General of the World Health Organization as a Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, which was called for by the World Health Assembly and will report in May this year.
