Akio Takemoto is a Head of Programme and Administration at UNU-IAS.
He leads and coordinates academic and administrative activities of UNU-IAS projects. From January 2018 to January 2020, Dr. Takemoto served as Senior Environmental Specialist at Global Environmental Facility (GEF). He managed the GEF programs in Climate Change and Chemicals & Waste focal areas at the GEF Secretariat in Washington, DC, USA. From July 2017 to January 2018, he engaged in climate change negotiations as Director for International Strategy on Climate Change at Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ). From July 2014 to July 2017, he served as Director of Research and Information Office and Climate Change Adaptation Office at MOEJ.
Dr. Takemoto contributed to the formulation of Japan’s first National Adaptation Plan to Climate Change, and served on the delegation to the IPCC and UNFCCC, and promotion of earth observation and environmental research programs. From July 2011 to July 2014, he Takemoto served as Secretariat Director for the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR) to provide financial and technical support for regional research activities for the 22 member countries. From August 2000 to August 2003, he served as Secretary to Permanent Delegation to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based in Paris, France. Dr. Takemoto started his career in the Environmental Administration (Environment Agency of Japan) in April 1992.
Research Interests
- Climate change
- Global change & sustainable development
