Tokyo and Dresden — The United Nations University (UNU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Daniel Karthe as the next Director of the UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) in Dresden, Germany. Prof. Karthe will begin his term on 1 September 2026.
A German national, Prof. Karthe is an internationally recognized expert in integrated resource management, sustainability science and science-policy interfaces, with extensive experience in advancing the Resource Nexus approach to environmental assessment and management. In particular, Prof. Karthe brings more than two decades of experience related to hydrology, water quality and aquatic resources management, including projects in Germany, Central Asia, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Throughout his career, Prof. Karthe has combined academic leadership with strong policy engagement, contributing to interdisciplinary research, capacity development and partnerships with governments, international organizations and research institutions. His work consistently focuses on translating science into practical solutions to support sustainable development.
Daniel is currently the Head of the Resource Nexus for Sustainability Transformations academic programme at UNU-FLORES, which was launched with a focus on transformation processes in (post-)coal mining regions in 2020 but has since then expanded to cover a wider range of sustainability transformations. Daniel recently served as the Chair of the UNU Water Network, he co-Chairs the Commission for Hydrology in the German Geographical Society and serves as Vice Chair of the Commission for Water Sustainability in the International Geographical Union.
At UNU‑FLORES, Prof. Karthe has played a key role in advancing the institute’s research agenda, strengthening external partnerships and enhancing visibility within the UN system and the global sustainability community.
UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala welcomed the new appointment: “I am delighted that Prof. Daniel Karthe will be the next Director of UNU-FLORES. As a distinguished scholar with deep expertise in integrated resource management and sustainability science, and exceptional ability in bridging rigorous research and impactful policy engagement, Prof. Karthe is the ideal person to guide the research portfolio, partnerships and impact of UNU-FLORES.”
Prof. Karthe commented: "I am truly grateful for the opportunity to shape the future of UNU-FLORES and to build on the remarkable legacy my predecessors have established. It is a mission I believe is more critical than ever in today's world of interconnected environmental challenges. With optimism, determination and the strength of our collaborative spirit across UNU, I am motivated to advance sustainable development through our activities in research, education and advocacy."
Prior to joining UNU-FLORES, Prof. Karthe served as an Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering and Vice Rector for Research at the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology, in Nalaikh, Mongolia, and as researcher and scientific project coordinator at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Magdeburg, Germany. His research interests include the Resource Nexus with a particular focus on science-based management concepts for environmental resources, including water, soil and air.
Prof. Karthe holds a Habiltation in Geography and a Doctor of Natural Sciences from Georg-August University (Germany), and a First and Second State Examination in Geography and English from Mannheim University (Germany).
Media contacts
Thato Masire
Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer, UNU-FLORES, Dresden
thato.masire@unu.edu
Daniel Powell
Senior Communications Officer, UNU, Tokyo
powell@unu.edu
