Mr. Elliott Harris of Trinidad and Tobago was appointed Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Chief Economist by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in April 2018.

Mr. Harris brings over 25 years of international experience in the fields of international economics and development policy analysis, coupled with knowledge of the United Nations system, multilateral and inter–agency coordination processes. He has extensive experience in the design of macroeconomic policies and its application as a central instrument for the reduction of poverty and for resilient and sustained economic development. His work in the field of economics also focuses on the macroeconomic linkages with global social and environmental policies.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Harris served as Assistant Secretary-General and head of the New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) from 2015. He joined UNEP’s senior management team in 2013 as director of the New York Office and secretary to the Environment Management Group.

Mr. Harris began his career in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1988 and worked in the African department and the fiscal affairs department. In 2002 he became an adviser in the policy development and review department, and in 2008 he was appointed special representative to the United Nations, in addition to serving as assistant director of the strategy and policy review department.

Mr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in German and political science and an advanced degree in economics. He was awarded an Advanced Studies Certificate in international economics and policy research from the Institute of World Economics in Kiel, Germany.