In the wake of a global climate crisis, all roads headed to Egypt for the United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC alias COP27.
As global leaders discuss ways to mitigate the effects of climate change such as drought, Cecilia Kinuthia, the UNFCCC Director, Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress is at the centre of the conference.
Speaking during a brief sit-down, Kinuthia explained that managing heads of state was no mean feat but she was committed to meeting her deliverables.
"We have had sleepless nights because having an agenda that satisfies 197 parties is not an easy job. Progress has been made in terms of talks that have been closed but one of the key bottlenecks we are facing is an agreement on how finance can be addressed," Kinuthia stated.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at the illustrious career of the Kenyan entrusted by the UN to put together one of the most vital conferences.
Kinuthia was appointed Director at UNFCCC in June 2021 but has been working with the UN for 24 years. Her first stint was with UN-Habitat which she joined as a Human Settlements Officer in April 1998.
She coordinated several projects including the Lake Victoria Region City Development Strategies Initiative, the Sustainable Cities Programme and the Urban Management Programme implementation.
In February 2011, she moved to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as Head, Sub-Regional Office and Regional Programme Coordinator, in Southern Africa until July 2021.
Before joining the UN, she was employed by the Environment Liaison Centre International as its gender Programme Manager.
Kinuthia is a graduate of the University of Nairobi (UoN) from which she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics (1990) and a Masters' degree in Urban and Regional Planning (1992).
She is a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Urban Planning from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Her skill set includes among others, strategic thinking, data analysis, environmental impact assessment, project management, business development and strategic partnerships.
