Mafalda Duarte

Mafalda Duarte has an extensive work experience in the field of climate finance and development. Mafalda started their career as a Public Sector Economist at the Ministry of Planning and Finance in 2002. Mafalda then worked as an Economic Advisor/Assistant at the Ministry of Education and Culture, where they managed the direct support for schools fund and program.

Mafalda joined the World Bank in 2003 and held various roles, including Senior Public Sector and Climate Change Specialist, Senior Economist, and Co-manager of a development policy loan. During their time at the World Bank, they led the development and implementation of the Poverty Reduction Economic Management (PREM) Climate Change Work Program and contributed to policy dialogue and analytical work on climate resilience, fiscal policies, and technology.

In 2010, Mafalda joined the African Development Bank as a Principal Climate Change Specialist and later took on the role of Climate Finance Manager. Their responsibilities included leading the development of the bank's climate change business plan, developing new climate finance instruments, and leading new business development for climate change development policy loans.

From 2014 to 2023, Mafalda served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Investment Funds, a global climate finance mechanism. Mafalda mobilized resources and investments for low-carbon, climate-resilient development in low and middle-income countries, with over $10 billion pledged by 14 contributor countries.

In 2023, Mafalda Duarte joined the Green Climate Fund as the Executive Director.

Mafalda Duarte obtained a Master's degree in Economic Policy Management with a specialization in Development Economics and International Development from Columbia University in 2007. Prior to that, they completed a Master's degree in International Development Studies or Development Economics from the University of Bradford, UK in 2000. Mafalda also holds a Licenciatura in International Relations with a focus on Economic, Political, and Cultural studies from the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal, which they completed in 1998.