Ms. Jacqueline Alvarez, Chief, Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Division, UNEP

Ms. Alvarez brings more than 30 years of political, management and technical expertise, including her experience of 14 years with the Government of Uruguay. She has previously served as Regional Director of the Basel and Stockholm Coordinating Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean for Capacity Building and Transfer of Technology, leading negotiations on behalf of her region in multiple occasions.    

At UNEP, she has held various roles including as the first Regional Sub-Programme Coordinator for Chemicals and Waste for the Latin America and Caribbean region, within the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat and as Regional Director for the Latin America and Caribbean Office of UNEP in Panama. Before leading the Office in Latin America and the Caribbean, Jacqueline was the Head of the Knowledge and Risk Unit of the Economy Division. Under her leadership, the science-policy-action nexus on chemicals and waste has significantly grown, bringing in critical partners such as governments, civil society, and private sector. Now she is the Chief of Chemicals and Health Branch, located in Industry and Economy Division of UNEP.

Ms. Alvarez is a chemist by training, specialized in pharmacy, and has worked over her career on national, regional and international programmes. Jacqueline has four daughters, ranging from 18 to 29 years old.