Alexander Juras is Stakeholder Forum’s New Chairperson

Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future is pleased to announce that Alexander Juras is the organization’s new Chairperson, effective 1 May 2024. by Charles Nouhan

The SF Board, Fellows, and Associates feel incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Juras work with us in the coming years, leveraging his wealth of experience to drive sustainability initiatives forward.

Alexander Juras began his career as a Research Fellow at the Institute for European Environmental Policy in Bonn, where he dedicated five years (1987 – 1992) to researching environmental protection in transboundary contexts and the role of environmental civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. Notably, he authored the first comprehensive Directory of Non-governmental Organisations in the region.

In 1992, Juras transitioned to the newly established Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) in Budapest, marking the beginning of a thirteen-year tenure. Rising through various roles, he eventually assumed the position of Deputy Executive Director in 1997. During Alexander’s time at REC, he oversaw the organization’s NGO support program, which played a crucial role in nurturing civil society in the region. He also managed REC’s Information Program and spearheaded the establishment and supervision of REC’s Network of Country Offices spanning 16 countries.

In 2006, Juras embraced a new challenge as Deputy Director of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Here, he directed operations across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, contributing to environmental initiatives in the Central Asian region.

In 2008, he assumed the role of Deputy Director within the Division of GEF Coordination at UNEP. In this capacity, Juras played a pivotal role in coordinating activities with the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

In March 2010, Juras embarked on a new chapter as Chief of the s Major Groups and Stakeholder Branch in the Department for Regional Cooperation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Over the next 13 years, he facilitated and supported UNEP’s relations with non-governmental stakeholders, ensuring inter alia their meaningful participation in the United Nations Environment Assembly. Alexander’s tenure saw the Branch becoming a part of the Secretariat of the Governing Bodies (now Governance Affairs Office) of UNEP in 2014, renamed the “Civil Society Unit” in 2017.

After retiring from UN Environment in April 2023, Juras continued his engagement with environmental issues in various roles.

Charles Nouhan, SF’s outgoing Chairperson, will remain on the Board.