John McArthur

John McArthur is a distinguished leader in global sustainable development, serving as Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution. His academic journey includes a BA from the University of British Columbia, an MPP from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and both MPhil and DPhil degrees from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Throughout his career, he has held pivotal roles in shaping global development policy, including serving as CEO of Millennium Promise Alliance and Deputy Director of the UN Millennium Project under Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In 2018, he co-founded the innovative "17 Rooms" initiative to catalyze action for the Sustainable Development Goals. His research has significantly influenced development economics, with his work on Africa's poverty trap and agricultural inputs receiving widespread recognition. As a senior adviser to the United Nations Foundation and member of various high-level committees, including the UNICEF Advisory Group and Policy Horizons Canada's Deputy Minister Steering Committee, McArthur continues to shape global development policy. His recent publications focus on breakthrough technologies for sustainable development and climate action, while his scholarly work has appeared in prestigious journals and media outlets including Foreign Affairs and the Globe and Mail. His contributions to the field were recognized when he was named a Young Global Leader in 2009 and listed among Apolitical's 100 most influential academics in government in 2021.