Profile Summary
Prof. Dr. Ruediger Kuehr is a global thought leader advancing circular electronics systems and sustainable resource governance. With 25+ years of experience across all continents, he works at the interface of science, policy, and industry to translate sustainability strategies into actionable, system-level solutions.
He serves as Head of the Bonn Office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Senior Manager of the Sustainable Cycles Programme (SCYCLE). As founding head of the UNITAR Bonn Office (2020-2023), he established it as a hub linking research, policy, and capacity development.
He previously held senior leadership roles at the United Nations University (UNU), including Director of SCYCLE, and co-founded the Solving the E-Waste Problem Initiative (StEP), where he served as Executive Secretary (2007-2017). Earlier in his career, he worked with UNEP, UNDP, GIZ, and The Natural Step, and advised organizations including Mitsubishi Electric, Takeda Foundation, and Kienbaum Consultants International.
He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Limerick and has authored global assessments such as the Global E-waste Monitor. His expertise includes environmental technology transfer, comparative environmental policy, and strategic sustainability approaches grounded in life-cycle thinking, supporting governments, international organizations, and industry leaders worldwide.