WorldFish
WorldFish is pleased to announce that its Director General, Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed, has been named to the 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders list. The annual list in its second year recognizes leaders globally for delivering innovative and scalable solutions that are tackling the climate crisis and helping shape a sustainable future for all.
Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed, was recognized for his leadership in promoting sustainable aquatic food systems as a key solution to global challenges including food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change. Under his direction, WorldFish has strengthened partnerships across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific to scale science-based innovations that improve livelihoods, reduce environmental impact, and support sustainable resource management.
“I am honored to be listed on the Forbes 2025 Sustainability List. Aquatic foods are rich in nutrients, low in emissions, and already nourishing billions and providing livelihoods for millions, yet have been missing from food systems discourse and climate agenda. Our work at WorldFish is changing that. This recognition is bringing them into the spotlight where they should be, at the center of our efforts for a resilient, sustainable food future,” said Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed.
A major achievement and focus under Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed's, leadership has been bridging the vast gap in Africa’s aquatic food production compared to Asian countries (Al Jazeera op-ed). A champion of South-South collaboration, he is at the helm of a cross-country adaptation of scalable innovations through a seven-year project, Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway, funded by the UK Government.
Along with being named on the Forbes List, Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed will speak at the 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit on Monday, 22 September at Forbes on Fifth in New York City. He will also speak at the UN General Assembly’s Global Center on Adaptation Leaders’ Dialogue on 25 September in New York.
Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed is an environmental economist with over two decades of experience in sustainable development, natural resource governance, and international climate policy. Prior to joining WorldFish, he held senior roles at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and has advised governments, UN agencies, and global coalitions on ocean sustainability and climate justice.
The 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders list is available HERE.
Media contact:
Rajita Majumdar
email: r.majumdar@cgiar.org