Sharmarke Dubow serves as a Senior Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Somalia, where he plays a key role in institutionalizing climate finance investments to enhance national ownership and facilitate access to vertical climate finance. His work centers on fostering collaboration among public and private sectors, UN agencies, civil societies, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and coherence in advancing Somalia’s climate objectives.
As the Head of Somalia’s National Designated Authority (NDA) and the primary focal point for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and UNFCCC in Somalia, Dubow is instrumental in climate negotiations, resource mobilization, and overseeing activities related to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Green Climate Fund (GCF), ensuring that these efforts align with the nation’s strategic priorities.
Previously Dubow was a Victoria City Councillor in Canada, where he championed initiatives to promote equity, inclusion, and affordability. His accomplishments include advocating for free public transit, establishing a renters advisory committee, and leading the creation of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Dubow’s contributions have been recognized with several awards, including being named a “noteworthy Canadian historical figure” by Canadian Heritage during Black History Month in 2022 and receiving the Victoria Leadership Award in 2017. Internationally, he was honored as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in 2022 and was a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards in 2020.
Dubow holds a BA in Business Technology from the University of Cape Breton, a Public Relations diploma from the University of Victoria, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. He is currently pursuing a second Master’s in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies at the University of Oxford, focusing on climate finance and the governance of human mobility in the context of environmental and climate change.