Üner Kirdar

Who is Üner Kirdar?

Üner Kirdar is a noted author on international development issues, retired Turkish diplomat and senior United Nations official. He is one of the early pioneers of Human development theory and, since the mid-1980s, has advocated and worked for the concept’s world-wide adoption.

Beginning in the late 1970s, Dr. Kirdar co-authored a series of volumes articulating the key themes and debates emerging from the Society for International Development’s North South Roundtables. This series of expert group meetings involved a cross-section of leading international development experts, policy-makers and practitioners. The publications from these meetings were the foundation for the development and launch of Human development theory and, subsequently, the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report.

Through his extensive writings, lectures and initiatives, including his establishment of UNDP’s Development Study Programme, Dr. Kirdar’s 40-year career has been dedicated to promoting the insight and the practical application of international development concepts, including a focus on how international cooperation can help better the human condition.