About Amin El Sharkawi
Amin El Sharkawi is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in senior management, advisory, and consultancy roles within the UN system and private sector. He brings a strong foundation in management and engineering (backed by an MBA and an engineering master’s degree), as well as experience at notable companies like Bechtel, Veolia, and Fichtner.
His expertise covers diverse sectors of sustainability and sustainable development, including energy – conventional and renewables (PV, wind, and hydrogen), environment, decarbonization, water management (desalination, transmission, storage), circular economy, waste management, sustainable development, and more. Highly skilled in leading complex tasks, Mr. El Sharkawi has excelled in working with and representing multilateral organizations, engaging and negotiating with stakeholders, and coordinating multicultural teams. His vast expertise encompasses strategic planning, project management, international cooperation, technology options, institutional capacity building, business development, and commercial operations. He also has an excellent understanding of social and environmental governance (ESG) frameworks and CSR standards.
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Leadership
Mr. El Sharkawi’s varied leadership roles have consistently showcased his ability to drive impactful change. As the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative, and Deputy Country Director at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he was pivotal in steering many strategic initiatives. Leading 16 UN agencies in Bahrain, he oversaw the creation of a strategic UN Development Cooperation Framework, aligning it with national plans, the UN’s Agenda 2030, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He also led the USD6.7 million Sustainable Energy Unit project, shaping Bahrain’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and National Renewable Energy Action Plan under SDG 7, including contract management and procurement of technical services. He helped supervise the implementation of 22 energy efficiency initiatives, including green procurement, energy efficiency, goods specifications, and green buildings across residential, commercial, government, industry, electricity, and transport sectors. This resulted in annual savings of USD600 million, as well as the approval and implementation of 195MW renewable energy projects.
He also led the USD6.7 million Sustainable Energy Unit project, shaping Bahrain’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and National Renewable Energy Action Plan under SDG 7, including contract management and procurement of technical services. He helped supervise the implementation of 22 energy efficiency initiatives, including green procurement, energy efficiency, goods specifications, and green buildings across residential, commercial, government, industry, electricity, and transport sectors. This resulted in annual savings of USD600 million, as well as the approval and implementation of 195MW renewable energy projects.
Fichtner Consulting Engineers
In his role as General Manager at Fichtner Consulting Engineers, Saudi Arabia, Mr. El Sharkawi displayed strong commercial acumen. He oversaw a SAR 170 million turnover for management and technical advisory, ensuring profitability and operational efficiency. His leadership in business development led to securing new contracts and expanding the client portfolio, demonstrating his ability to forge strategic partnerships. Mr. El Sharkawi’s technical expertise was instrumental in identifying innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges. His track record of delivering projects on time and within budget demonstrates his commitment to client satisfaction and maximizing ROI. He also managed a team of engineers and technical professionals, providing technical inputs into large-scale engineering infrastructure projects across diverse sectors, including desalination, water management, power generation, renewable energy, ESG, waste management, and circular economy.
Private Sector
Throughout his career, Mr. El Sharkawi has excelled in representing and working with private sector companies and multilateral organizations and engaging with the World Bank, funding institutions, and government bodies. His ability to cultivate strong relationships and foster partnerships with high-level stakeholders has been instrumental in driving forward many initiatives aimed at sustainable development and economic growth. His adept negotiation skills have been demonstrated in landmark agreements, such as a USD600 million MoU between Islamic bank, Al Baraka Group, and UNDP, covering 17 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Arab States.
With an impressive track record in project planning, implementation, quality assurance, risk mitigation, and financial management across sectors, Mr. El Sharkawi is recognized for achieving results within budget, timelines, and quality standards. Whether leading complex international cooperation projects or overseeing large-scale infrastructure developments, his multifaceted skillset in senior leadership, international cooperation, business strategy, and technical advisory make him a valuable asset in the fields of management, engineering, and sustainable development. Throughout his career, Mr. El Sharkawi has demonstrated a unique ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable plans, a skill highly sought after in the private sector.