What if your engineering background could take you to the heart of international financial decision-making. Meet Laure-Anne Parpaleix, a young French professional whose work at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping shape global finance toward a more sustainable future.

From the laboratory to the global stage

Before joining UNDP, Laure-Anne—trained as a general engineer—worked in academic research on investment models for sustainable growth. “I wanted to move beyond academia and continue contributing to systemic change through an organization operating at a larger scale,” she explains.

In 2020, the opportunity arose: a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) position funded by France, perfectly aligned with her profile and focused on promoting “the alignment of financial systems with the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The G20: where finance meets sustainable development

Since 2021, Laure-Anne has primarily worked on supporting the G20—the leading global forum for economic cooperation. This platform brings together 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union, representing 60% of the world’s population and 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“UNDP was mandated to manage the secretariat of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group,” she explains. Her team has notably supported successive presidencies from developing countries such as Indonesia, India, and Brazil—countries that “had never hosted the G20 before and often have smaller teams than some developed countries to manage these complex issues.”

The G20 plays a particularly important role for developing economies. As Laure-Anne notes: “The recent inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member strengthens the representation of emerging economies. Decisions taken at the G20 directly impact access to climate finance, debt conditions, and technology transfer to the most vulnerable countries.”

By helping align financial systems with sustainable development goals, Laure-Anne’s work contributes to redirecting large-scale financial flows toward addressing climate change and inequalities—ultimately creating development opportunities for the most vulnerable populations.

“Most climate finance regulations need to be interoperable across countries—otherwise financial flows simply cannot move across borders,” she emphasizes.

The unique added value of UNDP

According to Laure-Anne, what makes UNDP particularly effective lies in its dual strength:

• A presence in 170 countries, enabling a deep understanding of local realities and a unique capacity to bridge international decision-making with local implementation
• Strong technical credibility recognized by ministries of finance and central banks

“Our work has been widely recognized for its neutrality and its ability to integrate the perspectives of all stakeholders involved,” she adds.

Advice for young graduates

For those aspiring to work in international cooperation, Laure-Anne highlights that academic excellence alone is not enough. Intercultural and interpersonal skills are critical.

“The question is not only how to enter the UN system—but how to stay,” she notes. “The ability to navigate international environments, manage cultural differences, and adapt to complex contexts—these human qualities make the difference in the long term.”

She encourages young graduates to value their international experiences—even informal ones—and to develop agility in multicultural settings. “In an environment where each position attracts hundreds of candidates, these transversal skills often become the decisive factor for building a sustainable career in international organizations.”

Laure-Anne’s journey was made possible through the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme, funded by France. This initiative offers young professionals a unique opportunity to contribute to UNDP’s mission while developing valuable expertise in sustainable development.

“It’s an exceptional opportunity to work on globally impactful issues from the very beginning of your career,” she concludes.