Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).

A Mauritian scientist and stateswoman, she served as the 6th President of the Republic of Mauritius from 2015 to 2018, the first woman to hold that office. A chemist by training, Gurib-Fakim holds a BSc in Chemistry and a PhD in Organic Chemistry.

The Chair has also held numerous academic positions at the University of Mauritius, where she has been a professor, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and directed the International Centre for Pharmaceutical Development, which focuses on scientific research and innovation.