Osman Benchikh

Former Head of Energy Programme - UNESCO
Former Member of UN-Energy
Member of the Governing Board - International Sustainable Energy Development Center – UNESCO

Dr. Osman Benchikh is Doctor in Physics, graduated at “Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industriel - ESPCI" in Paris.

Dr. Benchikh is former Head of UNESCO Energy Programme and Chief of “Capacity Building in Science and Engineering”. He designed different conceptual initiatives addressing the use and application of renewable energy sources at international level. In promoting renewable energy sources at global level, he contributed to the conceptual design and implementation of the “World Solar Programme - WSP” launched as a United Nations framework for international cooperation and partnership in renewable energy. He also conceptualised the “Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme” (GREET Programme) launched as a United Nations conceptual framework for building human and institutional capacities and supervised its implementation at international, regional and national levels. Dr Benchikh initiated several “Regional Solar Councils” launched as frameworks for international and regional cooperation in renewable energy. He is author of several energy related publications and Learning/teaching materials. He conceptualised and supervised the organisation of UNESCO’s “Regional Annual Summer Schools on Renewable Energy” launched in the different world regions.

Dr Benchikh is Member of the Governing Board of the International Sustainable Energy Development Center – UNESCO. His international activities led him to act as Member and UNESCO Representative at UN-Energy, UNESCO Commissioner at Astana Expo 2017, Secretary General of UNESCO “International Basic Science Programme” (IBSP), Secretary General of the “Mediterranean Solar Council”; Member of the “European Solar Council”; Chairman of the “European Solar Council Commission on Education and Training” (Club de Paris des Energies Renouvelables); Chairman of the “Renewable Energy Commission of the French Academy of Engineers”, Member of the “Arab Permanent Committee on Renewable Energy sources”; Member of “GEMFOR” (International Study Group on Education Methods), Member of the “International Advisory Council of the World Renewable Energy Technology Congress”. 

Professional Awards

- Excellence award for professionalism commitment and excellence received from the “Energy and Environment Foundation” (April 2011, New Delhi, India).

-Honoring award for outstanding cooperation during the last two decades received from the World Renewable Energy Network (Sept. 2010, Abu Dhabi)