Deodat Maharaj

Managing Director, UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries

Mr. Deodat Maharaj brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in international development to his role as Managing Director of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, a position he has held since April 2024. A national of Trinidad and Tobago, he has dedicated his career to leveraging technology and innovation to accelerate development in the world’s most vulnerable countries.

Mr. Maharaj’s extensive academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Government, a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations, a Master of Science in International Affairs, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Postgraduate Legal Practice Certificate from the University of the West Indies. This multidisciplinary foundation has equipped him to navigate the complex intersection of technology, policy, and international development.

His international career includes significant leadership roles across multiple continents, with deep experience in Least Developed Countries including Mozambique and Tanzania, as well as developing nations such as Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. This firsthand experience in diverse development contexts informs his approach to technology transfer and capacity building.

Before joining the UN Technology Bank, Mr. Maharaj served as Deputy Secretary General of the 54-nation Commonwealth, where he led economic and social development initiatives focused on the poorest and most vulnerable countries. He spearheaded the Commonwealth’s trade and investment agenda across developing countries in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa, and Asia, consistently championing the private sector as a key driver of sustainable development.

Mr. Maharaj played a pivotal role in establishing the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and served on its Advisory Board for three years. His earlier career included senior positions with the United Nations both in field operations and at headquarters, as well as leadership roles with the Caribbean Development Bank.

His expertise spans technology policy, international trade, investment promotion, and creating enabling environments for business development. Mr. Maharaj is particularly focused on leveraging science, technology, and innovation to help Least Developed Countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build resilient, inclusive economies.