Lama Kiyasseh is an energy economist and infrastructure development professional with extensive international experience in emerging markets. She is currently at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s development finance institution, with a portfolio that covers investments in climate finance. Prior to joining the IFC, Lama was at the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Research Department covering global commodity markets. Her previous roles include sector economist at SNB (formerly NCB), Saudi Arabia’s largest bank, and energy strategist at Cheniere Energy in Houston. Lama’s research has been featured at the Analytical Corner series of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF, where she presented on the energy transition and carbon pricing. She has published widely in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, The Journal of Energy and Development, the Middle East Economic Survey, and in several IMF Working Papers. Her interests include the green transition and climate change resilience in light of the systemic risk presented by the combination of growing global debt burdens and environmental degradation. Originally from Syria, she speaks Arabic and French, and is conversational in Spanish.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance (Honors), Babson College
Syria Leadership Development Programme, University of Oxford
Master of Arts in International Relations and Economics with a focus on Energy, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Issues of Expertise:
Economics, energy, climate finance
Recent Publications:
- Financing MENA's Energy Transition: Risks and Implications, MEI, February 2022
Recent Podcasts:
- Sustainable Finance in MENA, Middle East Focus, March 7, 2022
Contact Information
Please contact media@mei.edu or call 202-785-1141 ext. 241 for assistance contacting this expert.
