UN-Habitat mourns the death of former director Klaus Töpfer

Nairobi, 12 June 2024 — UN-Habitat expresses its condolences to the Government of Germany, as well as to the family and relatives of Klaus Töpfer, on his passing, as reported by the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) on Saturday, 9 June 2024, at the age of 85.

Töpfer was a prominent German politician and served as Germany’s environment minister in Helmut Kohl's cabinet from 1987 to 1994. Later, he became involved in environmental and sustainable urban development issues at the United Nations. Töpfer was known as the ‘green conscience’ of the Christian Democrats, and even in his later years, he tirelessly advocated for sustainable policies.

In 1998, Töpfer was appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General. He served as the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) and as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). From 1998 to 2000, he also served as the Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (also known as ‘Habitat’), the precursor of UN-Habitat. He was tasked with revitalizing and reforming Habitat in line with the recommendations of the task force on environment and human settlements, which he had headed at the request of the Secretary-General. This reform was completed in 1999 and resulted in Habitat being elevated to a full-fledged programme of the United Nations in 2001, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Töpfer was instrumental in setting up in 1998 the UN Task Force on Environment and Human Settlements. This resulted in a General Assembly resolution in 1999 establishing a management group for the purpose of enhancing inter-agency coordination in the field of environment and human settlements.

Even after leaving the federal office and the United Nations, environmental protection and sustainability remained priorities for him. In 1996, Töpfer represented Germany at the Habitat II Conference in Istanbul, convened by UN-Habitat. The conference focused on the quality of life in cities, poverty and the environment.

“With a heavy heart and revived memories from Tanzania, I send this condolence message on Dr. Töpfer's passing to his immediate family, friends, and all UN Nairobi staff who served under him in pursuit of environmental sustainability. An example to emulate. A life to celebrate,” wrote in her condolence note Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-Habitat from 2000 to 2010.

Most recently, Töpfer lived with his wife in Höxter, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.