Alok Sharma

Alok Sharma is a British politician and climate advocate who served as the President for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, from 2021 to 2022. Born in 1967 in Agra, India, Sharma moved to the UK at the age of five. He was educated at the University of Salford and later qualified as a chartered accountant before embarking on a 16-year career in investment banking across London, Frankfurt, and Stockholm . Sharma was elected as the Member of Parliament for Reading West in 2010 and held various ministerial roles, including Secretary of State for International Development and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, before leading COP26 .

As COP26 President, Alok Sharma played a pivotal role in facilitating the Glasgow Climate Pact, a significant international agreement aimed at combating climate change. His leadership was instrumental in bringing together nearly 200 countries to commit to more ambitious climate actions. In recognition of his contributions to global climate efforts, he was knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours .

One of Sharma’s notable quotes is:

"Life’s true value comes from serving others and leaving the world better than we found it."

This reflects his commitment to public service and environmental stewardship. Another impactful statement is:

"Every one of us has a small but critical part to play in the battle against coronavirus. From washing our hands to wearing a face covering on public transport and in shops, every time we take one of these actions, we push the virus further into retreat."

These quotes encapsulate his philosophy of collective responsibility and proactive engagement in addressing global challenges.