Former Secretary of Energy of Uruguay (2008-2015), he led the energy transition that allowed his country to have 98% renewable sources in its power matrix - 40% wind, reducing the cost of electricity generation by half. Former Secretary of Climate Change of Uruguay (2015-2016), playing a leading role in the negotiation of the Paris climate agreement. Former Chairman of the Council of IRENA and former GCF (Green Climate Fund) board member. Now considered a global champion in energy transition processes, he has been running the think-do tank “Fundación Ivy” for the last 3 years, advising governments and the private sector on creating the conditions to promote the introduction of renewable energy, based on the Uruguayan success story. Since March 2025, he is the President of the global renewable network REN21. Among other awards and recognitions, Fortune magazine included him in its list of the 50 World Great Leaders of 2016, and the University of Pennsylvania awarded him the 2023 Carnot Prize. Dr. Méndez is a professor and university researcher with over a hundred publications on various topics. He holds a degree and a PhD in physical sciences from the Universities of La Plata in Argentina and Grenoble in France.
