Mr. Zelenev has been appointed Acting Director of the UN-INSTRAW effective 22 June 2009.

An economist by education, Sergei Zelenev studied in Russia and the United States: he received MA in international economic relations in 1972 and PHD in economics in 1975 from Moscow State Institute of International Affairs (MGIMO-University). In 1993, while working at the United Nations, he completed the management program--the Executive MBA program at New York University (Stern School of Business) earning MBA. Upon obtaining his doctorate in 1975 he worked as associate professor of political economy at MGIMO-University in Moscow, serving simultaneously as Vice–Dean of the Department of International Economic Relations.

 In 1981 he joined the UN Secretariat in New York as an Economic Affairs Officer. Since then he has been working at the UN Secretariat in the socio-economic field, performing, as required, analytical, normative and managerial functions. He continuously contributed to such flagship UN publications as Reports on the World Social Situation and World Economic and Social Survey.  He also oversaw the preparation of the Comprehensive report on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development submitted to the 24th special Session of the GA and contributed to the preparation of the draft text of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing submitted to the Second World Assembly on Ageing.

 Apart from working at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, twice Mr. Zelenev worked in Africa, participating in the peace-keeping missions in Namibia and South Africa in 1989-1990 and 1993-1994 respectively.

His previous position was Chief, Social Integration Branch, Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Responsibilities included substantive support to the intergovernmental policy dialogue of the member states at the United Nations, and facilitating international cooperation on social development issues, including technical cooperation. Specifically, responsibilities covered conceptualization and overseeing UN/DESA work on ageing, youth, family and inclusive policy issues in general, including gender issues, as well as preparation of the reports which are submitted to the Commission for Social Development, the Economic and Social Council and the UN General Assembly. He supervised preparation of all issues of the biennial World Youth Report published by DESA since 2003. Mr. Zelenev also conceptualized and directed preparation of several policy-oriented DESA publications, including the Guide to the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth and the Guide to the National Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.  He participated in numerous international events, symposia and conferences, making key-note presentations on issues of social policy as on other issues of international significance.

Sergei Zelenev is the author of many articles on inclusive policy, social integration, regional social policy, ageing and social protection published in academic journals. His earlier publications also include book on transnational corporations and social policy, as well as contributions to the study on human rights from international perspective. He also contributed to several DESA publications on social policy, providing chapters and other substantive inputs.