Adv. Carter Cheng, Ph.D. Cand. (Cantab.), MPhil Public Policy (Cantab.), LL.M. (PKU), M.Sc. Econ. Hist. (LSE), B.A. Intl Rel. (St Andrews), is the European Focal Point of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Youth Caucus, Managing Director (London) at Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP), and Engagement Coordinator for the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global) programme at the University of Cambridge. She has also been named a Future 50 Leader by the World Economic Forum.

In her role with the UNCCD Youth Caucus, Ms Cheng leads the European branch of the official youth constituency, advising the UNCCD Secretariat on youth engagement strategies addressing deforestation and desertification. As Chair of YPFP London, the largest local chapter in a global network of over 20,000 members, she directs seven major initiatives to equip young changemakers to influence international forums including the G7, G20, and UN Climate COPs.

At Cambridge, she serves as Engagement Coordinator of DemEd Global, where she manages institutional partnerships with organisations such as the Bennett Institute for Public Policy and the Centre for Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Governance (CEENRG). Her work supports over 10,000 emerging law and policy leaders from more than 160 countries to access funded education in sustainable development law and governance.

Ms Cheng is also a Legal Fellow with the International Lawyers Project, where she works on strategic litigation and advocacy supporting Indigenous communities in Africa affected by economic and ecological injustice linked to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

She currently serves on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and the judging panel for the FAO World Food Forum Youth Policy Board. Her past roles include positions at the UK Cabinet Office, Spanish Ministry of Youth, United Nations ESCAP, Peking University, and the University of Hong Kong.

She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge, where her research focuses on designing governance models that transform climate technology innovation into catalysts for equity, inclusivity, and resilience.