Hak Joo Song
Environmental Specialist at The World Bank
- Role
- Environmental Specialist - Western and Central Africa Region at The World Bank Group
- Location
- Washington, WA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Hak Joo Song
Hak-Joo is an Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. Trained as a civil and environmental engineer, he brings over a decade of experience in environmental risk management, digital and spatial informatics, sustainable environment, and infrastructure development across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific region. He currently serves as Task Team Leader of the Coastal Resilience, Environmental Health, Pollution Management, and Circular Economy Development Investment projects in Western and Central Africa, During the past 7 years at the World Bank, Hak-Joo led the MFIs Technology-for-ESF Initiative and launched the World Bank’s first AI tool for E&S, pioneering the integration of AI, remote sensing, GIS, and digital technologies into operations and environmental & social impact assessments — bridging field operations, safeguards, investment finance, and frontier technologies at scale. He has also led data-driven analytics and projects on forestry, landscape management, biodiversity, hydropower dam, resilient cities, and road rehabilitation in more than 30 countries worldwide. Hak Joo also serves as a peer reviewer for academic journals in environmental impact assessment and sustainability. Prior to the World Bank, he worked in both public and private sectors, delivering projects and research in renewable energy, urban transport, ICT, and risk management systems across Asia. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from KAIST.
Experience
Environmental Specialist - Western and Central Africa Region
Jul 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US
Task Team Leader for World Bank Investment Project Financing and large-scale programmatic advisory services in West and Central Africa, with a focus on Blue Economy, Circular Economy, Environmental Health and Pollution Management.• Led and co-led flagship operations including the Africa Environmental Health and Pollution Management Program and the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project in Ghana, overseeing project implementation on the ground and senior-level government engagement. • Digital components lead for major World Bank investment projects across forestry, fisheries, and coastal management in Liberia, including the Liberia Sustainable Forest Economy Project and the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project.• Designated AI & Digital Focal Point for Environment Operations in West Africa, leading the strategic integration of AI, geospatial informatics, and digital platforms across World Bank lending operations and advisory services—from upstream diagnostics to supervision and implementation.
Education
Seoul National University
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Master of Science - MS
Tongji University
Summer School
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Bachelor of Science - BS
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