Dr. Mohamed Behnassi is a Senior Environmentalist Expert at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC/CESE) in Rabat and Founding Director of the Center for Environment, Human Security and Governance (CERES). He is also affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation and, since 2026, serves as an Associate Researcher at Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (CNR-ISMed).

He previously held academic positions at Ibn Zohr University (Agadir) (2004–2022), where he served as Full Professor and held leadership roles, including Head of the Public Law Department and Director of LAGOS. Dr. Behnassi holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental Law and Governance from Hassan II University of Casablanca (UH2C). He also obtained a diploma in International Environmental Law and Diplomacy from the University of Eastern Finland and UNEP, and completed advanced training in public policy and human security, notably through the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) and National Defense University (USA), where he is an alumnus.

An active contributor to international scientific and policy processes, he has served as Coordinating Lead Author and Lead Author for MedECC and as a Scoping Expert and Review Editor for Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

In 2024, he was certified as an Expert Reviewer under the UNFCCC Roster of Experts.

His research focuses on climate governance, environmental law, food systems, and human security, with an extensive publication record including over 80 scientific papers and 25 books.