By Staff Writer
PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa, meets officially with the new UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Aliona Niculita who will be based in Samoa.
A career span of more than 25 years with the United Nations continue this week for the new UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Aliona Niculita, native of Moldova in south-eastern Europe.
She replaces Mr. Jorn Sorensen whose term came to an end in September, after four years in office.
Ms. Niculita, comes to the Pacific from her prior assignment as the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Pakistan.
She previously held the positions of UNDP Resident Representative a.i. and Deputy Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic (2015-19).
Before that she served in various positions both in UNDP country offices and headquarters.
She was Deputy Country Director in the Republic of Tajikistan, Senior Assistant Resident Representative and Programme Analyst in Moldova, South Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, and Programme Specialist on detail assignment in the Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS in New York.
Ms. Niculita began her career in 1993 as a public servant with the Government of Moldova, and hold degrees in Law from the Law Academy and History from the State University of Moldova.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa was yesterday, Monday 16 October 2023, officially presented the credentials by the new UNDP Resident Representative.
Ms. Niculita will include Cook Is, Niue and Tokelau in her official responsibilities while based in Samoa.
“In my role as the UNDP Resident Representative, I am determined to work closely with the Government of Samoa, civil society, private sector, and communities to support the country drive to advance sustainable development and build resilience in the face of climate crisis and adapt to the threats of climate change,” she assured.
“I am committed that under my leadership, the UNDP Multi-Country Office will work more effectively and efficiently than ever with the UN family and partners, to help Samoa move forward to an even more inclusive and sustainable future for the people of Samoa.”
During yesterday’s credential presentation, PM Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, said she is looking forward to working closely with Ms. Niculita and UNDP to improve access to climate financing, climate change action, women empowerment, and eradicating violence against women, amongst many others.
The UNDP Multi-Country Office has been in Samoa since July 1979, servicing the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau. The new Resident Representative will also be presenting her credentials to the governments of the other islands under her portfolio.