The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Lesotho
Mr. Salvator Niyonzima, today presented his Letter of Credentials to the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Maseru.- The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lesotho, Mr. Salvator Niyonzima, today presented his Letter of Credentials to the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho in his first meeting with the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Dr. ‘Mamphono Khaketla.
In his remarks, Mr. Niyonzima commended the Government of Lesotho for its commitment to the AIDS response and for making HIV, TB and maternal and child health issues a priority agenda and for being the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to launch the Test and Treat initiative.
Prior to his appointment in Lesotho, Mr. Niyonzima, a national of the Republic of Burundi, was UNAIDS Inter-Country Director for Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar and the Seychelles from 2015 to 2017. He served as UNAIDS Country Director in Burkina Faso from 2012 to 2015: Gabon from 2008 to 2012, and Namibia from 2004-2008. From 2000-2004, Mr. Niyonzima was an Advisor with UNAIDS in Geneva. Prior to this assignment, he spent a year as a Focal Point, Greater Involvement of People Living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, with UNAIDS in Geneva.
Before Joining UNAIDS, Mr. Niyonzima was Chief of Cabinet with the Ministry of Finance in Burundi from 1997 to 1999. He was also a lecturer at the University of Burundi from 1988-1997 and he served three years as a Junior Advisor in the Office of the President of Burundi between 1988 and 1991. He began his career as a French Language Teacher and was Deputy Principal of a high school in Bujumbura from 1985 to 1987.
In his role as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Niyonzima will continue to provide strategic leadership for the UN system’s work in Lesotho focusing on the integration of development, humanitarian and peace pillars in the work of the UN. These areas of work are pursued with emphasis on the cross-cutting issues of gender, human rights, youth and HIV and AIDS.
Mr. Niyonzima expressed delight at the opportunity to serve in the beautiful Kingdom of Lesotho and to be a part of the efforts to improve the lives of Basotho through the work of the UN.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Asel Abdurahmanova, UN Coordination Specialist
Landline/Mob. +266.22.31.3790/+266.50.83.6838
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