UN picks Tanzanian for major UNEP post

Appointed assistant secretary-general and deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),Joyce Msuya of the United Republic of Tanzania in Nairobi.

What you need to know:

She will succeed Ibrahim Thiaw of Mauritania, to whom the secretary-general said he was grateful for his leadership and dedicated service during his tenure. Ms Msuya has since 2017 served as advisor to the World Bank Vice-President for East Asia and the Pacific Region in Washington, D.C.

New York. United Nations secretary-general António Guterres has announced the appointment of Joyce Msuya of the United Republic of Tanzania as assistant secretary-general and deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi.

She will succeed Ibrahim Thiaw of Mauritania, to whom the secretary-general said he was grateful for his leadership and dedicated service during his tenure. Ms Msuya has since 2017 served as advisor to the World Bank Vice-President for East Asia and the Pacific Region in Washington, D.C.

“She brings to the position more than 20 years of extensive experience in the field of international development spanning corporate, strategy, operations, knowledge management and partnerships, with diverse assignments in Africa, Latin America and Asia,” read part of statement released to the media by UN Information Officer, Ms Stella Vuzo.

She previously served as the World Bank Special Representative and Head of the World Bank Group Office in the Republic of Korea, as well as Regional Coordinator at the World Bank Institute covering East Asia and Pacific Region, based in China, and Principal Strategy Officer at the International Finance Corporation’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services Department.

Earlier in her career, she held numerous various positions at the World Bank Group.

Ms Msuya holds a Master of Science in microbiology and immunology from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and immunology from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland.

She is married and has two children.