The United Nations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has sworn in Nigerian Ahunna Eziakonwa as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa.
The swearing-in ceremony, held in New York following her appointment, marks the beginning of Eziakonwa’s tenure in the senior UN position, where she will play a key role in advancing Africa’s interests within the global body.
Eziakonwa expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in her, saying “she looked forward to working with UN Member States, the African Union, partners and colleagues across the UN system, Africa and beyond.”
Priority
She said her priority would be to contribute to efforts to advance peace, sustainable development and opportunities for Africans.
Following the ceremony, Eziakonwa held a bilateral meeting with Guterres to discuss ways of deepening cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union and advancing Africa’s development agenda at the global level.
Global financial reforms
The discussions also focused on Africa’s role in shaping global financial reforms, strengthening regional economic integration and financing, and harnessing opportunities from the green and digital transitions for the benefit of the continent’s people.
Eziakonwa said she was committed to using her new position to amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage.
“I look forward to continuing to serve and to amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage. Together, we will build on UN support to unlock Africa’s immense potential and promise,” she said.
Before her appointment, Eziakonwa served as Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme from August 2018 to June 2026.
She previously served as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia from 2015 to 2018, Uganda from 2012 to 2015, and Lesotho from 2008 to 2012.
Eziakonwa also served as Chief of the Africa Section at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York.
Before joining the United Nations, she held senior leadership positions in African civil society organisations.
