New UN resident official presents credentials

The incoming United Nations resident coordinator for the Independent State of Papua New Guinea has presented his credentials to Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato.

Gianluca Rampolla officially takes up his post in-country.

During the meeting, Rampolla and Pato discussed prospects for deepening the strategic partnership between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the United Nations in realising the Sustainable Development Goals as well as national development and peacebuilding priorities.

“It was a great honour to meet with Mr. Rimbink Pato and to present him with the Letter of Credentials from the UN Secretary-General, appointing me as the UN resident coordinator in Papua New Guinea,” Rampolla said.

“I am humbled and honoured to work with the Government to support the people of Papua New Guinea at this historical juncture, with the Government hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings this year and the opportunity it provides to boost the work on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Meanwhile, Minister Pato said: “The Government of Papua New Guinea has built a fantastic working relationship with the United Nations System.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs has enjoyed a very constructive engagement with the United Nations.

“I hope we continue to work together on all the issues Papua New Guinea is concerned, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the Bougainville referendum, human rights and gender.”

Prior to his appointment as the highest-ranking UN Official in Papua New Guinea, Rampolla served in several UN field assignments in Africa, Europe and headquarters in New York.

Apart from his close collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea, Rampolla is looking forward to working with the fourteen UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes in-country as well as the Government and development partners on implementing the UN Development Assistance Framework 2018-2022.

The Framework, aligned to Papua New Guinea’s political cycle, represents the UN’s partnership with the Government in the areas of Inclusive Human Development & Equitable Services; Inclusive & Sustainable Growth; Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, Biodiversity Conservation, Strengthened Climate & Disaster Resilience; and Promoting Inclusive, Governance, Justice & Peace.

Author: 
Press release