UN chief Antonio Guterres has named a German with extensive experience at the world organization, Achim Steiner, as the new administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Steiner, who previously served at the UN Environment Programme and headed the UN office in Kenya, was selected to succeed Helen Clark, a former New Zealand prime minister, who has steered the UNDP since 2009.
Headquartered in New York City, the UNDP seeks to reduce poverty, improve social development and encourage women’s empowerment.
One of the candidates passed over for the post included French Environment Minister Segolene Royal, who said she was surprised because Guterres had promised a woman would take the job.
She intimated that Germany used its weight as a major UNDP donor to have Steiner chosen.
Headquartered in New York City, the UNDP seeks to reduce poverty, improve social development and encourage women’s empowerment.
Achim Steiner belongs to Germany who previously served at the UN Environment Programme and headed the UN office in Kenya.
