The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appointed Gita Sabharwal of India as the new UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. Sabharwal assumed her post on Monday, bringing with her nearly three decades of experience in development, supporting climate transition, sustainable peace, governance, and social policy, while leveraging digital technology and data to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Experienced Development Professional
With the host government’s approval, Sabharwal’s appointment as the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia comes after her previous roles as the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand and as the Peacebuilding and Development Adviser for the United Nations in Sri Lanka. Before joining the UN, she served as The Asia Foundation’s Deputy Country Representative for the Maldives and Sri Lanka and held positions as the Poverty and Policy Adviser for the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development in India and Vietnam.
Role of the UN Resident Coordinator
The UN Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System at the country level. Resident Coordinators lead UN country teams and coordinate UN support to countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General, the Resident Coordinator’s key duties and responsibilities include:
- Representation: Representing the United Nations at the highest levels of state and fostering engagement with the government, civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners, academia, and the private sector.
- Coordination: Ensuring the UN development system addresses the country’s needs, priorities, and challenges to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Leadership: Leading the UN country team and coordinating UN support to the country in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
Qualifications and Experience
Gita Sabharwal holds a master’s degree in development management from the University of Wales in the UK. Her extensive experience spans nearly 30 years, during which she has supported climate transition, sustainable peace, governance, and social policy initiatives, while leveraging digital technology and data to accelerate the SDGs.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
Sabharwal’s appointment as the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia reflects the UN’s commitment to promoting sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. With her wealth of experience and expertise, she is well-positioned to lead the UN country team in Indonesia and coordinate efforts to address the country’s development challenges and priorities.
The role of the UN Resident Coordinator is crucial in ensuring effective cooperation between the UN system, the host government, and other stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.