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Mr. Stephen Rodriques presenting his credentials as the UNDP Resident Representative to Hon. Dr. Richard Sezibera, minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda
The recently-appointed UNDP Resident Representative for Rwanda, Mr. Stephen Rodriques, presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Dr. Richard Sezibera, on Tuesday 30th April, 2019.
Mr. Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative
Mr. Rodriques is the first person to hold the position of UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda without also simultaneously holding the position of UN Resident Coordinator. The delinking of the two roles - UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator - is a key part of the United Nations Development System reform process which was initiated in 2017 by the current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Mr. Fodé Ndiaye remains the One UN Resident Coordinator for Rwanda.
Mr. Rodriques is a Jamaican national and has a Masters of Philosophy in Government and a Masters of Business Administration. He is a social development practitioner with over 25 years of experience working in Government and the UN system. Prior to his appointment, Stephen served as Country Director for UNDP Rwanda and before that as Deputy Country Director for UNDP’s Office in Indonesia. He was also an Advisor in UNDP’s Executive Office in New York; Head of the Governance and Poverty Unit for UNDP Jamaica multi-country office; Director of Social Policy in Jamaica’s Ministry of Local Government, Youth and Community Development; Head of Planning and Development in the Jamaica Social Investment Fund; and Assistant to the Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica.
Hon. Dr. Richard Sezibera exchanging with new Mr. Stephen Rodriques after presenting his credentials
After the presentation of credentials, Mr. Rodriques and Minister Dr. Sezibera exchanged views on the state of cooperation between the Government of Rwanda and UNDP covering a number of topics including UNDP’s work in the environment and climate change sector and on flagship initiatives such as Youth Connekt Africa. The Minister accepted to be a champion for UNDP’s latest programme to promote the rights of People with Disability in all sectors of society.
