By Haruna Gimba
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has designated Mozambican geologist Antonio Pedro to the post of Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) effective from the September 1.
Ms. Vera Songwe has stepped down after five years of dedicated service to ECA and its Member States.
Previously, Pedro held the post of Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and put in charge of programme support.
He is a specialist in mineral exploration with over thirty years of experience in development issues and management at the national, sub-regional, and continental levels.
He joined UNECA in 2001 where he has held several senior positions. Between 2001 and 2009 he was the head of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Development based in Addis Ababa, focussing on mining, water, transport, and energy development.
Amongst his achievements were spearheading the formulation of the Africa Mining Vision which was adopted by the African Union summit. He has also served as the Director for UNECA’s sub-regional offices for Eastern Africa (between 2009 and 2016) and Central Africa (between 2016 and 2021).
UNECA was established in 1958 as one of the United Nations’ five regional commissions, with a mandate to promote economic and social development, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development.
