UN Chief Guterres appoints Kenyan Jean Kamau as Guyana Resident Coordinator

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Jean Kamau, a Kenyan diplomat, as the new UN Resident Coordinator for Guyana, according to a statement from the global body on Monday.

Jean Kamau, a former Kenyan ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, assumed the role on September 15, following approval from Nairobi.

"Kamau brings more than 20 years of experience in human rights, development, political governance, and institutional development," the statement from the UN read.

The statement continued, "She recently served as Kenya's Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union."

Kamau has also held diplomatic positions in the Republic of South Africa, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, and Washington, D.C.

Congratulations @JeanKamau, appointed by @UN chief @antonioguterres, to lead the @UNGuyana team on the ground in advancing the #GlobalGoals and leaving no one behind.

⏩https://t.co/c6MyIXrLsJ pic.twitter.com/nSb4wt5gf2

— UN Sustainable Development Group 🇺🇳 (@UN_SDG) September 16, 2024

Before her diplomatic career, she worked in various roles in the public sector and civil society, including as Country Director for Action Aid International in Kenya and Lesotho and as the first Executive Director for the Federation of Women Lawyers, Kenya.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and a Master's degree in Democratic Studies from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Kamau succeeds Yeșim Oruç, who has been commended for strengthening the relationship with UN agencies and initiatives that have been crucial in helping Guyana achieve its developmental goals.

The Turkish diplomat, Oruç, has been reassigned as the Resident Coordinator in Moldova.

Resident Coordinators lead UN Country Teams and coordinate UN support to countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The Resident Coordinator is the designated representative of – and reports to – the UN Secretary-General.