The new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Samoa has presented her credentials to the Samoa Government.

Aliona Niculita, who is from the eastern European country of Moldova, presented her credentials to Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa on Monday. 

According to a press release issued by the UNDP, the Prime Minister said she looked forward to working closely with Ms. Niculita and the UNDP to improve access to climate financing, climate change action, women empowerment, and eradicating violence against women, amongst many others.

The high-ranking UNDP official said she looks forward to working with the Samoa Government as well as various actors to promote sustainable development amid the planet's climate crisis.

“In my role as the UNDP Resident Representative, I am determined to work closely with the Government of Samoa, civil society, the private sector, and communities to support the country's drive to advance sustainable development and build resilience in the face of the climate crisis and adapt to the threats of climate change," said Ms. Niculita. 

"I am committed that under my leadership, the UNDP Multi-Country Office will work more effectively and efficiently than ever with the UN family and partners, to help Samoa move forward to an even more inclusive and sustainable future for the people of Samoa."

Ms. Niculita comes to the Pacific from her previous assignment as the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Pakistan and has over 25 years of experience in development cooperation. 

She previously held the positions of UNDP Resident Representative a.i. and Deputy Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic (2015-19) and prior to that she served in various positions both in UNDP country offices and the headquarters. These included being the deputy country director in the Republic of Tajikistan, senior assistant resident representative and programme analyst in Moldova, south coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, and programme specialist on detail assignment in the regional bureau for Europe and CIS in New York. 

Starting her career in 1993 as a public servant with the Government of Moldova, she holds degrees in law and history from the Law Academy and the State University of Moldova. She replaces Mr. Jorn Sorensen whose term came to an end in September this year after four years based in Apia.

The UNDP Multi-Country Office has been in Samoa since July 1979, servicing the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau. The new Resident Representative will also be presenting her credentials to the governments of the other island states under her portfolio.