The UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Vera Songwe has stepped down, effective 1 September 2022, after five years at the helm, APA can report on Thursday.
Ms. Songwe announced her decision to quit last month and thanked ECA staff for their team spirit and support during her tenure.
“It has been a privilege to work with you and to serve the entire United Nations system. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the support, encouragement, guidance, patience and friendship I have received from you throughout these years,” Ms. Songwe says.
Under her leadership, ECA played a critical role in promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the national, sub-regional and continental levels; access to adequate resources to fund COVID-19 recovery initiatives in Africa; the creation of public-private partnerships; and the promotion of local manufacturing to ensure sustainable economic growth and reduce growth volatility in Africa.
In her farewell message to the staff on August 31, Ms. Songwe conveyed the decision of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint Antonio Pedro as acting ECA Secretary General until further notice and urged the staff and members to give him their full cooperation.
Until his appointment, Pedro was the ECA’s Deputy Executive Secretary for Program Support.
WN/as/APA