KATHMANDU: Newly-appointed UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Sara Beysolow Nyanti has presented the Letter of Credence to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Gyawali at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar.

She was appointed the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on January 6 with the approval of the government of Nepal.

She succeeds Valerie Julliand, who is now serving as UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia.

“I am truly delighted to start my tenure as the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal. This is a crucial time for the UN and the government as it relates to containing the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring a coordinated response that is not only medical but addresses the socio-economic challenges as well,” she said in a statement issued by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office after assuming her office.

“I am committed to our joined-up efforts to provide immediate and effective humanitarian support to Nepal in relation to not only the COVID 19 response, but to an overall effective emergency preparedness and response system,” the statement said.

Nyanti has also expressed commitment on behalf of the UN in Nepal to support the Nepal government and the stakeholders in pushing the envelope to build back not only better, but greener, and differently.

“Nepal’s aspiration of graduation from being a least developed country is one that the UN shares, and our support in this area will remain a priority. With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of everything we do, I would like to reiterate the UN in Nepal’s focus on internalizing the SDGs for stronger engagement with provincial and local governments in order to achieve the global agenda with a focus on gender equality,” she said.

She has held leadership positions across the United Nations in Namibia, Jordan, Nepal and Nigeria, working in multiple sectors and agencies on key issues such as Ebola response coordination.