August 17, New York – United Nations Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner welcomed  the appointment to his senior leadership team today of Ambassador Mirjana Spoljaric Egger as the new Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

“Our rigorous recruitment of senior leaders continues to yield world class talent,” said Steiner of the appointment.   “I am personally committed to having a leadership team with the expertise and perspectives needed to achieve UNDP’s sustainable development mandate and deliver on its key role in the UN’s development system.  Ms. Spoljaric Egger’s appointment reflects that, and I welcome her warmly to the UN Development Programme.”

In this role, Ms. Spoljaric Egger will lead UNDP’s work supporting countries across the region in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.   She will hold the rank of Assistant Secretary-General.

UNDP’s senior leadership team represents 10 countries from each region UNDP serves and is 50:50 gender balanced.

Ms Spoljaric Egger currently serves as Head of United Nations and International Organisations Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, where she has been instrumental in shaping Swiss UN policies and priorities in support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. 

Ms. Sopljaric Egger combines a strong policy background with field experience and has had several assignments in the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in New York, Cairo, and with the Office of UNRWA Commissioner-General. 

Ms Spoljaric Egger holds a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, Economics and International Law from the University of Basel and the University of Geneva.  She is married and has two children.

For more information, please contact: Christina LoNigro at christina.lonigro@undp.org or +1 917 607 9446.