New York –  Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger officially began her role today as Regional Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

In this role she will lead UNDP’s work supporting 17 countries and one territory to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.  This area spans Central Asia, the Western CIS and South Caucasus, and Western Balkans.  

“I warmly welcome Mirjana to my senior leadership team and to her new role leading UNDP’s work in 17 countries and one territory across Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States,” said Achim Steiner.  “Mirjana brings to UNDP decades of experience serving in the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and a strong policy background, particularly on the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.”

Ms. Spoljaric Egger’s new role will be at the Assistant Secretary-General level.

Ms. Spoljaric Egger’s succeeds Cihan Sultanoglu who is now the UN Representative to the Geneva International Discussions. 

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

Ms. Spoljaric 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.