DILI, 28 june 2024 (TATOLI) – Newly appointed Representative for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Patrizia DiGiovanni, yesterday presented her credentials to the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel.
DiGiovanni arrived in Timor-Leste this week and will oversee the implementation of the UNICEF Country Program of Cooperation (2021-2025) in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste. She takes over from the previous Representative, Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani.
Accepting DiGiovanni’s credentials, Minister Rangel said the Government of Timor-Leste looks forward to continuing the strong partnership with UNICEF to help improve the lives of children and women across the country.
“Since day one of Timor-Leste’s independence, UNICEF has supported the Government of Timor-Leste to implement country-led and country-owned development programs. The IX Government of Timor-Leste looks forward to this spirit of cooperation to continue during DiGiovanni’s tenure,” said Rangel.
In her response, DiGiovanni expressed appreciation to the Government of Timor-Leste for receiving her accreditation.
She underscored her commitment to supporting Government’s development priorities through leading UNICEF’s current programs in education, child protection, maternal and child health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and social policy.
“I appreciate the extensive work that UNICEF Representatives before me have done in supporting the Government’s prioritization of children and their families. I commit to building on to these successes and to lead UNICEF’s role of contributing new ideas and innovations which will drive the country’s development agenda further,” saiDiGiovanni.
DiGiovanni has over 28 years of experience with UNICEF. Prior to her appointment in Timor-Leste, she was the UNICEF Representative in North Macedonia and has also served in different capacities with UNICEF Offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, and the Philippines.
She is an Australian national, who holds a master’s degree in legal studies (International Law and Human Rights), from the University of New South Wales, a bachelor’s degree in social science from the University of Western Sydney, and an Associate Diploma in Community Studies (Youth Work) from the Milperra College of Advanced Education, Sydney.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
