Kathmandu: United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, presented her credentials to Prime Minister Sushila Karki on February 9, formally assuming her role in the country.
Pieters Yahia, a Canadian national, was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres with the approval of the Government of Nepal. During the meeting, she praised Nepal’s contribution to global peace and security, particularly its role as the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions.
She reaffirmed the United Nations’ partnership with Nepal in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and supporting the country’s 16th national plan, with a focus on inclusive growth, resilience, sustainable development, digital transformation, and youth opportunities.
Pieters Yahia said the UN remains committed to supporting Nepal’s national priorities, including job creation for young people, peace and inclusion, and strengthening resilience to climate change impacts.
With more than 25 years of experience in development and humanitarian work, Pieters Yahia previously served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Mauritania.
Who is Lila Pieters Yahia ?
Pieters Yahia brings over 25 years of experience in public service across diverse country contexts. She most recently served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mauritania after working as Resident Coordinator ad interim in Armenia, Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia. In these roles, she has led United Nations country teams in supporting nationally defined development priorities, strengthening system-wide coherence, and advancing strategic partnerships to accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.
Prior to joining the United Nations Secretariat in 2020, Pieters Yahia held senior leadership roles with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), including Country Representative in Tunisia, Deputy Director of the Brussels Office, and Deputy Country Representative in Türkiye.
She also served in various leadership capacities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Bangladesh, contributing to efforts to strengthen national systems and advance results for children and their families. Pieters Yahia holds a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom.
