Kathmandu: The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Ms. Lila Pieters Yahia, presented her credentials to the Right Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal, Madam Sushila Karki, on 9 February 2026.
Following her official appointment as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with the approval of the Government of Nepal, Ms. Pieters Yahia of Canada today presented her credentials, marking the formal commencement of her mandate in the country.
Upon presenting her credentials, Ms. Pieters Yahia commended Nepal’s sustained leadership in advancing global peace and security, notably as the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping. She also underscored the United Nations’ partnership with Nepal in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and in supporting the realization of the country’s 16th national plan and priorities for inclusive growth, resilience, sustainable development, digital transformation, and expanded opportunities for young people.
“It is an honour to lead the United Nations’ team in Nepal at this important moment for the country. In my meeting today with Her Excellency the Prime Minister, I reaffirmed the United Nations’ respect for Nepal’s sovereign democratic processes and peaceful, credible elections. We discussed national priorities, including expanding employment opportunities for young people so they can build their future at home rather than migrating out of necessity, advancing peace, inclusion and sustainable development, and strengthening resilience to acute climate vulnerability despite Nepal’s negligible emissions. The United Nations remains fully committed to supporting these priorities and ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
Ms. Pieters Yahia brings over 25 years of experience across development and humanitarian contexts in senior management and strategic leadership roles. She most recently served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mauritania.
About Ms. Lila Peters Yahia:
Ms. 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, Ms. 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. Ms. Pieters Yahia holds a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom. She is a proud mother of two young men.
