Another woman takes the lead: Joyce Msuya now heads UNEP

Tanzanian Microbiologist Joyce Msuya has been appointed to head United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) following the resignation of Erik Solheim.

Ms. Msuya who took over on Thursday, holds a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

She is also a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Scotland where she got her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Immunology.

The 50-year old added another feather in her cap with an Executive General Management Certificate from Harvard Business School (USA) and a Public Health Certificate from Johns Hopkins University (USA).

Msoya joined the United Nations after she was appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres to be the agency’s Deputy Executive Director on August 15, 2018.

Prior to joining UN, the mother of two, served as Adviser to the World Bank Vice President, East Asia and Pacific Region in Washington, D.C.

She also served in the Republic of Korea, as the inaugural World Bank Special Representative and Head of the World Bank Group (WBG).

Solheim, a former politician and a diplomat resigned after the release of an internal audit report that said he had gobbled up $500,000 in unnecessary and budgeted travel expenses in just 22 months.

‘I am sad to be leaving UNEP as we have achieved so much together. I will continue to champion the cause of the environment,’‘ read a tweet he posted on his official account.

I am sad to be leaving @UNEnvironment as we have achieved so much together. I will continue to champion the cause of the environment! https://t.co/8VF7A9V2b1

— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) November 20, 2018

He joined the UN agency in 2016 as its Executive Director succeeding Achim Steiner.

Previously, Solheim was the chairman of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development taking over from Brian Atwood who stepped down in December 2012.