Ms Vera Songwe, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has stepped down.
Songwe is stepped down on Thursday, after five years of dedicated service to ECA and its member states.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Communications Section, ECA on Thursday.
The statement quoted Songwe as saying she was “pleased to convey the Secretary-General’s decision to designate Antonio Pedro, the Deputy Executive Secretary, ECA, in charge of Programme Support as Acting Executive Secretary, beginning Sept. 1, until further notice”.
She urged members of staff of the Commission to extend their full support to Pedro.
Songwe thanked ECA staff for their team spirit and support during her tenure.
“It has been a privilege to work with you and serve the whole UN system.
“I cannot express enough my appreciation for the support, encouragement, guidance, patience, and friendship I received throughout these years from you.”
Under her leadership, ECA played a key role in promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement at national, sub regional and continental levels.
The Commission also urged adequate resources to finance Africa’s COVID-19 recovery initiatives, fostered Public-Private Partnerships, as well as to promote local manufacturing to ensure sustainable economic growth and reduce growth volatility in Africa.
