The United Nations System in the People's Republic of China welcomes the appointment of Ms. Renata Lok Dessallien as the country's new Resident Coordinator. She succeeds Mr. Khalid Malik, whose term concluded in early April 2010. Ms. Dessallien, who will also serve as the country's UNDP Resident Representative, enters office upon serving in the same capacity with the United Nations' country office in Bangladesh.

As UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Dessallien will play a central role in bringing together the efforts of all UN China agencies, with the aim of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's contributions to the country's development priorities.

As UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Dessallien will plan and coordinate UNDP's programme in China.

Ms. Dessallien enters office with 24 years of UN experience in Africa and throughout Asia, with assignments in Myanmar, Mali, and Laos. She has served as Resident Coordinator for the last 8 years, first in Bhutan and most recently in Bangladesh. Ms. Dessallien has also worked as a Senior Advisor in the Bureau for Development Policy in New York. Prior to joining the UN, Ms. Dessallien worked for the AUCC in Canada.

Ms. Dessallien holds degrees from the University of Ottawa (B.Mus.), Columbia University (MA), and Harvard University (MPA). A citizen of Canada, Ms. Dessallien is married and has one teenage son.

(China Development Gateway April 30, 2010)