New Permanent Observer for Economic Community of West African States Presents Letter of Appointment

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

The new Permanent Observer for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the United Nations, Kinza Jawara-N’Jai presented her letter of appointment to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Jawara-N’Jai served as Principal Programme Officer and Head of Division for Cross-Border Co-operation of ECOWAS since 2008.  From 2006 to 2007, she worked as an international consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women as a technical adviser to the Ministry of Gender and Social Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister of Rwanda.

She has also served in various capacities as a civil servant in the Office of the President of the Gambia, including as Permanent Secretary and Senior Adviser to the President from 2003 to 2005; Deputy Permanent Secretary and Chief Technical Advisory to the First Lady from 2000 to 2003; Principal Assistant Secretary from 1999 to 2000; and Senior Assistant Secretary from 1995 to 1999.  She first joined the Office as a Cadet Administrative Officer and Assistant Secretary in 1992.

Ms. Jawara-N’Jai holds a Master of Arts in international political economy from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor of Arts in international studies from Webster University, both in the United Kingdom. Born in Kinshasa in 1967, she is fluent in English, French, Soninke, Wolof, Creole and Mandinka.  She is married, with two children.