In a significant milestone for Eritrea, its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam, has been appointed Vice President of the Executive Board Bureau of UNICEF for the year 2025.
This prestigious role underscores both a testament to her diplomatic acumen and a reflection of Eritrea’s commitment to global development efforts.
As a Vice President, she will represent her regional group (Africa) and play an integral role in facilitating dialogue, building consensus, and advancing UNICEF’s mission. Her leadership will contribute to ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the evolving challenges faced by children worldwide.
Ambassador Tesfamariam’s extensive experience in international diplomacy and advocacy positions her well for this role. Throughout her tenure as Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, she has been a strong advocate for sustainable development, health, and education—priorities that align closely with UNICEF’s mandate.
Her appointment is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the Bureau’s deliberations, particularly on issues affecting children in Africa and other developing regions.
This appointment marks a proud moment for Eritrea, highlighting the country’s active engagement within the UN system. It also underscores Eritrea’s commitment to addressing global challenges, particularly those affecting the most vulnerable populations. Ambassador Tesfamariam’s new role reflects the increasing recognition of Eritrea’s contributions to international dialogue and cooperation.
As Vice President, Ambassador Tesfamariam will play a pivotal role in strengthening UNICEF’s efforts to protect children’s rights, ensure access to education and healthcare, and address pressing issues such as poverty, conflict, and climate change. Her leadership will help bridge regional perspectives, fostering a collaborative approach to tackling these complex challenges.
The appointment of Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam is a noteworthy development for both Eritrea and UNICEF. It signifies a renewed commitment to advancing the well-being of children worldwide and demonstrates the vital role of international cooperation in building a better future for the next generation.
The UNICEF Executive Board Bureau plays a critical role in shaping the agency’s efforts to support children worldwide. Comprising five officers—the President and four Vice Presidents—the Bureau is structured to ensure balanced representation from the five regional groups of the United Nations. These officers are elected annually by the Executive Board, with the presidency rotating among the regions each year.
Since its establishment in 1994, the Bureau has functioned as a vital link between UNICEF’s secretariat and the Executive Board. Its responsibilities include coordinating administrative and functional matters, facilitating the negotiation of decisions during board sessions, and fostering collaboration within regional groups. By meeting monthly, and often daily during Executive Board sessions, the Bureau ensures that UNICEF’s strategies and policies are effectively executed to benefit children in need.
BIOGRAPHY
- H.E. Sophia Tesfamariam is the Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the UN.
- She has global experience in social development and has done extensive work with youth and women, especially in the Horn of Africa. Her passion is to produce possibility mindsets among the youth, and has worked with many representative groups in the Horn of Africa to promote understanding and cultivate peace.
- Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam conducted over 100 seminars and workshops for youth and women in USA, Europe and Africa on leadership and strategy development, and has extensive media and public diplomacy experience. An avid writer and storyteller, she has published over 1000 articles and reports for various media outlets, as well as blogs, and is Co-Editor of the Diaspora Magazine and the America Times.
- Born during the struggle for Eritrea’s independence, Ambassador Tesfamariam understands the plight of refugees, the longing of exile, and the burning hope for freedom that resides in all human beings.
- Ambassador Sophia has strong networks in Africa, Europe, and Australia and continues to work with the citizens of the Horn of Africa to achieve peace, stability and security in the region.