IT is another win on the global stage for Tanzania after Elizabeth Mrema was appointed as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Deputy Executive Director.
Ms Mrema, biodiversity leader and lawyer, has worked for UNEP for over two decades and was appointed to the Nairobi-based UN agency on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement.
Prior to her appointment, Ms Mrema was the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), she is the first African woman to hold the role. She previously held numerous leadership positions at UNEP.
As a result of her appointment, Tanzania Women’s Lawyers Association (TAWLA) Executive Director, Tike Mwambipile, said they’re excited about Ms Mrema’s appointment.
“First of all, she is an active member of TAWLA and one of its founding members. She is qualified for the post because she has the experience, so this is fantastic news for us,” she told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview.
Ms Mwambipile went on to say that her appointment was a victory for women everywhere, not just in Tanzania, as they continue to break through the glass ceiling.
In her opinion, Ms Mrema is dedicated, hardworking and honest.
Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR) Spokesperson, Mr Innocent Shoo said, Ms Mrema’s appointment shows the UN’s appreciation of the Tanzanian contribution and commitment to UN leadership.
“Seeing one of our own in such a prominent leadership position is a source of pride for Tanzania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – CFR. Our nation’s name will become more well-known in the diplomatic community and we have a good chance of presenting our specific objectives for sustainable consumption and production,” he said.
According to Mr Shoo, Tanzania’s foreign policy continues to support the UN’s efforts to promote world peace and stability.
“One more effective method we can assist is by providing strong leadership to advance the UNEP’s priorities, to which Ms Mrema will contribute,” he said, adding; “A nation’s influence on the UN on a global and regional scale generally grows with growing leadership positions,” Mr Shoo said
Ms Mrema earned a Bachelor of Law from the University of Dar es Salaam, followed by a Master of Law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy from CFR.
Before beginning work with UNEP, Ms Mrema worked for Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, serving as a Counsellor/Senior Legal Counsel. She also lectured in Public International Law and Conference Diplomacy at CFR.
From 2009 to 2012, she worked at organisations based in Bonn, Germany. In 2009, she was appointed Acting Executive Secretary of the UNEP/ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas), Executive Secretary of the UNEP/Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and Interim Executive Secretary of the UNEP/Gorilla Agreement.
Starting in 2012, she has been serving as Deputy Director of the Ecosystems Division at UNEP. In this position, she was tasked with overseeing the organization’s coordination, operations, and programme delivery.
Ms Mrema was then appointed Director of the Law Division at UNEP in June 2014. In 2018 she additionally served as Acting Director of the Corporate Services Division. In November 2019, Ms Mrema served an interim position as the Officer in Charge of the CBD Secretariat. Starting in December 2019, she served as Acting Executive Secretary of the CBD Secretariat. In July 2020 it was announced that she would be appointed to the Executive Secretary role.
In addition to leadership roles, Ms Mrema serves as a pro bono lecturer at the University of Nairobi – Law School and has previously lectured pro bono at International Development Law Organization (IDLO), in Rome, Italy.
She has published numerous articles on international environmental law and developed influential handbooks and guidelines for multilateral environmental agreements as well as other topics on environmental law.
Ms Mrema succeeds her Tanzanian compatriot Joyce Msuya, who was appointed as Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“It is my pleasure to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Ms Msuya. I wish to express appreciation to Sonja Leighton-Kone, Director of UNEP’s Corporate Services Division, who will continue to serve as Acting Deputy Executive Director until Ms Mrema assumes the role,” Mr Guterres said.
