Zambia Elected Vice President of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board for 2026
The Republic of Zambia has been elected Vice President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for 2026.
The election was announced through Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Dr Chola Milambo, following endorsement by the Africa Group at the UN in New York.
Dr Milambo joins a Bureau of four Vice-Presidents under the presidency of the Eastern European Group, led by H.E. Mr Cornel Feruță, Permanent Representative of Romania. The other Vice-Presidents include H.E. Mr Brian Wallace of Jamaica, H.E. Mr Jonibek Hikmat of Tajikistan, and H.E. Mr Lauri Voionmaa of Finland.
The UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board is responsible for governance and oversight, ensuring the effectiveness and sound management of the agencies while guiding their strategic direction. In addition to his new role, Dr Milambo will continue his duties as Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
In accepting the Vice Presidency, Ambassador Milambo thanked the Africa Group for its support and expressed his commitment to safeguarding the UN’s development mandate, particularly for vulnerable communities.
He pledged to work closely with the Board President in providing oversight and strategic guidance, while supporting management in delivering development initiatives at grassroots level.
Zambia’s Vice Presidency coincides with the UN80 Initiative, a major system-wide reform aimed at enhancing the UN’s efficiency, agility, and responsiveness to global challenges.
During the one-year term, Zambia will advance Africa’s interests within the Executive Board, alongside fellow African Board members Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tunisia.
