Stefan Priesner Assumes Office as United Nations Resident Coordinator in India

Stefan Priesner has officially begun his role as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, following the presentation of his credentials to the Government of India.

As Resident Coordinator, Mr Priesner will lead the work of the United Nations Country Team in India, supporting national development priorities and advancing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through a coherent and integrated United Nations response.

Mr. Priesner, who was appointed to the role by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, presented his credentials to the Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, during a ceremony in New Delhi yesterday.

Speaking afterwards, Mr. Priesner said: 

“I am honored to take up this responsibility in India, a country whose diversity, dynamism and history make it such a key partner of the United Nations. We at the UN are ready to work even more closely with the Government and other partners here to support inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind.”

Mr. Priesner brings nearly three decades of experience in international development, policy advisory and the management of complex, multi-sectoral programmes to the role. At the UN, he most recently served as Resident Coordinator in Iran (2021-2025), following an assignment as Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore (2017-2021). He was also Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan (2013-2017). 

Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at UNDP, including Country Director in Bangladesh (2008-2012), Deputy Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004-2008), Deputy Chief of the Sub-regional Resource Facility for South and West Asia in Nepal (2001-2004). Mr. Priesner started his UN career in 1997 with UNDP in Bhutan. Previously he worked in the private sector. 

Mr. Priesner, a national of Austria, holds a master’s in international relations from Johns Hopkins University in the US and a master’s in law from the University of Vienna in Austria. 

For more information, please contact: UNIC New Delhi, at unic-newdelhi@un.org

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