Skopje, 2 July 2024 (МИА) - Newly appointed Representative of UNICEF in North Macedonia, Lesley Miller, presented her credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Timcho Mucunski on Tuesday.

In welcoming the new UNICEF Representative, Minister Mucunski expressed his appreciation for the 30-year-long partnership between the Government and UNICEF in the country. He reinforced that change in society must begin with children and underlined the importance of continuing to advance child rights, UNICEF said in a press release.

Miller commended Mucunski for the country’s achievements for children, noting that in 30 years since it ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, legislative and policy frameworks have improved and that stronger systems have contributed to improving children’s rights and well-being.

Recognizing the country’s aspirations for more sustainable socio-economic development and improved well-being of all its citizens, the UNICEF Representative committed to continue to work with the Government to address the needs and to protect the rights of children and their families. This includes continuing to support important reforms in health, education, child and social protection, justice and environment, as well as tackling new and emerging challenges to childhood. She added that the new country programme (2026-2030) will be a unique opportunity to recommit joint efforts to ensure every child in the country – especially the most vulnerable girls and boys – are thriving, learning, protected and participating.

Before moving to North Macedonia, Miller served as the UNICEF Deputy Representative in Viet Nam. She brings over 30 years of experience with UNICEF in multiple leadership, partnership and programme positions. In addition to serving in Viet Nam, she has worked in Serbia and Cambodia, in the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, based in Geneva and in UNICEF’s New York Headquarters, reads the press release.

Photo: UNICEF