UNDP Administrator Ms. Helen Clark visits Malawi

Lilongwe 24 October 2012- Helen Clark, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has arrived in Malawi for a four-day visit. The objective of her visit is to engage senior government officials in high level policy discussions on key development issues in the country. Ms. Clark, who is the highest ranking female official in the UN system and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, will meet Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi, Rt. Honourable Khumbo Kachali, Vice President and Minister of Health, cabinet ministers, Development Partners, the parliamentary women caucus and Civil Society Organization representatives. She will visit UNDP-supported projects to appreciate how UNDP interventions are helping to empower Malawians. The Administrator will also visit Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe to observe the work of UN Volunteer doctors in providing essential health services to the people of Malawi. Ms. Clark will be a guest of honour during the UN Day celebrations which will take place at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe on Thursday 25th October 2012. The Administrator was received at Kamuzu International Airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Ephraim Mganda Chiume, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Richard Dictus, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), Ms. Naomi Kitahara and Deputy Resident Representative (Operations) Mr. Thierry Randrianarijaona. Accompanying Ms. Clark are Ms. Sharon Kinsley, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Boaz Paldi, UNDP Head of Audio Visual and Mr. Georges van Monfort, from the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA). Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme in April 2009, and is the first woman to lead the organisation. She is also the chair of the United Nations Development Group, a committee consisting of the heads of all UN funds, programmes and departments working on development issues.