Ms. Monica Merino presented her credentials as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Albania to H.E. Olta Xhacka, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania.Minister Xhacka welcomed Ms. Merino and received her letter of appointment issued by UNDP’s Administrator, Mr. Achim Steiner.

“I am honored to start my assignment as UNDP’s Resident Representative in Albania. UNDP, which has just marked its 30 years presence in Albania, enjoys a strong and lasting partnership with the Government and people of Albania. UNDP’s programme is aligned with Albania’s national development priorities, including that of European Union integration and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. I look forward to continuing our excellent partnership for the benefit of all Albanians”- says the newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Merino was UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative in El Salvador from 2017 to 2021. She also served as Special Advisor in the Regional Hub Panama (2016-2017), as Deputy Resident Representative and Resident Representative ad interim in UNDP Nicaragua (2014-2016), and as Deputy Resident Representative successively in UNDP Ecuador (2011-2014), UNDP Argentina (2008-2011), and UNDP Mozambique (2006-2007). She started her career as Assistant Resident Representative in UNDP Honduras (1999-2006). Ms. Merino holds a Master´s degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University, USA. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad Nacional de Honduras.  She speaks Spanish and English.

For media inquiries, please contact Nora Kushti, Communications Specialist, UNDP Albania at nora.kushti@undp.org