30 April 2013, Male'; The New Resident Coordinator of the United Nations to the Maldives Mr. Anthony (Tony) Lisle called on His Excellency Dr. Abdul Samad Abdullah yesterday.
In the meeting that took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Samad welcomed Mr. Lisle to the Maldives and expressed confidence in his leadership to achieve a more successful Maldives-UN partnership. Minister Samad also briefed Mr. Lisle on the political developments and the upcoming Presidential elections.
In his remarks Mr. Lisle congratulated the Maldives for its leadership in the United Nations and especially at the Human Rights Council. He also praised the Maldives "outstanding contributions" to the international human rights mechanisms.
The new Resident Coordinator briefed on UN assistance programme and UN engagement with the Government and focused on the progress by the Maldives in achieving the MDG's. Discussions also focused on the UN's ongoing engagement with the Government in relation to political and technical issues and other key areas of cooperation.
Mr. Tony Lisle is Australian by nationality and was based in Viet Nam as UNAIDS Country Director prior to his appointment in the Maldives.He was responsible for leading, coordinating and facilitating an expanded Joint UN system response to HIV in Viet Nam. He also served as UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Cambodia and as Regional Advisor on HIV/AIDS for UNICEF based in Geneva. Mr. Lisle's also served in Thailand and Laos.
ENDS