Aneesah Abdullah appointed United Nations Country Coordination Officer for The Bahamas  

The Bahamas native, who began her career in 2004 as an educator, is the first person to occupy this role. With deep interest in gender equality, human rights, and good governance as critical components of national development, Abdullah has accumulated over 10 years of professional and academic expertise in that regard.

Prior to her role with the United Nations, Abdullah worked with the Bahamas Government since 2015, where she spent years focusing on women’s, human rights, and development issues at the Bureau of Women’s Affairs/Department of Gender and Family Affairs (Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development). She recently concluded an approximate three-year term in the Economic Development and Planning Unit/Sustainable Development Goals Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister where she co-led the national coordination, promotion, and monitoring efforts regarding implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in The Bahamas.

As Country Coordination Officer in the Bahamas her duties will include supporting the United Nations Resident Coordinator in increasing national partnerships and financing development opportunities. She will also provide strategic advice to United Nations agencies and national authorities, to address complex issues in support of Small Island Developing States and Sustainable Development Goals international frameworks and regional institutions.

Resident Coordinator, Dr. Garry Conille, views this appointment as a reaffirmation of the UN’s commitment to the development priorities of the people and Government of The Bahamas. "We firmly believe in strengthening our relationship with The Bahamas, and the appointment of Aneesah Abdullah as Country Coordination Officer will allow for closer collaboration, especially as we move forward in developing a new and stronger Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSCDF)," Dr. Conille said.

Dr Conille added, “We have committed resources to ensure that her role supports us not only in delivering the transformative results that the Bahamas deserves, but also to tell the rich story of the country’s successes.”

During the recently concluded UN Mission to the Bahamas, the Hon. Darren Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the appointment of Ms Abdullah.

“You have made an excellent choice,” Minister Henfield said, adding that Abdullah’s appointment will foster a more collaborative approach to the coordination of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

In accepting her appointment, Abdullah pledged her support for strengthening the ties between the United Nations and The Bahamas. “I recognize the importance of strong collaborations and hope to bolster these relationships, being guided by the priorities of The Commonwealth.”

Aneesah Abdullah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Rights from the University of London. Abduallah is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of The Bahamas, School of Social Sciences. The Country Coordinator may be reached at aneesah.abdullah@un.org.