Ms. Maria Suokko (Finland) has been appointed UNDP Resident Representative for Kosovo and assumed her duties today, 17 June. She replaces Ms. Alessandra Roccasalvo who was acting Resident Representative since 1 January 2019.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Suokko was Senior Adviser in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Finland in Helsinki since September 2017. She also served as Head of Cooperation for MFA of Finland in Myanmar (2014-2017) and Senior Adviser in the MFA of Finland (2012-2014).

Her experience with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) includes Programme Specialist at the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (2006-2010), Assistant Resident Representative at UNDP China (2001-2005), Environmental Programme Manager at UNDP Cambodia (2000-2001), and Programme Officer at UNDP Thailand (1998-2000).

She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences (Economics) from the University of Helsinki.

Upon her appointment as Resident Representative with the UNDP office in Kosovo, Ms. Suokko said: “I am taking this post at a very important milestone as the office is marking its 20th anniversary of successful cooperation in Kosovo. I am looking forward to meeting all our Kosovan and international partners and continuing our joint efforts in supporting the development path that will secure a sustainable future for all”.

In addition to her native Finnish language, Maria also speaks English, Swedish, as well as some French and German. She enjoys the great outdoors and looks forward to exploring the beautiful nature in Kosovo and beyond.

For more information, please contact:

Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410;   mobile: 049 720 800 e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org

Danijela Mitić, Communication Associate UNDP

Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412;    mobile: 049 720 824 e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org