UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has named Shalini Bahuguna, an expert in artificial intelligence (AI), as the resident coordinator in Papua New Guinea. Bahuguna, with extensive experience in international organizations, will lead UN teams working on programs in the country. She recently collaborated with UNICEF and Accenture on an AI strategy and has a background in advocating for children’s rights and national development priorities.
Bahuguna’s career spans various roles, including serving as the UNICEF representative in Tanzania and holding positions in Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Nigeria. She began her development work in India, focusing on water and sanitation issues before engaging with the Indian government, the World Bank, and the UK’s Department for International Development in countries like China, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. Educated at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi and Swansea University in the UK, Bahuguna holds a master’s degree in development economics and international development.
Papua New Guinea, a small Pacific nation with a population of around 13 million, hosts 192 UN programs supported by a budget of $85.5 million. The appointment of Bahuguna underscores the UN’s commitment to advancing its initiatives in the region.
