The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Ms. Diene Keita as Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) effective 29 August 2025. She holds the rank of United Nations Under-Secretary-General. Ms. Keita served briefly as Acting Executive Director and as Deputy Executive Director Programme since August 2020.
Ms. Keita brings to the role over three decades of leadership in international development and public service. Her career includes service as Minister for Cooperation and African Integration for the Republic of Guinea, alongside extensive experience within the United Nations. She has held senior leadership positions within UNFPA, including as Representative in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo—two of the organization’s largest programmes. She has acted as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ms. Keita began her United Nations career in 1990 with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Throughout her career, Ms. Keita has worked extensively on the empowerment of women and youth, inclusive growth, demographic issues, and sustainable human development. She has focused on addressing sexual and reproductive health, as well as on ending gender-based violence in humanitarian settings.
Ms. Keita holds a doctorate in Law and advanced degrees in International Economics, Development Law and International Relations from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She is fluent in English, French and Italian.
