New UNDP resident representative in Guyana and Suriname appointed

Jul 23, 2025 News

Katy Thompson as the new Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname

Kaieteur News – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the appointment of Katy Thompson as the new Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname.

Based in Georgetown, Ms. Thompson brings over 25 years of international experience in governance, peacebuilding, and development to her new role, the UNDP said in a press release. On Friday, July 18, Ms. Thompson formally presented her credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Guyana, Hugh Todd, during a ceremony held at the ministry. The meeting marked the official start of her tenure in Guyana and reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment to supporting Guyana’s national development priorities.

Ms. Thompson has also engaged with Jean Kamau, the Resident Coordinator for the United Nations in Guyana, to align UNDP’s strategic vision with the broader UN system’s support to the country.

Ahead of her arrival in Guyana, Ms. Thompson met with Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations. During their meeting, which was also attended by Mr. Gerardo Noto, former UNDP Resident Representative in Guyana, the parties discussed UNDP’s role in advancing Guyana’s transformational development agenda.

Ms. Thompson expressed her commitment to fostering a productive working relationship with the Government of Guyana and congratulated Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett on her leadership during Guyana’s tenure on the UN Security Council. She also commended Guyana for spotlighting the issues of poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict, which were key themes of the country’s signature event at the Security Council on June 19.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Thompson served as Co-Director of Governance, Rule of Law & Peacebuilding at UNDP Headquarters in New York. She led global policy efforts across institutional reform, access to justice, human rights, and social cohesion. Her career spans senior roles in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, as well as work with the OSCE and UNICEF in over 100 countries.

Ms. Thompson holds degrees from Cambridge University and Essex University, along with postgraduate diplomas in Law and Legal Practice from the College of Law in London. She is a former practicing lawyer in England and Wales and has worked in academia and civil society as a researcher and advocate for gender equality.

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Jean Kamau, Katy Thompson, representative, United Nations Development Programme

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