Cairo- February 21st. The Egypt Country Office and the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) bid farewell to Ziad Rifai, Egypt's Representative for the last four years. A party was organized in UNFPA's new premises for Ziad with staff from both offices. The Assistant Representative, Magdy Khaled, conveyed a farewell message on behalf of the staff followed by a warm message from the Regional Director, Hafez Chekir. Ziad leaves the Arab Region after more that 15 years dedicated to advance UNFPA mandate in a challenging environment. His efforts have left a deep footprint in everyone that has had the chance to work with him. Great leader and supporter to all staff, Ziad will be missed in Egypt and in all the ASRO countries that he extensively know as a result of his work at the CST. Ziad provided outstanding management to the programmes and built a professional relationship with all partners, especially within the Government of Egypt.
Working for UNFPA since 1997, Ziad joined the Egyptian team in January 2008 and succeeded to champion UNFPA’s issues through the turbulent times of the Egyptian revolution, which dramatically changed the UN portfolio. Ziad, in close collaboration with his team, reacted accordingly aligning UNFPA’s programmes with the new identified needs, giving a special attention to women health and rights and to the Youth.
The country office colleagues specifically acknowledge Ziad’s commitment to create an enjoyable working environment and building trust and respect in the office. The CO wished him continued great success and fulfillment in his new “Business plan implementation support team leader” position with UNFPA Headquarters. In words of the Assistant Representative: "you [Ziad] will be missed by the people and the country."
