Ms. Vladanka Andreeva has officially assumed her role as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, taking up the post on January 10 and marking a leadership transition within the UN system in the Kingdom.
She succeeds Mr. Jo Scheuer, who has completed his tenure in Cambodia. The appointment was made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres with the approval of the Royal Government of Cambodia, according to a statement released by the United Nations on January 12.
Leadership transition at a critical juncture
Ms. Andreeva arrives in Cambodia with more than 25 years of experience spanning international development, humanitarian coordination, policy advocacy and partnership building. Her appointment comes at a time when Cambodia continues to engage closely with development partners on issues ranging from economic resilience and social inclusion to climate adaptation and urbanisation.
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Most recently, she served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, where she led the UN country team in supporting national sustainable development priorities in a post-conflict recovery environment. During that period, she also played a central role in coordinating system-wide UN engagement in preparations for the twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), with a focus on promoting an inclusive, development-oriented climate agenda.
Her work in Azerbaijan also included advancing cooperation on sustainable urbanisation and strengthening partnerships ahead of the thirteenth World Urban Forum, reflecting a broader emphasis on integrated development planning and multilateral coordination.
Extensive regional and sectoral experience
Ms. Andreeva is not new to Cambodia or the wider Asia-Pacific region. She previously held senior positions with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), including serving as Country Director in Cambodia. In that role, she was involved in leading the UN system’s COVID-19 response and coordination efforts, working closely with government counterparts and development partners during the pandemic.
Her earlier roles with UNAIDS also included serving as Strategic Intervention Adviser at the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, as well as Monitoring and Evaluation Team Lead in Vietnam. These positions focused on programme effectiveness, data-driven policy design and cross-country coordination in complex development environments.
Beyond UNAIDS, Ms. Andreeva has held senior advisory roles with the United Nations Development Programme, where she worked as a Policy Adviser for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. She also previously served as Adviser to the United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, contributing to policy alignment and inter-agency coordination at the country level.
Her earlier career includes experience with the World Health Organization and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, where she supported humanitarian operations across multiple contexts.
Implications for Cambodia’s development engagement
Ms. Andreeva’s appointment is expected to support continuity in UN engagement with Cambodia while bringing additional experience in post-conflict recovery, climate policy coordination and system-wide UN reform. The Resident Coordinator plays a central role in aligning the work of UN agencies with national development priorities and facilitating dialogue between the government, development partners and the private sector.
Prior to joining the United Nations system, Ms. Andreeva worked with the non-profit organisation Pharmaciens Sans Frontières, where she coordinated humanitarian relief efforts for refugee communities, adding an operational dimension to her policy and leadership background.
Academically, she holds a bachelor’s degree in dental medicine and a master’s degree in public health, a combination that reflects her long-standing engagement at the intersection of health, development and public policy.
As Cambodia continues to navigate economic transformation, climate-related challenges and inclusive growth priorities, Ms. Andreeva’s leadership is expected to shape how the UN system supports national objectives and coordinates international assistance in the years ahead.
