Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Stefan Priesner Becomes New UN Head in India
Stefan Priesner, a man from Austria, has a new job as the head of the United Nations (UN) in India.
He started this job on Monday and will be in charge for a while.
Before this, he worked in Iran and has lots of experience in other countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
He has degrees in law and international relations.
His job is to represent the UN in India and help with important projects.
At the same time, the UN also appointed a new leader for a peacekeeping force in a place called Abyei, which is between Sudan and South Sudan.
This new leader is a general from Nepal named Ganesh Kumar Shrestha.
Stefan Priesner of Austria has taken over as the UN Resident Coordinator in India, succeeding Shombi Sharp.
Priesner has extensive experience in South Asia, having worked in Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
He previously served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran and has also worked in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Priesner holds a law degree from the University of Vienna and a master’s in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.
The UN Resident Coordinator represents the UN at the highest levels of state and leads the representatives of UN agencies in the country.
- Who
- Stefan Priesner, an Austrian national, has taken over as the UN’s head in India.
- What
- Stefan Priesner has assumed the role of UN Resident Coordinator in India, succeeding Shombi Sharp.
- When
- Priesner assumed charge on Monday.
- Where
- Priesner's new role is based in India, with previous experience in South Asia, including Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Why
- Priesner's appointment is part of the UN's regular rotation of personnel to ensure diverse representation and expertise in its global operations.
- New UN Head in India
- Stefan Priesner
- Previous Position
- UN Resident Coordinator in Iran
- Experience in South Asia
- Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh
- Education
- Law degree from University of Vienna, Master's in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University
- Role of Resident Coordinator
- Represents UN at highest levels of state and leads UN agencies in the country
- New UNISFA Force Commander
- Lt Gen Ganesh Kumar Shrestha of Nepal
- UNISFA Troops
- 3,250 troops and 640 police
- Shrestha's Previous Role
- Master General of Ordinance in Nepalese Army Headquarters