UNICEF Zambia Welcomes Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah as New Country Representative

Lusaka, 21 October 2025 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Zambia is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah as the new Country Representative, effective October 2025. Dr. Abdullah presented her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mr. Mulambo Haimbe, MP, at his office in Lusaka today.

Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Haimbe welcomed the new representative and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to advancing children’s rights and well-being. “We are delighted to have you here and look forward to working closely with UNICEF on the child rights agenda.  As a country, we have made significant strides in strengthening our legal framework—most notably through the enactment of the Children’s Code Act, which marks a transformative milestone in Zambia’s child protection landscape. At the same time, we continue to face challenges such as child marriage. This issue is of critical importance to us and one we are actively working to end, under the leadership of the Republican President, Hakainde Hichilema, who is the continental champion on Ending Child Marriage. It is our hope that, through continued collaboration, we can address these issues and ensure every child in Zambia thrives.”

Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah, an Iraqi national, joins UNICEF Zambia from Azerbaijan, where she served as Country Representative. Her 28-year career in management and international public health has spanned multiple regions, including the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Europe.

Dr. Abdullah brings extensive and diverse experience in both emergency response and development programming. She has served in leadership positions with UNICEF in Yemen, Bangladesh, Turkey and Sudan, and has also worked in the Regional Office in Jordan. Prior to that, Dr. Abdullah worked with the Ministry of Health in Iraq and with international NGOs in Yemen. She is a Medical Doctor and holds a Master’s degree in Community Health from the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

“Our work in Zambia is firmly guided by the Government’s development priorities and UNICEF’s Country Programme, which localizes our global Strategic Plan and Africa Strategy. This alignment with the 8th National Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 ensures our efforts are both relevant and impactful. As custodian of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF brings technical expertise, advocacy, and evidence to help close gaps and accelerate progress—ensuring that every child’s voice, rights, and future are central to Zambia’s development journey,” Dr. Abdullah said.

During her tenure, she will lead UNICEF Zambia’s work in close collaboration with the Government of Zambia, UN agencies, development partners, and civil society. Under her leadership, the Country Office will continue to serve as a vital link between national priorities, regional frameworks, and global commitments—ensuring that no child is left behind in Zambia’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable development.

Note to Editors:

Photos of the official presentation of credentials can be found here: The Rep's Credential_MoFA

For further information, please contact:

Maria Fernandez, Chief of Communication, Advocacy, Partnerships and Engagement. Email: [email protected]; +260977300636.