Secretary-General Appoints Stefan Priesner of Austria as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Stefan Priesner of Austria as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, with the host Government’s approval. He took up his post on 1 December 2025.

He brings extensive experience in international development and management, including providing policy advice to governments and overseeing the formulation and delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary development programmes. At the United Nations, he most recently served as the Resident Coordinator in Iran (2021-2025), following his assignment as the Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore (2017-2021). He was also the Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan (2013-2017). Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at UNDP, including Country Director in Bangladesh (2008-2012), Deputy Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004-2008), Deputy Chief of the Sub-regional Resource Facility for South and West Asia in Nepal (2001-2004). Mr. Priesner started his United Nations career in 1997 with UNDP in Bhutan.

Prior to joining the United Nations, Mr. Priesner worked in the private sector.

He holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University in the United States and a master’s degree in law from the University of Vienna in Austria.

He is married and has two children.