On 21 November 2018, Tanzanian national Joyce Msuya was named acting head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) after executive director Erik Solheim resigned in the wake of an internal audit and rule-breaking allegations at the Nairobi-based UN agency.
Solheim said he had stepped down with effect from November 20, following a report that said he had used $500,000 in unnecessary and budgeted travel expenses over 22 months. The audit also accused him of breaking rules at the agency.
In a statement to staff, Solheim said: “Moments ago, with a heavy heart, I informed the Secretary-General (António Guterres) of my decision.” He added: “It is my most sincere hope that this proves to be in the best interest of UN Environment and the wider UN. Despite the challenges this moment brings, I also hope each of you will take pride in what we have achieved together.”
He said that in 2017 he had responded to the Secretary-General’s call for “a dramatic change in culture” at the UN so the organisation could remain relevant to 21st-century challenges. Solheim also said he wanted UN Environment to become “a lead agency for reform,” and said he would leave believing he had worked to make the agency “more capable and more impactful.”
Solheim, a Norwegian diplomat and former politician, took over from Achim Steiner as UNEP executive director in 2016.
