Nahla Valji

One number can tell a whole story. In 2025, over 95% of children under one received life‑saving vaccines, protecting nearly every child from preventable diseases. #Eritrea #SDGs

#Eritrea 🇪🇷 2025 — a year of measurable progress! From stronger health and education systems to expanded livelihoods, protection, and climate resilience, the results are in! Over the coming weeks, we’ll unpack the key achievements. Download Report🔗tinyurl.com/8htf4r2b

Great to catch up with Ms. Nahla Valji, UN Resident Coordinator in #Eritrea, during her short visit to New York. Our discussions reviewed the current portfolio of development projects and underscored the importance of aligning support with #Eritrea|s nationally defined priorities and long-term vision. We also explored opportunities to deepen engagement in key sectors such as #tourism, an area with significant untapped potential, given #Eritrea’s rich cultural heritage, pristine coastline, and unique historical assets, including the #UNESCO-listed city of #Asmara. Strengthening partnerships in this space can serve as a catalyst for sustainable growth and job creation.

My thanks to the @UNinEritrea team for an excellent discussion during my recent visit. 👏 to @nahlav for her leadership - exactly the kind of strong leader that the 🇺🇳 needs right now.

Productive exchange between @UNinEritrea and @AfDB_Group Director-General @AlexMubiru5 and team. Discussions focused on ongoing collaboration and opportunities to deepen #Partnerships, including on climate, agriculture, and innovative financing for development. #Eritrea

In Asmara, @UNinEritrea met with Canada’s Ambassador-designate to share insights on UN programmes and partnerships, and to explore strengthened collaboration in support of Eritrea’s national development priorities. #Eritrea #partnerships

Stronger coordination. Greater coherence. Impact at scale. The reformed Resident Coordinator system is working with governments at local level to translate these objectives into results, implementing the 2030 Agenda in over 160 countries. Shared with Member States visible impact of these reforms and measures taken to recalibrate the system, 8 years in — their leadership remains vital to consolidate gains made. The RC system remains key to the @UN advancing the SDGs, leaving no one behind.

Eritrea’s Digital Customs Progress! On March 2, the new digital customs management system (ASYCUDA World) was launched at the Asmara Customs Center railway station, and since day one, it has operated without interruption. The results after just one month speak for themselves: 📉 Processing time has dropped significantly; the process is now more flexible and fast, with a high impact on customs operations—staff have already expressed their satisfaction 📈 Revenue is increasing thanks to improved speed and efficiency ⏱️ Customer experience has improved—processing time has decreased, and declaration time is now faster, allowing more declarations to be processed 👩‍💼 Staff copped on very quickly—the team adapted fast and embraced the new technology 🎯 Accuracy is extremely high, with improved procedures and advanced features making operations easier 🌍 Paperless operations are reducing costs significantly One of the most significant changes has been the distribution of labor. All staff are empowered to take on more responsibility as the process becomes more accurate. Everyone feels qualified, responsible, and part of the system. Clearing agents have also upgraded their skills through exposure to new technology and training—contributing to private sector capacity building. In the coming months, once the Massawa port is fully operational, the system will become completely paperless. This is what happens when digital innovation, training, and national ownership come together. A more transparent, efficient, and modern customs system is already delivering real results for #Eritrea. #ASYCUDA #DigitalCustoms #TradeFacilitation #UNDP #DigitalTransformation #CustomsModernization #Paperless #RevenueGrowth #CapacityBuilding

Grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture for the invitation to visit the IOAS Center model farm in Asmara. Encouraging to see homegrown innovation advancing integrated, climate-smart agriculture and strengthening livelihoods through partnership. #Eritrea #SDGs

“… because of the investment and the choice to be completely organic, this is a country that is not being impacted by the increase in fertilizer prices at this moment. We can already see the choices that are being made that are climate safe, healthy for people and that protect and grow the economy.” Nahla Valji United Nations Resident Coordinator, #Eritrea @nahlav @UNDPEritrea @UNinEritrea

🎥 Watch the video from the visit! At the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, FAO Representative, and UNDP Deputy Representative in #Eritrea toured the Integrated Organic Agrotech Solutions (IOAS) Center at the Akria Site in Asmara. Initiated by the Eritrea Ministry of Agriculture and supported by a UNDP funded capacity-building visit to Benin's Songhai Center. The Ministry of Agriculture IOAS center was established in 2025 across 3 hectares, the center focuses on compost production and dairy cow/goat farming. It provides economical, eco-friendly integrated organic agrotech solutions across crops, livestock, aquaculture, poultry, agro-engineering, and bio-based inputs. @nahlav @NashidaSattar @FAOEritrea @UNinEritrea @UNDPAfrica

Warmest wishes on Nawroz—the ancient celebration of light over darkness and renewal with the arrival of spring. In a time of profound challenge and conflict across the region, may it bring hope, peace, and a season where life, dignity, and humanity prevail.

In these difficult & divided times, the message of #Nowruz is vital. It represents a new chance to build bridges of understanding & mutual respect among all cultures & peoples. Together, let's build a more peaceful, sustainable & inclusive world.

At today’s consultative mtg., @UNinEritrea met w/ H.E. Dr Halima Mohamed, Minister of Education, during her first engagement with UN Country Team. Discussions focused on #education priorities & how #UNcooperation can help strengthen access, equity and learning in #Eritrea. #SDGs

At regular development partners meeting last week, @UNinEritrea and partners discussed shared priorities, with a deeper look at food systems and early planning for the next UN Cooperation Framework to support communities across the country. #Eritrea #UN #Partnerships

Thank you to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare for hosting the @UNinEritrea team at the Orthopedic Workshop near Adi Guadad. The visit highlighted #Eritrea's significant efforts to produce prosthetic devices and improve access to rehabilitation services for those in need.

On Intl. Women's Day, UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres message reminds us that progress depends on equality and opportunity for all. In Eritrea, this message resonates strongly, as I write in this #IWD2026 op-ed. Read: tinyurl.com/ywm2r4sh 📹youtu.be/wfkUHn24BnM?si…

Women’s rights are human rights. And investing in women and girls is one of the surest ways to make the world a better place Yet, progress on gender equality has been slow and uneven. It’s time to take action and deliver the equality our world so sorely needs. Women and girls are changing the world. Let’s change the world for women and girls.

Op-ed by RC @nahlav for International Women’s Day reflects on the leadership of #Eritrean women across generations➡️from the liberation era to young women shaping #Eritrea’s future in classrooms, farms, labs and communities. #IWD2026 Read more➡️ tinyurl.com/ywm2r4sh

Also met with the Director-General @AlexMubiru5 of @AfDB_Group and his team to explore strategic partnership and financing opportunities aligned with Eritrea’s development agenda.

Productive discussions in Nairobi last week with @UNICEF @EvaUNICEF and @UN_Women @annamutavati on aligning expertise and the UN's offer as a country team to better support #Eritrea’s national development priorities, particularly for women, children and communities. #SDGs