The newly appointed resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mathieu Ciowela, has been received in an introductory audience by Cameroon’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Célestine Ketcha Courtès this Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The focus of the meeting was on discussions regarding the strategic axes of cooperation between the UNDP and MINHDU, marking a new chapter in their long-standing partnership.
Minister Ketcha Courtès extended a warm welcome to Ciowela, noting the UNDP’s consistent support for the ministry, particularly during World Habitat Days and the 2025 General Estates on waste resource management.
The primary objective of the session was to review the collaboration roadmap inherited from the previous representative and align it with the 2026 priorities of both institutions. Minister Ketcha Courtès highlighted the critical need for UNDP support in promoting the circular economy through waste valorization. She also sought strategic and operational assistance regarding climate change adaptation and the management of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within urban centers.
Mathieu Ciowela praised the dynamism of the ministry and reaffirmed his commitment to working in synergy with the government. He emphasized the cross-cutting nature of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and the transformative potential of waste management. Furthermore, the new Resident Representative presented the UNDP’s strategic intervention pillars for the 2026–2029 period which includes; ensuring equity and wealth redistribution, strengthening institutional frameworks, managing disasters, risks, and climate change, and preserving the environment for future generations.
The Minister expressed her satisfaction with this renewed commitment to improving the living conditions of the population. Preparations for World Habitat Day 2026 are already underway, with the UNDP confirmed as a key long-term partner for the event. This collaboration is expected to accelerate urban development projects that integrate environmental sustainability and social inclusion.
Mathieu Ciowela brings a wealth of experience to this role, having climbed the ranks of the UNDP since 1990. His career spans strategic positions across West and Central Africa, as well as at the UNDP headquarters in New York within the Regional Bureau for Africa. Academically, Mathieu Ciowela is highly accomplished, holding a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Dakar and a Post-Graduate Diploma (DEA) in Economic Planning and Development from the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP).
