Åsa Regnér has held senior leadership positions in the Swedish government, in non-governmental organisations and within the United Nations system. Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Sweden (2023–2026). She previously served as Deputy Executive Director of UN Women (2018–2023) and as Sweden’s Cabinet Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality (2014–2018), where she strengthened national policies on gender equality and on the prevention of violence against women. Earlier in her career, Ms. Regnér was Director of Planning at the Ministry of Justice (2005–2007) and Political Adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office (1997–2005). She began her career defending women’s rights as a volunteer with a Swedish NGO in La Paz, Bolivia (1990–1991), before joining the Ministry of Labour.
Lidia Brito is a Former Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Mozambique (2000–2005). A specialist in forestry, she began her career at Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, where she served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (1998–2000). She is internationally recognized for her expertise in the development of science, technology and innovation policies, especially in Africa. Ms. Brito joined UNESCO in 2009 and notably served as Regional Director for Southern Africa in Harare (Zimbabwe) and Regional Director for Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean in Montevideo (Uruguay). Until 2026 she served as Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, as well as for Social and Human Sciences a.i.
Mariya Gabriel is the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria (2023–2024). As European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (2019–2023), Ms Gabriel led the “1 million talents in deep Tech” initiative and well as the Digital Education action Plan. As European Commissioner in charge of the Digital Economy and Society (2017-2019), she notably spearheaded the European Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Digital Europe Program. A former Member of the European Parliament (2009-2017), she notably served as a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. She has held both teaching and research positions at the Bordeaux Institute of Political Studies.
These new members of the Senior Management Team will assume office at the beginning of March 2026. They will support the Director-General in enhancing efficiency, strengthening the implementation of UNESCO’s mandate, and fostering innovative partnerships, within the framework of UNESCO80, with the aim of enabling UNESCO to better serve peoples and communities and to contribute to the consolidation and maintenance of peace.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-director-general-khaled-el-enany-appoints-first-members-his-new-senior-management-team
