On the occasion of the RCNY International Breakfast at the UN about 20 members and guests gathered to celebrate the last Rotary Club of New York event in 2025. Francis Dubois had arranged for a great speaker. Ms. Diene Keita
Ms. Diene Keita has recently been appointed as Executive Director of the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, with the rank of Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. She succeeds Natalia Kanem of Panama, Ms. Keita has served as Deputy Executive Director (Programme) of UNFPA since 2020, bringing over three decades of leadership in international development and public service.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a UN agency aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health worldwide. Its work includes developing national healthcare strategies and protocols, increasing access to birth control, and leading campaigns against child marriage, gender-based violence, obstetric fistula, and female genital mutilation.
Her career includes service as Minister for Cooperation and African Integration of Guinea, alongside extensive experience within the United Nations. She has held senior leadership positions within UNFPA, including as Representative in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has acted as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, Benin and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ms. Keita began her United Nations career in 1990 with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Throughout her career, Ms. Keita has worked extensively on the empowerment of women and youth, including demographic issues and sustainable human development. She has focused on addressing sexual and reproductive health, as well as on ending gender-based violence in humanitarian settings.
Ms. Keita holds a doctorate in law and advanced degrees in international economics and development law and international relations from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France. She is fluent in English, French, Italian, and some local languages of West Africa, such as Malinké, Bambara, Sousou and with notion of Fulani.
|Ms. Keita delivered a powerful message about caring and showing love to those around you and offering kind words to those in need. She reflected about some of her close calls in the field and how she almost lost her life in Haiti. She offered an open ear to Rotary and asked Rotarians to reach out to her anytime.
Then Chair of Trustees Gerard Schriffen presented a $25,000 to Bob Terry from St. Francis College to help homeless students with their tuition. The need for mentors was mentioned as well thus the opportunity for Rotarians to serve. Mr. Terry stated that he too was a Rotarians in the past in California and thanked our Foundation.
Then our Honorable guest speaker was presented with Honorary Membership in our club and the meeting adjourned at 10am.
