Outgoing ECA Deputy Chief reflects on legacy, personal journey, and the 'sanctuary' of home

Addis Ababa, July 7, 2025 - In a heartfelt farewell address, Antonio Pedro, the outgoing Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), expressed profound gratitude for a nearly three-decade career dedicated to the continent, while announcing his long-awaited return to his native Mozambique on August 7th.

Addressing a gathering that included ambassadors, African Union officials, UN colleagues, and friends, Pedro framed his departure not just as a professional transition, but as a deeply personal homecoming. "I have been away from Mozambique since October 1996 - 29 years," Pedro stated, his voice thick with emotion. Recalling his late mother's persistent question, "When are you coming back home?", he delivered the poignant answer: "Mum, I am coming back home on 7 August 2025."

Pedro's career spanned pivotal roles across Africa. He served in ECA sub-regional offices in Kigali, Yaoundé, and Addis Ababa (twice), crediting these postings with offering "a unique opportunity to engage directly with member States" in pursuit of Africa's structural transformation. He highlighted landmark achievements, such as:

• Pioneering the African Mining Vision (AMV): Adopted by AU leaders in 2009, the promotion of sustainable, transparent and equitable mineral resource use.

• Sub-regional Innovation: Launching workstreams on tourism, the blue economy, economic diversification, battery/electric vehicles (BEVs), spatial planning, and natural capital accounting in national accounts. He specifically cited the IGAD Sustainable Tourism Master Plan and the Douala Consensus as emblematic successes.

• Strengthening AU-ECA Ties: Emphasizing a "strong and results-driven partnership" as key to achieving Agenda 2030 and 2063, crediting former AU Chairperson Moussa Faki.

• Building Strategic Partnerships: Driving collaboration with major African financial institutions (Afreximbank, AfDB, Africa Finance Corporation, etc.) to position Africa within the global battery and electric vehicle value chain.

Mr. Pedro was a strong defender of Regional Commissions, which he said have played a key role in articulating their value during UN regional reform efforts.

Beyond policy, Pedro painted a vivid picture of the personal journey behind his service. He attributed his resilience to his father, a Mozambican civil servant for over 40 years, whose various postings prefigured Pedro's own professional life moving between Dar-es-Salaam, Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Yaoundé. He paid tribute to his wife, Olga Chambal, his "chief of staff, partner in crime, and companheira inseparavel," and their daughter Inge, thanking them for "allowing me time to work for Africa."

Scores of staff, including the Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr. Claver Gatete, member states representatives, friends and family members underscored Pedro's humility, humanity, accessibility and mentorship. Throughout his career, he remained conscious of his own work-life balance, engaging with artists in art markets wherever he went and using art to create "a sanctuary at home."

Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: eca-info@un.org