PANAJI
The appointment of Dr Ligia Noronha as UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been hailed by industry bodies in the State.
“We welcome the appointment of Dr Ligia Noronha to the coveted post of Asst Secretary General and as head of the UNEP's New York office,” said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Manoj Caculo.
“She has already done tremendous work at UNEP on several environment related issues and this elevation is a well deserved recognition of her valuable work, spanning over two decades, on climate change and its impact on environment and health.”
“Before moving to UN she had worked with TERI and her research on sustainable development in India and Global South was well appreciated. She had worked on linkages between environment, climate change and security during her stint as member of National Security Advisory Board in India. She had also served as member of Goa State Planning Board and Goa Jubilee Development Council.”
“Dr Noronha is the latest in the list of some illustrious women like Usha Rao Monari, Gita Sabharwal and Anita Bhatia who have been appointed to prestigious positions on several UN bodies - this refects the growing respect for Indian women on the global arena,” Caculo added.
Chairman of CII Goa Council Blaise Costabir said Dr Noronha’s appointment is a great honour for Goa and India as a whole.
“Her appointment comes at a time Goa is grappling with environmental and sustainability issues. The government would do well in tapping her Goan ancestry to bring her considerable experience to the table. Her world view will make a big difference. We at CII Goa wish her all the very best in her new role on the World Stage,” said Costabir.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association Secretary Glenn Kalavampara said it was “indeed delightful to hear the news that Dr Noronha has been appointed as Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office of the UNEP. An extremely responsible position.”
“We congratulate and wish Dr Noronha the absolute best at her innings with the United Nations,” Kalavampara told The Goan.
Kalavampara said Dr Noronha had been involved towards setting up an independent organisation to address the socio“economic concerns within the mining belt, when she was heading The Energy Research Institute (TERI) office in Goa in the 1990’s.
“At the request of the Association in the late 1990’s, Dr Noronha had spearheaded and presented a roadmap towards this.”
“This is how the Mineral Foundation of Goa (MFG), a unique organisation and perhaps the first iron ore industry based organisation in the country, was conceptualised under her guidance and evolved over 20 years back,” said Kalavampara.
Kalavampara said the MFG over the years has immensely contributed towards social upliftment of communities and conservation of environment through various programmes.
