Her Royal Highness Joins UNDP Lesotho as National Goodwill Ambassador

On 27 August, in Maseru, Her Royal Highness officially signed on as the UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador For Equality and Sustainable Development in Lesotho

August 31, 2026

Female speaker at a podium against a blue UNDP backdrop with logos.

On Thursday, 27th August at Avani Maseru, UNDP Lesotho had the privilege of formally introducing Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Seeiso as the UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development in Lesotho.

The occasion was marked by speeches from our Resident Representative, Dr Jacqueline Olweya; the Honourable Limpho Tau, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations; the Honourable Lady Justice Nthomeng Majara, Deputy Prime Minister; Her Royal Highness herself; and beneficiaries whom Her Royal Highness had met along the journey leading up to this announcement — a strong reminder of the communities whose voices this ambassadorship aims to amplify.

Bringing together government, the royal family, partners, and community members, the event marked the beginning of Her Royal Highness' tenure as our National Goodwill Ambassador, and the start of an exciting new chapter for UNDP Lesotho.

Photograph of smiling attendees at a blue-themed event, seated at a table with flowers. — (L-R) Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Lady Justice Nthomeng Majara, HRH Princess Senate Seeiso, and UNDP Lesotho Resident Representative Dr Jacqueline Olweya

In welcoming Her Royal Highness to the role, Resident Representative Dr Jacqueline Olweya thanked her for accepting the call: "Today, you take forward a journey that is profoundly Basotho: listening, lifting voices, celebrating local solutions and reminding our people that sustainable development is not an abstract promise — it is the right of every child, every woman, every young person and every community. Like the Basotho blanket, may this mission wrap our people in dignity, protection and belonging. May it remind us that change begins when people believe it is possible — and then choose to act together."

The position was commended by the Honourable Limpho Tau, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations from the Government of Lesotho. In his remarks, the Minister highlighted the importance of Basotho youth, saying: " This appointment is particularly significant given that Her Royal Highness represents the aspirations and potential of Lesotho's younger generation. As a young leader herself, she is uniquely positioned to connect with young people across the country, inspire positive action and encourage greater participation in national development efforts. In a nation where young people make up a significant proportion of our population, their engagement is essential if we are to achieve our development goals and build a more inclusive and sustainable future."

Smiling woman in blue blouse delivering a speech at a podium with microphones, UNDP banner behind.

Photograph of a man in a suit speaking at a podium with UN logos.

The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Lady Justice Nthomeng Majara was invited to speak next. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnership, saying: "This appointment comes at an important time in Lesotho's development journey. The Sustainable Development Goals set before us an ambitious and shared agenda: to end poverty, to build resilient economies, to protect our environment, and to ensure that no Masotho is left behind. These are not abstract targets. They speak to the everyday realities of our people — access to opportunity, to services, to justice, and to a future they can shape for themselves. Achieving this agenda requires the participation of every sector of our society; Government, Parliament, traditional leadership, the private sector, civil society and our development partners, working together with common purpose. It also requires that our institutions find new and creative ways to bring these priorities closer to the people they serve. This is precisely the value that a National Goodwill Ambassador brings."

Her Royal Highness affirmed her commitment with a signing of the UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador certificate, a document that has been signed by past UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors before her and the ones to come. In her acceptance speech, Princess Senate Seeiso reflected on the work she had seen with UNDP Lesotho in the lead up to this appointment:

"My role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador speaks directly to the Sustainable Development Goals and to the kind of future we want for Lesotho. The goals are not distant international commitments. They are a shared blueprint for ending poverty, expanding opportunity, protecting the environment and building peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies by 2030. I accept this appointment with immense pride, but also with an understanding that there is work to be done. Over the past months, I have had the privilege of seeing some of UNDP's work up close. I have travelled across the depth and breadth of our beautiful kingdom and seen that UNDP's work does not begin and end in Maseru. It reaches into our villages, our mountains, and our most remote communities, wherever Basotho are working to build a better future."

Photograph of a woman at a podium in a green patterned dress and sunglasses, speaking.

Photograph of a speaker at a podium with UN logos on a blue backdrop.

The event was shared with beneficiaries of UNDP Lesotho’s programs such as HerEMPIRE, the Small Grants Program, and Renewable Lesotho: Access to Affordable and Renewable Energy. The beneficiaries, who were an integral part of Her Royal Highnesses’ journey to becoming the National Goodwill Ambassador, shared their joy in having the Princess further spread the work UNDP Lesotho is doing.

The appointment of Her Royal Highness Princess Senate Seeiso as UNDP Lesotho's National Goodwill Ambassador for Equality and Sustainable Development signals a renewed commitment, from all corners of Lesotho's development landscape, to ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals remain a shared national endeavour.

As Her Royal Highness begins this chapter alongside UNDP Lesotho, the agency looks forward to a partnership that will bring development messages closer to communities, amplify the voices of those most affected by its work, and inspire collective action toward a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Lesotho.